diagnosed today scared to death

linda1957

I recieved my call from biopsy performed on Friday,,,,, Everything explained in a very caring manner...I was so stunned I couldnt even talk...nodding my head at the phone.     I think I heard IDC low grade 1 but not sure.Need to schedual a MRI (dont know what that is for) if they already know...surgery within a month....help! everything is spinning...when he said cancer,   I heard death sentence...my familly have all passed away from cancer...is breast cancer different? Thinking of all I need to do ...like clean my closets and frig and buy more sheets...am I crazy...will this pass? Im even thinking what kind of pajamas Im going to need....

Wonderland

Linda,

So sorry about your biopsy results. You're in a bad time right now. Once you know your game plan, you'll feel much better.

You sound like a planner. That can be very good. It will keep your momentum going forward.

Don't know why you need to schedule a MRI - It wasn't recommended for me. Someone else may chime in on that one.

A diagnosis of breast cancer is overwhelming. Suggestion: get a copy of all your tests. Start with your biopsy you just had. It helps you understand what you're dealing with.

Good luck. We are here for you.

Wonderland

Omaz

Ahh Linda - so sorry.  I also had an MRI after diagnosis to see if it was just the one tumor and if they see anything with the lymph nodes.  The MRI is very sensitive.  When do you have your appointment to find out the details of the pathology report?  I remember when I got the call.  I was home with my 14 year old daughter.  I just turned to her and said I had cancer.  Then I just cried and cried.  Once you get the pathology report you will know much more and start to make a plan.  This  is such a hard part.  I would suggest that you start a notebook/journal to write down your thoughts and questions.  I also found a lot of support from my primary care doctor, I just went to talk with him and it helped to calm me down.  (((Hugs)))

jancie

I had an MRI after diagnosis.  The test was done to see if anything else needed to be seen in both breasts - some things can be seen by mammogram, others by ultrasound, an MRI is just another test.  Keep in mind that MRI's can show false positives.  In other words, the MRI picked up something in my right breast even though my cancer side was my left breast.  It was a false positive that was confirmed by another ultrasound.

I also remember those words "cancer" and couldn't even think of questions that I needed to ask the radiologist - I went completely blank.  Thankfully he had told me that I could call him back after I digested the information. 

I have also had many family members die of cancer, including my sister from lung cancer.  Breast cancer is not an automatic death sentence.  You can read stories here of women that are 20 years out and doing just fine.

Low Grade I - that is great news.  It means your cancer is not aggressive (i.e., they are not dividing as quickly and spreading like Grade 3).

Once you get your pathology report - things will seem clearer to you.

LindaKR

So sorry Linda - Cancer isn't a death sentence.  When I was diagnosed I met so many women that are 20, 30 & 40 year survivors of breast cancer, there were a real inspiration.  Now there are so many more treatments for breast cancer.  You'll learn more once you get your pathology report. 

I also had an MRI after diagnosis, my BS (breast surgeon) wanted one to make sure that my other breast didn't have any sign of cancer (then he would have suggested a bilateral mastectomy (BMX), and he also uses them to get a more exact picture of the tumor location and size, that way he can plan the surgery to make sure that he gets clean margins. 

Low Grade is good news.  The other things you'll want to know are if it is hormone receptor and/or HER2 positive or negative.