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KalGal's avatar
KalGal
Member
15 hours ago

Newly Diagnosed with further tests required

Hi.  I was diagnosed a little over a week ago and I had a surgeon appointment today. She wants an MRI as my breast tissue is so dense some of the images are too vague for her to determine a clear surgery plan.  But I have a potential surgery date for a few weeks time.  

I am thinking this is good that she is being thorough.  But it does concern me as there may be more than meets the eye and she has given me that warning.  Current knowledge is that I have 2 areas of concern, close to each other on same side, hormone positive, HER2 negative, provisional stage 1. One area is about 7mm, the other is ill defined and this is what she wants more images of.   

I feel better after meeting the surgeon, and hearing her explanation, her delivery of the plan from here and her general 'bedside manner' was the perfect amount of real.  She took the time to understand what was concerning me. 

I am running the Sydney Marathon at the end of the month and after doing all the training and prep I would have been devastated if I couldn't run it.  However we have a plan to get me there.  

So even though I need more scans to be certain of exactly what is going on, I am feeling as good as can be as there is some progress.  In the back of my mind, is what if it is more than the fairly common and small areas I have?  I can't dwell as it is what it is.  I will focus on the run and deal with these things as they arise!

invasive ductal carcinoma
MARATHON
mri
surgery

1 Reply

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    14 hours ago

    WOW! GREAT that things are moving fast!! 
    Well done on your plan to run the Sydney Marathon KalGal​!  And awesome that your surgeon will work around that date!  Make sure you 'freshen up' for the race - hard tho it is to 'step back'! (You should almost be tapering from now til the race - so you can run the best race you can!)  My husband did many marathons & Triathlons (Ironman) and trained others - and always found it difficult to listen to his own advice! LOL 

    That's terrific that you've met up with your surgeon and have such a good rapport with her!   Also good that she is using the MRI to double check re the Dense Breast Tissue (DBT) issue.   (I had DBT and my BreastScreen Scans totally missed my ILC! grrr  My GP found it on a random check, just months after the clear scans!)
    DBT shows as 'white' on a mammogram - as do BC tumours. 
    White on White = invisible!

    Try not to get ahead of yourself with the 'what ifs' - as they will probably never happen .... and it will only muck with your brain.  xx Prior to my surgery, I had told my surgeon that if he found anything more than expected, to do what needed to be done .... even mastectomy if he felt it warranted it ... and of course, he didn't find ANYTHING untoward & I just had the lumpectomy, as planned!

    Keep yourself busy in the meantime to stop the brain going into overdrive .... you could cook up plenty of meals so that after surgery, you have food 'ready to go'!   You will feel SO MUCH BETTER once the surgery is done, trust me xx

    Take care & all the best as you prepare for the Marathon and your surgery!