When life throws you a curve ball

I felt some tenderness on my left breast last March, and found a lump, had a mammogram and ultra, luckily no cancer!

My dad had it back in 2012 or so, he survived it, so can you, best wishes
 
iggie said:
In Jan. my medical insurance provider sent me a Cologuard kit. I wasn't going to use the kit, I was going to demand a colonoscopy.
I sent it in, it came back positive and blood in stool. I wasn't concerned much. I have had 2 colonoscopies, both found
polyps and hemorrhoids. While waiting to see my doctor, I found a hard lump the size of a golf ball behind my left nipple.
Had to get mammogram and sonogram. Then I had a biopsy. That came back cancer, tomorrow I am getting a full mastectomy.
Then will see what stage, which will determine what more treatment is called for. I never expected to have this on my dance card.
Putting this out there because women have been told they should check for lumps, I wish I had been told the same. For the
lump to be that large it was probably there for a while. Male breast cancer always seemed far fetched.

This sure puts a kink in my summer steelhead plans.

Ed Igleheart
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So sorry to hear that! I hope they caught it early and that you make a full recovery.
 
Thank you all. Smalma I have had a section of intestine removed, that is a hard recovery. The 7 to 8 days of no food or liquids was brutal.
The first drink of apple juice was the best thing I have ever tasted.
 
Best wishes, Ed. I lost a good friend to that disease because he was misdiagnosed until it was too late.
Hopefully you caught it in time.
 
Thanks for the heads up and your openness. Best wishes and prayers for a successful resolution.
 
Going in for my exam for the same reason on Friday. Was just passing it off as an old guy thing until had my annual visit. Hope it's something benign but after reading these posts I'm a little worried. Still recovering from fractured hip so don't need more probs. I'm joining in wishing you the best and a good outcome.
 
As said by others previously, be your own advocate. Hopefully you have a partner to be with you on the journey. My wife and best friend saved my life last fall when I spent 2 months at UCLA undergoing chemo and radiation for throat cancer. I will say that if at all possible seek treatment at a NIH teaching hospital, they are likely to have the best staff and treatment options. In my case, by going to UCLA rather than a local for profit cancer center, I was able to avoid surgery and intubation. Keep us apprised and stay positive.
 
Robert Engleheart said:
As said by others previously, be your own advocate. Hopefully you have a partner to be with you on the journey. My wife and best friend saved my life last fall when I spent 2 months at UCLA undergoing chemo and radiation for throat cancer. I will say that if at all possible seek treatment at a NIH teaching hospital, they are likely to have the best staff and treatment options. In my case, by going to UCLA rather than a local for profit cancer center, I was able to avoid surgery and intubation. Keep us apprised and stay positive.
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I second this advise. After some appointment fumbling and other red flags from the local oncology center I immediately got my care transferred to Fred Hutch. The information difference and consequently the peace of mind assured me that my decision was definitely the right one. The treatment appears to be working and I am looking forward to a return to salmon fishing once again this summer in Norway. Hopefully anglers from the states will still be welcomed with the typical Scandinavian hospitality.
 
Sounds like early detection to the rescue as is the case in a lot of cancers. Both my wife and I are alive because of early detection. Prayers for near future remission and "NO" signs of recurrence!
 
Cancer treatment has become better and better so I have the highest hopes for your complete recovery.
 
iggie said:
In Jan. my medical insurance provider sent me a Cologuard kit. I wasn't going to use the kit, I was going to demand a colonoscopy.
I sent it in, it came back positive and blood in stool. I wasn't concerned much. I have had 2 colonoscopies, both found
polyps and hemorrhoids. While waiting to see my doctor, I found a hard lump the size of a golf ball behind my left nipple.
Had to get mammogram and sonogram. Then I had a biopsy. That came back cancer, tomorrow I am getting a full mastectomy.
Then will see what stage, which will determine what more treatment is called for. I never expected to have this on my dance card.
Putting this out there because women have been told they should check for lumps, I wish I had been told the same. For the
lump to be that large it was probably there for a while. Male breast cancer always seemed far fetched.

This sure puts a kink in my summer steelhead plans.

Ed Igleheart
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing Ed and wishing you the best on your healing journey! Life throws us a lot of curves, more as we get older. 🙄
 
iggie said:
In Jan. my medical insurance provider sent me a Cologuard kit. I wasn't going to use the kit, I was going to demand a colonoscopy.
I sent it in, it came back positive and blood in stool. I wasn't concerned much. I have had 2 colonoscopies, both found
polyps and hemorrhoids. While waiting to see my doctor, I found a hard lump the size of a golf ball behind my left nipple.
Had to get mammogram and sonogram. Then I had a biopsy. That came back cancer, tomorrow I am getting a full mastectomy.
Then will see what stage, which will determine what more treatment is called for. I never expected to have this on my dance card.
Putting this out there because women have been told they should check for lumps, I wish I had been told the same. For the
lump to be that large it was probably there for a while. Male breast cancer always seemed far fetched.

This sure puts a kink in my summer steelhead plans.

Ed Igleheart
Click to expand...
Very sorry to hear this. I write this as I sit, waiting to be called by my hematologist at Mayo hospital. I have five genetic linked issues, nothing lethal providing I do my treatment and follow up. At age 77 I know the likelihood of bad news one of these days. It’s a cloud I live under that only parts if I stay active in things I love that take my mind away from the worry/fear. I talk to my wife and friends who have some of my same issues. I also listen to God and others who know and understand.

That first discussion disclosing the issue is the toughest. Time and talking with others eases the angst and opportunity to “grow” into the emotional part.

Good thoughts and prayers for you!

Karl
 
iggie said:
In Jan. my medical insurance provider sent me a Cologuard kit. I wasn't going to use the kit, I was going to demand a colonoscopy.
I sent it in, it came back positive and blood in stool. I wasn't concerned much. I have had 2 colonoscopies, both found
polyps and hemorrhoids. While waiting to see my doctor, I found a hard lump the size of a golf ball behind my left nipple.
Had to get mammogram and sonogram. Then I had a biopsy. That came back cancer, tomorrow I am getting a full mastectomy.
Then will see what stage, which will determine what more treatment is called for. I never expected to have this on my dance card.
Putting this out there because women have been told they should check for lumps, I wish I had been told the same. For the
lump to be that large it was probably there for a while. Male breast cancer always seemed far fetched.

This sure puts a kink in my summer steelhead plans.

Ed Igleheart
Click to expand...
Hoping things turn out okay for you
 
I was advised to do was get a genetic test to see if I'm predisposed to get cancer, luckily I am not, but doesn't mean I cant get it.

I encourage everyone to get the test, well worth the tiny bit of blood given!
 
Hang in there Ed. It's in my family too.

For everyone else's benefit, my Dr advised not bothering at all w/ cologuard - go straight to the colonoscopy at 45 and stay on schedule till old enough to quit. How often depends on each individual/results. Nothing takes its place and, moreover, it's not a big deal. Similar to the PFD argument - there's really no argument to be had. You're either an idiot or you're not.
 
Sorry to hear his. As difficult as it can be, stay positive. They can do some amazing things and I hope you are one of the survivors.

Thoughts and prayers be sent you way.
 
Your post made me aware that this form of cancer happens in males. Keep up the good fight. I’m a cancer survivor of 21 years, including a stem cell transplant 10 years ago in June. Keeping a positive spirit and don’t stop fighting are key. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
 
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