I have just found this site, although I have been researching breast cancer since early November, when I received my diagnosis. So, I will use this post to catch up to the present...
I went in for my routine mammogram (I am 59) in early September - one more little to-do item to check off for the summer. Not so fast! I got a phone call to come in for a second mammogram, more pictures and angles than before because SOMETHING showed up on the first check. So off I went, and shared with the technician that there must be a mistake - maybe they saw a dot from a recent insect bite? Afterall, I didn't FEEL anything, and neither had the nurse-practitioner who had done my annual exam a month before. No, says the technician. Definite something - lets take the pictures.
OK, so the pictures are taken, and a small spot shows up on almost every shot, somewhere underside of right breast, according to the tech. Next stop will be a consultation with a surgeon who will make recommendations.
Early October - I whisper to a few friends that I am scared.
Mid-October, I get to visit with Dr. Richman. By now, I am getting nervous, although I am still 85% convinced its nothing. But Dr. says we can wait 6 months, see what develops, or do a biopsy now, to be sure it is NOTHING. I had a talk with an oncology nurse friend - she said biopsy. I had a talk with a breast cancer survivor friend - she said biopsy. So I said BIOPSY. Dr says Good Choice.
Now I am researching fast and furious - how did this happen? Does it have any relation to my rheumatoid arthritis, and its treatments? What happens after a biopsy? What are the chances this is nothing but a little lump, not worth worrying about? and on and on.
I start shouting to everyone that I know just what is going on. I start a weekly update email, and add more concerned friends each week. I am amazed at the extent of the support network that I have! And greatful and humbled.
And I go for the biopsy.
What a strange experience - apparently the size and placement of the dot (not a lump yet, in my mind) precludes ultra-sound as an effective diagnostic tool. So they use a stereotactic breast biopsy machine. Lay face down on this bed, stick your breast through the hole in the bed. Crank the bed up, much as they do in an auto shop. Now we compress the breast, and draw on it with marking pens. Take pictures, and more pictures. The radiologist shows up, ducks under the bed. Then we numb the area and stick a needle into the breast, extract a bit of dot tissue, and replace it with a small metal marker. All done. Just wait a week for the results!
Well, now I am nervous. And Its a week before I will see my surgeon again.
My Rheumatologist calls, says my latest blood tests show abnormal liver results, and says stop taking the two most effective RA drugs, wait 4 weeks, have another blood test. Oh horrors, I am being set up for a flare, when I have been pain free since August!
Early in November - my surgeon has the bad news - I am one of the 20% of women who have a biopsy who have a cancer. But the good news is, its stage 1, easily treatable. I want a copy of the lab report? No problem, here it is. And stop taking estrogen pills!
