Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Hair vs Health
I found a lump in my breast on Friday night June 19th. I called my doctor the following Monday. They got me in that afternoon. I was then referred to a regional breast cancer center 30 minutes from where I live. I had to wait a week for my appointment. I had a mammogram and ultrasound done. Well, they found two lumps; one big and the other one small. The radiologist said they both looked like a fibroadenoma (just by looking at the ultrasound) which is a benign breast tumor. They did a core needle biopsy of the larger tumor. The nurse called me two days later with the results......my biopsy shows characteristics of a rare type of breast tumor called a phyllodes tumor.....leave it to me to get some rare, funky disease! Soooooo now I have to go see a surgical oncologist. They won't know for sure until I have both tumors taken out. The larger of the two tumors has grown over the past couple of weeks. Here's the kicker.....this type of tumor, even if it is benign is still consisdered cancer. Where as most cancers are staged as 0,1,2,3 and 4 this little bugger has been given it's very own staging of benign, boderline or malignant. This tumor accounts for 0.5%(five tenths of one percent) of breast tumors.....that is how rare it is. If it does turn out to be this type of tumor I will be having a mastectomy of my right breast and I might go ahead and do other one while I am at it. It has a reoccurance rate of 20%. If it reoccurs it tends to be aggressive. It if metastasizes....well it is "Game Over" because it does not respond to radiation or chemo. They don't know the nature of this beast; they don't know what course it will take. There haven't been many studies done on it because it is rare. So now I can truthfully answer that I would much rather have my health than have my hair. Nothing like staring mortality in the face at the age of 32 to set one's priorities in order!
-
Comment by Mary on July 8, 2009 at 3:18pm
-
Libby, thanks for sharing your story. It's the thing that all of us fear. I had two benign lumps removed in 1991, and couldn't find out what they were until they were out and biopsied. It was very scary.
It does set priorities - every time someone asks what kind of cancer I have when they see my bald head, I feel grateful that all I have is AA.
It sounds like you're facing this with common sense, intelligence and calm. Please keep us posted.
Mary
-
Comment by JeffreySF on July 8, 2009 at 3:29pm
-
I'm praying for your health Libby.
Jeffrey
-
Comment by Diane on July 8, 2009 at 4:24pm
-
My prayers are with you, your familly and friends.
Diane
-
Comment by Libby on July 9, 2009 at 8:27am
-
Thank you guys for your thoughts and prayers. My appointment with the surgical oncologist is next Wed. I have decided not to worry about it unless/until I really have something to worry about. There is not point in making myself sick in the meantime. I am trying to find as much information as I can about this rare tumor. I want to be prepared and informed with my eyes wide open. I want any response and decision I make to be a cognitive one instead of an emotional one. Thank you so very much. I will keep you posted....
-
Comment by lynne on July 10, 2009 at 3:52pm
-
i really hope everything is ok, my thoughts r with u, keepin my fingers crossed, xx
-
Comment by Ronda on July 11, 2009 at 8:40pm
-
My thoughts and prayes are with you also.
Take care.
-
-
I have surgery tomorrow. Wish me luck.....
Libby
-
-
I'll be thinking about you, Libby. As soon as you can, please let us know how you're doing.
Mary
-
-
Surgery went well with no complications! Tumors were benign.....the pathologist classified them as fibroadenoma with an exception. They showed increased cellulartiy. The surgeon is concerned because they grew so fast. They are wanting me to do self breast exams once a week, come in for regular check-ups and have another mammogram in 6 months. I feel like I have dodged a bullet! Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers...it really means a lot. I still feel the way I did before about the hair vs. health...I would very much prefer to have my health than have my hair.
Thanks guys,
Libby
-
-
Libby, this is such great news! Enjoy your good health, and let us know if you have any future complications.
Big hugs,
Mary
Comment
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Alopecia World to add comments!
Join Alopecia World