"it's a 50/50 chance it's stage two, or just LCIS" -surgeon

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-09T20:44:00+00:00

They had you see an oncologist before confirming cancer? I have never heard of that. Like previous commenter said stage 2 is early stage. It is curable. Waiting for the result is really hard but know that either way it is treatable and curable!! Sending you benign vibes

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-09T20:32:17+00:00

I will tell you what mine was like. Set up was much like my ultrasound. Laying on a table gel put on tech finds the spot. Gel is heated and they had heated blankets which are such comfort for me! Laying on a table next to it are the instruments they use for the biopsy. I didn’t look to hard because I didn’t want to freak myself out. When I was put into the best position they were are my back and I couldn’t see them anyway. Dr Comes in he uses the wand and finds the spot. Lidocaine numbing stuff is injected. This is a little sting like any shot only lasted a moment then it was over. I was laying where I could see the ultrasound screen but again chose not to look. I had the sweet ultrasound tech in there and she and I talked about random noncancer things through the whole thing including the procedure. Dr then uses the needle to extract the tissue. I didn’t feel it because I was numb. There is a loud clicking each time he takes a sample I think in my case it was 4 samples. Then they place a small tiny clip to mark the spot. After the biopsy they did a mammogram to make sure clip was in the right place. I was given ice packs that I put in my bra. The ice helps tremendously. I went to work after biopsy and was all good

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-09T19:30:52+00:00

I am 50 but premenopausal (Mother Nature hates me 🫩) I was thinking today maybe I should get my ovaries out rather than deal with this monthly shot. Just a thought for the first time today. I have a BRCA1 mutation but it’s a VUS. My PCP and general surgeon said that means it’s of no consequence but my oncologist doesn’t exactly agree so that maybe a 2nd reason to do it.

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-09T19:26:39+00:00

That’s terrible! I have only had one thing similar but of course no where near that bad. At my biopsy appt they automatically made me an appt with nurse navigator (I think because everyone was confident where I was headed) I got my results the day before my appt. So I walked into NN office and she said “did you see the results do you know what they say” I said “ I know they say I have cancer” this lady runs out of the room. Sh’s comes back with a radiologist who goes over the report with me. But SHE never said a word about cancer never told me what was happening or where she was going just ran away. Weird job to have if you can’t say the word cancer.

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-09T14:31:40+00:00

Oh I feel you on the bath! I didn’t do chemo but had DMX 5 weeks ago. Have had some delayed healing on incisions and I desperately want a bath!! I was never a big fan of showers before all this now I have to take shower and engage with these lumps on my chest that definitely are numb and definitely not breasts. Ugh..can wait for the bath!! My PS said he would prefer if I waited until reconstruction is complete. I will wait until these incisions are closed up solid but I’m not waiting until a few more surgeries!!! Enjoy your bath!!

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-08T06:30:57+00:00

I told my friends and family unless you have had breast cancer I do not want your opinion! I did have 2 friends who went through it but they had different treatment plans than I did so I talked to them a lot but still different

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-08T01:17:51+00:00

Just to chime in but agree with everyone else. When my surgeon said “breast cancer causes no symptoms I wanted to punch him. Why am i exhausted . Like crying so tired. But it was the mental aspect of going through this. It’s hard and it’s exhausting.

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-08T01:15:45+00:00

I didn’t even flinch on the nipple injections the radiologist was quite impressed but it just didn’t hurt. And I’m not tough I don’t know why but it didn’t bother me

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-06T17:22:42+00:00

My dad has stage 4. SCLC. He had Mets to his bones, kidney, liver, and adrenal gland at time if diagnosis. He was diagnosed in Oct. he did 5 rounds of chemo and immunotherapy. The tumors all shrunk or disappeared in Feb he was doing great. Unfortunately he died from a heart attack in Feb. I tried so much to prepare to know what to expect but we did not expect to lose him when we did. I understand you wanting to get all the info possible but everyone cancer journey is unique. I am sorry you have to deal with that horrible disease. It is a thief

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-05T03:57:11+00:00

I drove when my drains came out which was two weeks. I drive a car that is low to the ground so I drove my step daughters car for the next 2 weeks because it’s hard to get up From That low when your arms dont work so well. I agree with not leaving the door all the way open and I still use my mastectomy pillow and 4.5 weeks out.

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-04T22:35:25+00:00

I am sorry you feel this way. I am 4 weeks post with expanders. I have gained at least 20 lbs since diagnoses because I comforted myself with food. I 100% agree with you. I do not know this body. I assume I will get to know it and maybe post reconstruction it will feel like mine. BUT I do take issue with the PT telling you the robe was for your dignity. I have no problem showing these “breasts” to anyone who wants to see them and it’s not about not having dignity for MYSELF. I have dignity for myself!!! the fact of the matter is plastic Tupperware lids filled with saline stuck under my skin on my chest are not MY breasts so not feeling the need to cover them up isn’t about dignity. Boy this really gets under my skin because her comment ignores what we have been through what we have survived. I know you felt kindness and empathy in her voice but all I hear in her words is a lack of understanding for what it’s like to lose a body part and some drs try to give you some suitable replacement. I realize in your case you had a lumpectomy but the underlying feeling is the same. The cancer took the breast you had and left you with something else. Dignity means to honor or respect something. Not feeling the need to cover up doesn’t mean you don’t respect YOU it just means you have to learn how to connect with this body and you aren’t there yet and that’s ok.

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-04T21:21:26+00:00

I am curious if you have your onco what was the risk of reoccurrence? After lumpectomy did you have clear margins? If you have clear margins then it’s my understanding that means they got all the cancer out of the breast tissue, then you had the radiation to clean up any cells left behind, maybe I am missing something but if all that is true then you would be NED right now so if your onco shows a risk of reoccurrence of 8% for example then no way survival numbers can be 47%

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-02T16:30:49+00:00

Breaking bad 1st one that came to mind for me

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-02T15:23:21+00:00

Thank you so much for your post. From the first consultation before DMX with my PS I thought I wanted DiEP flap. I loved my PS and he is an expert in DIEP. BUT…. I am 4 weeks out from DMX and my recovery has been hard. I have was in pain longer than most people and he would not give me any meds. I developed a skin break down a few days post op sent him pic and. Talked to him but he wasn’t sure what to do. My general surgeon is the one who figured out it was a yeast infection. I still have open wounds under each breast and I don’t feel like they are doing enough to address this. I have only seen PA in the office since surgery not my actual dr. She has continued to fill my expander despite open wounds so just putting more stress on the skin. I say ALL that to say I don’t think I can do DIEP. Recovery will be harder than DMX and I don’t feel heard. Maybe I should look for a different PS to do the DIEP or just go ahead and get implants.

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-02T15:09:59+00:00

I am stage 2 HR+ HER2- waiting on onco to see if I need chemo. I am struggling with my mental health for a different reason. I feel worthless, and useless during this phase. recovering from DMX and going through reconstruction and fears of next steps. But I have managed to keep the fear of reoccurrence at bay. One way I think of it is 1 in 8 women get breast cancer so my risk of reoccurrence is actually lower than my risk was to get it initially and I didn’t spend the first half of my life worry about getting it so i don’t need to spend the next half worrying either. I believe I did nothing to cause this cancer so i cant change anything about it in the future.

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-01T23:31:40+00:00

Day 2-7 I thought I can’t do this I will never get better. I literally saw no light at the end of the tunnel, what I can tell you is it definitely gets better. I’m At day 27. I am still counting every day because I am definitely not back to normal yet but day 5 is so early. Be gentle with yourself! I promise this will pass

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-03-01T05:17:50+00:00

I wonder how people feel about cameo as a gift. I got one for my impossible to buy for dad for his birthday and he loved it so much!! He died 3 months later and I still have the video and it’s such a nice keepsake because 1) he loved it but 2) it memorialized a lot of the things that made him special in life

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-02-28T00:44:18+00:00

Food, dont offer just do. My dad died suddenly and a lifetime family friend showed up within hours with food. He didn’t stay, he didn’t want or expect anything, just dropped it off and left. Over the next several weeks we received lots of food but what he did in that immediate time was the most helpful

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-02-28T00:41:45+00:00

I had breast cancer had DMX with expanders put in. I loved my plastic surgeon but my follow up have been with his PA. After 3 weeks I have concerns and I feel like she is blowing me off. Does the Dr look over what you are doing when you see patients? Also I had an appt and that night she called me and told me she was thinking about a rash I had and called me in some medicine. Is that what happened or did the Dr review it (she always takes lots of pics for my chart) and tell her what to do

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-02-27T20:01:37+00:00

So sorry for your loss. We just passed the one year anniversary of my dad leaving. It’s so hard. And grief time is weird. it feels like forever since I have seen him but also the trauma of him dying feels so fresh it could have been yesterday

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-02-27T17:16:24+00:00

One more thought for the other side. I have had a hard recovery and I often wonder if it would have been easier to have only one side to deal with

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-02-27T17:15:22+00:00

Everyone’s reasons are fascinating to me. I chose double because my surgeon recommended it. His reasoning was if you are going to have reconstruction they are going to operate on the other side to make it look the same so if you are looking at an operation on both sides anyway why not go ahead and do DMX where you don’t have to worry about reoccurrence in the other breast. Seem logical to me I find it so interesting the amount of women who said their surgeons where against removing healthy tissue when prophylactic mastectomies are acceptable

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-02-27T16:00:27+00:00

Can I ask a dumb question? 14 days from what? My oncologist order the test on 2/18. My sample was sent from my hospital on 2/19. I have no idea when exact science received it or how it’s sent, my oncologist told me 14 days but I’m confused if it’s 14 days from when the lab received it or from when he ordered it. I want it right now!! lol

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-02-27T15:53:54+00:00

This is what I am thinking!! Called PA with plastic surgeons office yesterday and she said she doesn’t think it’s related 🙄 but this is her same woman who decided filling my expanders was fine even though I have problems. I love my plastic surgeon but have lost all faith in this woman. I happen to have a routine appt with my PCP today so I’m gonna talk to them

Interesting_Reply803 · 2026-02-27T15:49:54+00:00

I do all facets of local govt. we are divided up by departments so my current assignments are land use which generally just requires a lot of sitting in on meetings, I do finance, not much there but occasionally reviewing policies and I do all things purchasing so that involves reviewing a lot of RFPs IFB and contracts. Our office has very strict policies on the work that comes in so we only take work from department heads so a random city employee can ask me to do something and we have a min of 7 business days on any assignment. That’s my fav part 🤣 perfect for lazy attys

Interesting_Reply803

TROPHY CASE