Just diagnosed, overwhelmed about future

nomoretears850

Hi,

Im a week away from an MRI prior to a lumpectomy followed by radiation. I was in shock as Im certain anyone would be at the results of my needle biopsy. My younger sister had just gone through the same procedure 2 weeks prior and she tested negative for cancer so I was so sure Id have the same results. I took it well and have kept my humor determined to be strong but my emotions have now surfaced. Im now faced with, " How will I afford time off from work?, What will the costs be for treatment after insurance has paid its share?, How will I pay my current bills?, Will I be able to work my very physical job during radiation treatments? " Those are the tip of the iceburg. Im almost at the point where I will need to take an anti anxiety med to combat my fears...Cancer is the least of my worries it now seems. 

Wren44

It does seem totally overwhelming in the beginning. Take a deep breath. Things will work out. If you have a lumpectomy, you won't miss a lot of work time. You may have to take some time off at the end of radiation because your job is physical, but some women are able to work right through. Talking to a social worker connected to your hospital about financial issues might be very helpful. You'll feel better once your plans are in order and you know what will happen. You can ask your doctor for something to deal with the anxiety right now, but be sure it won't interfere with your work. It's really helpful to concentrate only on the next step as things unfold. Sometimes a good cry in private is what you need. Please keep posting here - we get it. Hugs.

Moderators

Dear nomoretears, 

Welcome to the BCO community. We are so sorry for your current situation but glad that you found your way here. What we often hear from our members is the reality that cancer impacts more than your body, in face every aspect of your life can be touched by the disease and its treatment. It makes sense that you would be worried about the unknowns that lie ahead. While you wait to hear from others you may want to read some information on our site about day to day matters when dealing with breast cancer. Paying for treatment is one place to start. As Wrenn suggests we hope that you will keep posting here. There are so many others who can offer genuine support and information. We are sending warm thoughts your way. 

The Mods

SandyLovesLucy

Nomoretears, I wanted to jump in and offer some support.  Wren44 and the Mods gave you great suggestions. I also had the flood of worries about how to manage work and bills during treatment.  I called my insurance company and went over all of the details of my coverage as it relates to the types of treatment I'm getting.  For me that was lumpectomy, chemo, and I'll also get radiation.  I also spoke with my accountant because I'm self employed (part of my work if very physical also) and needed to get a grip on the fact the my income will be lower for a while. It gave me a clearer picture and enabled me to plan. Your biggest job now is to work with your doctors to develop a treatment plan.  With each decision, and each step of treatment, it does get a little better. My doctors have been great.  They don't want me in pain either emotionally of physically and offer options to deal with it all.  I'm sure yours will too.  Take care, try to rest when you can and let us know how you're doing.

Hugs,

Sandy 

Zillsnot4me

My friend had a lumpectomy and rads. She works two jobs. I think she only missed a day and half.  The not knowing is the worst part. 

Talk to a financial counselor at your hospital. They will take payments. 

Get something to help with the anxiety. It's ok to get mad, cry, scream. We'll be here waiting for you.

MarieBernice6234

Hi There - 

I don't know exactly where to begin my story. On August 8th I went  for an annual biopsy, not expecting much. I do have some calcifications noted on previous exams. Two or three days I had a call asking me to come back for more pictures. That had happened before so I didn't think much of it. My medical center uses 3D mammo machines as a routine practice. Then it escalated to magnification views. And as prepared they said that they were going to do breast ultrasounds. 2 of them. They still weren't thrilled at what they were looking at - it was a change since the last one. This necessitated a core needle biopsy which was done 4 days ago. . On Friday, the results came back as Invasive Breast cancer Stage 1. The area is very small a half of a centimeter, made up of some undifferentiated cells.My medical center has a three pronged approach, surgery, chemo (oral for me) and then radiation, probably 6 week course. There are some calcifications nearby this growth also so those are coming out as well. It is a mixed report -small, caught early on, invasive, but with a good prognosis. 

  Unfortunately, these events just happened following a 4 month period of time recovering from 2 broken ankles.  I had returned to doing home visits as part of my job, for about just a month until this started to unfold. They are going to be able to use some of the estrogen based medications as there are receptors there for that. Something called the HERS result has not come back - maybe on Friday.It is somewhat overwhelming at this time. 

MarieBernice6234

fire-n-ice

I was sitting here having a pity party while reading these messages. I have tried my hardest to stay positive for the last 6 weeks and I am finding myself beginning to unravel. I am 64 years old and have kids that always need help but, now that I need a shoulder to lean on they are moving out. Lol, should have come up w/ an infectious disease earlier, ya think? It certainly wouldn't have been cancer.

I was dxed  in July w/ Nottingham grade 1 tubule formation and opted for a bi-lateral mastectomy. My mother had died from breast cancer [she was 78 when dxed and chose to participate in a clinical trial ] but she didn't have any treatment, her choice. My 37 years old daughter had a lumpectomy because her diagnosis was DCIS stage 1. She too, chose no treatment and is still doing great after 6 years.

After removal of both breasts my diagnosis went from Stage 1 to Stage 3 as the tubule was on the lower outside quadrant and then they found DCIS on the top inside quadrant. The surgeon removed 30 lymph nodes from under my left arm and he said 9 were malignant, pathology report says 6 {?] who to believe.

I still have 3 drainage tubes, two under left breast 1 under right [no sign of cancer in that one]. These tubes are driving me wild they smell horrible so I stay away from others, lol. I was to have a port-a-cath put in,  a CT scan and tubes removed on the 25th but, the kids had errands to run that morning and decided to go horseback riding! I had to reschedule for 9-2-14. I was so hurt I could not believe how inconsiderate they were and both female.

So other than my journey w/ cancer I have to battle  my own kids and I know stress kills. I know what you will think but, I know what to do  I just needed to vent.

Thanks,

Fire

Moderators

Dear fire-n-ice, welcome to BCO, we ar glad you found us, but sorry for the reason.

Waiting is hard enough but having to wait another week due to your daughters' attitude is very disappointing and we feel for you. 

You are entitled to feel annoyed and sad, but we hope that ladies on here will raise your spirits some. Here you will find a wealth of support, information
and guidance from others who may have or are still experiencing some of the
same issues as you are.

We noticed that your profile has not been filled in
and we would encourage you to add to it as this will help others to be able to
support you better both at the
moment and in the future. You can place your details under Diagnosis in My Profile (button at top right in grey area).

May your tubes come out without problems and your recovery be smooth.

Wishing you all the best.

The Mods

fire-n-ice

Thank you so much. I breathed a large sigh of relief when I found a "new" family!

Golden01

Those tubes will come out! Just remember to breathe.

MarieBernice6234

Hi fire-n-ice -

  I was also saddened to hear your news and can clearly  understand your feelings of being miffed at your daughters self centeredness. To place enjoyment over trying to "be there" for her mother is not commendable. It seems like you and I are relatively the newer kids on the block, with your diagnosis in July and mine in August. I certainly hope that your recovery gets a jump start soon and you leave the drains in the dust. It will come.

BerniceMarie6234

Alive4Five

MarieBernice6234 - Hi!  Welcome to BCO! Nobody wants to be a part of it, but then we find out how much it means to have this place to vent, cry, laugh, etc... and hopefully gain some knowledge and important info about your current (and future) situation! It's so tough right now. Oh, and by the way, we have lots of virtual ((hugs)) as a great prnRX... *as needed! 

Please stay in touch. This is a busy weekend, so there are several out and about. Never feel any question is not important! You- are important!

I wanted to say hello and let you know we are here for you!! 

MarieBernice6234

Hi Alive4Five - 

 Glad to meet you. I apologize that I don't know enough yet to post all the finer details of my particular situation just yet All I do know is its size(less than half centimeter and that it is invasive with a combination of cells. ERS positive and the results of the HERS test hasn't come back yet. I don't even know how important the HERS test is. 

  I am going to meet with a general surgeon who works closely with the breast care center team. She is young, actually almost 16 years my junior and has only been out of medical school for 9 years! She had a fellowship  most recently at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Institue in NY. 

  I don't know if 9 years experience is enough. I thought it would be some type of breast surgeon and not a general one. What is a medical oncologist how is that different from the radiation oncologist or even my own primary care physician? Also do you know what Amarose Inhibiting medication.  What are the differences and similarity?

Sorry for all the questions 

MarieBernice6234

Blondie7

Hi  MarieBernice6234

I'm sorry about what you are currently going through. There will be a lot of information coming your way and decisions to make in your upcoming future, but know that this website has a wealth of information and supportive people who are also going through or have been through similar situations.  This is the first post I have made, but I have followed various topics over the past couple months and have been relieved and encouraged to hear the stories of so many others going through what I am.

I was diagnosed with IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma) after a mammogram, ultrasound and finally a biopsy. I have had past surgeries for atypical hyperplasia and for lobular carcinoma in situ.  Because of this history and some family history, I elected to have bilateral mastectomies.  I had a general surgeon who I knew from my previous breast surgeries. I consulted with the general surgeon first about all my options. When I elected to have the mastectomies with reconstruction, the general surgeon then referred me to a plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction.  After my surgery, I was referred to a medical oncologist to consult with regarding whether or not I would need to have chemo or not.  It was during my initial visits with this doctor that I requested an Oncotype DX test (genetic test of the tumor itself that was removed during surgery).   This test gives you more information regarding your risk of recurrence and what your type of tumor may respond best to lower your risk of recurrence.  Because of this score (7) chemo was not recommended, as the risk of recurrence was not going to be changed by doing chemo.  The medical oncologist referred me to a radiation oncologist to discuss whether or not I was going to need any radiation therapy following the surgery (which it turns out I did not)

I am currently taking Tamoxifen for hormone therapy, because I am premenopausal and this works best for those of us in that category. I understand that Aromatase Inhibitors work best for women who are postmenopausal with BC. 

Hang in there. Take one day at a time and come back to BCO when you need a sounding board of supportive people.

BrooksideVT

MarieBernice, there are general surgeons and general surgeons.  All breast surgeons are technically general surgeons.  Some do little or no breast surgery, some focus their practice on it.  If your surgeon spent a year at Sloan Kettering, which is a cancer hospital, he or she spent that entire year doing cancer surgery and only cancer surgery.   You will want to ask how much of that time was dedicated to breast cancer, and how much of his or her practice is devoted to breast cancer.  That Sloan Kettering fellowship tell us this doc does not specialize in gall bladder and appendix surgery, but is a cancer specialist.  It is perfectly appropriate to ask.  It is also perfectly appropriate to seek a second opinion.

Right from the start, you will have three oncologists:  Your breast surgeon is your surgical oncologist.  Your medical oncologist follows you medically and manages your hormone blocker and, should you need it, chemo.  Your radiation oncologist addresses your radiation therapy.    Your PCP manages your health in general and is a great resource in helping put into perspective the recommendations from the various oncologists.

MarieBernice6234

Hi Call-Girl7 - 

Thank you for your quick response. You are right, there is a lot of information coming at me from all sides.  And more tomorrow, of course. You said that yours is invasive ductal cancer, I gather that there is a difference between the two diagnoses. My facility very strongly uses a team approach.and everyone has a nurse "navigator" like a "go to person" who walks through the whole process with you, They have a very close and intimate relationship.  It was actually upon her recommendation that I explored this site by name.  From what I understand, tomorrow will be both a follow up visit from my biopsy and a more personal explanation of my results. Along with this, it will be used as a pre-planning stage for what lies ahead. 

 I know that my situation is not that advanced that they will want to jump on it immediately, but it has broken through and away from the original cells so they will want to not have too much time pass before the lumpectomy. It is fairly certain at this point that some form of oral chemotherapy will be needed. Followed by a more conventional course of radiation.  My facility tends to use this type of three pronged approach. What is the difference between STAGE and GRADE- does grade address the aggressiveness of the cancer cells? The practitioner says it is a less aggressive form - does that give it a low grade number?

Blondie7

MarieBernice6234

Glad that you have your nurse navigator to help guide you. This will be a big help. I had a nurse case manager that was provided by my medical group and she helped guide me as well, making sure I was receiving timely and appropriate referrals to services I needed and guiding me to helpful resources as well. 

Stage (0-4) refers to the size of the tumor and how far the cancer has spread within the breast, to nearby tissues and if it has spread to other parts of the body.

Grade (1-3) refers to how abnormal the cancer cells appear microscopically. Grade 1 indicates that while there is breast cancer cells present, you can still identify normal breast cells as well (well differentiated). Grade 3 indicates that the cells are very abnormal and the difference between the normal cells and the breast cancer cells is not seen (poorly differentiated). Usually Grade 3 tumors are more aggressive than Grade 1.

I hope you have someone to go with you to your appointment tomorrow.  It's always best to have the support and to have another set of ears listening and digesting the information you will be receiving.  Someone else may also think of questions that you did not. 

Wishing you the best possible outcome (under these stinky circumstances)

Cali-Girl7

MarieBernice6234

Hi Cali Girl 7  -

  I just realized that I addressed you by the wrong name last time. Sorry about that. Thanks for another quick response and clear explanation. According to what you said then my grade would probably be 1 because they are supposedly more differentiated than not. 

 MarieBernice 

MarieBernice6234

Hi Brookside Vt - 

  Nice to meet you here. Thanks for the clear and concise explanation, that helps a great deal. I will post the details of my appointment tomorrow.

MarieBernice

MarieBernice6234

Hi Members of this topic - 

  Today I had an appointment with the NP and then I met a surgeon (surgical oncologist). Despite my original trepidations etc about someone who was 16 years than me That proved to be unfounded - she is wonderful. In the last year alone, she had done between 600 - 700 breast surgeries of all types, while on a Fellowship at Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute.  That is almost double the amount of breast surgeries that her counterparts  at my medical center. Between the nurse practitioner and the surgeon, all my questions were answered. The surgeon stated that normally 1-3 lymph nodes are removed during the procedure. They are going to take out the collection of calcifications closest to the mass.  She doesn't expect that the HERS test will come out positive. She still thinks that when all is said and done, it will be a stage 1, grade one, not very aggressive. They are going to send a sample of tissue out for the Oncotype diagnosis test,  to see what  the likelihood of this type of cancer recurring. Again based on size, etc, she doesn't see this as being a real concern.   My surgery has already been scheduled for the 30th of this month, so the wheels are in motion.

  If everything goes pretty much according to the rough schedule, I should have the surgery and radiation done by early December. Then I will be starting the estrogen blockers. Merry Christmas to me huh. 

   I am still trying to take it one step at a time. Trying to form a really good support team outside of this board. Although I am a Social Worker by profession, this time I am going to hand it over to the Social Workers attached to the team. I am not going to have the energy to take on insurance issues etc on my own behalf. This time I will let someone else do that. Besides when I do return to work after the surgery, I have to save that energy for my own patients, which doesn't have the emotional charge to it. 

                                 MarieBernice6234                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

fire-n-ice

MarieB,

Wow must have had more drugs today than I thought.. had a port-a-cath put in. But, yes, you and I seem to be newbies who are still trying to gain all the knowledge we can from the other ladies. TG they are such a beautiful, patient, gang! I finally met my oncologist today and loved her immediately, so down to earth and plain English even I could understand.  I'm lucky enough to have yet another daughter who is amazing so she went today and remembered numerous things, recorded all the Dr. said and asked tons of questions. My onco won't forget her  . Had a problem w/ my surgery being late and the CT scan had to be rescheduled and Dr. M was unhappy about that, as she doesn't know if its spread as I had cancerous nodes. Me, not worrying, will just cross that bridge when I come to it.

The drains are in the dust LOL, Dr. Levine took them out while I was asleep...yay! Wishing you the very best!!

 Laughter Always,                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Fire

I_feel_for_u

Hi ladies, I hope all of u are feeling better.  

Firstly, "Hi" 👋👋. 

Secondly, I just want to let u know that I don't have BC. It is my close relative who has just been diagnosed with stage 2 BC(growing rapidly it seems), and since she doesn't know English, I feel I should try to research for her and find out more!

Initially we were all shocked because cancer isn't so common where we are from. Hers is just the 5th case of BC I know about, among ALL my relatives and friends. Slowly we are coming to terms with it. 

I would like to know more regarding treatment....is it a must to do surgery(she was offered lumpectomy)? What will happen if she does not do it? She is terrified of going under the knife and to add to that, her family members are in the same opinion too. I tried to search on something I can share with them regarding the dangers of not getting treatment(they are planning on herbal treatment, I heard), but could not find anything useful. So I thought I should just ask u ladies, since u r the only ppl who might have answers. I am totally clueless and hope I can help that sister soon. Her breast is in pain and it's burning it seems. I worry terribly for her life, but I just want some answers soon so I can advise her(them). They r all oblivious to the seriousness of BC and that's what makes me mad! Pls help!

Sincerely,

I_feel_for_u

Moderators

Hi I_feel_for_u, we are glad you have found BCO and hope that the feedback you find here is able to help you understand, and pass, on the knowledge you will find here. 

In addition to the great advice from the others, you may also
find this section helpful to read. Understanding
Breast Cancer or you may also want to take a look at the Breast Cancer 101 section from the main
site, which is designed to help you sort through all of the information on
our site to find what is more relevant to you right now.

If you need more details on your friend's specific diagnosis, try using the SEARCH area of this site to find Topics focusing on that problem.

There is also a section For Caregivers, Family, Friends and Supporters where you find information relevant to you as a friend.

We also have a Spanish Forum, if that is of any help at Foros de discusión en español

We hope that this helps you, your friend and her family. Any questions, please feel free to post in these forums or PM us for directions to suitable pages.

The Moderators