Just diagnosed today

one-L

Just diagnosed today

one-L

I found out today that I have breast cancer.  I have an appointment with a surgeon on Thursday.  I am very scared, however, I have a very good support system.  My husband is supportive and I have friends and family close by to help me get through this difficult period. 

I had some unusual spots last year when I had my yearly mammogram.  I had further tests and it was an area that needed to be watched.  I went back for my 6 month followup on July 9 and the spot they were watching from last year was no longer there, but there was a new area of concern.  I was scheduled for a needle biopsy.  Today I received my results and I was not expecting the results. 

The clinic where I had my test is very good and supportive and made my appointment with the surgeon right away.  My GYN called me to give his support and he said if I just needed to talk, to come by and he would take time to be there for me.  He has been my doctor for 10 years and I trust his judgment and his recommendations.  He tells me that the surgeon is one of the best and will take all the time that my husband and I will need.  He said he had a good bed side manner.

I have no idea what to expect, however, my GYN said that it was coming from a milk duct and was out of the duct which causes some concerns.  We have caught it early and there is no reason to think that I will not have a complete recovery.  I do not know what to expect in the way of treatment at this time. 

I am glad to know there is a place for me to get more support as I go through this process and start the healing period. 

Mazy1959

oneL,

I am sorry you have breast cancer but glad you have found this wonderful site. You will find much caring support here.  Your surgeon will discuss your options such as a lumpectomy vs masectomy etc..and whether or not you want reconstruction. Once you have had your visit with him, you will have a better idea. Once they do surgery you will know more about what your are dealing with for sure. Do you know how big the tumor is?

Right now it may feel like you are on a roller coaster ride. You have doctors you trust as I did and that in itself is a blessing beyond words.

Please feel free to go in the chat room...I am there alot. Hugs & blessings, Mazy 

jenn3

Mazy is right once you meet with the surgeon you will start to have more direction.  

I start chemo in two weeks, so I'm pretty much a newbie here, but have found a lot of support and found it really gives me more strength to face what I'm going through.  In addition I have found an enormous amount of helpful hints and information along the way.

I'll keep you in my prayers and remember you can do this!!!!

one-L

I have no details at this time, but was told it is very small.  In fact he said I was lucky that they could even see it at this point.  Thanks for the new imaging equipment and diligence of the doctors at the clinic where I had all the tests. 

I am on a roller coaster and today was a very emotional day.  I am doing much better tonight, but want to get on with it and find out what it will take to be healthy again. 

I am sure I will be in the chat room and will be talking to you there.  Thanks for your support.

one-L

At least I know I am not alone.  Thanks.

SoCalLisa

One-L ---hello

know that you have found a good place for support in a journey noone wants to take..

Right now you are probably feeling rushed and frightened..everything is so new to

digest..but this is a doable thing...take a deep breath...just take one step at a time and

don't get ahead of yourself...after you talk to your surgeon you will be on a fact finding

mission to know how to best treat your particular situation...

There is alot of information on this site under the various headings..but many things will not

pertain to YOU...so don't get ahead of yourself...

Sending hugs your way...

So Cal 

terrij152

Hi One L!  Sorry you have to join us, but know that you are not alone!

Once you see the surgeon you will be having more tests to determine the extent of the cancer.  Once my biopsy came back positive I had to have and MRI of both breasts, chest x-ray, blood work and a bone scan.  Once they were all done and I got the results we were able to make a decision regarding surgery and then treatment.  Luckily my cancer was low grade so I didn't need chemo just tamoxifen, but after my lumpectomy in April I decided to have bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction last month so I don't have to worry about recurrence in my breasts. 

It's nerve racking going through all the tests and especially waiting for the results.  My motto is "worry when they tell you there's something to worry about!"  Good luck to you and know that we are here with you as you begin this journey!

((((HUGS))))

one-L

I went to the surgeon today.  My bc is .8 cm IDC in the right breast.  I will be scheduled for an MRI next week and then surgery.  I will have a lumpectomy and then radiation.  After all the testing is performed, I will probably be on some type of meds, but will not know until later.  I feel much more confident today, than in the previous days.  I realize that this is not a death sentence and that there is hope.  Early detection, good doctors and lots of support will be the key to my recovery.

Thanks for the posts, the encouragement and support.

nelia48

One-L, so good to hear your positive voice and that this was found so early for you.  If lots of support helps in recovery, then you will surely get that here!!!!!!  This has been a life saver for me.  Please keep us informed on all that happens.  I'll be checking back!

goldenmermaid

I know exactly what you're feeling right now.    I just found out today - my doctor is out of town at a conference and I spoke to a nurse navigator at our Comprehensive Breast Health Center.    I am alone and have one son out of state and I have cried so much I've made myself sick at my stomach and I haven't eaten since last night.

The nurse navigator was awesome - I just got back from talking to her over 1 hour - telling me what to expect, answering questions and sending me home with a 3" binder with great information.   I hope to speak to the best surgeon in our area sometime next week and now with the information, I can ask intelligent questions.   I know what tests will be mentioned to me and understand what they are for - before this meeting with the navigator, I didn't have a clue to what was involved.

I felt a thickening a few weeks ago and went to my GYN who sent me for an ultrasound.    Last Thursday, I had the biopsy and got the results today.    My mammograms have been "normal" for the past 35 years and the mass is 1 cm.   It started in a duct and a few cells are in the fatty tissue.     I also found out that this cancer strives on hormone replacement drugs - hence I've stopped mine even after talking to my GYN for years to let me stop it.    I've been on it for 15+ years and had a gut feeling that it wasn't good for me to be on it that long.    It's not being fed by those stupid drugs.

I'm scared/concerned and worried - all I understand now are normal after getting this type of news.   Especially after having the radiologists that did the ultrasound tell me that it's not a simple cyst, it doesn't look suspicious - it's abnormal and needs further evaluation - then to hear the "C word" this morning?   

I am so glad I found this site (recommended by the nurse navigator) because I've been told that this one posts the TRUTH and not a bunch of garbage to confuse us more.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers and please add me to your prayer list.     The being alone part is what's bugging me right now - I know I'll be fine and will be dancing at my grandsons wedding 20+ years from now (he's only 2!) 

one-L

Thank  you for the prayers Goldenmermaid.  I will also keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  I never wanted to be a member of this club, but here I am and am glad that this site  is available. 

I am not alone and I can't tell you how reassuring that is.  Please stay in touch, so I will know how  you are doing. 

I was given the name of a navigator, but have not contacted her yet.  I was told that she is also a survivor and will help me through this journey.  Even though it is not a journey I wanted to take.

Be strong, take a breath and know you are not alone. 

one-L

Nelia48, thanks for your support.  I got out on this site the day I was diagnosed and it has so much information.  I had a list of questions for my surgeon and I feel so empowered. 

I know I don't know exactly what the future holds, but I am ready and I am a fighter.  I will do what ever it takes to live a ripe old age. 

O3132W

one-L:  My best advice to you is to contact the nurse navigator you spoke of.  She will liason for you and she has the pull to get the answers for you without the "leave a message" problems.  Mine was assigned to me and I met her at my first meeting with my surgeon.  I wondered who she was and what she was doing there during such a private consult but found out later.  She has been invaluable to me throughout my entire ordeal.  She can get me answers and put them in language I can understand.  I dont have to contact any of my medical team and wait a week for my answers as she has a direct line to each of them and their nurses.  She is a nurse who has survived Cancer and understands my questions and gets me answers right away.  Good luck!

Mazy1959

One L and Golden,

God bless you both. I hope you all kick cancer butt with as few problems as possible. Hugs, Mazy