Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Dystrophic Calcifications

Dystrophic Calcifications OR (as I heard it in my head) Catastrophic Complications

I was hoping to post great news for my "Cancerversary," this month that my MRI and Mammogram came back clean. Alas this news was delayed as they took a gazillion pictures of me by smashing my boobs and making them glow blue and still didn't like what they saw: tiny little scattered unknown tissues slightly near but separate from my old tumor site. It wasn't a normal shape and it was in a weird spot, blah blah blah.

They naturally want to biopsy it. My first response? "No thanks, can I go now?" After much convincing I agreed to let them have another piece of me for piece of mind. The alternative is a mammogram every 6 months or do nothing and take the cancer spreading gamble. Really? After all that cutting, poisoning and burning it could come back in less than 6 months? Apparently sometimes, yes.

Ahhh, technology, so advanced yet, not? I was able to try a new ride in radiology this time: the Stereo Biopsy. It's a mammogram and needle core biopsy in one! Oh joy. I lied on my belly while a robot (yes a robot) used something like this on my already mutilated boob.

I dare you to google it. They even had an animated version of what was happening on screen for me to watch. A drill -like, hollow needle whirled in and out about 20 times to make its way through and take what it came for. I was not a fearless and brave woman. Even though I was numbed up, I boo-hood the whole entire time, but they were all very patient with me. All the tissues I could ask for. No stiff drinks though.

So, back on the ice pack and Tylenol regimen. After a little Chinese food and TV, I was back to work the next day. But the good news is that it was benign!

I was convinced that what happened was my fault for not diligently massaging my scar tissue, but the Dr. assured me that it is very common after surgery and radiation to have calcium deposits and it had nothing to do with anything I did or didn't do.

So, one year later, I am proud to say I am officially part of the NED club :) Happy Cancerversary to me!

Also, my husband turned 40! I had a Bender cake made for him and we had the party at his favorite spot, The Streets of London Pub :) Here are some pics: