Entering the Stage of Confusion

My breast MRI had shown an additional area of concern.  I had a biopsy of a suspicious lymph node under my left arm.  Those results came back that it was benign.  Surgery date was scheduled for the 30th of June.

A radiologist who initially read my breast MRI was concerned about another area.  On Jun 27th I was scheduled for a breast biopsy.  The suspicious area was around 10 - 11 on the clock dial.

I went into the ultrasound area and the technician tried her best to locate the spot of concern.  She really did not find the spot however took some pictures in that area.  A radiologist came in.  On a shallower spot, she found a lymph node.  She said it appeared to be a benign lymph node.  She then compared this image to a previous mammogram in 2011.   It was determined to be a benign lymph node and I was told they wouldn't be doing a biopsy.
Sounds great right?    It was very confusing.  I was thinking "so now what".  The next day the surgeon called and I was rescheduled for the biopsy and my surgery date was moved to July 5th due to results coming back in 2 days later.

I could now enjoy my 4th of July weekend with family and friends.  On the other hand I just wanted to get this surgery behind me.

The biopsy came back benign and surgery was on for July 11, 2016.

Tests, Tests and More Tests

On June 10th I had CT Scans and Bone Scans - They came out Negative for showing other cancer in my body.


Jun 13th = Echocardiogram

On Jun 15th I met with my Oncologist and she talked about the role of chemotherapy and radiation.

On Jun 16th we met with my surgeon to discuss options after all of the testing came back.

Jun 17th I had my port placement.

• Implantable port or port-a-cath. A surgeon or radiologist puts in a port, usually with local anesthesia or conscious sedation. The catheter goes under the skin of your chest or upper arm. 

A port is completely under your skin. You might see or feel a small bump on your chest or arm. But you will not see the tip of the catheter. To give treatment, your nurse may first numb the skin with a cream. Then, your nurse cleans the skin and puts a needle into the port. Treatment or blood samples go through the needle.

Benefits of catheters and ports

A catheter in the upper arm or neck can stay in place for weeks or months. Your team can use it to:

• Reduce the number of times a nurse or other team member sticks you with a needle. Health care team members call this a needle stick. This helps if you have small or damaged veins. These veins are often harder to take samples from. A catheter can also help if you need blood tests often or are anxious about needles.
• Give blood transfusions or more than 1 treatment at once.
• Reduce the risk of tissue and muscle damage. This can happen if medication leaks outside a vein. Leaking is more likely with an IV catheter.
• Avoid bruising or bleeding if you have bleeding problems, such as low platelet counts.
• Lets you have some chemotherapy at home instead of the hospital or clinic. Continuous infusion therapy is given this way.

Ports can remain in place for weeks, months, or years. Your team can use a port to:

• Reduce the number of needle sticks.
• Give treatments that last longer than 1 day. The needle can stay in the port for several days.
• Give more than 1 treatment or medication at a time. If this is done, the port has 2 openings.
• Do blood tests and chemotherapy the same day with 1 needle stick.

Genetic Testing My Testing came back Negative - Great News !~

Three of the most well-known genes that can mutate and raise the risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer are BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2. Women who inherit a mutation, or abnormal change, in any of these genes — from their mothers or their fathers — have a much higher-than-average risk of developing breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer. (Abnormal PALB2 genes are suspected to raise the risk of ovarian cancer, but larger studies need to confirm that risk.) Men with these mutations have an increased risk of breast cancer, especially if the BRCA2 gene is affected, and possibly of prostate cancer. Many inherited cases of breast cancer have been associated with mutations in these three genes.

The function of the BRCA and PALB2 genes is to keep breast cells growing normally and prevent any cancer cell growth. But when these genes contain the mutations that are passed from generation to generation, they do not function normally and breast cancer risk increases. Abnormal BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 genes may account for up to 10% of all breast cancers, or 1 out of every 10 cases.

Most people who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease. However, when a strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer is present, there may be reason to believe that a person has inherited an abnormal gene linked to higher breast cancer risk. Some people choose to undergo genetic testing to find out. A genetic test involves giving a blood or saliva sample that can be analyzed to pick up any abnormalities in these genes.

Genetics counseling was quite interesting.

Genetics is a small portion of breast cancer cases.

What to Do if Your Genetic Test Results Are Negative

The following recommendations are based on currently available but admittedly limited information — and common sense.

If your family has a defined breast cancer gene abnormality but you test negative for the abnormality, your risk of breast cancer is considered to be equal to that of a woman in the general population: 12-13% over the course of your lifetime. Men who test negative for a known breast cancer gene abnormality have the same very low risk of developing breast cancer as men in the general population. Whether you are a woman or a man, testing negative also means that you could not have passed the genetic abnormality on to your children.

As a woman considered to be at average risk of developing breast cancer, you can follow the screening and lifestyle guidelines recommended for most women:

Practice regular breast self-examination and get annual or semiannual clinical breast exams (depending on your doctor's recommendation).

Have screening mammograms following the current guidelines for women of average risk: a baseline mammogram at age 40 and annual mammograms after age 40.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle: eat a low-fat, well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, keep your weight under control, and minimize your intake of alcohol. These strategies will improve your sense of well-being and general health and possibly lower your breast cancer risk.