Biopsy Results Appt.

Okay, here's the latest from Dr. Local Breast Surgeon that Dr. Internist sent me to - seems like local doctors refer you to local doctors, and I guess I'm okay with that.   She is nice, but very, very young.  And I have learned that you ALWAYS get at least a 2nd opinion so that you can have peace with whatever the plan of action.  Insurance pays for it & good surgeons expect you to do so and are not insulted.

Dr. Local Breast Surgeon said today, July 22:

   

The pathology report does confirm have Invasive Lobular Carcinoma in my left breast.  This type of cancer has an increased risk of occuring in the other breast so the treatment of choice is bilateral mastectomies.  There are 3 Grades - 1, 2, or 3.  Mine is Grade 2. 

Next step is to have a breast MRI of both breasts & my underarms to see if the cancer has spread.  She uses Insight Imaging in Fort Worth.  Dr. Local Breast Surgeon will have them call me for an appointment for next week.

She said reconstruction would begin at the time of the mastectomies.  She uses a Fort Worth plastic surgeon for reconstruction.  She said he would insert expanders - and keep enlarging them until I get the desired size.  I think then he inserts the implants.  It will take several surgeries  and months or years to complete reconstruction.  There is even a nipple reconstruction phase.  Seems like a lot of trouble since I'm the only person that ever sees my naked body.  But, there's always hope to find Mr. Right, right?

She said 3 hours before surgery they will inject the sentinel lymph nodes with a dye to determine if cancer has invaded the lymph nodes.  Then during surgery she will inject another color of dye to determine further lymph node involvement.  I guess this lets her know how much to take out.  The Pathologist looks at these two tests to determine the "Stage" of the cancer - Stage 1, 2, 3, or 4 - with 4 being the worse.  Let's pray for 1!!!!

Dr. Local Breast Surgeon recommends a local oncologist at Arlington Cancer Center. 

The Fort Worth plastic surgeon called me this afternoon to set up a consultation with him next Tuesday in Fort Worth.  I can keep or cancel this appointment according to out the 2nd opinion goes.

Oh, Dr. Local Breast Surgeon also said that the entire body MRI to determine if the cancer has spread to the bones, liver, etc., is done after the mastectomies.  INTERESTINGLY, I talked to another friend of mine who went through the same thing last year and used one of the highly recommended breast surgeons below, and she said they put her through all kinds of MRIs and tests to determine the extent of the cancer on the body BEFORE they did the mastectomies.  Wow - that is scary if that step was going to be postponed when maybe it shouldn't.

End of story for today.

I put a call in to Dr. Internist this morning to ask him to refill my Xanax prescription for my anxiety.  He only gave me 10 days worth last week - to which the pharmacist said, "Why did he give you so few?"  I also asked his office to call me in a sleep aid.  Tylenol PM is not getting me to sleep or keeping me asleep.  Well, he did not call in either, so I'm dreading the weekend on my own.  I'll call again Monday and see where they dropped the ball.  The pharmacist felt sorry for me and even said he would fax my doctor and asked him if he would prescribe me a sleep aid - the pharmacist knows my cancer story.  I cannot be choosy about doctors becaue when you are on Medicare it is impossible in my area to find a family doctor that will accept you...and only a handful of internists will accept Medicare with Aetna TRS-Care as the secondary insurance.  Your reward for being a lifelong teacher in Texas and getting old!

SECOND OPINION SCENARIO:
Wanting to hurry & get a 2nd opinion, names I had to choose from were either a breast surgeon with Texas Oncology at Baylor in Dallas or breast surgeon with Texas Oncology in Beford.  I chose to get a 2nd opinion in Beford because it is closer.  Both were highly recommended and are experienced breast cancer specialists.

I was fortunate the Bedford breast surgeo will see Monday at 4:30 for a consultation.  Praise to the Lord for getting in to see her so soon!  I have to take her my CD of the images of my breast sonogram and diagnostic mammogram and the pathology report from the biopsy is being faxed to her this afternoon.  High school girlfriend, Paula, has offered to take me for support as I think all 3 of my daughters will be unavailable - one out of town, one at a teacher workshop, and one works evenings.

Thanks a million to high school girlfriend, Brenda, for taking me today, taking notes, and helping me ask questions.  You definitely need two sets of ears and two brains when taking in all this shocking and foreign news and information.

Please continue to remember in your prayers as I begin this journey.  Feel free to share with me any advice as I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off right now.

Mayo Clinic - ILC
BreastCancer.org - ILC
Web MD - ILC
John Hopkins - ILC
CNN - ILC



Internet Description of Invasive/Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma of the breast:

Invasive or Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)

Invasive or infiltrating lobular breast cancer (ILC) occurs when the cells in the milk lobule become abnormal. The lobular cancer cells look different from normal lobular cells and multiply without stopping. They spread outside the lobule into the surrounding breast tissue. ILC does not mean that the cancer has traveled to other parts of the body beyond the breast, but it has the ability to do so.

The terms well, moderately or poorly differentiated may also be used to describe ILC. Cancers that are well differentiated look more like normal cells in the milk lobules, while those that are poorly differentiated have lost many of their normal cell features. Moderately differentiated cancers fall in between.

Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy andchemotherapy can all be used to treat ILC. Most women will receive a combination of treatments, although not necessarily all four types of treatments. The types of treatment recommended will depend upon the size of the cancer, whether the cancer is in the lymph nodes, features of the cancer cells themselves and your general health.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  Hoda'ism:  The Diagnosis:  "My lumps were bad actors.  Malcontents.  Badasses." - Hoda Kotb

It Began on 7-12-11

I realized in May I failed to have a mammogram last year.  Panic.  So, I did a self-exam.  Hmmmm, found a hard mass area which had dimpling, or rather a long dent to that area.  Oh, well, not to worry, I get my mammogram done next week, right?  After a little worry, I get my letter from Dr. Radiologist in May saying my mammogram was "normal".  Happy days!  But, after continuing to feel the same abnormality in my left breast, I called my physician I'll call Dr. Internist.  He had me come in for an examination.  He thought it was just breast "density", but had me immediately go across the street to the imaging facility for a sonogram.  A tech did the sonogram, showed it to the radiologist down the hall, and came back saying he wanted me have a diagnostic mammogram right then.  So, down the hall I went for that.  That was the first time I ever had Dr. Radiologist come right into the dressing room and speak to me - not a good sign.  He said, "You need a biopsy, and I'm calling your doctor right now."  He ordered the mammo tech to take two more pics to give to the breast surgeon that would be doing the biopsy.  Dr. Internist called me on my cell on my way home and gave me the bad news.  He said he would call me the next day with an apppointment for a biopsy with a surgeon.  I asked him if I couldn't get this done in a different imaging center.  With a not too great bedside manner, he replies, "No you need to have a surgeon do it in case it is something bad."  Yikes!  His office called me the next morning to tell me they had scheduled me an appointment.  So goes the first day of my new adventure.

Normal you say????

So, what is that darkened mass on the sonogram my internist ordered  after your "Normal Mammogram"?
  Oh, yeah, it's Invasive Lobular Cancer of my breast!!!

This was all in bad timing!  Not only am I worried that I have breast cancer, I am absolutely heartbroken over missing the yearly week at the beach with my family.  There's nothing like taking in God's creation of sand and surf, and watching precious grandchildren make sand castles and look for seashells with you.  My youngest daughter has rented a beautiful beach home right on the beachfront in South Padre Island and they invited me to go with them.  I was so looking forward to spending time with my wonderful daughter, son-in-law, and two precious granddaughters, age 3 and 6.  Oh, well, there's always next year, right?  Health has to come first!  So I stay home to check out this new curve thrown my way.

I had to wait one week to see the breast surgeon - which was nerve wracking.  Dr. Internist called in some Xanax to help with the anxiety.  What I have learned is that mammograms alone are not enough to catch breast cancer.  Some masses you just have to feel.  Some are so small you cannot feel them and they do not show up on a mammogram.  However, my mass was so huge it just looked like breast density, I guess.  Scary!  You just have to be on top of everything in this regard.  I'm just glad I was persistent in determing that I did have breast cancer and I hope we caught it early enough.  All I can say, is you know that expression, "Have you hugged your children today?"  Well, I say as a reminder to all women, "Have you checked your breasts today...or this month?"

On the next Monday my daughter, Michele, (you need two sets of ears for stressful dialogues about cancer) took Dr. Local Breast Surgeon to be examined and for her to study the CD of images I brought her from the mammogram/sonogram facility.  Dr. Local Breast Surgeon told me the images indicate I have Invasive Lobular Cancer and it affects both breasts so I would need mastectomies on both breasts.  She told me that I need to have a needle core biopsy in her other office where that procedure is done - but not until Wednesday. The breast surgeon said it did not appear to have spread to my muscles. A breast MRI will be done to detect if it has spread to the muscles, lymph nodes, etc.  Appointment made for biopsy on Wednesday
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Friends and family are extremely supportive.  Prayer chains are started.  Googling this type of cancer.  Buying recommended books on cancer.  Going to the library for other books on cancer.  The fight begins!  I will remain positive and beat this demon!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  Fear is understandable.  Just don't forget that Jesus is in the boat with you. - Michael S. Barry