Another Very Worried Gal

DragonLadyHere
DragonLadyHere Member Posts: 29

Hello, I am usually on the Uterine Cancer board. I was dealing with Uterine Cancer in 2017 - 2018. In the year and half since a total hysterectomy, chemo, and radiation, there has been a growing issue in my left breast. Now there's a very real sense of urgency. I've had two mammograms, an ultrasound, and most recently an MRI with contrast this past year. There's an area of assymetry on my left breast that I could never feel, but my docs are seeing it now and they don't know what it is. I am to have a breast biopsy in two weeks and I see a breast doctor in a week. I've also been having a fair amount of pain, and this is relatively new. Yes, I did tell my Oncologist. 

It goes without saying that I am very worried. I was okay with them investigating it this past year and when they didn't think anything was wrong initially, but now there's a growing concern and urgencty to get to the bottom of it. The pain isn't helping matters. It had only been a twinge before on occasion, but now it's just daily and keeps me up some nights. I've come to learn that there are SO MANY different kinds of cancer, and yes, logically, I know that not every pain is from new cancer popping up; I also know that breast cancer after uterine cancer is not unheard of and the way all this is unfolding. .. I'm just getting that bad feeling like I had in the days leading up to a uterine cancer diagnosis. My gut is screaming something is wrong.

I don't have a family history of breast cancer in my family. I haven't been tested for any specific gene for it either. I was however trained in Ft. McClellan for my basic training back in 1980, there are thousands of stories emerging about all the chemicals we were exposed to in our training days with a movement to get it recognized by the government. (*Monsanto and another chemical company supplied the chemical agents to the base in those days where soldiers went to train in chemical warfare, to be medics, or MPs. There are documented cases of contamination basewide.) I also consider the time when the state of Florida was dumping pesticides over many communities via helicopters to destroy an infestion of a certain kind of fly threatening to destroy the orange crops years ago and I got caught outside twice when that stuff rained down on me. We were smelling pesticides for weeks in those days, and yes, my mind goes there and seriously wonders some days.

Sorry for the digression, but my head is everywhere these days. I don't normally go looking for things to stress about, but this is getting quite worrisome.

My family has been with me every step of the way, but these new concerns are hard for them to hear and they want me to be okay very much so. I just need a safe place to express my concerns without feeling like I have to make everybody feel better at the same time. It is a very real concern and the waiting and the worry can be overwhelming for me some days. It is all I can think of when pain sets in. I'm all for cheers, a friendly "hello", a note of encouragement, other people's stories. .. whatever ya' got.

 

Johanna Smile

 

 

Comments

  • SJWhitten
    SJWhitten Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2019 #2
    Hugs Johanna

    Johanna,

    I haven't been through what you've been through, so I can only say I am sending hugs and prayers and positive vibes your way.  From my experience and that of my best friend, I will say go with your gut and push to get all the answers you need for your peace of mind.  {{{{{HUGS}}}}

  • DragonLadyHere
    DragonLadyHere Member Posts: 29
    SJWhitten said:

    Hugs Johanna

    Johanna,

    I haven't been through what you've been through, so I can only say I am sending hugs and prayers and positive vibes your way.  From my experience and that of my best friend, I will say go with your gut and push to get all the answers you need for your peace of mind.  {{{{{HUGS}}}}

    Thanks SJWhitten, much

    Thanks SJWhitten, much appreciated!

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    take it a moment at a time...

    A lot of times BC dont run in families.  There is no ryme or reason as to why this one gets it and the other dont.  

    Get your biopsy and go from there. As you know wtihout a biopsy they cant give you a deffinate yes or no answer to is is truly BC or is it a mets from your previous or is it nothing at all?  I am hoping and prayng it is nothing at all for you.  

    Please keep us updated.

    Hugs and prayers,

    Annie

  • DragonLadyHere
    DragonLadyHere Member Posts: 29
    Apaugh said:

    take it a moment at a time...

    A lot of times BC dont run in families.  There is no ryme or reason as to why this one gets it and the other dont.  

    Get your biopsy and go from there. As you know wtihout a biopsy they cant give you a deffinate yes or no answer to is is truly BC or is it a mets from your previous or is it nothing at all?  I am hoping and prayng it is nothing at all for you.  

    Please keep us updated.

    Hugs and prayers,

    Annie

    Thank you, Apaugh!

    Thank you, Apaugh!

    Yes, that's my current plan, see the breast doc and get the biopsy. I am endeavoring not to worry, but. .. it's there anyway. Just the way it goes I guess.

    Johanna~Many thanks!

     

  • kcasey44
    kcasey44 Member Posts: 9
    Hope it's something minor

    Hi Johanna,

    It can be so hard to wait for tests while your mind is running off into scary scenarios. I tend to overthink things alot, so I can only imagine what you are going through. So glad that you are getting the biopsy and seeing the doctor so you can put it to rest. We are here for you if you need to vent and worry out loud while you wait.

    Praying for a good outcome.

    Kerri

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    Hugs!

    So sorry to find you now on this board!

    I know how that feels to be told that they see an area of assymetrical density when you have a mammogram and want you to come back for more views! I have dense breasts that make smashograms quite an ordeal, but I keep going because my grandmother died from breast cancer when my dad was only 14. It seems like since my uterine cancer diagnosis they are even more paranoid reading my x-rays, so I've come to expect having to go back for more views or ultrasounds with every annual exam. I'm not dealing with the pain you are having though and that's got to be what's so scary for you now as you wait to get to the bottom of this.

    I don't usually stray to this board, but have recently because my young daughter-in-law is getting tested because of pain and lymph node swelling. There are other possibilities, but this is a scary one. I am so hoping that we both can get good news about what is going on, but in the meantime know that I'm keeping you in my prayers. 

  • DragonLadyHere
    DragonLadyHere Member Posts: 29
    kcasey44 said:

    Hope it's something minor

    Hi Johanna,

    It can be so hard to wait for tests while your mind is running off into scary scenarios. I tend to overthink things alot, so I can only imagine what you are going through. So glad that you are getting the biopsy and seeing the doctor so you can put it to rest. We are here for you if you need to vent and worry out loud while you wait.

    Praying for a good outcome.

    Kerri

    Thank you, Kerri. I hope it's

    Thank you, Kerri. I hope it's minor too, but it has been rather nervewracking to say the least. I see the breast doc tomorrow at the cancer center I go to. 

    Thank you for the prayers also. 

    Johanna 

  • DragonLadyHere
    DragonLadyHere Member Posts: 29
    MAbound said:

    Hugs!

    So sorry to find you now on this board!

    I know how that feels to be told that they see an area of assymetrical density when you have a mammogram and want you to come back for more views! I have dense breasts that make smashograms quite an ordeal, but I keep going because my grandmother died from breast cancer when my dad was only 14. It seems like since my uterine cancer diagnosis they are even more paranoid reading my x-rays, so I've come to expect having to go back for more views or ultrasounds with every annual exam. I'm not dealing with the pain you are having though and that's got to be what's so scary for you now as you wait to get to the bottom of this.

    I don't usually stray to this board, but have recently because my young daughter-in-law is getting tested because of pain and lymph node swelling. There are other possibilities, but this is a scary one. I am so hoping that we both can get good news about what is going on, but in the meantime know that I'm keeping you in my prayers. 

    Hi MABound, I sure do hope

    Hi MABound, I sure do hope your daughter in law's test yields GOOD news!!!  I am glad to hear you have yours examined routinely in light of what happened with your grandmother. "Smashogram". .. I will have to use that one day, I'm been calling them "Mammomashers", lol.

    I will keep you both in my thoughts.

    Johanna

  • meadowglade
    meadowglade Member Posts: 39 Member
    Sending Hugs!

    I am praying that all goes well, and the results are that it will be simple to treat. Blessings! 

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    edited June 2019 #11

    Hi MABound, I sure do hope

    Hi MABound, I sure do hope your daughter in law's test yields GOOD news!!!  I am glad to hear you have yours examined routinely in light of what happened with your grandmother. "Smashogram". .. I will have to use that one day, I'm been calling them "Mammomashers", lol.

    I will keep you both in my thoughts.

    Johanna

    So far, so good

    Negative on her mammogram, but still not knowing what the problem is. Onward to more tests! 

  • DragonLadyHere
    DragonLadyHere Member Posts: 29
    MAbound said:

    So far, so good

    Negative on her mammogram, but still not knowing what the problem is. Onward to more tests! 

    MAbound, that's GOOD news so

    MAbound, that's GOOD news so far. I'm hoping for more to follow for your daughter in law! The Cancer Center pushed back my appointment by two more weeks; the doc decided she wanted to wait till after all the biopsy results come in and I have that on the tenth. I gotta say, I'm not happy about more waiting, but I can see why.

    Johanna

  • DragonLadyHere
    DragonLadyHere Member Posts: 29

    Sending Hugs!

    I am praying that all goes well, and the results are that it will be simple to treat. Blessings! 

    Thank you, Meadowglade. I'm

    Thank you, Meadowglade. I'm hoping too. 

     

    Johanna Smile

  • DragonLadyHere
    DragonLadyHere Member Posts: 29
    Aaaaaand, the Cancer Center

    Aaaaaand, the Cancer Center called just today and pushed my appointment with the breast doctor back by two weeks. I was disheartened at first, but, the doc wants the biopsy results in addition to all the other tests. So, now it's biopsy on Monday, and the breast doc on the nineteenth. I had hoped to get the ball rolling towards answers, but it'll be a bit longer.

    Peace All,

    Johanna

  • meadowglade
    meadowglade Member Posts: 39 Member
    edited June 2019 #15
    Waiting

    I hate the waiting game! I do understand that they want all the results before they can give the "right" answer. I will keep you on my heart. 

     

  • DragonLadyHere
    DragonLadyHere Member Posts: 29

    Waiting

    I hate the waiting game! I do understand that they want all the results before they can give the "right" answer. I will keep you on my heart. 

     

    Thank you, Meadowglade! (love

    Thank you, Meadowglade! (love that name) Yeah, I think it's the waiting thing that gets to most people. Hard to have something like this hang over a body. ..