So Scared

purple_shmoo

I was just diagnosed Monday with IDC. I found a lump in my left breast. I have had pain for 2-3 years in that breast and kept being told it wasn't cancer even after 2 diagnostic mammos and an US. I even did PT because the doctor thought it was muscle pain. Within a week of finding the lump I went to my GYN, had a mammo/ US and a core biopsy. Monday I was told over the phone by the biopsy place that I do have IDC and to make an appt with a breast surgeon. I am a wreck! I am 45 years old with no family history a and a 5 year old daughter! BC wasn't even on my radar. I had appts set up with 2 surgeons next week but one of them got my records yesterday and called to change my appointment to today. While I am happy to have an appt today I am so scared that things are much worse that I think since she wants me in so quickly. I'm stressed, I'm scared and I'm not sleeping. I don't know what to expect today at my app or what questions I need to ask. Any advice or a support is greatly appreciated!

scvmom65

Hi purple,

Sorry for your dx. I am glad you got in right away, you are so fortunate! I was 44 when I got DXed and my sons were in their young teens, a 5 yr old is young. Don't worry about the speed you are getting in, be thankful. You are still in the diagnostic process for your surgeon. They have a piece of the picture , and hopefully it is only IDC but their job is to find out more information, then make a game plan. You will probably be advised to have more testing, like a MRI or other diagnostic tool to gather more information, then the surgeon can decide on your best treatment. Have someone go with you to your surgeon appointments right now if you can. Sometimes it is a lot to process and I found I forgot things that my hubby remembered.

Anna

new2bc

Hi purple,

I am very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Ask your breast surgeon to get a MRI and if this procedure depends on your period. There are some ladies here that report they have to wait to get their period and then get a MRI. This depends if you are still having a period. This may help you prevent delays for this procedure and be aware to schedule this procedure at the right time. When I had my MRI 2 years ago, there was no mention that this procedure depends on your period time. Write all your questions and take it with you and make sure someone goes with you. You can ask the doctor to give you some pills for anxiety and sleep. You are lucky they found an earlier appointment and this does not mean that your case is advanced. They may have had a cancellation. What kind of pain did you have in your left breast prior to being diagnosed? Sharp, dull, constant, etc? Please keep us updated.

Trvler

I am so sorry you have been diagnosed. But you have come to the right place for the support you will need. Did anyone tell you the particulars? Size, grade, etc? ER, PR, HER status?

Ariom

Hello Trvler, I am so sorry you have had to join us here.Try not to worry about the speed you are being seen. I was very grateful that the same thing happened to me, when I made an appointment with my surgeon. They forced an appointment for me the following day, because they knew how stressful the waiting is when we only have the first part of the puzzle.

It is very scary, the waiting to find out everything, is brutal, but once you have a plan, things do settle down and you feel more in control.

Take some big breaths, do things you enjoy to keep you distracted from just focusing on this, while you wait and come here, there are so many women who will come to support you and when you have a plane and a Dx they will share their experiences with you.

All the best!

purple_shmoo

Thank you everyone for the replies! I had my appt with my surgeon today and am feeling better. I am triple negative or rather the cancer is. It is approximated at 4cm x 2 cm. my surgeon did a lymph node biopsy today and said visually they look cancer free but I will have results next week. MRI does not depend on my period (maybe because not hormone involved?) and is scheduled for next Thursday. She also drew blood for the BRAC test due to my age and the triple neg ( I have no family history of cancer). Preliminarily she says my treatment plan will involve chemo and surgery with the possibility of radiation depending on chosen surgery and final size of tumor. I will need with oncologist tomorrow, and get most of the tests back next week. I feel better having more information now. I am curious if anyone has had chemo recommended before surgery that didn't choose to do it? Or if anyone can point me to a link to help me understand the choice better. Thank you all so much for the supportive words!

Ariom

Hello purpleshmoo, sorry you have had o join us here, but I am sure there will be other triple neg ladies who will come to support you and to share their experiences with you. The boards are a little quiet with the Easter Holiday approaching.

I wish you all the very best with your treatment decisions, let us know how you are getting on.

new2bc

Hi purple,

Here is a link for treating triple negative breast cancer in breastcancer.org:

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/trip_neg/treatment

You can ask your oncologist tomorrow about your choices of treatment and actually what kind of chemo will be used. I am sure there will be more people here who will give you more info about their experiences with triple negative. It is good that all your procedures have already been scheduled for you. Keep us updated with your results.

purple_shmoo

Thank you

LillieRose

Hi,

I am scared and pretty much in the same boat as you. I'm 30 yrs old and was just diagnosed this week. Stage 2 IDC... Tumor is 2cm.. I'm er-/pr- and her 2 is pending. With my young age tho I am expecting to be triple negative. They checked my lymph nodes with the ultrasound and said all looked clear but one. I have a biopsy for that node scheduled next Tuesday. I am hopeful it's just from my core biopsy.

Where are you getting treated? I'm at Dana Farber in Boston.

They told me no MRI or Pet scan which is making me nervous... She said it will create more worry then help.

They are suggesting chemo first too. Chemo, surgery, radiation. I'm so scared and I have a 4 month old baby to take care if... I totally understand what you are feeling. Good luck today

purple_shmoo

Thank you Lillierose! I am down in Florida. I need the MRI because I have 2 spots also on left breast that they think are benign but want to make sure. I was told because of their location the MRI is best to do this. The Oncologist today recommends chemo first, 20 weeks. 4 doses over 8 weeks of Adriamycin and Cytoxan and then 12 weeks of Taxol. He is willing to discuss surgery first if lymph node biopsy comes back clear. Getting 2nd opinion on Tuesday. Good luck with your results. You will find a way to take care of your little one

ElaineTherese

purple shmoo, neoadjuvant chemo may 1) allow you to see whether or not the chemo regimen in question is successfully attacking your cancer; 2) may shrink your tumor so that you can have the choice between lumpectomy and mastectomy; and 3) may wipe out cancer to the point where it is undetectable (pathologic complete response). A triple negative like yourself who gets pathological complete response typically has a better prognosis than one who does not.

My neoadjuvant chemo wiped out the active cancer in my breast and cleaned out a lymph node that had tested positive. I'm glad I did it because I know that my chemo regimen worked against my cancer.

LillieRose

keep me posted on what you decide. I think I am going to go with chemo first. Just because I don't like having to wait after surgery! I hope your appointments at going well.

scvmom65

I have a close friend who is triple negative and DXd stage 3, had 12 rounds of chemo before surgery. She tested postive for BRAC so opted for double mastectomy. Her pathology report came back no evidence of cancer and she just passed her 10 year mark! Just wanted to give hope to any of you that are considering chemo before surgery.

Anna

LillieRose

any update purple? I hope everything is going okay!

purple_shmoo

thank you everyone for the feedback. Things are going as well as can be expected. I am going for chemo first. I am waiting to have my port put in to get started. Will have that done this Tuesday if they have any cancellations, otherwise next Tuesday the 21st. Will start chemo the following Monday. 10 chemo treatments over 20 weeks is the revised plan. No evidence that Cancer has speed to lymph nodes. Both lymph node biopsy and PET scan came back clear. Nervous about starting chemo and all of the possible side effects but trying to stay positive and focused.

Trvler

Purple: Please go to the chemo board and look at the support groups. I wish you the best.

Simplicity

Morning Purple. I just had my port put in on the 6th or 7th (can't remember, too many appointments) and start my AC/T treatment on the 21st. SO I'll be just at a week ahead of you. I'm nervous too.

41 with 3 teens (a silver lining of sorts).

Hang in there

purple_shmoo

People told me I would feel better once I had a plan in place and dates, and I definitely do. Just waiting for port surgery next week and start chemo the following week. nervous, but feeling determined