Last week I had a bit of a scare. I went for my 6 month follow up with my oncologist and he scheduled some routine tests and blood work. I went for my mammogram 2 weeks ago now. I really didn't think much of it because it's only been 6 months since I finished chemo and I'm still on the Herceptin, so I figured I should be in the all clear to get the go ahead for my reconstruction.
I got a call last Wednesday from the Women's Breast Health Centre wanting me to come back in for more mammogram pictures and an ultrasound. I know it's usually not good when they call you back in. I was lucky to get an appointment 2 days later so I didn't have to suffer long. It was a rough couple of days though. All those feelings of fear coming back after I had such good results and finally feeling like myself again.
As it turned out the radiologist noticed some thickening on my right breast on my original mammogram and wanted to take more pictures. It usually means there are changes in the breast that could indicate cancer. They took more pictures and did the ultrasound. The radiologist came to examine me and told me that they couldn't see anything and that it maybe because I've lost some weight that they has been some changes and thickening. I'll be going back in 6 months for another mammogram to see if there are any other changes and I'll be talking to my oncologist about it when I see him next in October.
I'm choosing to believe that the changes are expected and I'm still ok. I'm not sure what my oncologist will say about my reconstruction plans now. On his recommendation I've moved my surgery out a month so that I can totally finish my Herceptin treatments in mid November and then my surgery will be at the beginning of December. He may want me to move it out again until we have another mammogram and can see if there are any changes. We'll see I guess.
Overall though I feel great! I feel good about my exercise and my eating habits now. My hair continues to grow but not fast enough for me. It's a very dark colour that I'm not a fan of and it's coming in curly. I'm still not comfortable going out without my wig. I was hoping by September but I'm not sure. I've made my first hair appointment in over a year for this weekend to get my hair coloured and trimmed up, so maybe after that I'll feel better about it.
It's been a busy summer but I'm enjoying this one much more than last year that is for sure. I hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather.
Take care.
I got a call last Wednesday from the Women's Breast Health Centre wanting me to come back in for more mammogram pictures and an ultrasound. I know it's usually not good when they call you back in. I was lucky to get an appointment 2 days later so I didn't have to suffer long. It was a rough couple of days though. All those feelings of fear coming back after I had such good results and finally feeling like myself again.
As it turned out the radiologist noticed some thickening on my right breast on my original mammogram and wanted to take more pictures. It usually means there are changes in the breast that could indicate cancer. They took more pictures and did the ultrasound. The radiologist came to examine me and told me that they couldn't see anything and that it maybe because I've lost some weight that they has been some changes and thickening. I'll be going back in 6 months for another mammogram to see if there are any other changes and I'll be talking to my oncologist about it when I see him next in October.
I'm choosing to believe that the changes are expected and I'm still ok. I'm not sure what my oncologist will say about my reconstruction plans now. On his recommendation I've moved my surgery out a month so that I can totally finish my Herceptin treatments in mid November and then my surgery will be at the beginning of December. He may want me to move it out again until we have another mammogram and can see if there are any changes. We'll see I guess.
Overall though I feel great! I feel good about my exercise and my eating habits now. My hair continues to grow but not fast enough for me. It's a very dark colour that I'm not a fan of and it's coming in curly. I'm still not comfortable going out without my wig. I was hoping by September but I'm not sure. I've made my first hair appointment in over a year for this weekend to get my hair coloured and trimmed up, so maybe after that I'll feel better about it.
It's been a busy summer but I'm enjoying this one much more than last year that is for sure. I hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather.
Take care.
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