Forum Discussion
Thankfully I know more this time.
So, 7 and a bit years after a Stage 3 E+ PR+ breast cancer diagnosis in the left breast, I am facing some changes in the right breast. Picked up in yearly mammogram/ultrasound. Nobody has suggested it is cancer just yet but given my history I am booked in for a core biopsy next Monday.
I am very clear in my head about what this means for me. I have been happy with my choice of single mastectomy for the last 7 years but am not about to take any chances with the remaining breast. Regardless of the results of the biopsy, it’s days are numbered. Monitoring changes in a very dense breast is not what I want. Having had a mastectomy I am quite ok about having a second one, especially if that is all I need. The changes are new since my mammogram and ultrasound last year.
I am very clear in my head about what this means for me. I have been happy with my choice of single mastectomy for the last 7 years but am not about to take any chances with the remaining breast. Regardless of the results of the biopsy, it’s days are numbered. Monitoring changes in a very dense breast is not what I want. Having had a mastectomy I am quite ok about having a second one, especially if that is all I need. The changes are new since my mammogram and ultrasound last year.
Just goes to show that keeping up our regular checks is sooo important, even in our current Covid 19 world.
Very reassured by the excellent treatment of my situation by the staff at the Radiology facility this morning. I was treated respectfully and everything was clearly explained right then and there.
As you can imagine though, I am finding it hard to concentrate on anything else at the moment. Will be glad when the biopsy is done and we have the results. But I am sure that a mastectomy is what I want regardless.
As you can imagine though, I am finding it hard to concentrate on anything else at the moment. Will be glad when the biopsy is done and we have the results. But I am sure that a mastectomy is what I want regardless.
59 Replies
- Great news 👌🏻☺️😁
- Good to hear that it's been resolved for you. No more stressing about it.
- What great news @Deanne ❤
- Excellent news - here’s to a rapid recovery. Best wishes.
- Update - have just had a prophylactic mastectomy of the remaining breast on Tuesday and it is all good news. No cancer anywhere and so far the recovery from surgery is going well. No pain, less than 24 hours in hospital and other than the drain being there I feel normal.The biopsies and resulting haematoma caused more pain and disruption than the mastectomy so far. Hopefully get the drain out on Monday and then just a bit of healing and hopefully back to normal life again.I am very happy with my decision about the mastectomy and feel it was right for me at this time. Good support from my surgeon, breast care nurse and loved ones. Thank-you for the support on here too. <3 :)
- Thank-you @Ahnn. May never get an answer about the haematoma as I now have a large haematoma from the actual biopsies. The doctor who did the biopsies was concerned this would happen as I bled a lot on the first biopsy. It seems unclear as to whether the haematoma picked up in the pathology was this one forming as further biopsies were done or some pre-existing haematoma.Unfortunately I think I will have a long wait for an appointment with my surgeon. Covid 19 has resulted in delays as people like me with non-urgent situations are only now being seen. I hope to at least hear something next week about when my appointment might be. I have been told that it will be at least August. As the haematoma might take a couple of months to heal it will probably just get better in time for my mastectomy!Frustrating but I am counting my blessings that my situation is non-urgent. This year is a difficult one for so many in so many ways.
- Good news from your biopsy @Deanne. Hopefully the haematoma riddle can be solved as well.
- Yes @Deanne, BS should be able to provide some more clarity for you hopefully. xoxoxo
- @Deanne
Good news I guess because as you say it is puzzling! Hopefully an explanation from the breast surgeon will give you comfort. It is concerning to know a mystery hematoma without noticeable visible changes.
As your heading on this post says thankfully you know more this time
Best wishes as you follow this through
Take care - Yes @kezmusc, I’m so glad you eventually got the result you did! Unfortunately the GP who gave me my results was not really able to answer all my questions. The first response was that it was ‘nothing’ and then, ‘no cancer’ and I think she expected me to just be happy with that. But I would like an explanation of what they found in the biopsies that would correlate with what was seen on mammogram and then ultrasound. I’m thinking it was the mystery haematoma but how that came to be there without any noticeable change to the surface of my breast is puzzling. I am not on blood thinners.A good chat with my breast surgeon will hopefully provide a more reassuring explanation.
