TeenaS
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2000
- Messages
- 6,311
Yeah for great news...sorry you have to go for another surgery
I got my pathology report on Tuesday...lets just say this is the first time I've been on the computer since
I have been diagnosed with breast cancer and have had 2 days to process it...OK still in shock I am only 33 years old.
I am getting genetic testing done to see if I have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene...if so I will need bilateral mastectomy
(They are suggesting that anyways since I am only 33.) I will also need my ovaries removed.
I could get a lumpectomy as long as the MRI doesn't find anything more. I have that scheduled for Monday.
I am trying to stay postive and plan our vacation but too much info lately and decisions to makeMy husband is having a rough time. We are planning to tell our 7 & 5 year old DD's(5yr old is already suspicious) once we have the MRI results and surgery details and what I plan to do.
Just thought I would give an update. Thank you everyone for your prayers.
Teena-I am glad you allowed everyone to know what was happening to you cause it has really helped me more than you know Thank you. I continue to pray for you.
Robyn- I hope your mother is doing better...my prayers to you and your family.
Shoot!!!!! OK, I'm right there with you ... know exactly how you are feeling (except for the age thing). I remember crying for four days when I got the first news. Please, please, please promise me you will not just go with what one team of doctors say. Please go somewhere not associated with the same place you are going to and get a whole second opinion. Remember, they had me originally scheduled for a double mastectomy. The Mayo redid the pathology and my left side is absolutely fine ... no cancer at all. The right side has been totally rediagnosed from the original diagnosis and is totally different. And I've heard this from so many other people too. You may end up with the exact same results and diagnosis but then you'll know for sure it's 100% right. I was even at the point where I was searching mastectomy bathing suits. Now, after the first surgery, and Dr. McLaughlin says the second one won't change the appearance either, you can't even see a tiny indention. The first doctor, before he decided I needed a double mastectomy said to remove the area (the same area my Mayo doctor just removed) would mean one-third of my entire breast would be gone and it would be horribly deformed (which for me at my age ... I didn't care so much).
If you don't go through a second opinion (and I mean you need to take all your mammos, ultrasound records, MRI results, biopsy results, etc.) with you, you will always wonder! And who knows, it could be like me ... you might get an entirely different diagnosis.
Feel free to PM me and I can PM you my phone number if you want to talk or cry or whatever. There are so many of us that have gone through it or are going through it and each case is so different but it does help to have "sisters" out there!!!





I'll second everything Teena said - her experience and my mom's experience with breast cancer really confirms how a second opinion could possibly make a difference. My mom started with a bilateral mastectomy recommendation and that evolved (with a second opinion) to two surgeries, chemo and radiation. That was tough, but having a plan and confidence in her team made a difference, and she's been cancer-free now for years! (She just joined us at BC last month!) You're in our prayers.