Good Morning Ladies :) It's 4am here-been up since 3-well who am I kidding been awake most of the night but out of bed since 3. I have a question that has be on my mind of late: since this whole breast cancer thing started for me the focus has been on the right breast. Now I freak out each time I feel the left one...OMG is that a lump, no, you sure, yes...maybe no...I think I am hypersensitive at this point. Is it normal for the doctors to totally ignore the 'other breast'? I mean what if there is a lump I can't feel? Should I ask them to check it? Am I just having a freak out moment? Ugh...

msamy,
have you had an mri?  typically one is ordered somewhere along the way.  i had one between dx and 1st surgery    

dx ILC/dcis excisional biopsy 5/30/08
r segmental mast (partial) snb 6/4
node neg stage1 gr ll
er+/pr- Her2 - Oncotype Dx 11
R mast 9/22/08 w DIEP
tamox,now AI 
BRCA 1 & 2 NEG
davinci hyst/bso,  

Hi Msamy, I think its perfectly normal and although I did'nt have an MRI my Dr's always did check the other breast as well as the affected one, chances are all is well but it would'nt hurt to ask your surgeon about this if its worrying you.
I think in time you'll worry less and less though.:)

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

I haven't had an MRI-I had many more mammograms and two ultrasounds before surgery. The surgeon has done the hand exam so I am sure I am just going through the normal 'what ifs'. I have fibrous breasts so I can feel the ducts all the time so any little thing now seems to freak me out a bit. I will ask next week at treatment if they will check it just to make me feel better...that and ask for something to help me sleep :)

Msamy-  We all know about not sleeping!!!  It sucks!!  I think an MRI would be a good idea.  Just as you need to know about your diagnosis in one breast, you need to know that the other one is cancer free.  

Hug
Elaine

 A person's greatness is the power to stand alone;to be able to make her own choice; in action,to write anew her own law; to choose her own sacrifices; run her own dangers; win her own freedom; venture her own destruction; to choose her own happiness 
 

Yes Msamy I agree with the others....get an MRI to put your mind at ease.  The worrying gets less as time goes by.  Hang in there.

IDC October 2009
Lumpectomy x2 to get clear margins
Stage 2a Grade 3
1/11 nodes positive 
er+
4 DD A/C
12 Taxol
Radiation
Femara

msamy, I also agree. Ask your surgeon why they don't feel one is necessary and kind of push for it if they aren't willing. As for the sleep, I found that Tylenol PM helped me (although I used the Costco brand) or even a bit of benadryl may work. Do ask your dr though before taking it. Someone will always be here.... Hope and Strength, Julie

Bothell, WA
dx 5/07 IDC
lumpectomy 6/14/07 1.5cm
er/pr + Nodes negative
finished rads 9/13
Tamoxfen 9/07- 8/09
Arimidex 8/09-

I guess I thought an MRI was standard when the DCIS was discovered on a routine mammogram and I went to the breast surgeon, that's the first thing in his treatment plan.  That's what "saved" me.  The Mammogram showed DCIS in the left.  With the MRI, it showed the Stage 2 Invasive Breast Cancer on the right that was hiding under the nipple.  i have never missed an exam or Mammogram.  I would insist on the MRI.

Bi-Lateral Diagnosis - DCIS and Invasive Breast Cancer
Bi-Lateral Mastectomy with Tissue Reconstruction 
No lymph node involvement
Oncotype 11%
On Tamoxifen
48 years old - no history
several teenaged sons