Attention kimmie39 A QUESTION PLEASE

Hi Joan,

I am the one who told you about kimmie39.  Sometimes her visits here are few and far between because she is currently doing chemo etc.  Here is  a post she made on the IBC diagnosed, lets share our stories thread back in October.  Hope this helps!

Hi girls,

Heres another in a long list of same-o same-o bad diagnoses.

First a little back ground. I was first diagnosed in 1995 at the age of 27. right breast IDC. 3  lymph nodes also cancerous. 6 rounds of ACF every three  weeks, lumpectomy followed by 6 wks radiation. 10 yrs after and I thought I was done with cancer, took out a second mortgage on my house and had extensive plastic surgery to lift my breast and make them the same size (YEA!!) also had a tummy tuck.  Less than a year later an area about the size of a 50cent pc starts getting red on my right breast. I call my gynecologist and they give me an appointment. A week later gyno. says " I dont see anything that worries me but Ill send you to see your general surgeon to see if you need any testing". O.K. Make an appointment (no hurry) I Go to see surgeon He says " I dont see anything that worries me because there is no lump but we will send you for a mammo and ultrasound to be sure since you have a past history" O.K. make me an appointment and of course they are in no hurry. I go for the test and the radiologist come back and says " I dont see anything to worry about" I say look something is wrong. He looks at my breast and says he will look at the tests results again and send his recommendations to the surgeon. I have a follow up with my surgeon and he informs me that the mammo. and ultrasound were both clear and the radiologist doesnt recommend anymore testing so I have 3 choices. 1. Do nothing , wait 6 months and see if there are any changes.    2. Do random skin biopies since there is no lump to biopsy.    3. Have a MRI but bear in mind that the radiologist did not indicate it was needed so my insurance may not cover the cost.   I tell him Im worth it and we schedualed the MRI, and he gave me a follow up appointment  a couple of weeks later. I have my MRI and while waiting for my follow up appointment with the surgeon my breast is  getting worse. I call his office and ask why I have to wait so long to see him and get my results. They see me the next day. At this appointment (which is 3 months from my first appointment with my gyno.) I find out I have cancer in BOTH breast and most likely the lymph nodes on BOTH sides as well.

Im currently in treatment. I have one more cycle of chemo left and then on to surgery (bilateral mast.) which I might add Im scared about. '

Anyway my biggest obstacle right now is trying to figure out if I also should have chemo AFTER surgery, Sounds like its determined by whether or not there is still cancer in the nodes at the time of surgery.

Anyway thats my story.

Hang in there and post when you need help or support. 

Hugs from Virginia

Hi

Im sorry I did not get back to you sooner. I have been in Texas getting all new testing and meeting a new treatment team. For the record they think I maybe a good candidate for a Stem Cell Transplant and Im excited to have another weapon to fight this thing with.

Thanks Sunneedazee!! You picked up the ball I missed !!!!!!! I really cant wait to help others and you were able to attach some info for her in my absence. Im grateful.

OK as Im sure you read I did not have the same symptoms as you BUT stay on guard!!!!!! Do not allow ANYONE to belittle your fears, or down play the importance of your symptoms. I can not count on my fingers and toes how many bad stories Ive heard since my diagnoses!!! And they all start with a woman who feared something was seriously wrong and at least one person in the medical field that was under informed. Ill be waiting to hear how your appointment goes. I had to demand attention and if Id listened to the docs I would not be hear to type these words. 

Hope this helps!

Hugs from Va

Kim 

I wish I could be more help but I really do not know. I will however try to find a better answer for you.

Kim