Hi! I'm 54, divorced mom of 3 kids (17, 14, and 12). I work full time from home, thanks to the pandemic. And for fun, I run ultra marathons, focusing on the 100 mile distance for the last year. Anway, a routine mammogram in January 2020 found a microcalcification cluster in my right breast. BIRADS 3 meant a stereo biopsy the next month, when Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH) was found. It's benign but precancerous. A surgical biopsy and lumpectomy in May 2020 found Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia (ALH) and Lobular Carcinoma in situ (LCIS). All three lesions are considered benign but drive up risk for cancer and the combination of the three meant my risk for developing breast cancer was very high. My prevention plan began and has included taking Tamoxifen along with semi-annual in-office exams, MRI's every Fall, and mammograms and ultrasounds every Spring. My scans remained unchanged for the last 4 years, until my mammogram and ultrasound in early July 2024. I was called back that afternoon for two more rounds of mammograms for my right breast. This time, 5 microcalcification clusters could be seen: 3 large ones, kind of near each other and near my previous surgery site, and 2 small ones in a different area not far away. This progression in proliferation (cells reproducing faster than they should and in different directions) was since my last MRI. BIRADS 4 meant a stereo biopsy in July, when a radial scar and 4 other benign lesions were found. A radial scar is considered benign but it is also considered very high risk because under the microscope it's very close to carcinoma and in many cases, carcinoma is found lurking about. So surgery was immediately scheduled. I was told the odds of finding a malignancy were very high and to prepare myself. A surgical biopsy and lumpectomy of the radial scar site and two other large microcalcification clusters at the end of August 2024 found more Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia (ALH) and Lobular Carcinoma in situ (LCIS). I have had both ALH and LCIS before so I thought I was in the clear, for now. However, at my post-op appointment two weeks after surgery, my surgeon expressed concern the Tamoxifen is no longer working and she is also concerned for the aggressive spike in proliferation, that it's become a matter of "when" not "if", and very likely sooner rather than later. Because of how incredibly high my risk is for developing breast cancer, the strong recommendation now is for a double mastectomy and reconstruction as my best and last option for prevention. So it's time to do it. My kids' Dad and his wife are at the ready to take care of the kids but I will need help with everything else through surgery and the several weeks of recovery after. I understand how very busy everyone is and how tough the economy is on everyone. I truly appreciate every bit of help. Thank you very much. With much love, Jacki