MRI & Esaperation (sp?)

SCmom
SCmom Member Posts: 46
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Last week when they did the Diagnostic Mammogram and Ultrasound, they found two small spots on my other breast. They believe they are cysts, but could not tell for sure because of the size. They have scheduled me for an MRI of that breast on Monday and scheduled to esaperate (sp?) it on Thursday. They are wanting to make sure it is not cancer too. How likely is it to have both breasts with cancer? I'm told it's rare. Also, I had a chest x-ray done and they told me that there is an "Artifact" on my lungs. They can't seem to tell me what that means. They don't know. Told me to make sure surgeon has another x-ray done before surgery to make sure it's not growing!!! I'm looking at another tough week. I guess I'd better get used to those tough weeks!! I don't feel like I can make a decision about lumpectomy or masectomy until I know exactly what I am dealing with. My new surgeon said (not taking in the left breast) I am a perfect candidate for a lumpectomy on my right breast. I just don't want to make a decision till I have ALL the facts about what is going on. Laura

Comments

  • bunnie
    bunnie Member Posts: 233
    #2
    Hi iam sorry you have too be facing this desicion it it never a easy one too chose.I choose having the mastecomy and know sometimes i wonder if i made the right decision but i cant un do what i did and i belive someone higher up helped me make the decision.He must have knowen that it was the right desicion too make.I wish you the best of luck in everything and keep us posted on what is happing.Bunnie(Amy)
  • jbeardslee
    jbeardslee Member Posts: 75
    #3
    Hi again Laura, I responded to your reply to my message but maybe you won't see it so I'll add it here as well. Good luck with finding the answers, search until you do. Before I decided to have the mastectomy, I spoke with several women in my area who had dealt with breast cancer. The most assuring thing any of them said was that once I made a decision, it would be the right one for me. I remember that statement often. My doctors had told me I could have a lumpectomy and radiation and have the same survival chances as if I had the mastectomy but the final choice was mine.
    Good luck and I'll check back soon. Judy
  • vac
    vac Member Posts: 97
    #4
    i had both of my breast removed. i had cancer in my right breast with 10+ lymph nodes. they biopsy my left and found spots there also. when my surgeon saw me after my lumpectomy ask me what i wanted to do i said remove both of them i did not!!!want to go through with this again. i am glad i did. i had a strong support group behind me. good luck
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #5
    I also opted to have both breasts removed when lobular carcinoma was found in the right breast, because the cancer never showed up on mammogram films or on ultrasound. That being the case, it was impossible to tell if it was in the left breast. Post op, when Pathology went through the tissue in the left breast, tiny spots of lobular carcinoma were found, and I knew that if I had any chance at all, it was because of the choice I made. Denise
  • thenexttweety
    thenexttweety Member Posts: 10
    #6
    I too opted for the double mastectomy. On September 6, 2002 I was diagnosed with infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the breast with histologic features most consistent with infiltrating lobular carcinoma as sampled from a 14 gauge right breast core biopsy. There was no lymph node involvement, and my other breast examination was negative. The biopsy performed just the day before followed immediately an ultrasound showing a small area of shadowing correlating with distortion on the mammogram they had just taken. Since it had been a routine mammogram (coincidentally one year to the day since my last!) learning in less than an hour that I probably had breast cancer was a shock, even though my sister survives after a double mastectomy 17 years ago. Within just few days my husband and I had a conference with surgical staff at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center, my primary place for care utilizing my own Tricare medical coverage. I was given my choice of options -- lumpectomy, mastectomy of the affected breast, or removal of both breasts, although they recommended the latter. I also chose to follow the procedure of immediate reconstruction, since no radiation was anticipated. After only a few days I had come to terms with what was happening to me. I believe my decision was primarily based upon a desire to simply get it all over with and behind me once and for all as soon as possible. And I have no regrets.

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