mammogram after breast reduction and LCIS

62192 · June 2008

62192 · June 2008

I have been on this forum before and everyone seems to be sooo supportive. Right now I am really nervous about something. I am having to do a mammogram in a few weeks after having breast reduction surgery and them finding LCIS in 1 breast. So now I am going in for my 6 month check up and having to do a baseline all over again. I am 47 years old, diagnosed with LCIS, pre-menopausal and have been trying to get myself to try the tomox (dr wants me to, but I have worried about it). So now I am like starting to feel really panicky over this mammogram- what if they find something???? I am so freaked out about it everytime I think about it. I know I need to think positively but sometimes I am one that looks at the glass half empty. The dr told me a month ago to schedule the mammo for end of June. Well I did not schedule it until today and they got me in in 2 weeks, had a few cancellations. So basically I was putting it off and not schedulling it because of worry. i start thinking about the fact that i have 3 kids under the age of 13 and what would they do without me. i know i am taking this too far when we don't even know anything. This whole thing has been a lot for me to swallow, however it certainly has helped to have so many other people out there going through the same thing and more and hear how they are dealing with it. Thanks for letting me spout!!!!!

leaf · June 2008

Once you get something that puts you at higher risk, that makes you more afraid-hey, you found something that puts me at higher risk last time, now this?

It can be very hard to look at things positively. Goodness knows, I looked at the whole diagnostic process negatively. I'm still working on those kind of issues with my other medical problem (besides LCIS.)

I'm convinced my mind works at what is handy. Minds are distractable. Some people find distraction, positive or negative helps.

I know this sounds absolutely crazy, but you don't HAVE to look at things positively. You can look at things negatively. It may be tougher for you both emotionally and physically. But you can 'play' some tricks with your mind, like distraction.

We will be here and support you here no matter which way you feel.

That's what I love at this BB. I can be positive, or negative, or anything inbetween, and I will find support here. At the support group for my 'other condition', they - the patients- only accept being positive, even with people that have a much worse prognosis than I have. I think that is not the way I want to go. You might want to check out the thread 'Be Positive-Shut up', I think its in the 'just diagnosed' forum, but I'm not sure. (My connection is very slow at the moment so I can't check.)

Anonymous · June 2008

When I was diagnosed with LCIS (almost 5 years ago) I was 46, premenopausal, and the mother of 2 teenagers, so I can relate. I did put everything on hold for a while while I sorted things out--saw a surgeon and oncologist, had a lumpectomy, started on tamoxifen, and did TONS of research--had just lost my job prior to diagnosis, so had lots of free time! Actually, thought about it almost obsessively for a time, even with the distractions of a new job and family obligations. I still find myself thinking about it/spending more time worrying about it than I should; especially when a mammo or MRI is coming up or a doctor visit. Actually just had my 6 month f/u with oncologist yesterday and we had this very same conversation. He knows I'm a worrier, he always trys to reassure me that I'm being watched so closely, that if anything ever developed, it would be found very early. (I have MRIs alternating with mammos every 6 months, see him every 6 months on opposite schedule, so actually "checked" by sombody every 3 months--that does help to give me more peace of mind). The plan now is for me to go on Evista after I finish my 5 years of tamox (in 4 months) and he also wants me to go for genetic counseling and testing (I also have family history which increases my risk even further). I have been OK with the tamox (only mild SEs--mainly hot flashes) and close surveillance; but it is very individual--I think it depends on how much risk you can live with comfortably. I figure I will deal with it, whatever it is, IF the time comes.

I don't know if faith plays a part in your life, but it is what has helped me the most of anything ( I get a lot of support and comfort from prayer (my own and those of others that pray for me) and attend healing services occasionally to help me live with the stress of high risk). We all have to find something that works for us. One gentleman told me recently, "instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop, why not put on the shoe and dance?" So I try to remind myself of that and try and live life to the fullest. Please don't hesitate to PM me if you'd like talk anytime.

Anne

62192 · June 2008

Thank you so much for the reassurance. It always helps to hear other people dealing with the same thing and what they do to overcome it. Yes, faith is a part of my life as well and it has helped me tremendously at times and then when friends pray as well. I like the saying that the gentlemen told you.

I have been a little more relaxed about this the last few days because my kids last day of school was today and it has been a crazy week and it kept me preoccupied. Now that school is done I am already worrying more about it, and i don't want the kids to see me really worried.One thing i have thought about is that if their was something it would be caught early - that is big help for me.

I really should just try this tomox and see if and what SE's I get. I can handle hot flashes, it's the others I have read that worry me. I feel fortunate that I do not have family history but now I will have to be concerned about my 2 daughters - they are still young yet 11 and 8. To be honest I have thought quite a bit about the idea of a bilateral mastectomy - then I wouldn't have to worry about it at all. I am not rushing into anything though.

Thanks for responding to me.

Nichola · June 2008

I have had loads of SE from tamox...but my Doc encouraged me to stick it out for 6 months (2 weeks from now). Last night I had my first undisturbed night's sleep and other SEs are definitely diminishing...So don't get put off too soon if you do have probs....

CAZ · June 2008

Hi 62192,

According to my breast surgeon, bilateral mastectomy doesn't drop your risk to zero. It drops it by 95%. That was good enough for me. I, too, was concerned about the SE of Tamox, but some women breeze through it.

Fortunately, you have time to decide and you have options. Wishing you luck and peace with whatever you choose.

Carol(AZ)

snowyday · June 2008

I'm also in the waiting game for my bi mam and it looked like there was something there, but I refuse to worry anymore, I have chosen to fight instead. I've made it through surgury chemo and rads once and will do it again and again or clinical trial whatever. I spent to much time worrying and it didn't help me at all. I know it's hard to stay positive but with small children your going to have too. My eldest son can't take anymore negativity from me about my cancer so I've stopped it. I'm so sorry your going through this, it is scary. But the thing is I finally realized I have no control over what the diagnosis will be, but I can control how I cope with the waiting. No more fear for me I just want to know then fight it. I hope I don't sound tough or mean I'm only trying to explain that I have wasted to many hours worrying over something I can not control.

mammogram after breast reduction and LCIS

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