NHG: update on my mom

[Deleted]

Hi ladies,

Thought I would post an update on my mom. She had her lumpectomy yesterday and the surgery went very well.  The surgeon removed a 16mm lump (less than an inch) and opted to take one lymph node (the one closest to the breast) because the dye they injected went into that node - he took it just in case it was cancerous.  We went back to the surgeon today to go over the pathology report and found out that the lymph node is NOT cancerous!!  So that means that the breast cancer is still stage 1.  If the node had been cancerous it would have been considered stage 2.  We are truly grateful and so thankful that it isn't any worse.  She starts radiation therapy in a few weeks.

Now for a PSA:  Ladies, please do not put off getting a mammogram.  Start getting them as soon as you reach the recommended age.  I was told it is 40, but sooner if you have breast cancer in your family history.  Have them as often as your doctor recommends based on your history.  My mom's surgeon told her the cancer cells could have been in her body for up to 10 years.  I found out yesterday that she hadn't had a mammogram in SIX YEARS!!!  My mother's great aunt died of breast cancer so she does have an incidence in her family, but mom is the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" type when it comes to her health and she didn't see the importance of annual screenings. 

Please don't think because everything looks and feels ok that it is ok.  My mom didn't even find a lump, she just finally decided it was time to have a mammogram done, and thank goodness she didn't wait another 6 years!

Ok, getting off the soapbox. 

Sincerely,

Mom.

[ktzmoh]

Thanks for the update, and thank god the lymph node came back clear. I hope the radiation goes well and it's not too hard on her.

How did your mammogram go?

[mrs.jacinthe]

Oh, that's good news! I'm glad your mom is going to be in good shape soon.

Health screenings are super-important and I wish more people would take them seriously. ::climbs on soapbox with you::

[mrsemilys]

Wonderful news! Thank you for the update

[Deleted]

Jun 25, 2013 15:32:19 GMT -5 ktzmoh said:

Thanks for the update, and thank god the lymph node came back clear. I hope the radiation goes well and it's not too hard on her.

How did your mammogram go?

It was fine! Not nearly as bad as people say. One side didn't even hurt, and it was really only one time on the other side that I actually said ouch. LOL. The results came back normal - YAY! I'm going to get in touch w/my GYN to find out from her how often I need to have them given my history now.

[ktzmoh]

Jun 25, 2013 15:53:20 GMT -5 downtonali said:

Jun 25, 2013 15:32:19 GMT -5 ktzmoh said:

Thanks for the update, and thank god the lymph node came back clear. I hope the radiation goes well and it's not too hard on her.

How did your mammogram go?

It was fine! Not nearly as bad as people say. One side didn't even hurt, and it was really only one time on the other side that I actually said ouch. LOL. The results came back normal - YAY! I'm going to get in touch w/my GYN to find out from her how often I need to have them given my history now.

Oh that's great to hear.

[boiler717]

Great news!

[ktzmoh]

Jun 25, 2013 15:36:34 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Health screenings are super-important and I wish more people would take them seriously. ::climbs on soapbox with you::

I'll join you all on the soapbox and remind everyone to get a skin cancer screening too. Easy to neglect, but so important to catch early!

[aweilba]

This is great news!  I'm so glad that this is the news that your family received.  Thanks for the update!

My aunt passed away from breast cancer in November of 2012 after a five year battle.  She said to ALWAYS ask for an MRI, not a mammogram because her original tumor was not detected on a mammogram at all.  She insisted that something was "off" in her body and demanded an MRI.  Sure enough, the MRI turned up what the mammogram would not.  It's worth asking your doctor for an MRI instead of a mammogram to be safe, if your insurance will cover it.  I talked to my obgyn about it at my annual this year and she agreed wholeheartedly with me about my aunt's advice regarding MRIs over mammograms. Missing your annual check-ups is nothing to mess with!