DIAGNOSIS

In March of 2005 I was scheduled for my routine mammogram. I had them done every 6 months since my mother had breast cancer at an elderly age. My results came back showing some calcifications and I needed a biopsy. I had my biopsy done at St. Joseph Womens breast center. Unfortunately, my biopsy came back showing Stage 1 cancer cells in my left breast. After talking with a surgeon from St. Joseph, I decided I needed a second opinion and was directed by my boss at the time to go to Moffitt Cancer Center. I had an appointment at the breast center with Dr. Furman who was a breast surgeon at Moffitt. He was a wonderful man and I don't know if I could have made it through this without having him for my surgeon. He explained everything to my husband and I in detail and told us our options. I could do a lumpectomy or remove the breast. If I had a lumpectomy I would have to have radiation and if any cancer cells were in my lymph nodes, I would also have to have chemotherapy. Another thing was if I had radiation on that breast, reconstruction would be a little more difficult as the radiation will keep the skin from stretching. After talking to women that had breast cancer, reading, going on the internet, etc. I still could not make a decision. A few days before my surgery I still could not decide whether to do the lumpectomy, remove the breast or remove both and have reconstruction. Dr. Furman wanted to do an ultrasound on both breasts to make sure there was nothing in the right breast. After those tests, they found another spot in the left breast which meant I had to remove the breast because the cancer was in two separate areas of the same breast. I then, with my husbands input, decided to remove both breasts and have reconstruction. Dr. Furman said since I was removing both breasts I would not have to have radiation and if no cancer cells were in my lymph nodes, I would not have to have chemotherapy. So, with this decision made, I was scheduled for surgery on June 28, 2005. Below is the results of my biopsy. If you click on it, you will be able to read it.