Also just diagnosed. Overwhelmed and scared.

DawnKY

Hi.  I'm obviously new here.  46 YO, no children, no immediate fam hx of breast cancer (my mother's older half-sister had it though).  July 2010 mammo showed a cluster of mildly heterogeneous microcalcifications at 12 o'clock in the rt breast that were not present on the Jan 2010 mammo.  Had a ST bx on Monday and got the results two days ago---- DCIS and IDC, intermediate to high grade.  Was told the size was <1 cm.  The inital path report states "The tumor shows areas of DCIS with central necrosis but also shows infiltrating nests within a desmoplastic stroma". That's all the info I have at the moment.   I am scheduled to have an MRI this coming Wed morning and am consulting with a surgical oncologist that afternoon.  In the approximately 48 hours since I got the call with the results, I've done a lot of research; perhaps too much as now that the numbness is gone, I'm feeling quite overwhelmed and fear of what I don't know and what is to come is kicking in in high gear. 

Any words of wisdom and suggestions on how to prepare myself for my appts Wednesday would be appreciated.   Thanks!

 

Lowrider54

I just wanted to send a cyber hug to you!  If you have been researching, the medical sites are so cold and filled with scarey statistics and stuff.  It is overwhelming, at any stage. 

To prepare, make a list of questions - you won't remember anything once they start talking.  Take notes - always take notes so you can form your questions from the last visit and remember what they should be checking on.  For the MRI, it should be a short one.  Relax.  If you have someone go with you, you can ask them for a valium.  It can get a bit warm in there and to avoid all the undressing, I wear no bra, no jeans, no metal and I can go through it comfy. Try and get your arms in a comfy position right away - you will need to hold them in the same position for the whole scan.  And they talk to you and offer you headphones too. 

Be prepared for waiting for results.  That is a bit stressy.  It will be a bit of relief for you once you have results and a plan is in place. 

I am so sorry this is happening to you...prayers and hugs!

LowRider

navygirl

Dawn...valium was my best friend; well, maybe my best friend next to a big ol' glass of Chianti! The beginning is by far, the most stressful time. It sounds like you are at the early stages, nothing will be definite until you're done with the MRI and meet with the Onc. You will want to know your pathology (Estrogen positiveneg., Progesterone positive/neg., HER2 positive/neg. etc.), you'll want to know your grade and look at your treatment options for a lumpectomy vs. mastectomy. Radiation? Sentinal node biopsy (usually done at the time the lump is taken out-  regardless if you do lumpectomy or mast.) ---the sentinal node is the first in the chain and if it's negative - you can qualify for the Oncotype DX test -this test can look at all your indicators and give a "score" which can give you an idea of whether your a good candidate to benefit from chemo. There are some instances where they  will do the OncoDX even if you have 1 or 2 nodes positive...but I'm not sure of how common it is in that case.

I know..it's a LOT. But make some notes to start...and write down the questions. Lowrider is right...write everything down that they tell you - don't let them rush you, they will take the time if you make them (some docs are better about this than others...). Normally, chemotherapy isn't warrented for the earlier stages unless the OncoDx score is high. It may take 2-3 weeks to get all these questions answered, so the best advice I can give you today is be prepared for this to move slow as snails right now. Then, once they know what they are dealing with, it kind of moves at the speed of light. Find something that helps you feel centered, and plan on doing it a lot!

Hugs my friend...left us know what we can do to help. There is just about every scenario possible covered by someone here on these boards...it might take some time for the right person to answer your questions...but feel free to pm me if you need to.

Hang in there...

tsmc4

I'm rite there with you girl!!  I am 40 and have 3 little girls and was just told today that it is not dcis that i have but idc....I am so not happy rite now!!

DawnKY

Updated info:  Went today for the MRI and the results showed no other areas of infiltration and the radiologist said the lymph nodes looked "wonderful". She said the tumor size appears to be 6 mm.  I met with the surgical oncologist a few hours later and we determined and agreed that the best course of treatment was a lumpectomy, SLN bx, and then radiation tx.  He said my ER/PR were "extremely positive" and mentioned Tamoxifen could be considered if necessary.  I cannot verbalize how relieved I was when the radiologist gave me the good news.  We had to wait for 2 hours to see the surgeon, so if I had not known any info during that time, I would probably have had a nervous breakdown.  I am scheduled for surgery on the 25th and will post updates after that.

Thanks to everyone who responded.  It really was appreciated. 

Lowrider54

Oh Dawn...that is good news!  Although not perfect...I am sure your fears have been calmed a bit.  Do keep the updates coming!

Hugs...LowRider