My new husband was off work for the month of December, so he was home cooking or we would have a couple beers together when I got off work, and I started to gain a little weight. I noticed around Christmas time that I had a small dimple or pucker close to my nipple on my left breast. My sister & 2 cousins had already been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 2 years--but I was telling myself, 'you've just gained a few pounds'. I went in January for my new insurance wellness check-up. I wasn't worried since I had just had a screening mammo in September and that came back fine. I was referred to an imaging center for a diagnostic mammo and ultrasound. During the ultrasound, the Doctor told me we need to schedule a core biopsy & we would have the results in 48 hours. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on February 12, 2013 over the telephone by a nurse. I was very upset, very mad and very lost. After seeing a local doctor, I decided I needed a second opinion/alternate treatment options and went to MD Anderson. I was given a formal diagnose on March 5, 2013 of Stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma With Lobular Features. I had a lumpectomy on March 28, 2014 and was hoping for the best. I went back on April 9 for my follow-up and was told margins were not clear, so surgery was not complete and I would need a mastectomy. I was also moved to Stage 2B. I have a consultation with reconstruction surgeon tomorrow and am awaiting scheduling of mastectomy.

Nancy Parsons
Midlothian, TX