please help

zlota

Hi everyone,

I posted before when I was waiting for my biopsy results. Well, One area on my left breast turned out to be DCIS and another area ( 9o'clock) has some invasive cancer. Having mx with reconstruction on sept 30th but I worry so much what I thought was high grade DCIS turned out to be more than that. My bs said that mx is my only option since microcalcifications are so spread out, no way they can save the breast, I can live with that but the cancer part scares me. I'm 30 , no family history, this is a nightmare for me, got 2 small kids and I'm just so scared and depressed. I know I will probably need chemo and that scares me even more. I guess just waiting for the surgery is killing me, I want to know exackly what I'm dealing with.

I have a question if you have DCIS (HIGH GRADE) can microinvasions show up on the stereo biopsy( thats what I had so far, no surgery yet) I guess I'm just afraid that my cancer is so advanced that there will be nothing they can do for me.

I'm a total mess, this whole journey scares me....

Thank you for listening 

lago

Try not to panic. This is treatable! The biopsy, mammogram, ultra sound, MRI and/or what ever other tests they do can't tell you the entire picture. It can turn out better than you think.

I was just like you when they told me. I thought it was the end. Then I started to learn and found out this is not a death sentance. I may not be as young as you but I was just as freaked out. I felt so much better after surgery. It's been almost 1 month since surgery.

I was told I had a 7cm tumor and they were worried about a micro invasion in my nodes. Ends up after surgery I had a 5.5cm tumor and clear nodes. Much better prognosis. My prognosis when from a stage IIIA to a stage IIB.

Don't assume you'll need chemo. At least you haven't posted enough info that would suggest you do. 

I'm about to start chemo but I have spoken with many that have been through it. For most it's not as bad as you think. They have all these drugs that counter the side effects. The only one they don't seem to do anything about is hair loss… but it does grow back. You'll get a nice wig or some cool hats.

Hang in there. It does get better. The first 3 weeks are hell IMO!

samsue

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It's very scary at first not knowing just what's going to happen but the girls posting before me are right. It's do-able. Take a friend with you to your appointments because if you're like I was, I couldn't remember what was said. My friend actually took notes. The dr's seem to realize there will be someone with you at the app't.

You are definitely in the right place - here with all the supporting sisters. Come back often.

Best wishes to you....

NadineEspana2003

Zlota,

  Take a deep breath, and another one.   It will be okay, whatever happens.  I'm 29 and from the get go knew I had to take it one day at a time.  Remember to take care of yourself, allow yourself to do this.   The diagnosis is always scary, the prognosis usually is not.  I had a bilateral mastectomy in June and "healed" quickly once the drains were out.   Chemo is doable, it will not be on your top 10 things to do again, but you WILL get through it.   I'm still doing chemo have three more rounds to go.   

Bring someone with you to your appointment, if that is not an option, bring a recorder.  Do some research before you go in, the internet is a great place to start.  You may not remember much from the appointment, but hopefully someone will be there to help you.  

 I wish you the best.  Don't let this define you, and remember to laugh as much as possible  

chrissyb

Hi Ziota, please don't panic as there is nothing to panic about.  You have been dx'd and your treatment is about to start with your surgery.  This disease is very  treatable and you can live a life full of everything you want in life.  I, so far, am an almost seven year survivor and there are a lot of women here on the boards that have survived a lot longer as well.  Please, take heart, you have a journey planned, one that will have a bumpy begining but one that can stretch many years. Laugh, love and live.

Peace, strength, love n hugs.  chrissyb

debbie6122

hi ziota, Sorry you have to be part of this bc board, but glad you found us, just like all the ladies said, you will get thru this, its not fun but it is doable things do get better. You are young yes, my daughter also had bc at age 30 her tumor was over 6cm, stage and grade 3 ,triple negative, 3 yrs ago and she is doing very well, what ever your prognosis you just remember your stronger than you think and there are so many good meds out there now that are better than they used to be.

Sending gentle hugs and prayers for you

hmillar

I am only two months into this journey, but I agree with the others: This disease is treatable. We are so lucky to be living in a time when it CAN be treated, when major cancer centers have interdisciplinary teams who deal with breast cancer, when there are targeted drugs to fight it, when diagnosis happens early enough that many, many prognoses are good.

I am writing this while recovering from a lumpectomy and waiting for a meeting with an oncologist.

You're right: Waiting is hell. But a friend who had a double mx a couple years ago gave me very good advice early on: Try not to wed yourself to any one piece of information. You'll have a test, the picture will change, you'll have another test, the picture will change again. Then you'll have surgery and again, more change.  Try to take it one day and one step at a time. And try to find joy in the everyday.

HM

zlota

You guys are wonderful, thank you . Don't know what to say, you are all so strong and I feel so weak and like giving up. I think its the fear before the surgey and the final pathology. Then the whole chemo hell..... But if you all did it so can I.

chrissyb

Ziota, can you put your finger on what exactly you are afraid of?  Is it the surgery itself or the loss of your breast?  The thought of the chemo?  Can you iterate what's on you mind?  Fear feeds on itself and makes us all crazy if you let it........talk to me.

hugs. chrissyb