Just diagnosed--need to hear other stories

allisontom911

Just diagnosed--need to hear other stories

allisontom911

Hi there, I was just diagnosed today. I have known since Friday 12/4 that it didnt look good but the path report was back today. Still waiting for the ER/PR HER2 results. Will also be doing the BRAC1 and 2 test later this week.

I am 7 weeks from out from having my first baby. He is perfect. I am only 38 which seems so young!

They are recommending I do chemo first, then surgery. How come I read so much that surgery is normally first. The surgeon said he wants to see the mass shrunk before surgery.

I am most scared of loosing my hair...I know that sounds funny. But is a huge part of me.

Sunflower64

hello,

i'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. i have heard several times that people do chemo first to shrink the tumor then have a lumpectomy.  is that what your dr recommends?  did you have any surgery yet?

you'll have to find more out so we all can talk to you. don't be scared of losing your hair.  for me it wasn't too bad at all.  just getting tired of the bandanas and hats. congrats on your baby boy!! you will find so much support here.

keep in touch

hugs,

diane

lexislove

allisontom911

Thanks gals. I am just sitting here while I should be sleeping since my little one is but I cant. I just read and read.

I am in a blizzard right now so the doctors offices all closed early today so we couldnt get my appts set up. Hopefully will meet with the oncologist this week and start chemo before christmas. I said the sooner the better. My surgeon said the soonest I would have surgery is 4 months.

I will keep everyone posted. I guess I wont know the node involvement until surgery?

39mom2babies

Hello,  I was diagnosed while pregnant with my second baby in may.  I was 39.  I did the chemo first and had node involvement.   I am doing well and so is the baby.  If you have any questions please feel free to PM or respond on the boards.  You will find that the woman here are wonderful.  It has helped me in many moments of panic.  I will reassure you that things do get better.  The panic subsides.  You can do this, even with a little one.  Try to enjoy your baby and shift your thoughts from the all consuming thoughts about cancer.  It can be healing.

39mom2babies

I just saw your question on node involvement.  Did you have a sentinel node biopsy?  This will tell you initially if there is node involvement.  If there is, after the chemo they will remove the lymph nodes under your arm and check for more involvement during the surgery to remove the tumor.  I still had two nodes involved after chemo, but still considered a good response.

jancie

Allison - I did chemo prior to having a lumpectomy.  Chemo shrunk my 4 CM tumor down to where the surgeon couldn't even feel it.  I did not have lymph node involvement.  I had a sentinel lymph node biopsy done prior to chemo.  My cancer was grade 1 - low aggressive so there was plenty of time to do chemo first and not head straight to surgery. 

ATeamNana

I have Stage II breast cancer...I have had 4 treatments of A/C and have had 6 treatments of Paclitaxel and will have 6 more I have not yet had surgery...I have had exam twice since starting treatment in late August and the tumor has shrunk....I can't find it anymore and neither can my onocologist...I see surgeon again on 12/18 anxious to see what she thinks....onocologist is please with progress.. mine was very rapid growth rate 93% so I feel the choice to do chemo first was good..incase anything escaped outside the breast....Surgery will be in late Jan - Late February... so far I'm pleased with doctors decisions...We'll see how it goes...