Boobs On Ice™ : Diagnosis Behind Me

Nobody comes to a cancer diagnosis with a clean slate, even a newborn. I come with my own parcel of stuff on my plate.

The day after the appointment with the surgeon, I'm tender with cancer pain and from the biopsies last week. But the hurt today is only half from the breast and half from everything else.

It's understandable because yesterday I was out from dawn to mid-afternoon - longer than I am in the total of a week sometimes.

After so much activity someone like me who is a fibromyalgia patient hurts all over. So after sleeping late and going to lunch with my husband I've been sitting with some small tasks, and doing some physical and mental preparing as well.

This works pretty well since pain and fatigue mean I can't focus on anything for more than a short period. After this afternoon though I'm a few steps more ready for Christmas and I've had a bit of down-time.

Next on the agenda is talking with the reconstructive surgeon on Monday. I've got a lot of questions about balancing breast size, so I don't really need to make many notes.

In addition, I'm preparing mentally for a mastectomy - as much as I can. Last week when I found the mass in my breast my first inclination was to say "cut these off - I don't need them." The reality of it is somewhat less clear cut and lead to more questions. Nothing is simple.

And I've started to look at clothing styles that will be even marginally comfortable during healing.

I'm thinking loose, soft, with a good drape, non-wrinkling, hidden / french seams to protect tender skin, and must have pockets. The variety available when googling is remarkably lousy. I refuse to start my own clothing company but wish Units clothing stores were still in business

There's a lot left to learn.

About My Cancer

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
My form of breast cancer is less common than others. In fact only about 6 to 8% of cases of breast cancer are the invasive form that is based in the lobules, not in the milk ducts.
Invasive, sometimes called Infiltrating, is a scary word. In most cases this form of breast cancer has been present for 8–10 years when detected by a mammogram or physical exam.
In my case there was clearly an area that felt thickened or dense on December 6, 2007. A mammogram the next afternoon was not able to detect it but it clearly appeared on ultrasound and was confirmed by multiple biopsies the same day.
During those 8 to 10 years the cancer took to become apparent to me, there has been plenty of opportunity for those invasive cells to get out of the breast and spread to the rest of the body.
It is after all, by definition, an invasive form of cancer.
Each year about 190 thousand women are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the US and about 40 thousand women will die of the disease. The larger the mass is when discovered the more risk. Mine had tentacled almost 5cm into the surrounding tissue and two other areas in the breast were discovered as well.
My chances of living another 10 years without cancer in another area are about 40%. The likelihood of one of my other underlying health conditions doing the job before that is 20%. it took a few months to get used to that idea.
Now though my attitude is that at least I know what I'm facing. It's just not what I expected. Life changes in an instant.

Comments

I had an abdominal laparoscopy about 6 years ago that left me with four incisions near my waist. Since the incisions were near the waist band of where my pants fit and your waist is a pretty essential part to sitting up, I needed to make my clothing choices wisely too. I found that satin and silk type clothes that fit loosely were more comfortable than most fabrics. I also wore good-quality cotton nightgown-type dresses.

I hope you find something that will work and I'm really glad that you're thinking a head about this. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, keep the updates coming :)

Posted by: Jen Cardew | Dec 15, 2007 at 10:29 PM

Wow! Reading your blog is interesting. I just had a lump removed Thursday. My breast is killing me! It wasn't a small incision. Hope to find out results tomorrow (Monday). I have been assuming everything would be fine (I have no idea why?) but made myself sick worrying yesterday. Decided to go into denial today and feel much better!
I'm scared but reading your blog helps.
Just a very sore breast but loose tops are a must.

Posted by: Beth | Dec 16, 2007 at 07:52 PM

I wasn't a candidate either- being 33 yrs old, with no family history. Everyone knows BrCa is an post menopausal disease, right?

Indulge in what makes you happy, lean on the people who will let you.

For whatever reason, men's clothing- shirts- can be much more comfortable and roomy than women's, and if your husband is obliging, and would wear them the first few times, well you get the added bonus of the continuous "hug" of your best beloved- so important to recovery. Add some funky and interesting accessories and voila! You've got a wardrobe.

Thoughts and prayers are with you, from this 15 yr BrCa survivor.

Posted by: Teri L | Dec 16, 2007 at 09:42 PM

hi,

i recently saw your story on twitter and had to add my support. i'm now a giant pea on twitter, and will try to get a bunch of australians to pea up for you too...

pete.

Posted by: pete | Dec 18, 2007 at 06:07 AM

Sending hugs and support. I saw all these pea people and when I read your story, I was inclined to give some $$ to breast cancer although I do give $$ every year to breast cancer research.

My mother is a survivor of thyroid cancer for they took out her ENTIRE thyroid about 19 years ago. She is very healthy and I know you will be healthy too.

Just know you are in our prayers!

Posted by: Jennifer | Dec 30, 2007 at 09:23 PM

My prayers continue to be with you dear.

Don't know if you checked eBay, but I found a store there that carries medical specialty clothes http://stores.ebay.com/SNAPPY-T-SHIRT-MEDICAL-STORE

Gentle {{HUGS}} to you....

Posted by: Marti | Sep 17, 2008 at 06:33 PM