Staying Positive - new diagnosis
Tracey2800
Member Posts: 32 ✭
Hello All,
A little over 3 weeks ago I saw a dimple on my breast that was only obvious when I raised my arm over my head. Since then I’ve had mammograms, ultrasound, biopsy, radioactive tracer injected and as of yesterday, a wide excision tumour and node removal. My breast, urine and poop are all bright blue 😆 Now the waiting for the results begins.
I received the call to say that it looked like I had a malignant tumour while I was quite literally standing in front of 60 students on an excursion (as the lead teacher). It took every ounce of my willpower to hold it in until I got home!
Since then I’ve had some very low moments but I’ve tried to approach this positively and with an attitude of ‘I can beat this’. Fortunately I’m surrounded by supportive colleagues, friends and family.
With the support of my family, and if the biopsy is favourable, I’m planning a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. My surgeon says there are other options but I’ve lost faith in my breasts. For me I think this is the best path back to not thinking about this every waking moment.
What a whirlwind it’s been. I’ve never had to make so many decisions so quickly. How I wish I had a crystal ball 🔮
A little over 3 weeks ago I saw a dimple on my breast that was only obvious when I raised my arm over my head. Since then I’ve had mammograms, ultrasound, biopsy, radioactive tracer injected and as of yesterday, a wide excision tumour and node removal. My breast, urine and poop are all bright blue 😆 Now the waiting for the results begins.
I received the call to say that it looked like I had a malignant tumour while I was quite literally standing in front of 60 students on an excursion (as the lead teacher). It took every ounce of my willpower to hold it in until I got home!
Since then I’ve had some very low moments but I’ve tried to approach this positively and with an attitude of ‘I can beat this’. Fortunately I’m surrounded by supportive colleagues, friends and family.
With the support of my family, and if the biopsy is favourable, I’m planning a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. My surgeon says there are other options but I’ve lost faith in my breasts. For me I think this is the best path back to not thinking about this every waking moment.
What a whirlwind it’s been. I’ve never had to make so many decisions so quickly. How I wish I had a crystal ball 🔮
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Hi Tracey. Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry that you find yourself here but I hope you find it as warm and supportive as I have.
If you are considering a double mastectomy and reconstruction, you should join the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group. Scroll down and tap Groups. You could also check out Reclaim Your Curves.
I had a BMX and DIEP recon at the end of April this year. You can read and see my experience in the group. It is a massive thing to do. It is not easy. The recovery time is long, and there are many possible complications.
Because I had chemo I had a lot of thinking time, which I needed. I have no regrets, especially round the fact that I had two lots of DCIS discovered via post-operative histopathology, that were invisible on mammograms & ultrasounds. I've since discovered I have a CHEK2 gene mutation that pre-disposes me to breast cancer, and a bunchof other cancers. That further confirms my decision. You can tap on my @ name to read my story.
If there is not a cluster of people in your family with breast cancer my understanding is the chances of another cancer in your other breast is not more than the general population, or just a little. Make sure you talk it through with a counsellor who understands breast cancer. You know yourself best, how you can live with 'scanxiety', but please make sure you understand the ramifications of removing the delightful erogenous zone that are your chesticles! I have foobs, they fill out my clothes, but there is zero sensation there, and no nipples.
Good on you for checking out that dimple! Seriously, a lot of people ignore stuff like that. I had the blue dye injected into my nipple, oi... It took about three months to fade.
It is a whirlwind at the start, and the learning curve is vertical. I hope you're doing OK. Good luck with your test results and let us know how you get on. K xox2 -
Gosh @Tracey2800 .... that was a tough BC initiation ..... but once you have your results and can formulate a treatment plan, it sort of becomes a tad easier. Having supportive family, friends and workplace really helps .. and now you can also put up any query or concern that you can think of, here .... and those who have been there, will be able to also offer guidance and support xxx
There will be ups and downs, tears and fears, but also smiles and even laughter along the way. If we can help you in any way, just ask
Good luck with your results xxx Thinking of you xx. The waiting is the pits. Grrrr
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Hello and welcome. I too chose to remove both breasts and reconstruct as my cancer wasn't even visible on a mammogram but fortunately it was in a spot easily felt. I didn't think I could trust another cancer wasn't growing undetected. My photo story is in the breast reconstruction group. The waiting for the next plan is hard as you just don't know what the next 6th months will entail but it's totally doable. ..as many of us are here to talk about it. Kath x1
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Hi @Tracey2800, I’m so glad you found your way here. There are so many beautiful people here who can help you through this time. I’m relatively new and had my wide excision and node removal 9 days ago. My boob is still blue and thanks @kmakm I didn’t know it will take 3 months to fade!
Wow it’s such a whirlwind and how awful to receive the news in front of a group of students. You must have really had to hold it together, you were amazing to do that. I’m glad you’re surrounded by family and friends. These are the people that you have to allow to help you. Many strong, independent women find it hard to accept help. I’m one of them! But over the last week my friends have dropped off dinners every day for my family of 5, and I never realised how much I would appreciate it. Tonight the freezer is empty but my heart is full of gratitude.
The decision of mastectomy is a really confrontating one. First reaction is to get rid of everything so this horrible thing is gone. Once you have the full histapathology results your surgeon will have a much better idea of your unique situation and will be able to provide pathways for you to consider.
The waiting time is tough and I often found myself on this site as I fluctuated from being positive to sometimes just feeling really low.
We are all here for you and will support you through this xxx
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@Wonk Hee hee hee! Ah, you're among friends. Quite a few members of the blue boob club here.
If you want a giggle, check out this thread. We discuss hair regrowth... not the hair on our heads!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/18295/hair-growing-back/p15
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Hi Tracey - suggest you check what sick leave and other leave you have available as you may not be able to return to work quickly or may not feel like doing so. As Primek has said, this is a site where you can ask, share, express whatever - and its very safe and private.
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@Tracey2800
Hi Tracey, hopefully you will have more insight and a treatment plan soon. I wish you all the best in whatever decision you make, only you will know what is right for you.
This forum has been my saviour. The great thing is that you can ask a question or you can sometimes find the answer by searching, as someone has already likely asked it. You can comment when you feel up to it, or as I have, sit back and read for a few days when you are not...The wonderful support and positivity I have received whilst on here since my diagnosis 4 weeks ago has been amazing. Some truly beautiful people on this page willing to take the time to hopefully make your journey more informed, more supported, and definitely more lighthearted.
I have found that if there is a specific question that you have and you see that someone on here seems to have a lot of experience or insight about a topic, or the issue is not something you wish to discuss openly on the forum, then feel free to PM someone, even just for a little support through hard times or hard decisions.
I have found it good talking to someone on a similar diagnosis/treatment timeframe to you but also talking to someone who has had to make these difficult decisions before you, truly worthwhile. I will be forever grateful to them on helping me stay positive and ‘on track’.
I think the hardest part for me was the waiting...for biopsy results, surgery, post-op results and then a treatment plan. For me so far it has happened quickly, however it doesn’t always go to plan. I am due to start radiotherapy treatment on the 2nd January (was supposed to start 17th December, but was advised by my oncologist that it was not an ideal time to start due to the breaks in treatment caused by public holidays in the Christmas/New Year break. This may be delayed further as it has been suggested that I now have genetic testing. This may change my treatment plan depending on the results. The positive being that I can still go on our planned trip to NZ to be with family for Christmas 😊 We also have a trip to Bali booked in February to celebrate my 50th Birthday. So I am seriously hoping my treatment plan stays the same as I will finish my radiotherapy 2 weeks before we go! Which would be an amazing celebration to have combined with my Birthday. 🎂🎉
All the best in the coming weeks,
Michelle xox5 -
The blue dye on my nipple is almost faded away. It will be 12 months on 15th December that I had my axillary clearance. I was to,d it would disappear in three months! It must have been a big dose of blue dye in my case!!1
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Oh wow @duxx1234, that’s a very long time!0
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I too hope your treatment plan goes to schedule @Mjheke. I’m such a planner and it’s been difficult giving in and just taking it a day at a time. Best of luck, and thanks for the message. It’s wonderful that people like yourself @kmakm, @arpie, @primek, @Wonk @Beryl C. take the time to reply to me 💓0
