biopsy

[AJ624]

I just a biopsy for a mass less than a cm...then on left side for calification pattern..what can I expect the diagnosis to be?

[bluebutterfly2222]

Thanks so much for updating us with your good news!

I'm glad you will be able to use, and already have an appointment with, a surgeon who comes with such good recommendations.

I had faith (going by after all the strength you had to have to handle all you've been through in recent years), that you would come to the point of recognizing you CAN deal with this, once the initial shock wore off a bit, and it sounds as though you are there.

We'll all keep pulling for you, but good to know you'll also have some help and  support close at hand.

Hugs,
bluebutterfly

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi again,

You are certainly welcome.

I'm sorry for ALL you've had to go through: the betrayal by your husband, his stealing of most of your joint funds, the foreclosure, bankruptcy, working long hours to support your twins and put them through  college--and now this!

Again, it is entirely your decision whom you do and don't want to tell, especially initially.  I just hated to think  of  you going through this alone, and mostly because you were more invested in trying to protect everyone else, rather than meeting any of your own needs during this scary, difficult time... (Isn't it your turn to have a helping hand, or at least someone to confide in?) Your son sounds like a good possibility.
  
Hope your appointment with the oncologist goes well. If you care to, please let us know what your recommended tx plan is.

My thoughts and best wishes are with you,
bluebutterfly

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

Just another voice to let you know you are not alone.

Many of us read people's threads, but do not answer because someone else has already done that, unless we feel we have something additional to say that might help someone.

My sister was dx  6 years ago, with a mass much larger than yours, plus a higher grade (hers was Grade 3, highly aggressive), plus lymph node involvement, and she is still doing well. (She was/is disabled,uses a wheelchair, and had to do surgery, radiation, and chemo.)

Try to take everything one step at a time, and you, too, will make it through
any tx that may be required.

It is of course solely your decision, but I agree with japdip--please consider sharing what's going on  with at least one family member or friend. They will probably sense anyway that something is going on with you, and if you share your dx, they will understand better the mood and behavior changes you are no doubt showing.  

The news should not cause any problems with your sister's high blood pressure, as long she is being treated and has it under control.  I know I would certainly want to know if you were my sister!

Best wishes,
bluebutterfly

[AJ624]

at 5:45 pm received call from nurse at facility.....
.left B9.(calcifications)..... right side 1cm mass.grade 2.
she indicated treatable..w surgery on both ..b/c left atyipical..she eluded that
only surgery and 6 weeks of radiation..even tho I had done some research
I just didnt know what to ask..I feel so numb..just kinda flat lined/no emotion
I guess it hasnt HIT me..tomorrow morning it will which I have discovered the mornings are the WORST..
but do wonder what grade means.  when will I find out stage and what that will mean and about if spread or not.can they tell if its contained from biopsy and pictures? so many questions.wish I could wait till after holidays.
but best to get on with it I guess and get it over with..but I dont want to ruin holiday for everyone..no happy face ...but then i get this uphoric mood..denial I guess....booo!

[bluebutterfly2222]

Sorry that you are having to go through more worry and anxiety!

Keeping my fingers crossed that it will turn out to be just an "incidental finding."

Hang in there,
bb

[AJ624]

i just need to stop complaining...be GRATEFUL..now they found a spot on my lung having a PET on tues wait till thursday for results  yes the waiting is the
HARDEST..I am very very down today ...was blindsided..really thought the "C" was behind me..thinking i was kicking it to the curb after friday..even anticipating my anniversaries...3 months 6 months one year etc..now this..they said it could be a scar tissue..but just the thought of another cancer..
yikes..eek..no more God please..I will be better ....try to be more grateful....THANKFUL..

[mhv]

Oh no!  Here's hoping it's nothing!  I will

[mhv]

Say a prayer!!  Please update us!

[mhv]

So glad it is behind you!  What wonderful news!!  Congrats!  

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

Thanks for your kind words! :-)

Glad you are recovering so well from your surgery!

I just sent you two private messages about radiation therapy. Hope it isn't "TMI"--too much information...

The waiting and worrying  is usually the worst part, which is no doubt why you are feeling down and lonely today.

Could you at least call someone and chat about light things, to distract yourself for a while? If nothing else, at least try to pamper YOURSELF a bit tonight. (A hot bath? A good TV show? A special meal or treat?)

I'll be thinking of you,
bb

[AJ624]

hummm..Not quite sure what that means..b/c I am so new to this forum..but I understand ..let me see if I can navigate  to receive private messages..but please KNOW this..bb..your posts have given me much info and encouragement and solice  thank you for that..tomorrow is first radiation..I dont know why but am very emotional today.. feel all alone..I guess bc things have gone back to "normal"  (since the surgery..b/c I am recovering very well..)as if I will ever feel normal again..
this "C" is setting in I think..up until now I have been going w the flow.. kinda..  following drs orders... trying to reassure my family..all the while would like a little more pampering..or NOT..not quite sure what I want or need..just down today..

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi japdip,

Yes, normally, I would post information in the forum where everyone could benefit.

But in this case, several  friends shared their experiences with radiation treatments with me in personal  messages, to help prepare my sister in regard to  what she might expect. My thought was to share  with  AJ624,  privately,  a few of the comments my sister  found most helpful.

I did not feel it would be appropriate to post parts of their personal  communications with me in a public forum.

Regards,
bb

p.s. I'm not planning to become active in the forum again (especially with the terrible new format MH is forcing upon us!); I just noticed a few threads where I thought I had something useful to offer.

[japdip]

Hi "bb" why not send her the information here so that others may benefit from it ?? You always come up with such great information, I'm sure other women who read posts would also be interested. Great to have you back in action by the way.  Thanks

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi again,

Apparently your account settings do not allow you to be sent private messages. If you decide to change that, I will send you the info I mentioned above.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Clear margins and negative nodes--fantastic news!

I  am sending you a private message with some info about radiation therapy.

All the best,
bb

[AJ624]

had the surgery..went well a lumpectomy on right and left..3 nodes removed re"blue dye  had follow up appt today margins clear nodes negative..so BEST news ever so unreal..this whole quick process now radiation next week..just still cant wrap my brain around all this..my girls have been great my sister too(who btw..her mammo.came back ok)..
I want to THANK everyone for the support and the truth ..it helped calm me
and gave me hope I was going to be ok...life is good..

[mhv]

So glad to come back on here and hear all of your progress!  I am so glad you had an early detection!  It saves lives!  I am glad you and your sister have each other to lean on in such an unpleasant time.  May you both find your recoveries short and bearable.  I did want to tell you that one reason I decided on a mastectomy (I did both breasts) was because I didn't want to to the radiation.  
It's such a personal choice, and there is NO wrong answer.  You have to follow your gut, and do what is right for you!
I will be thinking of you in the coming days.  Prayers being sent your way.  

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi again,

Your surgery is rapidly approaching, but maybe you could look at it this way: the sooner it comes, the sooner it's over (with less time to dread and worry about it).

Just heard an interview with Gloria Steinem. She had BC and lumpectomy when she was 58--and she's now 81!

Happy birthday, and MANY MORE of them!
bb

[AJ624]

ya  you hit that nail..a short time..so much too much to absorb..
it all just happened so fast  and surgery in 3 days ugh  have lots of people praying for me..Thanks to you BButterfly..your support and thoughts have reassured me I am not alone.. I decided to go to beach for R&R w/ my daughter..nice but weather not cooperating..but a good distraction..plus my B'day today..
so in the countdown..ugh..not looking forward to this at all..

[bluebutterfly2222]

Oops! :-(

Meant to type: "You're doing great..."

[bluebutterfly2222]

It's nice to hear that you "did it your way" AND everything seems to have worked out for the best! :-)

Keep that in mind if your sister criticizes  your tx choices as she deals with her own dx.  (Just calmly and confidently say that you will respect her right to make her own decisions, and you expect the same respect in return)

Glad you are getting lots of support now, but you still have the right to decide what details/decisions you wish to share with whom. (You can thank them all for their concern and best wishes, but may choose to say to some who  aren't so close,  that you'd rather get your mind off it for a while by discussing other things,  or that the details are personal...)

You will probably find that some friends/relatives are better to confide in, while others are better suited to give practical help (with meals, transportation to appointments, etc.)  It's up to you to decide what type of assistance you are willing to accept from each one.

You're going great, after only a relatively short time to adjust to all of this!

Hang in there,
bluebutterfly

[AJ624]

thx ya do you believe now my sister?? but she doesnt want to tell anyone either..so maybe this is happening bc maybe that way she wont be so mad at me bc she now understands your reluctance to tell(which wonder why you dont want to tell)  lbc she keeps saying..I am hurt you didnt tell...but if I had told twon weeks ago I wouldnt have gotten thru the first staement..this way my confidence made them confident too..so I know at first they didnt like that I didnt tell..but I still think it was best for me..and them..too..anyway..now everyone knows and am getting calls of support which is really nice..but makes you talk about alot too..

[bluebutterfly2222]

Best wishes and prayers that all will be well with BOTH you and your sister!

[AJ624]

thx for research info..13% isnt much considering the difference between the extrmes involved between the two procedures..and it makes sense that radiation does "add" a better more thouough advantages..but I must admit..I am dreading the radiation more than the surgery...but I have seen where there are two schools of thought on mastectomy vs lumpectomy..but I did like that my dr. said there isnt much more difference in recurrance vs the two procedures..in others words seems there isnt any different outcome ..and at my age the recovery for a mastectomy is longer and I would assume harder..and I agree to say that this is MY disease and mine to figure out..but an unhappy twist..I told my sister..yesterday and as I expected she was hurt..but i quickly said ..ok your mad and I get that but I just had to wrap my brain around this first..then .we had lunch today and while she was out of town..a message saying she needs to come back for a second mammogramn..wow..what about that?? she's 73...and I know what she is facing and do feel guilty for not telling her..but today she said she understood ..sorta..I am telling my kids tomorrow  
..and I have to say..bc I have wrapped my brain around this...and know more have learned so much.I can sell it better..two weeks ago I wouldnt have been able to sell it w/out a death sentence attached..so I am feeling ok w that decision..but have no idea what their reation is going to be..none..so anticipation galore..
thks again  for your support and research info..I have read some things very similar God bless..

[AJ624]

is it an omen that my sister now has the same news as I did weeks ago..which seems like forever ago..now I can help her navigate this..just uncany..is it meant to be?...prayers for her..bc this whole process is not fun..

[bluebutterfly2222]

  Hi again,
   Yes, your surgeon is obviously familiar with recent research.
   A study of more than 100,000 women with BC found that for women diagnosed with stage one or two breast cancer who chose a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy, rather than a mastectomy, were 13% more likely to survive the disease. And in women over age 50, that number jumped to 19%.
    A decade-long Duke Cancer Institute study gave credence to experts who believe that radiotherapy, a five- to six-week treatment, is more effective than a mastectomy at eliminating any remaining cancer cells. It's an especially important finding since there has recently been "interest in mastectomy to treat early stage breast cancers, despite the research supporting lumpectomy," explains the lead researcher.
    This is a decision, of course, that each woman  should make, taking into consideration the details of her particular case and her personal preference, in consultation  with her surgeon.
     Regarding telling your family, if anyone is "mad at you," I would suggest you tell them it was shocking news that you had to adjust to before you felt ready to share it with anyone else.
     If your sister, for example, criticizes you, try to get up the courage and confidence to say that it is YOUR disease, not theirs, and you had the right to make whatever decisions in regard to it that you believed to be best for you and for them.
Wishing you a speedy  easy and full recovery,
bluebutterfly

new study of more than 100,000 women with the disease finds that for those who catch it in its early stages, the opposite is actually true. Women diagnosed with stage one or two breast cancer who chose a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy, rather than a mastectomy, were 13% more likely to survive the disease. And in women over age 50, that number jumped to 19%, the Daily Mail reports.

The decade-long Duke Cancer Institute study gives credence to experts who believe that radiotherapy, a five- to six-week treatment, is more effective than a mastectomy at eliminating any remaining cancer cells. It's an especially important finding since there has recently been "interest in mastectomy to treat early stage breast cancers, despite the research supporting lumpectomy," explains the lead researcher.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Sorry, some info got repeated because I couldn't see all the info at once. :-(

[AJ624]

had surgeon appt..and it went good.. .she said to get this "bad" news there really has  best news b/c path report is all good in your favor....she said this wont kill me..and will prob live to be a 100..so thats good ..I am healthy (no daily meds.no drink/smoke)..just still wish this werent so..but am realizing I can and HAVE to do this..surgery..lumpectomy ..Nov 3..on both sides..to be sure ..radiation for 5 days and then the pill for 5 years..still kinda on fence about total mastectomy..but she said it does NOT effect chances of recurrance..any thoughts on that? although I go home that afternoon w lesser procedure w/ M no radiation  but longer recovery..so not sure what to do..prob take dr advise..best to do just to be safe re: taking dr advise..ya kno? she the expert..I am planning on telling my children and sister sat.(any advise..I am planning on going to an art show ..kinda an early b'day celebration(Halloween baby).should I tell the before or after outing? ugh so many decisions..UGH...scared now they gonna be mad I waited so long..but cant help it..I needed to be  ok w this.. and yes you are right I am there... "sorta"..and can sell it  better b/c outcome looks good.and I  DO  I believe it  but  two weeks ago I was convinced It was a "death sentence".. still scared.. dont want it to be soo.the "C" word..still scarey..but am much more optimistic than I was on Oct 13th...the "call"..ugh! that was a BAD day!!  again thank you so much for your words of wisdom..kindness.and prayers..plus I am allowing myself an indulgence..for my b'day Oct 31..going to the beach w my daughter..:))))