Cancer Support
Related: About this forumbreast cancer
It is confusing. Last year they told me I had cancer and needed surgery. Then they told me it wasn't really cancer it was PLCIS. Not DCIS, not LCIS but PLCIS. Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ. Actually it is treated the same as DCIS and even though initially they panicked me. it was easy and just a lumpectomy. NBD in fact I was admiring the scar in early summer, it is barely visible now. I went for my 6 month and all was good. No problems.
I changed providers for my annual and went to a facility associated with my doctors group. The biggest reason I changed was because they have 3-d imaging. I have dense breasts with lots of calcifications so it felt like my best bet. Indeed it was.
They did the left first and it all seemed fine. My right- well the picture didn't come out and the radiologist wanted another. Okay. Gulp. My Dr.s orders included an ultrasound of the left -so off I go to the next station. The technician started on the right. No, I said it is supposed to be the left. The radiologist wants me to do both. Shit. The radiologist comes in and tells me it is very small. Need a biopsy. They wouldn't have seen it without 3-d. It turned out to be infiltrating ductal carcinoma.
Surgery, pathology, and it turns out there were 4 IDC's all very small and clustered together under a very large PLCIS. They got good margins on the IDC but not the PLCIS. Back for surgery. They tell me if they don't have good margins this time, I'll have to have a mastectomy. Waiting.
Solly Mack
(93,346 posts)slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)and changed providers that have a more complete view.
You have to be your own advocate, appears as if you are doing a fine job!
cate94
(2,919 posts)Trying to...
slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)for breast cancer but could not. They currently have a donor that is giving two dollars for every dollar donated and I would post a thread a tread in GD if I had more than the mailing. Been donating to them since the 80's, never thought my spouse would need their expertise a few years ago.
Continue to question and find an outlet/laugh and keep moving, exercise is so important. I really should take my own advice
cate94
(2,919 posts)to find ways to laugh. I have a dark sense of humor which seems to work well in this situation.. I have a dog that requires two walks a day. Normally we walk three miles a day. Since it is so close to surgery, I probably won't get half that for a few days. I need the exercise for my mental health more than anything - especially now.
Thanks for the advice. I need all the help I can get.
slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)on going for a walk! Little by little, so happy to hear the good news
Ruby the Liberal
(26,338 posts)They focused on my left breast (which was DCIS) last fall, and after all of the exams, ultrasounds, and biopsies - finally sent me for a bilateral MRI in December where they found 'atypical cells' in the other breast.
I opted for a bilateral mx because I didn't want the unknown rearing ts ugly head every 6 months in testing for the next 5 years.
Ask 2 people what they would do in that position and you will get 3 answers.
Hang in there and please continue to post your experiences/questions - this is a wonderful group.
cate94
(2,919 posts)that they did a mammogram, ultrasound and an MRI and they only saw one of the tumors. That really makes me a little skeptical of the imaging capabilities but I am not ready... I had my re excision yesterday and they had a nurse who has had a mastectomy come in and talk to me about hers. She said it wasn't that painful. It didn't sound like reconstruction was a piece of cake. I guess it is best to be prepared.
I ask myself what I will do and get three answers.
Thanks for your input
sinkingfeeling
(53,436 posts)cate94
(2,919 posts)The closer I get to the answer, the more nervous I get...
cate94
(2,919 posts)Clean margins! No more surgery!! So very grateful!
Next step will be radiation and I hear that isn't too bad. I'm meeting the oncologist tomorrow to find out what other steps I might need to take.
slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)another concern dropped from the list! We do sweat each day waiting for results, so I know what it is like to say "check"
and moving on!
Very happy to hear the good news
cate94
(2,919 posts)I feel very lucky. I met with the oncologist today and he was very pleased with everything. I need to verify the dates but it looks like radiation will start in December. Such a sigh of relief.
slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)during this time ... build yourself up with good food, exercise and lots of laughs before the next leg of the race.
So happy to hear he was pleased with everything so far!
cate94
(2,919 posts)slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)could use some good thoughts on Friday for my spouse's 4 year check up post transplant ... still get nervous
cate94
(2,919 posts)Good thoughts your way! I can understand why it would make you nervous.
slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)Ruby the Liberal
(26,338 posts)It is nerve wracking waiting post surgery for pathology. Congrats on a positive report!!!
cate94
(2,919 posts)I am so grateful!