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Yes, But...
Hi Susan! I am in complete agreement w/your reasoning. I would never have gone on HRT except for my daily suffering from hot flashing non-stop. I was desperate. And I was only on for a few months and then had to stop b/c of bleeding that couldn't be controlled. 2 yrs later, I tried again, knowing that the only relief I ever got (throughout my 10 yrs of feeling on fire and dripping wet) was during the brief period I was on the HRT. Again, bleeding issues. All attempts to stop that (w/large dosages of progesterone) failed. So I discontinued its use.
I had just had a clear mammog. 4 mnths later I noticed this spongey, denseness of my entire left breast. I never had a lump. I assumed it was due to turning 50. Being post menopausal. Never thought it was cancer, b/c I had no lump, no oozing nipple. I alw did first of the mnth self exams. I thought I was looking for a marble, or a pea. Even an egg. Not a general hardness of the entire breast!
I knew I needed to bring this to my GYN's attention. I moved my next mammog up sev mnths. I thought perhaps I had a cyst. I might require surgery. Never thought it was consistent w/bc.
I am curious how your lobular bc presented, Susan. I would also ask others for their input re this question.
I have since made it clear, to my two daughters, and to every one of my girlfriends, that -- IT ISN'T ALWAYS A LUMP that you are looking for.
Lobular *hides*. It is a radiologist's worst nightmare. They look and look and they see nothing. THEN, when they can see it -- it is huge. Advanced. And super serious!
Andi
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Andi BB
'95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...
'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!)
+ good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either...
Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...
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