My Journey - Breast Cancer

[lovemydad]

So far - I'm Lucky.

On March 8th - my husband found a lump on my right breast. He was so sweet - Honey - when was your last Mamo. July 2023 - Why. And then he showed me what he felt. After a sleepless night - right to the Gyno - no worries about apts. I needed to see them. They got me a Mamo apt on the 12th with a biopsy on the 17th and the diagnosis of Cancer on March 22nd.

I made the decision to have a double mastectomy - ( May 19th 2023) as I have a stong history of both breast cancer and prostate ( hormone related ) cancers in my family. I also have had 4 malignant melanomas - all in situ. I will follow up with DIEP reconstruction ( Dec 13th ).

Why am I lucky - My cancer was found very early. It is a Stage 1c,n0n0 - small with no spread. It is also very slow growing with a Ki67 of 9%. It is hormone positive ER95% and PR 90-95%. My OncoScore is a 7%. I don't need chemo or radiation. Both my breast surgeon and my reconstruction surgeon have been fantastic. I have their personal cell phones - and they are very responsive.

I had physical therapy prior to my mastectomy ( 6+ hours with both surgeons ) to help with strength afterwards - and of course I am still in physical therapy now. I am 7 weeks post surgery and have full range of motion, There is some pain with the expanders - but that can't be helped. I will start on the strength on my lower half to prepare for the DIEP

My oncologist is also very good - not as open yet! I just started letrozole - and I am guessing its a 5 to 10 year sentence.

[suryakaizen]

God bless you lovemydad and keep you healthy! You have a great and positive attitude to life and your husband is supportive. What more? Sending you good energies, Lakshmi

[Nicu18 in reply to suryakaizen]

God bless you and your husband

[Warrio]

I'm sorry you are on this road. This all sounds very good congrats!!!!!!

[jolo777]

I have been on Letrozole about 1 year. some hot flashes mostly at night, My biggest problem is bone pain mostly in lower back and hips. I am in physical now for 6 sessions and it is helping.

[lovemydad in reply to jolo777]

Thanks for your feedback and the therapy recommendations. So far - no issues. I am in Physical therapy for the Mastectomy and now have a script to prepare for the DIEP reconstruction. That will be ongoing for the next year - and I will continue it when its complete. It is a journey - I am sorry everyone here has to be on it. We need positivity - and together we can find it.