National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Last year at my first mammogram I was diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast. I underwent a lumpectomy with sentinal node biopsy and radiation in the summer and thought I was done. My surgeon explained that I had dense breasts and breast cancer is more common in women with dense breast tissue. Basically everyone from my surgeon to oncologist agreed with the diagnosis and treatment. At my annual exam in the spring I noticed my left nipple had a small amount of blood seeping out. I saw my surgeon right away and had a mammogram and ductogram. The results came back positive for cancer (again)! I live in a smaller community and felt great about my surgeon last year but this year something had changed, I felt I needed a 2nd opinion so I went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Wow am I glad I did. They found a large tumor of invasive cancer in my left breast and found positive lymph nodes as well. I had a bilateral mastectomy in the spring and am undergoing chemo right now (yuk!) But I try to focus on the positive but it is hard sometimes.

Basically my message is to get a 2nd opinion. I think my original surgeon was good but at Mayo I had a whole program that does nothing but focus on Breasts/cancer treatment. They were some of the kindest people I have ever met yet I knew they were highly respected in their field.

I have read many of the stories regarding the "horrors" of the medical process. I am lucky and haven't had anything but professional and kind individuals that really want me to be ok!

Luckily I have a great oncologist here that worked up a plan with Mayo and feel I get the best of both worlds. I receive my treatments close to home but also have the Mayo team overseeing my care.

I am done with one set of chemo treatments and start my weeklys on Monday. I am nervous but know it has to be done. My weeklys are a 12 week cylce which seems like an endless tunnel. I have to keep reminding myself that it is Chemotherapy and not Aromatherapy so its going to be uncomfortable but it's helping me fight a deadly disease!

That's up to date on "my story". It has really helped to share with everyone my journey. This website has really helped me talk about everything that has happened and know others can relate. It makes the journey a little less scary