New here, diagnosed last week and glad to find this site.

JerseyMomOf3

I am a 45 year old married mom of 15 year old twin daughters and a 12 year old son. I had the mammogram that changed everything in Sept., then U/S, stereobiopsy, MRI, MRI guided biopsy, and then a surgical biopsy of two different parts of my breast which finally revealed my Multi-focal DCIS plus a host of precancerous friends. I was tested for BRCA and should have that result back in 10 days. I do have some family history of breast and uterine cancer and have Ashkenazi ancestry on my dad's side. My BS is a highly qualified Dr. and she thinks that for me given my whole situation that a bilateral is a very sound option. From the minute she told me my path results I thought instinctively that would be right for me. I would otherwise be looking at 10 years of tamoxifen and radiation to the breast and high risk screenings (that is if I don't have the BRCA mutation). If I do have the mutation she said that would make the bilateral totally necessary in her view. At any rate I have been researching like crazy. I have two apps with two plastic surgeons tomorrow. I am going to talk with a medical oncologist as well. It is so helpful to read others experiences here.

As shocking as this diagnosis and the likely treatment has been, I have been through some really tough stuff in the last few years. My mom is a lung cancer survivor and I was her advocate/researcher/cheerleader during that process which was truly terrifying at times. Then almost two years ago both my daughters were dx with a life threatening illness (genetically based) that brought me to my knees on more than one occasion and required a superhuman amount of strength to overcome, it has been a lot but they are finally doing well now. I think in part I am in shock because it doesn't seem real that this is happening now but I guess life has its own timeframe and we have to play the hand we are dealt. I am overwhelmingly thankful that I have a curable cancer at this moment in time and I will do whatever I have to do to get through this. I know I have developed more inner strength over the past few years than I ever thought possible and have learned the values of persistence and patience through these circumstances. Thanks for listening!

SwoosieQue

You came to the right place, the women here are so helpful. 

I know how you are feeling, the fear, the shock, operating in your daily life while living an almost "other life" of constant planning ahead for what may come. You are very smart to be visiting with potential doctors, a very important part of healing will be for you to feel that you are in competent, almost superhuman care from your team of doctors.

If I can help in anyway, let me know, swoosieque@gmail.com or my blog, http://cancerisnotpink.wordpress.com/

Good Luck!!  (((HUGS)))

JerseyMomOf3

Thank you so much swoosie for making me feel welcome here. I am looking forward to reading your blog. I am sure I will have a lot of questions after I meet with the doctors tomorrow! I would love to know why you chose implants vs autologous tissue. I know this is a personal decision. If you could shed any light on your decision making process I would be grateful.

Warm thanks!!

Annette47

Wish I didn't have to welcome you to the club no one wants to join , but welcome nonetheless.  Be sure to check out the DCIS forum lower down on the main page as well.

Where in NJ are you?  

JerseyMomOf3

Hi Annette! Thanks so much, I will check out the DCIS forum as you mention. 

I'm in beautiful Morris County NJ, not too far from Morristown.  How about you?

Annette47

I'm down in Hamilton (Mercer County - near Princeton and Trenton).   It is beautiful up where you are! 

Anonymous

JerseyMom, I'm sorry you've been through so much. It's amazing the strength we find in ourselves that we didn't know we had. This is a wonderful place for support. I just wanted to welcome you to BCO. {{{gentle hugs}}}

Jenwith4kids

hello jerserymomof3, I am a jerseymomof4 living in your backyard!  I am almost two weeks pre-op from a bilateral mastectomy with TE reconstruction. I was at Morristown Memorial, loved my BS and my PS.  Sounds like you have a great BS, but if you want a PS rec, just let me know.  In another few weeks I have two consults with MOs and then will be starting treatment.

Let me know if you want to chat.

Jen

JerseyMomOf3

Hi slowdeepbreaths, thank you for the kindness and for the reminder to breathe! My IPad lock screen says "Keep Breathing"! It is amazing how just taking some time to just breathe can be so helpful.

JerseyMomOf3

Hi Jen! I definitely would like to chat with you. We probably have the same BS. I use Morristown Memorial too and I  credit The Rippel Breast Center for finding this crud early! They are amazing there. I may very well have my bilateral elsewhere depending on what type of reconstruction I have. I will send you a message.