Please help me, I am desperate

[Marylou_II]

How can all this be possible?
May 2009:  I was diagnosed with cervical cancer though I do not meet the criteria for such a diagnosis, ... [More] but had it all the same. I received chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 30 simultaneous sessions. Then in 15 days I had 2 brachytherapies one after the other .
October 19th. 2009: I went to my oncologist for a post therapy follow up, he said there was no cancer any more. I know I have to keep in mind my follow ups for 5 years. Never the less.......
The oncologist practiced a clinical breast exam nothing was found to be wrong. He ordered a mammogram and an image test, the image tests were clean but the mammogram showed multiple microcalsifications in one of my breasts. The radiologist said a biopsy was necessary so he then referred me to a breast surgeon. Tomorrow Thursday  I am having a surgical removal for a biopsy.

I am very anxious and scared to death about this procedure as the surgeon told me there are 3 alternatives:
1] 1/3 of the breast would be surgically removed for the biopsy, if nothing bad showed up in the results then end of subject. 2] 1/3+ a few inches of the breast would be surgically removed, for the biopsy, again if nothing bad showed up end of subject. 3] If there was an invasive issue, he would remove the same as in item 2 + the Sentinel Lymph Node, then wait for the results and possibly require surgery to withdraw the whole breast + chemo and radiotherapy.
No. 3 means  I may have a second cancer issue. I wonder is it worth the pain and suffering?  

There is NO cancer history in any of the two sides of my family. Cancer has never been an issue and has not ever been in the picture every one died of old age or heart problems. I never had any issues with my breasts, never a discharge, pain or any other.

I have never been: overweight or consumed alcohol not even a glass of wine. I have always: exercised, eaten healthy I'm a vegetarian, breast feed my two sons for a year each so I don't understand a thing.

Please help me understand, will I be condemned to this for whatever time I have left in my life? I can still back out of tomorrow's procedure what should I do?

Thanks a lot and regards.  

[Marylou_II]

Thanks a lot for the tip, I did not know about this issue. I will see my Oncology Surgeon today as I have had the appointment since I left the hospital Sunday last. I will surely ask him about this issue, it is always good to know these things which we normally don't find out until they occur. Thanks a lot for the information and don't worry I will not think I will get all three, I know it is a possible occurrence.

I still don't have the pathology report for the biopsy, I will get it this coming Thursday.

Again thank you very much.    

[bluebutterfly2222]

You seem to have two different memberships/profiles, and have listed 3 different ages. If this has occurred accidently, it would be helpful if you would get them combined, so that all of your posts would be listed in one place, and members wishing to contact you will know where to do it.... If you click on "contact us " at the bottom of the page, the MEDHELP staff can help you straighten this out.

Meanwhile, we'll be hoping for the best in your pathology report!

Best wishes...

[Marylou_II]

Hello and thanks for the duplicate info. I did as you told me and send the MEDHELP staff an email asking for help and providing my personal info once again. I hope it has been solved by now.

I am so sorry I made such a mistake but I was very nervous so I guess I did not pay too much attention to my profile.

Thanks and regards.  

[Marylou_II]

Hello Doc and Ginger 7771:

I got my biopsy results and was not good at all. It was in Spanish so it was explained to me by my breast surgeon. I have done all possible to translate it into English but I am so busy that I could not do it. This is the most important part:

DIAGNOSIS:
INVASIVE (infiltrating) MAMMARY CARCINOMA HISTOLOGICAL GRADE 2
[Elston & Ellis: 3/2/1] “Lobular type” pT1C
Tumor size: 12,0mm.

The pathologist is examining the rest of the mammary tissue taken in the surgical biopsy with these four: R.E; R.P; Cerb B2; E – Cadherina
The mentioned results are needed in order to determine many issues, but the things that interest me are, if Chemotherapy will be necessary and whether cancer cells have spread further than the Sentinel Lymph to the other lymph nodes under my arm or elsewhere.

I will be operated on January 15th, tomorrow, it will first be a cut under my arm to remove the Sentinel Lymph Node and once analyzed right there and then some other Lymph Nodes will also be removed, then the radical mastectomy of the right breast. I did not want radiotherapy, I hate it. I will not have a breast reconstruction it is too much of a hustle, a second operation and then the reconstruction so no way.    

I truly don’t want to know if the rest of the tissue has cancer, I don’t care if I need chemotherapy I will assume it and I know I will not be sick, I truly trust my chemotherapist. While I have the chemo I will also take a pill for a year, what pill? Who knows and who cares but I know it does not have side effects!

I got in touch with my brother in Europe to buy and send me things that are special for those who have had a mastectomy and chemo. I will need special bras, the external prosthesis, scarves, hats, a wig and several others. I have assumed this and will go all the way but in my own terms. This will probably be my last post in about 12 days, I am being hospitalized this afternoon.

Believe it or not I am not scared, sad or depressed I have this terrible anger but it makes me much stronger. I went to church this morning, confession and communion so now I am in peace with God, I am and have always been in His hands and whatever is to happen will be His will and I accept it.  

I wish you both all the best and God willing I will be back soon.

Regards

[katarina777]

Thank you for sharing all this information with us and I really hope all will go well. The mastectomy should not be very painful as scary as it may sound. They will also get a more complete picture of the pathology during the operation.

I, as you, also didn't have reconstruction and am really happy with that decision. Also never wore a wig but mostly soft caps and hats.

I don't even use a prosthesis but cover up with scarfs and loose clothes. Most of all, The place where my breast was does not look the least bit ugly and I hope that will also be the case with you.

I don't know about chemotherapy and if this applies to you, but it really is tolerable these days and no longer crouching in-front of the toilet all day long.

I wish you the very best, Marylou_II, and please keep us updated.

I understand why you feel better now, the unknown and the waiting is the worst.

Katrin

[bluebutterfly2222]

I am sorry to hear that your biopsy has resulted in the dx of BC.

Two fairly positive things I got from the part of  the  path report that you translated, if I am reading it correctly,  is that the tumor is  grade 2 (moderately aggressive), rather than  3 (highly aggressive), and that it is relatively small (less than a centimeter).  

I hope your mastectomy goes well, and that there will  be  clear magins and neg. lymph nodes!

I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...