Here we go again
39 year old BRCA1+ here. Found out about BRCA when I was 34 and began the MRI/mammogram regimen. I had 4 years of clear scans until last fall when my MRI picked up both an irregular mass and a 1.6-cm non-mass enhancement on the left. The mass was biopsied (ultrasound-guided), and fortunately it was benign.
My doctor ordered a 6-month follow-up MRI (i.e. at the time when I would ordinarily have had a mammogram). This time, there’s a 3.7-cm non-mass enhancement on the right side. I need to have an MRI-guided biopsy, and the soonest available appointment is not for 2.5 weeks. I was coping well for the first few days but the weight of it all really hit me today. Just feeling kind of sad for myself for having to go through this. I know the rational way to think about it is that I’m lucky to have this information, this is the whole point of the screening, etc., but it’s still hard.
I have been planning since I found out about BRCA to have a double mastectomy in my mid-40s. My mom was cancer-free until 69, and my kids are 4 and 2 so was just hoping to wait until I was at a slightly less physically demanding phase of parenting.
Anyway mostly just venting since I know many of you can relate much more than other people in my life can.