I have Stage 3A Invasive Lobular Carcinoma…aka breast cancer, but I don’t have a lump. And, my annual well woman mammogram missed an 8 cm mass lurking under dense breast tissue.
Welcome to Totally Tatas!
I received my invasive lobular carcinoma diagnosis on a Friday morning.
Craig & I got in the car after leaving the surgeon’s office, called our family, cried just a little and then made a pact that cancer would not define our lives.
We grabbed a quick lunch and then he dropped me off at work.
Yes, within an hour of receiving devastating news, I put on my Big Girl Panties and went right to the office.
As soon as I got off work later that day, I began scouring the web for inspirational narratives from other women who had walked down the road I was embarking upon.
My surgeon provided me with a binder for the clinical information I would need, but I could not find personal narratives that were inspirational.
I have cancer.
I wanted information, not gloom and doom.
The bloggers who covered their prophylactic mastectomies did a great job explaining the proceeds: Breast tissue is removed and expanders are put in…this incision is about the same size as women who elect to have breast augmentations. Looking at a woman who has had this mastectomy, it’s hard to tell she had a mastectomy! Technology is wonderful. You keep your nipples & your boobs look pretty much like they did before, except with saline/silicone implants. This is such a revelation in medicine and is saving countless lives!
Since I have cancer, my mastectomy will most likely include removing my left nipple to get all of the cancer out. And more tissue.
Oh yeah. That threw me a curve ball right away. No nipple?
(This is where I started to panic.)
I prayed, felt peace, and sought info more information.
Most breast cancer patients who blogged about their experience had lumpectomies, not mastectomies.
This was helpful, but not what I needed.
I didn’t find a lump. Do other women get breast cancer without lumps?!?!
A few. Hey, now I know.
About 20 percent of all breast cancers are invasive lobular. This cancer is not defined by….lumps.
Dense breast tissue can hide tumors and masses…..for both ductal and lobular breast cancers.
I wish I had known that “self exams” are NOT enough. I followed all the Pink-October promos and guidelines & did self exams. I was at zero risk for breast cancer, so while bc was on my radar as a woman, it wasn’t on my mind.
My boob did not let on to me that there was a silent killer moving within it, growing silently with no symptoms.
By the time I was diagnosed, it was no longer in SITU, but was invasive. My only option is a full mastectomy for the left breast.
My goal is to let other women know that you don’t have to find a lump to have advancing breast cancer!
Dense breast tissue is not necessarily an indicator of future breast cancer, BUT it can hide breast cancer.
Did you know that as of July 1, 2018 it is now the law in Florida to notify women if their mammogram report indicated dense breast tissue? This is a BIG DEAL.
10% of all breast cancers are not detected in mammograms, and if you have dense breast tissue mammos miss cancer in at least 20%-40% of the time! (Source: Dr. Toan Nguyen/Lakeland Regional Health/Hollis Cancer Center)
And, as a follower of Christ, I am filled with peace and positive thoughts. If you are recently diagnosed or battling breast cancer, I hope this blog is a beacon of hope for you.
Totally Tatas is being created to serve as the blog I could not find when I was newly diagnosed: a source of inspiration, support and information on breast density awareness.
Hugs,
Heather
NOTE: Heather is not a medically trained professional. Information provided on Totally Tatas and Totally Tailgates is not to be construed as medical advice. Please see your health care provider for case specific information, questions or advice.
