For the past 10 years I been having extreme pain on the left side of my breast. I just put it down to my hormones. My Dr sent a letter to the Hospital for a Check up. So grateful I went to this appointment as I wasn't going to bother as I have had this problem for many years. Well I had a biopsy of my lymph node & it came back positive for cancer cells, this was August 2012, I had surgery to remove 3, these also came back positive so I had surgery 4 weeks later to remove the rest. They all came back positive plus I had a few branch into my neck. 2 problems! The cancer was called, "Occult Breast Cancer" (very rare, it's a type of cancer you cannot see or feel). A Diagnoses made after surgery, core biopsies, several MRI's, pocked & jabbed all over. Test's upon test's. 3 hospitals were working on my case as it was hard to pin point the problem.
After recovering from the removal of all my Lymph Nodes, I had Chemotherapy for 6 months, I was one of the lucky ones to not become sick. 3 mths later, I was referred to the Plastic Surgeon as I was to have skin sparing mastectomy. TRAM FLAP surgery. 3 months later I had 5wks of radiotherapy to my neck. 6 months later I had a breast reduction, it was 3 cups sizes to big. I have been blessed as ive had no complications.
This September 2014, My husband booked a trip to USA, UK, Amsterdam, a trip of a life time. He is making my dreams come true, will be riding the biggest roller coaster when we hit Disney Land, & I am going to scream as loud & proud as I can. "I AM A SURVIVOR".
Never give up, keep pushing forward, keep fighting and think of all the positives in life, sure it can be hard but everyday is a new day, a new beginning. Smile, laugh because that is the best medicine for you. !
Adelaide, Australia