New and saying hello :)

hevenlee
hevenlee Member Posts: 5
in Breast Cancer #1

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello.  My story - quick version.  I was diagnosed with Stage 1, invasive DCIS breast cancer on April 12, 2013.  I had a lumpectomy on May 3rd.  Surgeon did not get "clean margins" so I had a second lumpectomy on June 3rd.  When she got into the breast further she discovered that my breast was full of pre-cancerous cells.  She said it was as if someone threw dust in my breast.  We talked about all my options and I decided to have a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.  My surgery was on August 12th.  We got the pathology report back and they found another cancerous tumor.  I definitely made the right decision.  I have had the saline injecttions 3 times now.  I get another one on 9/25.  I must say that the expander is so uncomfortable!  My breast is so tight.  I'm hoping to get my implant by Nov/Dec.  

I am truly blessed as I didn't need chemo or radiation.  However, I'm now worried about my other breast.  My surgeon and oncologist say not to worry but how can I not?  They say I have a 1 to 2% chance of getting it in my remaining breast.  Easy for them to say, right?  

Okay, I know I've rambled on far too long.  It's wonderful to find this great place to talk!  

 

 

Comments

  • Cricket64
    Cricket64 Member Posts: 63
    #2
    You've found the right place

    You've found the right place to let feelings and thoughts wander.  I got my calling card from cancer in January 2011, next month will mark my two year anniversary as a cancer survivor, BUT only recently joined CSN.  Wish I had done so sooner.  Good luck with your personal journey.

  • hevenlee
    hevenlee Member Posts: 5
    #3
    Cricket64 said:

    You've found the right place

    You've found the right place to let feelings and thoughts wander.  I got my calling card from cancer in January 2011, next month will mark my two year anniversary as a cancer survivor, BUT only recently joined CSN.  Wish I had done so sooner.  Good luck with your personal journey.

    Great news for you, Cricket.

    Great news for you, Cricket.  Congrats!!  

    Going through this journey can be very overwhelming at times so I think its great to be able to discuss your thoughts and feelings here.

    Thanks again for your thoughts.

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #4
    hevenlee said:

    Great news for you, Cricket.

    Great news for you, Cricket.  Congrats!!  

    Going through this journey can be very overwhelming at times so I think its great to be able to discuss your thoughts and feelings here.

    Thanks again for your thoughts.

    Welcome to our community

     Welcome to our community, I had a similar story 5&1/2 years ago: lumpectomy without clear margines, than mastectomy which discovered a huge tumor not seeing on mamagram and ultrasound, even MRI. I am glad you found us and we will support you on your way to complete recovery.

    Good luck

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #5
    It is a great place...I did

    It is a great place...I did not come upon it until year or two after my surgery-

     

    Sending good thoughts your way..

    Denise

  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697
    #6
    Welcome

     

    This is a good place to share, learn, vent and whatever!  Hoping you'll find your way in making decisions that are right for you.  Linda

  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #7
    lintx said:

    Welcome

     

    This is a good place to share, learn, vent and whatever!  Hoping you'll find your way in making decisions that are right for you.  Linda

    Your situation

    Your situation started out like mine.I was Stage 0 with DCIS. A cancerous tumor was.Then while I was being prepped for that lumpectomy another tumor was found by the breast center.It turned out to be benign. After those 2 lumpectomies the doctor wanted to do a clear margin surgery like you. Just 2 days before that surgery I found a tumor.Not knowing if it was cancer or not.It was also benign. Talk about the stress of it all. I was never given the option having a masectomy. So I felt OK with it.Now I am a 4 year survivor. I've had a few scares since and a benign tumor is in my breast being watched now. 

    When  I was younger I had a cyst for many years and finally had it aspirated only because it grew.No cancer was found with that. Also had other benign tumors since I was 20 years old.Had them removed.I was 62 when dx in 2009 and at that age was thinking it's going pretty good but a blow to my left breast(the one with all the tumors) I truly believe caused the cancer.My grandson accidently hit me.Had sever pain but the doctor didn't feel anything.Waited 5 months when it was time for my annual mammo.Then the  cancerous tumor was found.  

    Since your doctor said it was a low percent the cancer will spread to the other breast makes me feel better but still like you said "We worry." My doctors never told me that.I learned something new. But as my doctor told me once"Everyone is different"

    Lynn Smith 

     

  • hevenlee
    hevenlee Member Posts: 5
    #8
    New Flower said:

    Welcome to our community

     Welcome to our community, I had a similar story 5&1/2 years ago: lumpectomy without clear margines, than mastectomy which discovered a huge tumor not seeing on mamagram and ultrasound, even MRI. I am glad you found us and we will support you on your way to complete recovery.

    Good luck

    Thanks to all

    Thank you all for such a warm welcome.  It's very much appreciated!

  • hevenlee
    hevenlee Member Posts: 5
    #9
    Lynn Smith said:

    Your situation

    Your situation started out like mine.I was Stage 0 with DCIS. A cancerous tumor was.Then while I was being prepped for that lumpectomy another tumor was found by the breast center.It turned out to be benign. After those 2 lumpectomies the doctor wanted to do a clear margin surgery like you. Just 2 days before that surgery I found a tumor.Not knowing if it was cancer or not.It was also benign. Talk about the stress of it all. I was never given the option having a masectomy. So I felt OK with it.Now I am a 4 year survivor. I've had a few scares since and a benign tumor is in my breast being watched now. 

    When  I was younger I had a cyst for many years and finally had it aspirated only because it grew.No cancer was found with that. Also had other benign tumors since I was 20 years old.Had them removed.I was 62 when dx in 2009 and at that age was thinking it's going pretty good but a blow to my left breast(the one with all the tumors) I truly believe caused the cancer.My grandson accidently hit me.Had sever pain but the doctor didn't feel anything.Waited 5 months when it was time for my annual mammo.Then the  cancerous tumor was found.  

    Since your doctor said it was a low percent the cancer will spread to the other breast makes me feel better but still like you said "We worry." My doctors never told me that.I learned something new. But as my doctor told me once"Everyone is different"

    Lynn Smith 

     

    Your situation

    Hi Lynn,

    My name is also Lynn Smile

    Speaking to your comment that "everyone is different", my friend had the same thing I did - lumpectomies and mastectomy.  However. six months later she went in for a mammogram on her other breast and they wanted a biopsy done.  She immediately told her surgeon to do a mastectomy & reconstrucrtion, which they did.  When you hear stories like that, you can't help but think, "what if that is me?"  We all are different..........with similar stories!  We just have to be thankful to get to the other side!!

    I'm glad you are doing well.  It gives me hope!!!!

  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 196 Member
    #10
    hevenlee-

    Welcome to this discussion board - sorry that you're here - but, with these 'pink' members - offers you a wealth of knowlege with very strong shoulders - when needed...good luck with what you are going thru...keep us updated...

    Andi

  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 121
    #11
    I understand completely! The

    I understand completely! The worry of "will it come back?", "did they get it all?", and "what about the other breast?" are things we all have to deal with. Sometimes you have a doctor with fixed ideas about what you should do and you don't feel like you have much of a choice. Other surgeons have different ideas. Educate yourself! Don't just depend on one person's ideas. I limited my research to the Johns Hopkins website, the Mayo Clinic website, and Susan G Komen. I had DCIS in one breast, but the doc said it was an agressive kind. Usually the treatment is lumpectomy and radiation. After my research I knew that was not for me. I wanted the breast gone, in fact both of them. No worries about it spreading or coming back. My double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction (implants) was done 3.5 weeks ago. Last week I got the pathology report. BOTH breasts had cancer, even though they hadn't found it in the other side with 2 mammograms and an MRI. It was even more advanced than the cancer they had found with the biopsy. If I had gone with only one mastectomy, I would have felt safe and had a mammogram in a year. It might have been too late by then. I'm happy with my decision, obviously.

  • hevenlee
    hevenlee Member Posts: 5
    #12
    sandra4611 said:

    I understand completely! The

    I understand completely! The worry of "will it come back?", "did they get it all?", and "what about the other breast?" are things we all have to deal with. Sometimes you have a doctor with fixed ideas about what you should do and you don't feel like you have much of a choice. Other surgeons have different ideas. Educate yourself! Don't just depend on one person's ideas. I limited my research to the Johns Hopkins website, the Mayo Clinic website, and Susan G Komen. I had DCIS in one breast, but the doc said it was an agressive kind. Usually the treatment is lumpectomy and radiation. After my research I knew that was not for me. I wanted the breast gone, in fact both of them. No worries about it spreading or coming back. My double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction (implants) was done 3.5 weeks ago. Last week I got the pathology report. BOTH breasts had cancer, even though they hadn't found it in the other side with 2 mammograms and an MRI. It was even more advanced than the cancer they had found with the biopsy. If I had gone with only one mastectomy, I would have felt safe and had a mammogram in a year. It might have been too late by then. I'm happy with my decision, obviously.

    Sandra4611

    Thanks for sharing your story/experience.  I agree with you to be as educated as possible.  That's what I've tried to do but, frankly, at times it can be very overwhelming!  I'm so happy to hear that you made the decision you did.  You are very lucky!  

    How are you feeling?  Do you have the expanders in?  I've had mine filled 3 times and I am so uncomfortable.  I go back again in a week and have no idea where he'll put the saline - my breast is so tight as it is!!   I can't wait to get the expander out and the implant put in.  Are you having the same experience?  Just curious how other women go through it.

  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 121
    #13
    hevenlee said:

    Sandra4611

    Thanks for sharing your story/experience.  I agree with you to be as educated as possible.  That's what I've tried to do but, frankly, at times it can be very overwhelming!  I'm so happy to hear that you made the decision you did.  You are very lucky!  

    How are you feeling?  Do you have the expanders in?  I've had mine filled 3 times and I am so uncomfortable.  I go back again in a week and have no idea where he'll put the saline - my breast is so tight as it is!!   I can't wait to get the expander out and the implant put in.  Are you having the same experience?  Just curious how other women go through it.

    Mad at myself

    I have the unique experience of having one side "finished"... an immediate reconstruction with implants 3.5 wks ago ... and the other side just beginning because the implant had to be removed and a tissue expander put in 1.5 wks ago due to necrosis and infection. I will need to heal for another 2 wks before the surgeon does the first fill. It feels so weird now. All the breast tissue on my upper chest is gone so my chest on that side is lumpy and I can feel the rims of the expander. Aso still have a drain in that side and bunches of incisions which are tender. They had to pull tight to get the side to close after the bad tisse was removed. There is not much skin there to stretch! How is it going to feel after the first fill? People say it is painful. I'm sick of pain, even though it has been manageable with tylenol. Sick of drains, PICC line, home health nurse and IV antibiotics. Feeling some depression for the first time. I know I have nothing to complain about compared to other people so I feel guilty and mad at myself.

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