No kidding. I’ve only ever seen my oncologist twice…she has many patients who practically live at her office, whose cases are way more complicated than mine. I feel very fortunate.
Mine was Stage 1- invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC, the cancer has broken through the wall of the milk duct), so it was pretty clear that a lumpectomy was the right treatment. I could have had a mastectomy, but it was clear that some surgery was appropriate.
The recent controversy had been over the so-called “Stage 0”- ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS, the cancer is still contained within the milk duct). Some women diagnosed with DCIS are having radical double mastectomies “to be on the safe side,” when maybe they don’t need to do anything at all right now. When the doc says The Big C, you want to throw everything at it. I have a friend who got the DCIS diagnosis and immediately opted for the double mastectomy and reconstruction (a pretty complicated thing, in spite of how easy the celebrities make it look). A couple of years later, when she saw how simple my treatment was, she said if she had it to do over, she might take the route I did.
Bottom line: it can be hard to be sure what the right thing is to do. This is one of those situations where the truism “Everyone is different,” is the literal truth. There are a zillion small variables…like fingerprints: they’re all fingerprints but each one is unique.
Just anecdotal: My mom was really flat chested (she said she had no idea where my boobs came from, heh) until about menopause. Now she’s somewhat busty, although not carrying any more noticeable weight. I’d say it’s estrogen weirdness.
I am experiencing the exact same thing. I’m not going thru menopause I’m 43 and workout a lot. My weight is the same 130lbs I’m 5’8" tall and I have always barely filled my B cups in fact I used cup pads to help fill my bras in. This weekend while I was at the gym I noticed cleavage and realized that I had forgotten to stuff my sports bra. Last month I had breast pain during my period. Now I don’t have pain just swelling and more fullness to breasts. If anyone can help or shed some light I would greatly appreciate it! BTW I’m not unhappy about it. I’m just curious about the changes.
I actually read thru the thread. I’m going to get my thyroid levels and estrogen levels checked. Thank you for all your post this certainly was very informative and beneficial. I appreciate it very much!
