how primary angiosarcoma began with me........

3 minute read time.
hello everyone... my prayers and best wishes go to everyone who is diangnosed with cancer. i was recently this past March diagnosed with primary angiosarcoma. It happened in my right breast. my husband noticed bruising under my breast and asked me what happened. i had no clue what he was talking about. i then went to look in the mirror and when i lifted up my breast i could of dropped. i never saw a bruise that big on my breast!!!! i called my dr and she took me in right away. she said that she would not worry about it. that it looks like a trauma to the breast. i assured her that i would of felt that hit and i didn't get hurt at all. and just on that little worry she sent me for a mamo and also put into my insurance company to get a mri done. imagine this... my insurance company denied the mri due to lack of evidence. now my bioligical mother had it in both her breasts... 2 lil tumors that she got out in time.. and a great aunt died of breast cancer to..... and they still denied it!! if you are reading this and is unsure about something in ur breast or any other body part... PUSH the issue and get that mri... some way, some how, fight for it. and don't give up even if it turns out to be nothing.... this is why: my dr. was concerned only cause i didn't remember getting hurt. she never saw anything like this. so she really said.. i wouldn't worry.. but i still want you to get checked... so with the denial of mri i went and did the mamo... while we were waiting on that... my dr. sent me to the surgeon here on staten island, ny, to take a look and push the mri. the surgeon also said it looks like a bad bruise. again, i told him i didn't get hit or i would of remembered. and this concerned him to. but he was sure it was a trauma. however he went for the mri approval. i asked him what if they deny it again. he said "that's when i get on the phone and get it." i was sure it will be approved. and it was. and i get it. and now i need a biopsy due to 2 masses and 1 other small one. so i go get the biopsy and i learned there that i do have a form of breast cancer. they were awesome in telling me and helping me tell my mother. the results are in and my husband and i go to the surgeon on april 30, 2009 for an 8:30 pm appt. he sat us down and started talking. i felt like i was in a lifetime movie drama. it was the most surreal time in my life, besides 9/11, that i had. i remember him telling me that in his 27 yrs of practice he never seen this before. he said that removal of the breast will be the best solution and possible treatments. he also told me to get a second opinion. which i was that next day at memorial sloan kettering in manhattan. i first saw a breast cancer dr who could not take my case cause it went out of her field of expertise. she then recommended me to dr. murray brennan. whom i saw the next day. all this time i am NOT going on the internet. and told everyone do not tell me anything. i know i would not of handled it well. so far i am cruising along with an incredible optimistic attitude... i knew that dr. brennan would fix me when i met him. and he did. i had a masectomy with a skin graph on may 19. today is august 20th and i am 100% healed. my margins are also clear and i do not need any treatments. all i do is watch and wait now. dr. brennan is optimistic about it not reoccuring but can't promise that. i feel good about that. however.... i only read about 1 person being 5 yrs with out reoccurance and 1 person going 15 yrs. i haven't found any others. i did go on the internet when i came home from the surgery. and read up on everything i could find to educate myself on what i am looking forward to. i was ready to see it all. does anyone out there also have primary angiosarcoma of the breast?????? can anyone help me with any more information. yes i spoke to my dr. about it and he was straight forward and also emphasized that each patient is different... don't forget that one to.
Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    phew what a journey.

    i dont have the same b,c as you, but me and my mum have the same... all i can tell you is that even someone with the same as you does not necessarily mean that the exact same will or will not happen to you, my mums was far more advanced than mine and is now cancer free, where as mine has metastised to my liver, my doc once told me if we knew all there is to know about cancer we would prevent it.

    all i can saybe positive live life to the full and enjoy it. liz xxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Lauren,

    Looks like its only you and me . . . .   and it was great to read your story, I feel like I know you a bit better now

    love and gentle hugs

    Sharry xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    liz,,,

    thank you for your thoughts and wishes as i pray for you and your mom as well for no reoccurance on her and a fix on you to get it all out.. please keep me posted!...  

    Sharry...

    we have one more of us.. her name is precious.. i believe you and her already befriended each other on here...

    im glad you got to read it.  i see you put stuff out to and i will read them.. as soon as the wee little ones are in bed.. things like that need concentration.  

    hope ur doing well..

    ummm...  i got a pain in my back.. not like a back ache... like a hurt pain but i donj't feel any lumps.. however, im off to sloan tomorrow morn.  got to check out another thing as well...