I just realized today that the two parts to my diagnosis are important. I was focused on just the Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) because that is cancer. I also have "Lobular Carcinoma in situ" (LCIS) which is not cancer, but an indicator that I have a higher chance of developing more breast cancer in the future. LCIS is an area of abnormal tissue growth that occurs within — and stays within — the lobules or milk glands located at the end of the breast ducts.
Since I have LCIS on one side means both breasts probably have it. Also, since we know the left one has advanced to ILC (invasive cancer), the right one may have already done so or is likely to do so in the future. Just LCIS alone is not too bad, but is something to watch. Both ILC and LCIS together make me a high risk patient for recurrences. I think that's why they have recommended the bilateral mastectomy. I also have a complicating factor of dense breast tissue (ironically, I always thought was great!) which makes it even more difficult to find cancer in screenings.
Given all of this, it's remarkable that they found it so early. At least, I hope that's what is confirmed after surgery. Prior to that, it's difficult to know what is going on with the other side.
Kelly, thank you so much for sharing this and for being the incredible person you are! I am so blessed to know you. A lesson I learned from Marvalene Hughes (President of Dilliard Univesity) while I was at Bryn Mawr this summer..."Inside of you is a reserve of energy, mountains of determination and huge bundles of resilience - all stored somewhere waiting for you to access them." You are stronger than you know!
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