Journal entry by Bonnie Fleck —
I wasn't going to go for this mammogram because I was busy and thought I'll skip this year. My friend Cheri freaked out and insisted I have this done. Her mother had breast cancer. So off I went and it was my usual appt. HD mammogram and then called back in for ultrasound. It has happened this way for the past 4 years. Only this time the radiologist came back in and kept repeating the ultrasound. Finally she said you have a suspicious area and you need to have a core needle biopsy . As usual all my doctors received a copy of the report and my phone was ringing the next day. My primary care doctor wanted me to come in right away. He saw me the next day and immediately sent a referral to a breast cancer surgeon for the biopsy.
After biopsy, MRI etc etc. It showed I had ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma). On February 23, 2018, I had a nipple sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction and was put on an AI Letrozole.
Letrozole causes bone loss so I had to have a dexa scan which showed I had osteoporosis in my femur bone that goes into my hip. I then had to go on an IV of Zometa which I will receive every six months. The pain if feel in my bones whether it is from the Letrozole or the Zometa is bad. Some days I feel like I'm 110 other days I feel good.
Then in September 2018 they find I have a melanoma on my face. I have to have a plastic surgeon remove this because it will be a long scar across my cheek. This was done on September 24, 2018. Three weeks later as the scar is beginning to heal they tell me they need to go back in and get clearer margins. Not looking forward to that as you can well imagine. On November 1, 2018 I go back to the plastic surgeon and she goes back in and removes more tissue. This time the scar is larger but for some reason heals quicker. I still have it of course but the stiches are out and that feels so much better.
So here I am one year later and I am due for my yearly mammogram on my left breast on November 26, 2018. I then see my breast surgeon directly after the mammogram . I am a nervous wreck but keeping positive thoughts. I'll try to keep this page updated.
After biopsy, MRI etc etc. It showed I had ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma). On February 23, 2018, I had a nipple sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction and was put on an AI Letrozole.
Letrozole causes bone loss so I had to have a dexa scan which showed I had osteoporosis in my femur bone that goes into my hip. I then had to go on an IV of Zometa which I will receive every six months. The pain if feel in my bones whether it is from the Letrozole or the Zometa is bad. Some days I feel like I'm 110 other days I feel good.
Then in September 2018 they find I have a melanoma on my face. I have to have a plastic surgeon remove this because it will be a long scar across my cheek. This was done on September 24, 2018. Three weeks later as the scar is beginning to heal they tell me they need to go back in and get clearer margins. Not looking forward to that as you can well imagine. On November 1, 2018 I go back to the plastic surgeon and she goes back in and removes more tissue. This time the scar is larger but for some reason heals quicker. I still have it of course but the stiches are out and that feels so much better.
So here I am one year later and I am due for my yearly mammogram on my left breast on November 26, 2018. I then see my breast surgeon directly after the mammogram . I am a nervous wreck but keeping positive thoughts. I'll try to keep this page updated.
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