Journey to Cancer

Journey to Cancer

In December I noticed a lump in my left breast. I scheduled an appointment with a new gynecologist and went to see Judy in January. After a thorough breast exam, (the most thorough I have ever had!) she said that she didn’t really feel any cause for concern but sent me for a sonogram and another mammogram. The results came back and an MRI was requested. The results from the MRI suggested a biopsy. On March 19th, I had the biopsy done. At my follow up exam, the results were not good. Dr. Keller told me that I have 3 types of breast cancer.

DCIS – Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
IDC – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
ILC – Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Yesterday, I had my first appointment with the oncologist, Dr. Miller. He confirmed what the surgeon had told me. I will be having both of my breasts removed. The reason for this is because the type of cancer is highly likely to spread to the other breast. The first one below will be for the right breast…and the second one below will be for the left breast.

"Simple" or "total" mastectomy
Simple Mastectomy
Larger Version
Simple or total mastectomy concentrates on the breast tissue itself:
The surgeon removes the entire breast.
The surgeon does not perform axillary lymph node dissection (removal of lymph nodes in the underarm area). Sometimes, however, lymph nodes are occasionally removed because they happen to be located within the breast tissue taken during surgery.
No muscles are removed from beneath the breast.
Who usually gets simple or total mastectomy?
A simple or total mastectomy is appropriate for women with multiple or large areas of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and for women seeking prophylactic mastectomies — that is, breast removal in order to prevent any possibility of breast cancer occurring.
Modified radical mastectomy
Modified radical mastectomy
Larger Version
Modified radical mastectomy involves the removal of both breast tissue and lymph nodes:
The surgeon removes the entire breast.
Axillary lymph node dissection is performed, during which levels I and II of underarm lymph nodes are removed (B and C in illustration).
No muscles are removed from beneath the breast.
Who usually gets a modified radical mastectomy?
Most people with invasive breast cancer who decide to have mastectomies will receive modified radical mastectomies so that the lymph nodes can be examined. Examining the lymph nodes helps to identify whether cancer cells may have spread beyond the breast. (from www.breastcancer.org)

I will be going to the surgeon tomorrow morning. The surgery will most likely be sometime next week.

I will not be able to have reconstruction done right away since we need to find out if the cancer is anywhere else and if I will need radiation and/or chemo.