I had just turned 40 and had no history of breast cancer in my family. I probably would have put off a mammogram this year but I found a lump in my breast directly behind my nipple that was not normal. Unfortunately, hospice was caring for my father at the time so I didn't share a lot with anyone until just before my mammogram. After being called back for 3 sets of mammography pictues and two ultra sounds, I knew I had cancer before the doctor even came in to tell me. The day of my mammogram they had an opening for a biopsy so I decided it would be best to just get the ball rolling and figure out how I was going to beat this thing. I was official diagosed with invasive ductual carcinoma two days later and then my crazy journey began.
After having my first biopsy, I knew what to expect; it was slightly comforting.They had given me an MRI and every small piece of tissue that appeared to be "abnormal" on the MRI results was biopsied....I think it was 8 or 9 spots with multiple samples taken from each. All the spots were in the same breast as the tumor I had found.
To be honest, it was a LONG, somewhat, painful procedure that I would rather not have had to do. But more cancer was found and this really helped me to make the decision to have a double mastectomy.
I was very nervous to make the decision to do this and I think my mental state made it more difficult to get through the recovery. What is one to expect when having a large portion of their chest removed?? And then to think it is a part of your body that identifies your gender and affects your sexuality. It was not something I wanted to do but knew it was something I had to do.
I had immediate reconstruction and am glad that I did it all in one surgery. Unfortunately, I did have some comlications after surgery and was hospitalized for IV antibiotics for three days. After no real improvement, it was decided that my body was simply rejecting the implants. Fortunately, bodies eventually decide the implant is ok on and mine did after many weeks.
It is currently 5 months post-op and I have fully reocovered, improved my bra size, but just slightly and am ready for the last surgery to make them look like they are mine. That should take place in May of this year.
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jenniferS10
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Experience with
Breast Cancer
over 8 years agoDiagnosed
Oh No
I had just turned 40 and had no history of breast cancer in my family. I probably would have put off a mammogram this year but I found a lump in my breast directly behind my nipple that was not normal. Unfortunately, hospice was caring for my father at the time so I didn't share a lot with anyone until just before my mammogram. After being called back for 3 sets of mammography pictues and two ultra sounds, I knew I had cancer before the doctor even came in to tell me. The day of my mammogram they had an opening for a biopsy so I decided it would be best to just get the ball rolling and figure out how I was going to beat this thing. I was official diagosed with invasive ductual carcinoma two days later and then my crazy journey began.
-
jenniferS10
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Experience with
Breast Cancer
over 8 years agoSecond set of Biopsies
Procedure or Surgery
After having my first biopsy, I knew what to expect; it was slightly comforting.They had given me an MRI and every small piece of tissue that appeared to be "abnormal" on the MRI results was biopsied....I think it was 8 or 9 spots with multiple samples taken from each. All the spots were in the same breast as the tumor I had found. To be honest, it was a LONG, somewhat, painful procedure that I would rather not have had to do. But more cancer was found and this really helped me to make the decision to have a double mastectomy.
-
jenniferS10
-
Experience with
Breast Cancer
over 8 years agoDouble Mastectomy
Procedure or Surgery
I was very nervous to make the decision to do this and I think my mental state made it more difficult to get through the recovery. What is one to expect when having a large portion of their chest removed?? And then to think it is a part of your body that identifies your gender and affects your sexuality. It was not something I wanted to do but knew it was something I had to do. I had immediate reconstruction and am glad that I did it all in one surgery. Unfortunately, I did have some comlications after surgery and was hospitalized for IV antibiotics for three days. After no real improvement, it was decided that my body was simply rejecting the implants. Fortunately, bodies eventually decide the implant is ok on and mine did after many weeks. It is currently 5 months post-op and I have fully reocovered, improved my bra size, but just slightly and am ready for the last surgery to make them look like they are mine. That should take place in May of this year.