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.  

[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]

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.    

[katarina777]

This may not be exactly reassuring for you to hear at this time but I wanted to bring this up so you can still ask your doctor about this before leaving the hospital, or your oncologist later. I have of course no idea if this applied to you but my oncologist nurse told me during my last appointment that there are some cancers that work and happen together, and if you have this type of complex disorder, then you may get all three of these cancers although in her case, she said she has only had two.

The one she has, and I forgot how you test for it, is a type where ovarian, breast and colon cancer may occur in the same person over a life time. She also had first ovarian and then breast cancer and is keeping a close eye on the colon.

Again, I am not suggesting you have any of this, only that you may want this information and also may want to ask your doctor  about it. I had never heard about this.  kat

[Marylou_II]

I am not young was born in 1942 but yes, I know that microcalsifications DO NOT necessarily mean cancer. I guess the surgeon gave me too much information and it triggered a panic attack which I never had before today. But then again I am alone in this country and the surgeon had to tell someone.

I know I am jumping the gun a bit, I still have two previous alternatives to the third one and that is exactly what my sons have told me over the phone, non of them are here but one of my boys is already flying and will get here late tonight. I have taken a pill and will try to catch some sleep, I am so tired.

Thank you very much for your post, it helps to find people who know about these issues and also comfort us.

Regards God bless you.    

[japdip]

Even though you are rather young for this type of diagnosis it is possible. Let me tell you first that all microcalcifications DO NOT necessarily mean cancer; they can be a result of a benign conditon and often are just that.  Even looking as far as the 3rd option (and I think you are jumping the gun here) this is NOT the end of your life. Cancer these days is a very treatable disease. I do question that the Surgeon will be removing 1/3 of your breast during the biopsy but I don't know the complete history.  Let's not be thinking to negatively now ... this may not be cancer related at all.   Take care ......

[Marylou_II]

Thanks so much for your reply, I am alone, in a foreign country and no one to vent with. Believe me I did not vent in my first post, I needed to ask for opinions because though I have been very strong with my first issue I am now scared to death. You see, in my whole life I have never had an operation or any parts of my body removed I guess that also plays into my nervousness. Your case is similar to mine, no cancer issues in the family never the less we got it, I have been to church and prayed a lot as I did with my previous issue and permanently since.

Your free boob job was funny to read but I can assure you I would never do it, I am simply petrified by operations and cutting issues I hate surgery and surgeons. I have done a good deal of my crying in the past days but I am difficult to shed a single tear, today I am having some kind of a panic attack. Loneliness hurts when these issues come along.

Once I am out of the hospital and I get my biopsy results, I will post back and tell you what happened.

Thanks so much for your post, I have sort of overcome the panic attack but I am scared for tonight, never the less believe me your post has helped.  

Thanks a lot and regards.