Terrified of what lies ahead!

My gorgeous son at his year 12 formal last night in pink for his Mum❤️❤️

@Blossom1961 :*

@kmakm Sounds like a great plan. I have a coffee machine at home or we could go out. I live on the Melbourne side of Geelong. Don't bring me the tall dark and handsome gift from India. Hubby wouldn't be happy. But thank you anyway! Truffles are a given.

@Blossom1961 My father came to Geelong with his parents when they emigrated here in the early 50s. Settled in Leopold. I'm a Cats supporter as a result. Love Geelong! Will you be around in January? I'll come down and we can have coffee. You bring the truffles and I'll bring you something from India!

An MRI would give me some peace of mind I'm sure, but would also make me terribly anxious. I long to put cancer behind me but the reality is that it's going to loom a bit larger for me than some others because of the mutation. This is my new normal. At this stage I think I'm going to be guided by my doctors. So for now, I'll just have to wait until I've spoken to them.

Hi @CathyMac. Sorry you find yourself here in this forum, but glad you have found all of these wonderful BC Warriors. Your upgrade of tumor size seems a common scenario. Diagnosis seems to morph for the first month or so. What can be seen on initial imaging and tests is often not what is happening in there. When my BS did my lumpectomy, three tumors were found, rather than just one. The one that was detected via a mammogram and then ultrasound was first thought to be 2cm, when in fact after surgery it was 3cm.
So, I completely understand your position and current feeling of things spiraling out of control. xx

That's what I'd be having it for, @kmakm - for everything else!  Even just having the 1 for a picture as at now - then you know that anything else picked up has happened since that date in time.  I wouldn't even be expecting one every year ..... just now (or in the new year some time!!)  I will chat about it to the Surgeon on my annual checkup in Jan!  ;)

@kmakm You really need to move to Geelong. The clinic here automatically sends their BC patients in for a MRI. We could go out for coffee then. Hugs 😍

@kezmusc @arpie @kitkatb I have no breast tissue left to examine. My cancer could come back locally in my chest wall, scars, skin and armpit. The only way I'd ever know about the chest wall is via an MRI. I've done everything I can to reduce the chance of a recurrence so it's in fates' hands. However since completing active treatment I've had the CHEK2 gene mutation diagnosed. I'll see my oncologist in the new year and chat to her about what, if anthing, to do about it. MRIs will be on the agenda, whether there's any value in me having one.

It’s a tricky one .... I’d like to have an MRI so I have a picture of what I am like right NOW ... so that further down the track, there is ‘a known something’ to compare it with!

As with @kezmusc - mine wasn’t picked up by MG or US .... only biopsy (after my very good GP found it by accident!)   3D MGs are supposed to be the bees knees ... but I still have my doubts for those with dense breast tissue!  I am wondering if the money saved from NOT having the MG should go towards the MRI?  I know what I’d prefer!!

I reckon it would STILL be a cheaper option than having to go back for more surgery and give us some sort of peace of mind - for both our mental and physical wellbeing!  

It should also detect stuff WAY earlier (not only BC) hopefully before it gets a foothold and hopefully at a less serious stage if they DO find something!

A girlfriend who had BC some 15 years ago also had thyroid problems 3 years back and had half removed.  The other half became enlarge 18 months ago and it was whilst checking scans for her thyroid re possible surgery that they discovered she had early stage lung cancer. (She was sure that this was caused by the radiation to her breast as the lesion was immediately under her targeted spot!).  She had successful surgery for the lung, but the thyroid is still a problem. But they say she’d need a tracheotomy if surgery went ahead re the thyroid and she doesn’t want that ... as she kayak fishes and if she fell in, could drown with that hole in her throat!  :(  She is taking her chances with the thyroid.

Yes  @kezmusc   I also would feel safer having one each year for peace of mind.  xox