The story of my Dolly Partons as I fondly like to call them ....

Back in my early 30's I experienced some problems with my left breast - and of course - the first reaction was "breast cancer". I was immediately seen by a breast surgeon to determine why my breast tissue was sinking in - along with the lumps (like many women - I have very dense breast tissue). Needle biopsies were useless due to the hardness of the lump - so over the next 5 years - I underwent many slice ‘n dice procedures as more growths appeared - drainage tubing - core biopsies, yadda, yadda, yadda. I was a medical oddity - making medical journalist documents to the point where I was willing to go to a Miami medical conference and stand naked up on the stage for someone to say - " Ahh haa - we know what it is !!! ".
To read the rest of my saga - just go to this link.

Views: 69

Tags: breast, diabetic, frozen, mammogram, mastopathy, physiotherapy, shoulder

Comment by Betty J on August 19, 2009 at 3:37pm
Anna, as with Diabetes you've had another adventure with your Dolly's. Although not unscathed you've survived run the course and proven yourself a winner as always...God bless.
Comment by Judith on August 19, 2009 at 3:41pm
Fascinating----thanks, Anna.....
Comment by Patricia on August 19, 2009 at 5:59pm
Thanks Anna for sharing your story:) May you be well and know you are loved.
Comment by Linda G on August 19, 2009 at 8:54pm
Wow....very informative! Thanks Anna.
I haven't had a (dreaded) mammogram in 2 years...hate them/need them...they're just so painful! But...I guess it's time.
Comment by nel on August 19, 2009 at 9:27pm
Thanks for posting this Anna ; I understand women with type 2 D should be awere as well as men . Linda, why the pain of a mammogram ???... I would say " it's cold " ....not painful . I have been advised : People on pumps should remove their pump , when receiving a mammogram .
Anna ( others ?? ) , please visit my recent blog and result of " my chronic lymphodema " tests, 26 years after breast surgery . I am OK is my good news .
Comment by Brunetta on August 20, 2009 at 2:06am
Thanks, Anna. I have dense breast tissue and always had "lumpy" breasts, since I was in my late 20's; I am now 54. After numerous core and needle boipsies in the 80's and 90's ( no cancers found), I was referred to a specialist in breast cancer who said to leave my "Partons" alone, that nothing was "wrong " with them. She said I was lumpy from the scar tissue from all the pervioius biopsies as well; and that she would not suggest any further surgeries. Noone has ever brought up "diabetic mastopathy" to me. I am still a litle lumpy . When I am given an exam by a new nurse practicioner at my long-term GYN's office, they always are concerned about the little lumpies and want to refer me for repeat mammograms, but I tell them they are not ncessarry. I have a yearly one done which always comes out negative. I do not have any pain . nor discomfort, nor any changes in the lump in years.It is not not particularly hard, the one lump I have is just " there"., no indications of any cancer. So I am just leaving it as is. Thanks again for the info.

God Bless,
Brunetta
Comment by Linda G on August 20, 2009 at 5:22am
Well, Nell...every woman responds differently. To me, having my breast sandwiched and compressed to the point of being flattened like a pancake, all the while being pushed forward and held securely against the apparatus...is painful. Now that I'm menoposal though, it might be of less discomfort! :(
Comment by FatCatAnna on August 20, 2009 at 5:43am
I'm really lucky that mammograms have never been painful - the technicians over the years used to cringe when they would flatten my Dolly's down (what a horrible job when you think about it - but it will save a life - so the discomfort is well worth it). Again, because of having dense breast tissue - which is very common for small breasted women - we tend to not have much feelings in the breast tissue - so I guess it's a blessing in a way for us - but sometimes very difficult for the technician to exam the results. I've have ultrasounds done in order to view the results better - that was fun - waiting for my turn - while women around me who were pregnant were waiting for their turn (I felt left out of the party ). Just curious - has anyone had a digital mammography? It's supposed to be better then the standard mammography - since the recorded data can be enhanced, magnified, or manipulated for further evaluation. My insurance company said it was covered by the Quebec government but I would have to pay first at the clinic - and then send in the receipt for reimbursement - fine by me - at $450 CDN if I get better results. When I made the appointment - I was told that I would have to sign a waiver form saying I would not claim reimbursement. That floored me to the point of almost crying. I can't afford to pay that out of my own pocket - but can't imagine someone who may have cancer - and in the same boat as myself - having to make that financial decision if they're living from pay cheque to pay cheque.
Comment by Linda G on August 20, 2009 at 5:58am
Yes....money speaks loud and clear! More money....better treatment. That goes for any form of treatment.
I was involved with advocacy for a while in my continuing volunteering with the Canadian Diabetes Association....part of the battle was to bring awareness to the powers that be in government, for fair and equitable coverage across the country. You'd get complete coverage in Nunavut...but an empoverished province such as Newfoundland was left out in the cold, having to deal with partial coverage. Many diabetics doing without what was best for them...and having to choose between one med or another...could not afford both!! I too can't afford to dish out $450!!!...no matter how good the treatment is!
Comment by nel on August 20, 2009 at 10:31am
Linda, I did not mean to discount your pain ...my apologies, if it came across that way .I am small , only one breast and have been menoposal for about 20 years. Have had mammograms for well over 25 years, yearly .

Never a digital mammogram yet.I googled and have the impression , that Ontario does do digital and no extra costs were mentioned ...hope I read it correctly .

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