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We are everywhere! It is an experience of my past. You will put it behind, too.I personally know ladies who were diagnosed with breast cancer and have lived 15 years so far and are still going strong!
Ok. I have a diagnosis :::drum roll::
Papillary Invasive Carcinoma
Wouldn't you know I'd get a rare type of cancer that only affects 1% of breast cancer patients?!
Sheesh!
He also said Estrogen Receptor Positive and
HER2 - 2 score
I have no idea what those mean
I have just, literally, now begun researching this and the GOOD news is, from what I've read in the past 1/2 hour, it is a very slow growing, in situ type of cancer.
So... what comes next is an appointment with both an Oncologist and Breast Surgeon to hear what they have to say.
Then, my Camino in March/April, so I can walk, pray, think and sort out my options.
I'd love to hear from any of you with this diagnosis or who know anyone with it.
Right now I'm feeling:
Chemo is NOT an option.
Radiation is NOT an option.
So my choices are:
1. Lumpectomy
2. Mastectomy
3. Do Nothing but diet, meditation/visualization, and walking
I'm leaning toward #3 but I have more faith in nature and I'm not a very good patient.
My MCS has given me a VERY low pain threshold and after the pain of this freaking biopsy, I can't imagine a lumpectomy or mastectomy!
Thank you all for listening and being there as I take this brand new journey.
Sending you all lots of love and gratitude!
Annie
Well, seems you found yourself a rare bicho ;-) BUT one that can be tamed/treated!
As this is a VERY treatable cancer, you really should jump on all the options:
Chemo is not as it used to be, side effects are far more manageable and less heavy then they used to be years ago.
Radiation - The same, far more focused now and far less invasive to the surrounding tissue.
Operation - Yes, get as much of the bugger out as it is possible.
Annie, I sense that you knew somebody that went through cancer treatment and you/s/he felt that the treatment was worse then the disease. These things have CHANGED!
Love, hugs and prayers from Santiago, SY
PS Listen to the oncologist and you will have more than one Camino in your future!
Yes, I have spoken with several hundred women (literally) in the past few weeks, actually, both who have and who have not done radiation and chemo.
My aunt had a mastectomy in her 30s and lived to be 89. This or a lumpectomy MAY be an option. We'll see what the Oncologist says.
or.. I may just do nothing and enjoy what good years I have in front of me, using diet and exercise, meditation and prayer. We'll see. Right now my brain is exploding with information and I'm trying to sort it all out.
In the end, I have had a life they write books and movies about.
I can't complain, no matter which way this goes.
But I feel in my gut I still have a lot of time left to enjoy.
Had both, lumpectomy and mastectomy and reconstruction. Took only Tylenol, never had a regret...clear in body and mind ever since. Had a girlfriend who opted for neither and it cost her, her inner peace. Until that lump was removed, as spiritual as she was, she knew it wasn't meant to be there.Ok. I have a diagnosis :::drum roll::
Papillary Invasive Carcinoma
Wouldn't you know I'd get a rare type of cancer that only affects 1% of breast cancer patients?!
Sheesh!
He also said Estrogen Receptor Positive and
HER2 - 2 score
I have no idea what those mean
I have just, literally, now begun researching this and the GOOD news is, from what I've read in the past 1/2 hour, it is a very slow growing, in situ type of cancer.
So... what comes next is an appointment with both an Oncologist and Breast Surgeon to hear what they have to say.
Then, my Camino in March/April, so I can walk, pray, think and sort out my options.
I'd love to hear from any of you with this diagnosis or who know anyone with it.
Right now I'm feeling:
Chemo is NOT an option.
Radiation is NOT an option.
So my choices are:
1. Lumpectomy
2. Mastectomy
3. Do Nothing but diet, meditation/visualization, and walking
I'm leaning toward #3 but I have more faith in nature and I'm not a very good patient.
My MCS has given me a VERY low pain threshold and after the pain of this freaking biopsy, I can't imagine a lumpectomy or mastectomy!
Thank you all for listening and being there as I take this brand new journey.
Sending you all lots of love and gratitude!
Annie
Thanks Sophie.Had both, lumpectomy and mastectomy and reconstruction. Took only Tylenol, never had a regret...clear in body and mind ever since. Had a girlfriend who opted for neither and it caused her, her inner peace. Until that lump was removed, as spiritual as she was, she knew it wasn't meant to be there.
It was not recommended for me to have chemo, but I was on a constant watch for a long time.
I know you will make the best decision for yourself, but don't discount the medical/surgical because you would "prefer" natural. Sometimes the better option isn't the one we'd prefer. I say that lovingly.
You will indeed be placed with the right docs, the ones chosen for your care...listen to them. Know there is no need to decide immediately. Sit with it.
Prayers to you ( btw...I'm a nurse...lol )
...and I still plan to keep you in my prayers night and day <3 Walk the good walk and know He is with youThanks Sophie.
I absolutely would consider lumpectomy or mastectomy.
At my age don't really care about reconstruction.
So yes, I'll hear what the oncologist and surgeon (who by the way has had breast cancer) have to say, walk my Camino, pray, think, then decide. Luckily, this is considered a slow-growing cancer, so unless they insist otherwise, I still plan to walk and come home in April with a decision.
Annie, you are NOT a pest. You will be top of mind in all my prayer intentions in the weeks ahead and especially on my own Camino Frances, starting 18 April at SJPP. I have a list of people and prayer intentions - and you are one of them - for which I will pray along the way while walking, at wayside shrines, in Mass and morning and evening prayers. I firmly believe prayer really works - not "positive vibes" - but prayer.So I had a bit of a frustrating day.
I went to my doctor's appointment yesterday morning and came back not knowing any more than I already know.
He did not have a lab report.
Someone from the lab had called and given a preliminary report, telling him there was a "high probability" it was cancer. I have no idea how they knew this because I'm not a lab person, but that says to me there is another probability it might NOT be cancer and that's what I'm hoping for.
He promised to call me when he had a firm diagnosis.
I told him I did NOT plan to do chemo or radiation or surgery, no matter the diagnosis.
He made me promise to at least speak with the Oncologist and Breast Surgeon if it WAS malignant to hear my options. I agreed to at least listen.
I asked him about my upcoming Camino.
By then I will have heard all my options and 5-6 weeks of walking will give me time to think.
He agreed that would be fine.
So I have kept my reservations on the VDLP.
The only thing that might change is hopping up to the CF if I don't feel I can carry my pack.
Thanks again for all your prayers and good wishes.
I will report back when I know something.
I sort of feel like a pest posting all of this, but I'm not a person to keep things inside, and saying all this out loud (well, typing it out loud)really does help me to relieve stress. So far I'm still calm. Just feeling a little frustration at the waiting.
Annie
I have a big opinion on what I'd do in your shoes, but I won't burden you with it. But I can say what I did. Mastectomy without reconstruction, which I have never ever regreted. My tumor type was different from yours, but mostly that affects what happens after surgical intervention.Chemo is NOT an option.
Radiation is NOT an option.
So my choices are:
1. Lumpectomy
2. Mastectomy
3. Do Nothing but diet, meditation/visualization, and walking
Yes!We are everywhere! It is an experience of my past. You will put it behind, too.
OK.
I have a big opinion on what I'd do in your shoes, but I won't burden you with it.
Yes!
We are......
♥ ♥ ♥
Prayers, Annie...
AnnieI'd love to hear from any of you with this diagnosis or who know anyone with it.
1. Lumpectomy
2. Mastectomy
3. Do Nothing but diet, meditation/visualization, and walking
I'm leaning toward #3 but I have more faith in nature and I'm not a very good patient.
My MCS has given me a VERY low pain threshold and after the pain of this freaking biopsy, I can't imagine a lumpectomy or mastectomy!
we plan to do the Camino Lebaniego in June tooAnnie, know of my prayers for you!! I will be walking the Camino in May and ending at what is believed to be a relic of the true cross at the Monastero di Santo Toribio. I will now also carry prayers for you and your healing to that sacred place. Love from Texas!
That's amazing! I'll be reaching the monastery at the end of May so, sadly, our paths may not cross.we plan to do the Camino Lebaniego in June too
Wishing you a speedy recovery and take care.So Joe and I have tickets to Madrid for March 3. From there we hope to bus to Zafra and walk to Astorga.
However . . . Christmas night I quite accidentaly discovered a large lump in my left breast.
At the risk of TMI, I was lying on my side and ran my hand up my body and there the sucker was!
I do regular shower checks but I guess it was hiding under the breast tissue.
Feels like it's right on my rib.
It feels about the size of a 22 shell - maybe 1 inch long and .5 inch in width.
It's quite large, I think, and I have no idea how long it's been there.
I have noticed the past year my left arm constantly going numb.
I had mentioned that to another doctor but nobody suggested a mammogram then.
I'm waffling between being strangely calm and having freak-out moments of fear.
I've had a mammogram and ultrasound on Friday in Palm Desert. They wanted to do a biopsy right away. However, I then discovered my Oregon Health Plan would not cover me in California. So I've had my records and films transferred to OHSU in Portland, Oregon and I flew up here on Sunday. I'm staying at Joe's condo and waiting, waiting, waiting to hear back from OHSU so I can have a biopsy and HOPEFULLY find out this is something benign.
Seems like it's been one thing after another this past couple of years.
This one has thrown me for a loop.
So... I'm humbly asking three things from my pilgrim friends...
1. Prayers or positive energy please that this is a benign growth.
2. Prayers that the doctors here in Portland will "get on it" and speed up the biopsy and diagnosis process.
3. If any of you have gone through this, I'd appreciate hearing your stories and advice or help or ??? I'm doing my best to stay calm, but this danged thing is throbbing now and each day feels like an eternity of not knowing.
I'm hoping we can get this resolved and I can still walk in March.
Thanks Pilgrims, for any encouragement you can give.
Annie
PS: Mods, I wasn't sure where to post this so move it if necessary.
Annie:So Joe and I have tickets to Madrid for March 3. From there we hope to bus to Zafra and walk to Astorga.
However . . . Christmas night I quite accidentaly discovered a large lump in my left breast.
At the risk of TMI, I was lying on my side and ran my hand up my body and there the sucker was!
I do regular shower checks but I guess it was hiding under the breast tissue.
Feels like it's right on my rib.
It feels about the size of a 22 shell - maybe 1 inch long and .5 inch in width.
It's quite large, I think, and I have no idea how long it's been there.
I have noticed the past year my left arm constantly going numb.
I had mentioned that to another doctor but nobody suggested a mammogram then.
I'm waffling between being strangely calm and having freak-out moments of fear.
I've had a mammogram and ultrasound on Friday in Palm Desert. They wanted to do a biopsy right away. However, I then discovered my Oregon Health Plan would not cover me in California. So I've had my records and films transferred to OHSU in Portland, Oregon and I flew up here on Sunday. I'm staying at Joe's condo and waiting, waiting, waiting to hear back from OHSU so I can have a biopsy and HOPEFULLY find out this is something benign.
Seems like it's been one thing after another this past couple of years.
This one has thrown me for a loop.
So... I'm humbly asking three things from my pilgrim friends...
1. Prayers or positive energy please that this is a benign growth.
2. Prayers that the doctors here in Portland will "get on it" and speed up the biopsy and diagnosis process.
3. If any of you have gone through this, I'd appreciate hearing your stories and advice or help or ??? I'm doing my best to stay calm, but this danged thing is throbbing now and each day feels like an eternity of not knowing.
I'm hoping we can get this resolved and I can still walk in March.
Thanks Pilgrims, for any encouragement you can give.
Annie
PS: Mods, I wasn't sure where to post this so move it if necessary.
Annie:
I am a 2 time breadt cancer survivor. May I suggest that you try not to worry till they give you something to worry about. You are right to want to get the biopsy asap. It can be unpleasant if it's a core biopsy. Prayers are on their way to you now.
Hi Annie, haven't been through it myself but will send you "love, hope and prayers" with this message.So Joe and I have tickets to Madrid for March 3. From there we hope to bus to Zafra and walk to Astorga.
However . . . Christmas night I quite accidentaly discovered a large lump in my left breast.
At the risk of TMI, I was lying on my side and ran my hand up my body and there the sucker was!
I do regular shower checks but I guess it was hiding under the breast tissue.
Feels like it's right on my rib.
It feels about the size of a 22 shell - maybe 1 inch long and .5 inch in width.
It's quite large, I think, and I have no idea how long it's been there.
I have noticed the past year my left arm constantly going numb.
I had mentioned that to another doctor but nobody suggested a mammogram then.
I'm waffling between being strangely calm and having freak-out moments of fear.
I've had a mammogram and ultrasound on Friday in Palm Desert. They wanted to do a biopsy right away. However, I then discovered my Oregon Health Plan would not cover me in California. So I've had my records and films transferred to OHSU in Portland, Oregon and I flew up here on Sunday. I'm staying at Joe's condo and waiting, waiting, waiting to hear back from OHSU so I can have a biopsy and HOPEFULLY find out this is something benign.
Seems like it's been one thing after another this past couple of years.
This one has thrown me for a loop.
So... I'm humbly asking three things from my pilgrim friends...
1. Prayers or positive energy please that this is a benign growth.
2. Prayers that the doctors here in Portland will "get on it" and speed up the biopsy and diagnosis process.
3. If any of you have gone through this, I'd appreciate hearing your stories and advice or help or ??? I'm doing my best to stay calm, but this danged thing is throbbing now and each day feels like an eternity of not knowing.
I'm hoping we can get this resolved and I can still walk in March.
Thanks Pilgrims, for any encouragement you can give.
Annie
PS: Mods, I wasn't sure where to post this so move it if necessary.
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