Breast cancer-free anniversaries

I need a breakfast smoothie substitute for yoghurt that also has as much calcium. My diet improvement is a work-in-progress, and gradual, as I have finicky GI tract that rebels easily. Though we've never figured out the exact triggers. There are times when spicy foods are the only thing that calm down acid reflux, which makes zero sense though true.

You made ME laugh, lol. I've had a few moments when my brain took a quick nanosecond vacation on some tropical isle when it was both un- and dis-interested in making sense of Bad News.

My Bad News Biopsy was after a long history of mammograms seeing 'something' that was later found to be nothing. The radiologist was a tad curious about my blithe dismissal of (yet another) 'possibly suspicious area' in a breast. I finally understood that, this time, there was an area needing a biopsy and, when I explained my mammo history, she understood my seemingly breezy reaction. I think I might have seemed spacey to her for a few minutes though...

Hey Callaloo, I get you on this issue. Like you, My history of mammograms always showed something, that always was just dense breast tissue and benign cysts. So, in 2020 when our local hospital in my small hometown in NM closed all routine exams due to Covid, I didn’t worry. I figured I would wait a year or so and continue my exams. Usually the exams would include the mamo followed with the worrisome ultrasound with several techs and the radiologist checking me out. (Very stressful). They would confer and pronounce me all clear.
This year, first time in my breast history, I could feel a lumpy place. Yes, it was the real thing. That was March thru July. Now, I am at Mayo, having completed my lumpectomy. Beginning treatment soon.
I am so thankful that I found the lump and pestered our local hospital to get me in. (The hospital kept changing appointments due to the overflow of missed Mammo exams during Covid).
I am now a super advocate for self exam and the yearly exams. Who knew? Dense tissue + hormones = bad news

@elliej I love that you pestered the hospital & doctors to get you in. Your post stating ‘ Dense tissue + hormones = bad news’ is so accurate. We ALL must advocate for ourselves & be persistent. Blessings

Well, here I am again studying about radiation after lumpectomy. I’m 73, so the Radiologist said I didn’t have to have radiation, considering all factors. Grade 1 IDC, good margins and low ONCOType score. Some microscopic undetectable cells may have gone unseen, but no one knows. Anyone decide not to have radiation? Thanks, and Blessings

I decided against radiation, But had mastectomy. I had lymphovascular invasion though and grade 3.

It helped me when a doc told me that everyone has cancer cells floating around and the immune system takes care of them. The doc told me it isn't about how many but about the cells' ability to travel and settle and multiply. With grade 1 and low Oncotype, it would seem your cells would be less dangerous, if they did "go unseen," but ask your doctor to discuss this!

Well, here I am again studying about radiation after lumpectomy. I’m 73, so the Radiologist said I didn’t have to have radiation, considering all factors. Grade 1 IDC, good margins and low ONCOType score. Some microscopic undetectable cells may have gone unseen, but no one knows. Anyone decide not to have radiation? Thanks, and Blessings

Im 73 ( as of yesterday) had unilateral mastectomy in February. 2 tumors ER +HER2-2 positive sentinel nodes + 5 axillary ( next in line) negative. Favorable ONCOTYPE Suggested no benefit to chemo… breast surgeons did not recommend radiation but rad oncologist did. Ultimately I declined. I’m on AI , Anastrozole, for 5 or more years , 7 mos. So far and no obvious side effects. I feel fortunate about that.

Rough decision going against rad oncologist BUT … check out the clinical trial TAILOR RT. From a BC protocol I fit the criteria. One arm is AI only and one arm is AI plus standard radiation. Bottom line, with certain characteristics radiation may not be necessary… just as chemo was found to be unnecessary with certain characteristics. I opted to not accept radiation. I feel good about my decision. Interesting.

Decisions we need to make are complicated and scary. Generally I feel like this was right for me.

Wishing you the best on your journey. 🌸

Hey Callaloo, I get you on this issue. Like you, My history of mammograms always showed something, that always was just dense breast tissue and benign cysts. So, in 2020 when our local hospital in my small hometown in NM closed all routine exams due to Covid, I didn’t worry. I figured I would wait a year or so and continue my exams. Usually the exams would include the mamo followed with the worrisome ultrasound with several techs and the radiologist checking me out. (Very stressful). They would confer and pronounce me all clear.
This year, first time in my breast history, I could feel a lumpy place. Yes, it was the real thing. That was March thru July. Now, I am at Mayo, having completed my lumpectomy. Beginning treatment soon.
I am so thankful that I found the lump and pestered our local hospital to get me in. (The hospital kept changing appointments due to the overflow of missed Mammo exams during Covid).
I am now a super advocate for self exam and the yearly exams. Who knew? Dense tissue + hormones = bad news