Needle Core Biopsy earlier today

Mrs.C. Hi. Encouraging words, I think you're doing everything you can to stay healthy; I'm envious and have a tremendous amount of respect for you! You know, the biopsy, all anyone can do is give you a 50/50 chance and tell you we'll be here waiting to hear from you tomorrow.

Everyone is different and their experiences reflect that; people come here for reassurance, advice, shoulders to lean on and a myriad of other things. I can certainly understand where you're standing; I was in that same position in 2009; mine turned out positive, at the same time, my neighbor....negative.

So, I don't have words of wisdom just lending you a shoulder and letting you know we'll be waiting to hear from you tomorrow. In the meantime, prayers, good thoughts are with you!
Janice

Hi Mrs. C. My biopsy was done by a surgeon out of my area (that is a whole 'nuther story!) so she called me with the results.
Breast cancer runs through my family, and although we're not BRCA positive, we get it just the same, so my reaction was not like one might expect; it was..okay lets deal with it, what's next.

I went back to the surgeon and she did a wide excision biopsy; that came back with an aggressive form of DCIS and no clear margins. Long story short, I ended up with a new surgeon an hour from my home and she did a mastectomy; it was the pathology on the tissue from that which created the problems.

My path report showed the breast was 50% involved with this aggressive form of DCIS and they also found Invasive cancer; my new surgeon was quite angry, because she said it was a complete impossibility for the first pathology to have missed it.

So, here I am now, 1 1/2+ years out; I did not have radiation, I did not have chemo and I did not want to go on an aromatase inhibitor; I did try it, I did stop it. Additional genetic testing on the tissue showed a low score for recurrence ( an "onco type" score).

The problems I encountered have been in reconstruction, not because of my recon spl., but because of other challenges. I never wanted to go with an implant, but I did not have the luxury of taking 3 months off from work, so implant it was. My body doesn't like implants, and I have developed capsular contracture 3 times. I retired at the end of December, and on Monday, I'm going in for the free flap tram reconstruction.

I am a very practical minded person, Mrs. C., and I don't deal well with wringing my hands and wondering what to do. I have to say, I have many health challenges and I've learned to deal with each the same way:

1. learn as much as you can about it.
2. learn what your options are and what is best in your mind and heart for you.
3. learn who you can lean on and who will support you.
4. allow yourself time to grieve, time to cry, time to grow and time to overcome.
5. if your Dr.'s don't provide you with what you need, fire them and find one that does.
6. you've already found healingwell, this has been a tremendous source of support and knowledge for me; it helps to have others to talk to that have been through it.

You want to hear something ironic?? After surgery, I contacted one of the local breast cancer support groups..guess what they told me...you didn't have your surgery here, we can't help you!! Holy cow!, who knew cancer was so territorial!! LOL!!

Good luck Mrs. C! Like I said, we're here for you!

Janice

maddening, isn't it! You just want to jump, grab the phone and say HEY!, anxious person waiting here!!! It seemed to me it took two days, but not sure...I believe they did say the day that they would call though.

I toyed with the idea of a double, but no, I went with just the one.

I ended up with an incredible breast specialist and reconstruction specialist, so all worked out for the best and I haven't lost any sleep over it. I would just remind you that you are the person who is important here and you have the right to ask as much as you need, to get the time you need with any Dr. and be in control of your decisions. If anything, anything doesn't sit right, get with someone else.

Saying that, make sure you get copies of all reports and films too.

Sitting here, next to you..cyber shoulder to cyber shoulder!!!
hugs,
Janice

Preliminary results confirm it's Ductal Carcinoma
and invasive, that is all I know right now until more tests results are completed.

Looking at meeting with some surgeons asap.

Oh, MrsC, so sorry to hear you are joining the ranks. This is one sisterhood that we would like to see become extinct. Janice has given you some good advice. If you have a doctor you trust, trust him/her to send you to the right surgeon. I wasn't too crazy about the bedside personality of the guy mine sent me to, but I figure there is a reason he chose to work with people who are anesthetized... LOL And over the years, I learned to actually like the man. But I was always grateful to him... he was a big part of the team that saved my life.

Hugs to you... let us know what the recommendations are.

BEV

Hi Janice, Thinking, praying about you and hope all went well today.

Jane

I've been told that pre- and post-menopausal really isn't accurate, as they don't look at your hormone levels to establish where you are. Instead, they use age 50 and above as post-menopausal, under 50 as pre-menopausal. Several studies have shown that "post-menopausal" women with high hormone receptors do really well with hormone therapy.

Personally, I was er/pr positive, but just barely, and I was pre-menopausal (36). When chemo put me into menopause, it really didn't matter... 36 is under 50, so for treatment purposes, I was still classified as "pre-menopausal." So didn't make a lot of sense for me to take hormones.

BTW... You are the first person I've heard say that the isolated radiation has been suggested! I'm so excited to know that! Would love to hear how that goes for you, if you have it.

Hope your next surgeon appointment goes well, too.

Hugs...
BEV

Hi everyone; I am trying desperately.. hoping to feel better, but not working thus far. I had heard and read a lot about the mammosite radiation and had my situation been different, I would have gone for it...hands down. Even with all my stuff, I'm not doing AI, but will look into evista; it has the bone qualities that I need and the breast prevention that I should have; but that's a few months down the road.

I'm glad you're doing well mrs. c and mcjane; I miss you; we're all lucky that we have Bev to help us thorugh.
love,
Janice

Hi MrsC. How are you doing today?, when do you seen them next? I guess re-reading; you've met with the RO & MO and you have yet to have the lumpectomy?, do I have that right?
still here for you...
Janice

MrsC....thinking of you :)

Hi daisy...news! yay! Not great, but not horrible; I'm curious/concerned about the lack of clear margin; I'm going to wait to hear what you have to say after your appointments. I'm trying to recover from the reconstruction; it's not going as well as I thought it should.

Because the DCIS was so extensive I ended up with the mastectomy; the invasive wasn't as large, and there is a questions as to the real size..anywhere from 7 mm to +1cm; but combined..mastectomy and no radiation; I understand your decision.

I'm on the other site too; I haven't found much support there, but I still pop in once in a while; I'm currently on the no shame in tram discussion; I can tell you about that later.

Happy to hear from you!; make sure you let me know what the docs say!
Janice

I met with my Surgeon yesterday for my followup, and we discussed the one margin.
He got a total of 2mm on the anterior margin (1mm of it was clear), because there was no tissue left. I have very very small breasts. The 1mm of clear margin was clear and he said we can go back and remove your outer skin if your med onco wants to, but I can assure you that anytime I've gone back to do that never, ever has the extra skin come back with anything in it. I feel very comfortable with the margin considering my circumstances.

The reason I am not doing radiation is because my cancer was on my left breast. I met with a radiation onco, and he said he could not do a mammosite on my breast because I do not have enough tissue to allow it. Like I said, I'm small breasted. Not to mention that it would damage my nipple, to the point it would be extremely painful, and I would curse him for a very very long time.

He did want to do partial breast radiation, but after much research on my part I chose to not have it. I was a smoker for 23 years adn was also exposed to massive amounts of asbestos within a few weeks time. He told me that the radiation would most certainly "clip" a part of my lung. That is a big ol can of worms I'm not will to open over a stage 1a breast cancer! I may someday get Mesothelioma, but I'm certainly not going to egg it on. I also have a history of heart issues, my heart may or may not be "clipped" in partial radiation, no guarantees on that one.

So the choice was mine, and my surgeon agrees that I have made a good decision for me.
Now to go meet with my med onc tomorrow and discuss my blood tests, and what road to travel with meds...