1st year mammogram
Last year I was diagnosed with early slow growing Dcis and had a 5mm mass and calcifications. I had a lumpectomy which came back with clear 5mm margins around my mass and 2mm clear margins with my ca...
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Sorry to see you joining us here, maxis .... but glad you found us. That's pure bad luck that you may need more surgery & treatment xx. Which breast is it? I am guessing Left (if you are concerned about heart damage with Rads?)
Make sure you record your meetings with your surgeon & other specialists, as it is really difficult to remember everything that is said and you don't have time to write it down, without missing the next bit! That way, you can go over it again at home & take more detailed notes. Also having a trusted friend with you, as a 2nd set of ears (and for support) - it really helps too.
If you haven't had Rads before ..... it is not as scary as you think it may be ..... I was able to have mine lying face down, so there was less chance of the rays penetrating thru to the lungs & as it was the right side, nowhere near the heart. It depends on how deep the lesion is, as to whether you can be treated face down.
Check out this thread for lots of info on the forum - and some 'tick sheets' re how you are going, post op & follow up treatments xx
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take care & all the best
Hi Arpie yes its my left breast and thank you for your advice and the links you provided. I will definitely record what every one says. My mass a year ago was at 12 o'clock and close to my chest wall. Thats where the calcifications are now.
xx. If it is close to the chest wall, you are unlikely to be able to have your rads face down 😔 BUT ... they are VERY PRECISE these days .... Mine was about 2 o'clock, and was Lobular, so close to the nipple, hence able to have it face down. My nipple was removed & the lesions (2) removed thru the hole, then the nipple sewn back on.
Mine was the right breast tho & even tho not 'large breasted' (34) I was surprised when offered it, lying face down. Worth asking about tho! Who knows??
Usually, specific breathing techniques are required if doing rads on the left breast .... and you will be guided on how best to do it. xx. My own diagnosis was that I did not HAVE to do radiation - but I didn't even like the 6% chance of recurrence, so went ahead with it. I am about to finish up with my Medical Oncologist after 7 years - I finished with my Rad Onc 2 years ago. It will be 'weird' not having that support 'on hand'.
Write down any questions you may have - as it is so easy to forget stuff once you get in there .... I used to print off 2 copies - one for them & one for me. I'd tick off each one, as they were responded to, knowing I could go back over the recording if I needed to.
All the best xx