Newly diagnosed - gosh this sucks

Karen30

hello everyone- I'm new not sure if this is the correct way to post- I am 49 had a routine mammogram was called back 2 weeks later for additional images and an ultra sound , then sent for biopsy and on Friday initial tests show cancer in the tumor and in one scullery lymph node there is another next to it that is also slightly enlarged so I have an MRI on Monday and am seeing the oncologist on Tuesday- I think it is a fast growing tumor and my breast surgeon kept saying how happy he was I had the mammogram and that this is very treatable- it sounds like chemo, surgery and radiation are in my future - but I will know more once I see the oncologists on Tuesday- a pet scan was also mentioned- the weekend has been hard telling my children and friends , and I keep thinking I feel all sorts of other aches and pains- is this normal or am I just crazy

Meow13

Karen, I am sorry to hear. Hopefully when you get more information things won't seem so overwhelming. I wish we had better treatments, but new treatments are coming along just not soon enough for me. I am taking hormone therapy it is doable I have one more year of it. I remember being so afraid of chemo but many ladies on this site made it through with no permanent damage and saved their hair with cold caps. Good luck take care.

Moderators

Hi Karen30. Welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry that you have to be here for this reason, but very glad you found this wonderful community where you can vent and be heard, and also learn from our amazing members.

If it helps until you have the rest of the information from your medical team, in our main site you'll find a section called Breast Cancer 101 with links that will direct you to the pages on Breastcancer.org that will help you understand test results, pathology report, and more.

Please let us know how everything goes.

Best,

The Mods

debiann

So sorry you are here Karen. Try to stay calm till you have all the facts. There are different types, stages and grades of breast cancer and your treatment plan will be based on those factors. 

If you spend time googling research, like many of us do, always check the date of what you're reading, look for articles less than 3 years old. Treatments and prognosis are always changing and reading older research or data can really scare you. 

Prayers for you.

Karen30

thank you- it's just good to know I am not alone and that there is a place where I can speak openly about my fears etc- what is cold caps

Wren44

Karen, Cold caps are a way of not losing your hair during chemo. There is a thread about them, probably in the treatment forum. You'll know more about your own case after the MRI and visit with the oncologist. My advice is to stay off Dr. Google completely until you know lots more. The info on here is accurate and up to date, so you can trust it. There's also a list of questions you might want to ask your doctor. And I highly recommend taking someone with you to listen and perhaps take notes. It's a lot to take in at once and extra ears are a big help. Once you know what is planned for your treatment, look for the threads that apply. Women having surgery or chemo in a specific month get together to share the experience.

Sorry you find yourself here, but there is a wealth of information and support on this site. And it's a place to voice concerns that you don't want to share with family or friends. Welcome.

Jujube2

hi! I was exactly your age when I was diagnosed three years ago this month!!! Looking back, the time from routine mammogram to shocking call back to surgery was the most scary!!!! Hang in there!! It does get better. You will get your plan and then its one foot in front of the other!! I had the PET scan of my breast prior to surgery and was glad I did because they could tell where it was and wasn't even before surgery.

I had a dbl mas. With reconstruction mostly because of family history, and I would be happy to share any info with you if it helps !!

You are not alone!!

Karen30

thank you for your responses- it's weird if I didn't know my result I would be feeling just fine today but instead I feel really weird tired, upset stomach fussy head - probably stress - I will do as you both suggest and just wait for my apt before I do anymore DR GOOGLE searching-!thank you thank you for helping me not feel so alone dispite the multitude of people around me- they all care and mean well but the constant I'm sorrys and are you okay shave made me feel like this is a death sentence when really it's not and I will survive this.

Jujube2

yes, I remember the well meaning weepy eyed friends saying' I'm so sorry'. A woman I work with would break into tears when she saw me! Ugh! It really upset me. I tried to just smile and focus n what your breast surgeon said ' I'm really glad I had that mammo and it's very treatable!"

Stress can make your body feel strange and uncomfortable. Make some tea and try to think positively I pray a lot. I felt very close to God.

Anonymous

That sounds like absolute stress. When I found out I immediately dropped 5 pounds because I couldn't eat. This is an amazing board and the support and info you'll get here is terrific. We are all here for you. You aren't alone! Hugs,

Claire in AZ