Breast cancer-free anniversaries

Congratulations! It is so strange to hear all the information women have today when theit tumor is discovered, and to hear the yearly celebrations, and discussions regarding treatment. I was 36 when I discovered a lump in my left breast. I was fortunate, in that I had a husband who insisted I see a doctor right away (and I also had worked for a doctor for a long time). Things were very different then, no x rays, Biopsy was done at the time of surgery. If Biopsy was positive the breast was removed. It was thought I might have a positive lymph node, so a radical breast removal was done. It was found later the node was negative. No chemo (none was given at that time) and radiation was given only if there were positive lymph nodes. I had the second breast removed two years later, due to the constant need for biopsies. (Biopsies were actual surgery no needle biopsies). No follow up medications. In some ways I think we were lucky, one major surgery and then on with life.

Today, I guess I would say I am celebrating my 56th anniversary, free of Breast Cancer. Think how much medicine has progressed. How wonderful it is, that breast cancer can be found so much earlier, treated to much quicker, and with such wonderful success, and the BIG ONE, without the need to remove a large portion of the female body.

God bless you, may you find joy, peace, and happiness all the rest of your life, and may your children always be aware of the Gift of life that was given to there mother.
Gina5009

Can you tell me about the seroma being 90% gone? Is that from your subjective perspective (or was there some medical measurement?) Just curious because I am trying to stay on top of the seroma and lymphedema situation myself.

What is a SEROMA????
In 2016 I had a lumpectomy for a removal of a 13mm tumor on my breast. After going through chemo and radiation I had a lumpectomy. It left a quarter size lump at the site of the tumor. To this day ( 2023) I’ve been left with same lump the size of a quarter. Is this lump a SEROMA?? I often wonder if my lump will ever get smaller, so far seems to be the same size as in beginning. Should it be shrinking in size and tenderness?

Congratulations! It is so strange to hear all the information women have today when theit tumor is discovered, and to hear the yearly celebrations, and discussions regarding treatment. I was 36 when I discovered a lump in my left breast. I was fortunate, in that I had a husband who insisted I see a doctor right away (and I also had worked for a doctor for a long time). Things were very different then, no x rays, Biopsy was done at the time of surgery. If Biopsy was positive the breast was removed. It was thought I might have a positive lymph node, so a radical breast removal was done. It was found later the node was negative. No chemo (none was given at that time) and radiation was given only if there were positive lymph nodes. I had the second breast removed two years later, due to the constant need for biopsies. (Biopsies were actual surgery no needle biopsies). No follow up medications. In some ways I think we were lucky, one major surgery and then on with life.

Today, I guess I would say I am celebrating my 56th anniversary, free of Breast Cancer. Think how much medicine has progressed. How wonderful it is, that breast cancer can be found so much earlier, treated to much quicker, and with such wonderful success, and the BIG ONE, without the need to remove a large portion of the female body.

God bless you, may you find joy, peace, and happiness all the rest of your life, and may your children always be aware of the Gift of life that was given to there mother.
Gina5009

A one year post mastectomy MRI, mid February, was clear of BC! ☀️

What is a SEROMA????
In 2016 I had a lumpectomy for a removal of a 13mm tumor on my breast. After going through chemo and radiation I had a lumpectomy. It left a quarter size lump at the site of the tumor. To this day ( 2023) I’ve been left with same lump the size of a quarter. Is this lump a SEROMA?? I often wonder if my lump will ever get smaller, so far seems to be the same size as in beginning. Should it be shrinking in size and tenderness?

The lump I feel is at the site of removal of my tumor I wondering if it’s just scar tissue from the removal ( since 2017)