With 1 in 8 women having breast cancer, we all know someone who has been touched by it. This blog is where I plan to tell my story and share my personal journey in the hope that it might help others.
Two days ago was my first diagnosiversary...one year since I received the biopsy results that said "you have breast cancer". (Here's the post I wrote about that life-altering phone call.) Some days, it all feels like a long time ago and other days, it feels like it just happened. I crammed a lot of stuff into 2017!!
Yesterday, I was asked to come back into my PS office to re-take my "after" photos. They have a new backdrop wall and wanted some extra shots to use on their website. Yep....that's me..."before & after" model. Granny asked if I was posing for Playboy next?!?! Ha!
Last night, I went back to my PS main office for a Pink Ladies event. There was quite a turnout for this one and it was good to get out and meet some new pink sisters. I sat next to a woman who is coming up on 5 years cancer-free and three others who are less than 6 months into their journeys....we all have stories to share.
The guest speakers last night were from the local group Overcomers: Daughters of the King of Kings. It is a neat organization that focuses on breast cancer SURVIVORS. This is a much needed ministry and I was excited to hear about it. Overcomers realized (like many of us) that the journey is NOT over after surgery and reconstruction and treatment is done. While I am very blessed to be cancer-free, my life is not the same as it once was and how I feel, think, act is forever changed. All of the small group leaders are fellow breast cancer survivors. They host a 9-week workshop every Fall and Spring that I am really hoping to take part in soon. (Go to their website to register for the one starting 02/21/18 if you are interested and available.)
Great tips no matter where or who you are!
After we heard from the Overcomers group, a sweet Pink Sister shared with us her participation in an organization called Cranes for Cancer. According to Japanese legend, anyone who receives 1,000 origami cranes will have good luck. If you read the story on the website, you'll see why they have chosen to mail a box of 1,000 origami cranes to people battling cancer. There are also photos of some lovely art installations done with these cranes. After giving us a little history, she taught us all how to make the cranes last night...it was challenging. I cannot imaging making 1,000 of them myself....it's harder than it looks to make just 1! But, it was fun to learn and to laugh with those around me as we attempted the folds.
My first attempt at an origami crane!
If any of you are local and are interested, PRMA Pink Ladies have events every 2-3 months. Each one is different and they always have one of the nurses available for any one who has reconstruction questions while they are there. Check out the PRMA Facebook page (@PRMAplasticsurgery) for more details. So, while this week of anniversaries has brought up a lot of emotions, most of all it has reminded me of what a blessed story I now have to share and how much God has taught me throughout this tough year. Have a terrific weekend!
WARNING: THERE ARE GRAPHIC POST-OP PHOTOS IN THIS POST. And, this is a really long post.
It is Post-op Day #6...my surgery was a week ago tomorrow. Seems unbelievable really. It went fast.
The morning of surgery, we arrived at the hospital at 0530. My parents and my son were with me wearing their "Fight Like a Girl" buttons and my son had a t-shirt that read: "I wear pink for my Mom".
Shortly after arriving, I was taken back to a pre-op room where I changed into a gown and compression stockings....super cool look. My IV was started and then my family was able to join me in the room while we waited for the physicians to come in. Our Pastor came by and prayed with us as well.
My Surgical Oncologist, Dr. K came and reviewed the plan with me again and answered any last minute questions. I signed consent for his part again. Then, my Plastic Surgeon, Dr. O came in and did the same. I signed consent and then he marked me up for surgery. As soon as he left, the anesthesiologist stepped in and I signed yet another consent. Lots of signing!
After that, it was just a matter of minutes before I said my "see ya laters" to my family and the medications started kicking in. I really don't remember much of anything after they left the room.
I woke up hours later in Recovery...very groggy and my eyes felt heavy. I tried to ask about my lymph node biopsy but my throat was dry and sore and the nurse said she didn't know. I closed my eyes and the next thing I remember was Dr. O standing over me smiling. He was replacing a T-Sat probe on my left breast and said: "Miss Hudson, Julie, it's Dr. O. Everything went great. You are doing great. The biopsy was clear...we got it all." That was the phrase I was waiting for....I was CANCER FREE!
They started talking about taking me to my room, but I really didn't care at that point....I had heard what I needed. Once the nurses got me settled, my family came in to see me....it was early evening. My face was so swollen and my eyes so puffy (from all the fluids they gave me in the OR) that it was hard to keep my eyes open. My family didn't stay long and I fell asleep immediately after saying "goodnight".
You can see how swollen my face and eyes are! It was much better by breakfast time.
I remember them telling me that both surgeons said I was a "textbook case" and that my surgery was only 6 hours instead of the 10+ we had planned. I really wasn't very lucid until about 0300 that next morning.
The nurse had to check my new skin flaps every hour that night with a doppler. She would come in and
Checking with the doppler for blood flow to the "skin islands"
put the doppler probe on the edge of the flap and listen for the blood flow. I also had T-sat probes attached to the new skin that constantly monitored the oxygenation status of the flaps. I couldn't really see anything from my angle, so I used my phone to take selfies so that I could see.
Finally got that catheter out and was allowed to go to the bathroom myself...and wear shorts! Still had those hose and SCDs though!
I was wearing a bra, an abdominal binder, and a gown. I still had on the knee-high TED hose, a pair of socks, as well as the SCDs on my calves (they inflate and deflate every couple of minutes). There was a pillow under each of my arms and one under my head. My bed was up at an angle because I could not lay flat. I also had a heavy blanket laying across my chest. I was SOOOOOO HOT! As a South Texan, I am a big fan of ceiling fans and air conditioning. I also typically sleep in tank tops and shorts with light covers. This was miserable for me. I could see the thermostat in the room next to my bed was set at 76! They had to keep my new vessel connections and flaps warm, so there was no negotiating on any of this. Honestly, this was hard for me to get used to....every day I looked forward to my walks in the hall where it was cold to everyone else.
My fancy post-op bra
By breakfast I was feeling more like myself. I was able to eat a little and finally got to see my abdomen when the dayshift RN came in to do her assessment... she was kind enough to help me take a picture.
Every 2 hours throughout my stay-day and night, the RN would come and do the doppler check. As a nurse in the hospital, I was a pretty decent patient to have....compliant and motivated. The staff kept telling me I was ahead of the curve and I didn't argue about getting up or doing my walks. The only thing I really really really wanted out was that annoying foley catheter! I had nursing students following me that week as well....I actually enjoyed that because they were eager to see and learn everything. My RNs were teaching them so they would take their time to explain things and I got to learn along the way. Each day, I tried to take photos of my progress.
My three JP drains....these are a bit annoying. They have to be stripped and emptied several times a day.
On POD #1, I walked up the hall. It was more exhausting than I thought it would be, but felt good to be up. POD #2, I felt great! Got up, ate breakfast, walked.....and then I got nauseated! That was not my best day. I still wound-up walking 4 times that day, but I never really felt well.
POD #3 was way better! I finally got my first shower! It was one of the hardest things I've done
POD #3 fresh from the shower!
but felt so good! The sweet CNA was kind and showed me exactly how I would do it at home. It was hard for me to be the patient. I've never been on the other side of the bed before and totally reliant on someone else to do things for me...like move me up in bed or help me out of my chair. It's a weird feeling, but I had the very best staff taking care of me.
Abdomen and re-located bellybutton
"Lollipop incisions"...the center circles are the skin flaps from my abdomen. The rest of the breast is my native skin that was spared. Obviously swollen everywhere.
By POD #4, I could do two laps around the unit. Dr. O came in and said I could go home. A few hours later, I was heading out. The trip home was not as hard as I had imagined. You definitely want a pillow to go between you and the seatbelt to help cushion for bumps in the road. It felt good to be free from monitors, IVFs, and those SCDs! As good as home felt, it did make me feel vulnerable to be on my own....no one checking me every 2 hours.
Lymph Node Biopsy incision under my left arm
I stayed up most of the afternoon and took a shower before going to bed. I slept hard that first night, only getting up twice for bathroom breaks. POD #5 was even better. I walked to the mailbox and back with my son and my family came over to visit.
Abdominal drain insertion point
Insertion point of one of my chest drains... you can see here that my abdomen is swollen.
I really thought 24/7 care seemed silly since I was not really hurting and I was getting around well. But, it IS necessary. My mother has been staying overnight and my grandmother and Dad take turns with her during the day. It is the little things you need help with: I can't bend over and I can't reach above my head. My pillow is actually a little too heavy to carry. I can strip my own drains, but I have a hard time getting the abdominal one thru the t-shirt that I wear under my binder. Last night I got nauseated after taking a pain med and was so thankful I could call me mother from the other room to bring me Sprite and crackers in the middle of the night.
Every day is better than the last and I have hardly taken pain medication. The sitting and laying around is the hardest part for me, not the pain. I'm not going to lie to you and say this is easy, but it is not as bad as I had read or heard. It is frustrating to not be able to do things I want to do and to get winded just walking down the hall, but I am so grateful and blessed to be here CANCER FREE!
I am going to try to record more of this journey in video form when I can. To get started, I had my mother help me film a really quick YouTube video of how I strip my drains for anyone who is interested:
#FightLikeAGirl
MY TIMELINE:
12/22/16 Routine Screening Mammogram
01/18/17 Repeat Imaging and US of left breast; LUMP found.
01/20/17 Core Needle Biopsy
01/24/17 Biopsy results positive...Stage 0 DCIS, left breast
01/25/17 Meeting with Breast Center Navigator and Genetic Testing
01/30/17 Consultation with Surgical Oncologist, Dr. K
It's Monday, Jan. 30th, and I have known for under a week that I have Stage 0 DCIS (confirmed by biopsy). Today, I met my wonderful Surgical Oncologist, Dr. K. for the first time. He was just as great as I had been told. Here's how it went....
After a ton of paperwork....get used to that....I met with the nurse practitioner. After reviewing my history, she did a quick physical exam before Dr. K came into the room. Typically, Dr. K would have gone over my diagnosis and treatment options in detail...he is often the first person most cancer patients talk to after their diagnosis; however, I had the benefit of having met with the Breast Center Navigator the week before. This made my visit a little easier and we could pretty much go straight into my surgical options. He confirmed that no chemotherapy would be called for with Stage 0 DCIS, but that radiation would be required if I chose the lumpectomy route.
Here were my options again (in case you missed my last post):
Option 1:Lumpectomyfollowed by 5 days/week x 6 weeks ofradiationand 5 yrs ofhormone suppressionmedication (leading to menopause symptoms).
Option 2:Left (unilateral) mastectomyand reconstruction followed by 5 yrs of hormone suppression....no radiation.
Option 3:Double mastectomyand reconstruction ....no radiation, no meds
My thoughts:
Option 1: With a lumpectomy, there is always the possibility that a cancer cell will be left behind. This is why radiation is necessary. The thought of having the cancer come back in the same breast or in my other one is scary. I also did not want to go through the radiation (and all of its side effects) required with a lumpectomy. The hormone suppression therapy would come with all of the fun of menopause symptoms too.
Option 2: Once again, the hormone suppression therapy is required in order to protect the right breast that is left behind. And, again, there is the possibility of breast cancer recurrence in my unaffected breast.
Option 3: No radiation...no hormone therapy...no more mammograms....no more breast tissue. While the initial recovery is longer and it is definitely more intense, the outcome would give me the least amount of recurrence risk.
For me, I felt that even the smallest percentage of risk for recurrence was too much for me.
This included the less than 4% risk included with saving my nipples. In order to do a "nipple-sparing" procedure, a small amount of breast tissue is left behind....meaning that there is a little something left for those pesky cancer cells to come back to. Again, not worth it to me and after seeing the amazing work that can be done with plastics and tattooing, I am not at all concerned with losing the nipples too.
After Dr. K reviewed the statistics for each of the 3 options and then he said to me: "I will advocate for you whichever option you choose. I will be on your side." Those are powerful words to hear from anyone, but especially helpful from the physician who is going to be trying tosave your life.
After having spent the last week doing my own research, Dr. K was able to confirm what I knew and give me additional info specific to my case. In the end, I felt very comfortable with my decision and signed consent for a Bilateral (a.k.a. Double) Skin-Sparing Mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and possible Lymph Node Dissection.
Image from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/staging/sentinel-node-biopsy-fact-sheet
Because if the breast cancer was going to spread, it would spread via the lymph nodes, a sentinel lymph node biopsy will be performed at the start of my surgery. The evening before surgery, I will go to the Radiology department of the hospital to have a radioactive tracer dye injected into my lymph nodes. On the morning of surgery, Dr. K will use this to determine which lymph node is the FIRST one from the cancerous lesion...the sentinel lymph node. He will remove this node and send it for an immediate biopsy. If it is clear, he will proceed with the mastectomy as planned. If it is positive, he will have to remove more lymph nodes for a dissection and further biopsies. Obviously, this will change my prognosis significantly, as well as my treatment plan.
There are lots of things to consider as you are making the choice for yourself. Take the time to review all of the info and to research each one.
The only negative about the appointment was finding out that Dr. K was not going to be available on the date the Breast Center Navigator and I had discussed, so my surgery would likely be later. Not like this was devastating news or anything, but any extension on the process seemed like forever.
My next appointment was going to be with the Plastic Surgeon, Dr. O, in 9 days. Assuming things went well with him, the two offices would compare calendars and get me scheduled for surgery.
Still felt surreal leaving that office and the next 9 days went slowly.
MY TIMELINE:
12/22/16 Routine Screening Mammogram
01/18/17 Repeat Imaging and US of left breast; LUMP found. 01/20/17 Core Needle Biopsy 01/24/17 Biopsy results positive...Stage 0 DCIS, left breast 01/25/17 Meeting with Breast Center Navigator and Genetic Testing 01/30/17 Consultation with Surgical Oncologist, Dr. K
So, here we are on 01/25/17....I was diagnosed yesterday with Stage 0 DCIS in my left breast. Today I am heading to the Breast Center to meet with the Patient Navigator and the Genetics Nurse for Genetic Testing........
In the Breast Center:
A mastectomy pillow (goes under your arm) given
to me at the Breast Center.
I arrived at the Breast Center and was greeted by the Breast Center Patient Navigator, "A". She was very sweet and very knowledgeable. Please be sure to check with your facility to see if they offer this assistance. It is very helpful, especially in the beginning to have someone who knows the ropes to guide you through all of the information, appointments, and help you choose the best physicians for your treatment. "A" started by going over my biopsy results in detail and discussing what it meant. I had researched some online the night before based on our previous telephone conversation, so by the end of our talk, I felt like I had a thorough understanding. We discussed my treatment options next. For me, Stage 0 DCIS, does not require chemotherapy. No chemo...this was good news. It does require surgical intervention though because left untreated, DCIS becomes invasive and can spread. "A" assured me that all 3 of my surgical options were good and produced positive outcomes for patients. Here's how my options were laid out: Option 1:Lumpectomyfollowed by 5 days/week x 6 weeks ofradiationand 5 yrs ofhormone suppressionmedication (leading to menopause symptoms). Option 2:Left (unilateral) mastectomyand reconstruction followed by 5 yrs of hormone suppression....no radiation. Option 3:Double mastectomyand reconstruction ....no radiation, no meds
Additionally, if the latter two, there isimplant vs natural tissue reconstruction. All of these would be discussed in further detail with the Surgical Oncologist. My Surgical Oncologist would be the one to provide the statistics on the options, but "A" said that none of them would be "wrong". This is most definitely a personal choice. We also discussed the physicians in the area and the ones that the Breast Center recommends. I had already been told by several friends and coworkers that Dr. K was the absolute best for Surgical Oncology. "A" confirmed this and started working on setting me up with an appointment the following Monday. "A" told me that I would hear from her or Dr. K's office to confirm my appointment. She also recommended a Plastic Surgeon (from the group I had already heard about from friends) who works closely with Dr. K and is excellent with the natural tissue reconstruction option. She would work on getting me an appointment with his office, as well. She was anticipating that I could have surgery in just under a month...around Feb. 23rd. I was then introduced to the Genetics Nurse, "E". "E" explained the testing process and had several charts to show me how it worked and what the results would entail. Most people have heard of BRCA 1 & 2 testing (thanks to Angelina Jolie), but my test would cover 28 genes. The genes being tested would cover not only my genetic predisposition for breast cancer, but for 8 different cancers. This was the one I took:
It was a simple saliva test...basically spitting into a test tube....a lot of spitting! We discussed what the findings would mean for my family....like the fact that regardless of the results, my niece should start getting routine mammograms at age 30 (instead of 40) just because she now has an Aunt with breast cancer. Results would be available in 7-10 days. I left the office with a ton of information swirling around in my head! So many numbers and details. This is one of those times, you want to have something to write things down on (or another person to take notes/listen). It's all a bit overwhelming, but I felt good after my appointment. Again, for me, this all signified a working, active, plan...things were moving in a positive direction. I spent the rest of the day and evening updating family and friends and reading about the surgical options online. I encourage you to be proactive if you have received a breast cancer diagnosis. Arm yourself with information and don't hesitate to advocate for yourself. Ask lots of questions! Write everything down and start a folder or file to keep all of the paperwork you will gather along the way...there is a bunch! Please feel free to comment or to ask questions if there is something you'd like to know more about. I'm happy to share anything that might help you in your journey.
MY TIMELINE:
12/22/16 Routine Screening Mammogram
01/18/17 Repeat Imaging and US of left breast; LUMP found. 01/20/17 Core Needle Biopsy 01/24/17 Biopsy results postive...Stage 0 DCIS, left breast 01/25/17 Meeting with Breast Center Navigator and Genetic Testing
My biopsy was Friday, 01/20/17...this is Tuesday, 01/24/17. I was told that biopsy results would be in 72 hours, but figured that Saturday and Sunday wouldn't count. I tried not to think too much about it over the weekend and just took it pretty easy. I worked Monday and Tuesday. I was a little bruised at the biopsy site and still had steri-strips in place, but the only things that really bothered me was my bra rubbing on the site and the swelling causing my scrub top to irritate my inner arm. Of course, my coworkers and family were asking about my results, but I was trying not to count on them until Thursday.
I'm a NICU nurse. A typical routine for our patients is an every 3 hour feeding schedule. This shift I had 3 patients...0800, 0830, 0900...1100, 1130, 1200...etc. I was mid-way through my second round and decided to walk a dirty bed to the cleaning area while milk was warming for my little patient. My phone was in my pocket.....needless to say, every time it vibrated that past week, I had jumped. This time was no different. I felt the vibration and when I looked in my pocket I recognized the extension from my OBGYN's office. I jumped into the supply closet next to where I was standing and took the call.....time stood still for a moment.
My long-time OBGYN told me he had my results....he didn't make me wait or ask, thankfully. His words were: "It's the best of the worst diagnosis, Julie." I was informed that the biopsy showed Stage 0 DCIS....ductal carcinoma in situ. He went on to briefly explain that this was "the good kind" and that the Breast Care Navigator would be in touch to walk me through this new journey.
It wasn't a long phone call....but it was life-altering.
In that moment,
standing in a supply closet in the middle of the NICU,
I became a cancer patient....a woman with breast cancer.
I walked out and just started pushing the dirty bed down the hall. While I was in the empty cleaning area, I quickly dialed my mother and told her what little I knew. She would inform my Dad and Granny since I was at work. I asked her to wait and let me tell my son when I got home.
Then, it was back to my pod and time to get back to work. It didn't feel real and I definitely think I was in a bit of shock, even though I thought I was prepared for this possibility. My two coworkers were working with a patient when I returned with the news. They both immediately said: "Do you need a minute? Do you need to go?" My response was something like: "I better not....I think I need to just keep moving. And, the babies need to eat."
The baby was bottle feeding that round and took his time...I remember sitting there and just re-playing the phone call in my head. One of the gals asked me what I was thinking and I just said: "I have breast cancer. That's really weird to say out loud."
Within the hour, the Breast Center Navigator called me and we scheduled a meeting for the next morning. She gave me a little more information over the phone and let me know that I qualified for genetic testing and that I could complete it the next day too.
My lesion...~3cms located at 1:00, 5 cm
from the nipple on my left breast
At the end of the day, here's what I knew:
"In situ" means "in place". This means that the cancer is usually contained where it is found and Stage 0 means that it appears to be non-invasive.
DCIS is furthered contained in the milk ducts.
I would meet with the Navigator the next day at 09:00 to review everything and start making plans and appointments. She would help me with surgeons and appointments.
Because I am 40 with breast cancer and have a grandmother with a history of uterine/ovarian cancer, genetic testing would be offered, recommended, and should be covered by insurance. It would be completed at 10:00 the following day.
Most likely, the MDs would offer me three options: lumpectomy, unilateral mastectomy, or double mastectomy....details to be discussed the next day.
I would need to talk to a surgical oncologist for lumpectomy or mastectomy and a plastic surgeon for reconstruction.
My son took it well that night. Calm and cool as usual. He gave me a big hug and told me it was going to be okay. Pretty sure I didn't sleep that night but a few minutes here and there. No tears, just a lot of praying and thinking.
It was a lot to take in, but I actually felt better knowing...as crazy as that sounds, it was better than wondering and waiting.
MY TIMELINE:
12/22/16 Routine Screening Mammogram
01/18/17 Repeat Imaging and US of left breast; LUMP found. 01/20/17 Core Needle Biopsy 01/24/17 Biopsy results postive...Stage 0 DCIS, left breast 01/25/17 Meeting with Breast Center Navigator and Genetic Testing
Let's go back to last month again...still trying to get y'all caught up to present day. Friday, Jan. 20, 2017....Biopsy day.
This was all brand new...they had just found the lump/lesion/whatever two days ago. My parents insisted on coming. My friends also offered. This is kind, but not necessary (unless you need/want that). You are a little sore afterward but not so much that you couldn't drive home.
On that note: You will be told A LOT of information at ALL of these appointments. It can be a bit overwhelming and there are details you will want to remember. Most people will recommend that you always bring another person along with you...someone who can help you remember what was said or take notes for you. This is something worth considering, but not something I did or plan to do. I prefer to handle personal stuff myself. I do always have something to write on with me just in case I want to take note of something. In my job, I'm used to a bunch of info being thrown at me at once and the medical stuff isn't a problem for me. If this is not the case for you, then definitely take someone with you as a second set of ears and/or take notes. The first couple of appointments consist mostly of information gathering and they will give you statistics on your diagnosis, prognosis, your treatment options, etc.
Back to the biopsy......
I arrived at the Breast Center and was taken to a dressing room where they had me change into one of those pink half-gowns...only covers the top. I was able to leave my jeans and shoes on. I was told to wait in a small waiting area where I sat on a couch watching the news coverage of President Trump's inauguration with another patient. When it was my turn, I was taken into a room that looked kind of like a dentist office....big reclining chair in center. The tech started with another ultrasound. It made me a little nervous because she was only concentrating on my armpit....lymph nodes! I finally asked if this was different than my previous US. She replied that Dr. M wanted a closer look. GULP...I didn't say anything else. I just prayed this was okay. The previous Radiologist had told me two days ago that the lymph nodes looked clear.
A few minutes later, the wonderful Radiologist Dr. M walked in. She was super friendly and fun. We had never met at work, but she sometimes reads the X-rays for our tiny patients. We chatted about that a bit while she continued with the US imaging of my left armpit. She apologized for making me nervous but explained that the previous report did not label a couple of things and she just wanted to be totally sure of the anatomy before she started. She then turned the monitor to show me my lymph nodes and the surrounding vasculature, etc.
Don't be afraid to ask your doctor to do this...ask him or her to point out what things are and what they are looking for. You might not be able to really "see" it like they do, but it helps to have a better idea.
She then began to explain the biopsy procedure, how she would do it, and showed me the clip/marker they would be leaving behind. They leave a clip (the kind they use in heart surgery) at the biopsy site so that if there is any question later, they know exactly where the tissue samples came from. This clip stays in there forever...or until surgery, if that's the treatment route you take. It is MRI safe and you won't set off alarms at the airport.
The chair was reclined and a towel roll was used to prop up my shoulder so that I could leave my arm at my side rather than have it above my head the whole time...that was nice. She numbed the area with Lidocaine...I felt the first couple of needle pricks but nothing much after that. She told me that she could numb more if I needed it. I never did.
My biopsy was a core needle biopsy. The needle is hollow so that when the outer sheath is "punched" it cuts the specimen into the hollow core to be withdrawn.
Dr. M explained that she would take at least 6 tissue samples to be sure that she got a good amount of the lesion.
The lidocaine numbs the sharp pain, but you will still feel the "punch" every time. It wasn't painful, just a little weird. It sounds like the click of a hole punch or a staple gun. We carried on a conversation about work and the terrible traffic in the area and it was very much like a dental visit....not painful, but not something one looks forward to. When she was done, she placed the marker inside and then held pressure for a few minutes to stop the bleeding at the site. The techs dressed the spot with gauze, steristrips and then a pressure dressing on top. I was told to leave that on for 24 hrs. I could shower and pat dry. The steri-strips were to stay on for about a week. (You may be surprised when they come off to find that all that to-do is for an incision the size of a large freckle.)
This is the biopsy site a month later...looks like a freckle.
Afterward, they took me down the hall for a couple of mammogram images. She was very gentle and did not press the plates down as much as a typical mammogram. Once the Radiologist ensured that the images showed that the clip was in place where she wanted it, I was free to put my shirt back on and go home. I was told to keep an ice pack on the site for the rest of the day. The whole visit took maybe an hour and a half, including waiting room time.
The ice pack is very helpful! The biopsy site felt like a bad bruise...like you got hit hard there. The next day after running a few errands, I found that I was sore again and used the ice pack. My left breast was swollen afterward for about a week. There was some mild bruising but nothing too bad. The only thing that bothered me were my bras....the underwire was terrible. I dug out my softest bras and had to wear them for a couple of weeks because everything irritated that side of my breast. Even, the seams of my scrub top made me crazy for awhile.
Dr. M informed me that their goal was to have the biopsy results to my OB-GYN within 3 days. I was off of work for the weekend, so I pretty much just took it easy and tried not to think about the results. I figured that the weekend days probably didn't count in the 3 day result timeline, so there really wasn't any point in getting my hopes up for results until probably Thursday.
For me, the biopsy was a step forward and getting it done as quickly as I did was a relief. I'm finding that the waiting is the hardest part on this journey....and there seems to be quite a bit of that. Patience is a virtue though, right?
MY TIMELINE: 12/22/16 Routine Screening Mammogram
01/18/17 Repeat Imaging and US of left breast; LUMP found. 01/20/17 Core Needle Biopsy
