Diagnosed 2 days ago :( need guidance

sharapril1021

Hello everyone!  I just registered to this site because it was a recommendation from my Breast Surgeon.  I received my diagnosis (invasive ductal carcinoma - 4cm) on Wednesday and still trying to comprehend it all but I'm having a hard time with the "why me?" still circulating in my head.  I am ER/PR + and Her2 -   I am scheduled for a MRI on May 1 and meeting with the recommended oncologist on May 5.   I am 51 and there is no family history of breast cancer on either my late mother or father's side of the family which I look as a positive factor.  Lumpectomy does not look favorable due to size of tumor. Chemo is inevitable but it's freaking me out: side effects, sickness, etc. Can anyone share their experience with me?   

Sunflowercat

I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I don't have any wisdom or experience to share in regards to chemo as I didn't have to do it, but I'm sure others will be along to offer encouragement and share their experiences. It can be a bit slow here on the weekends, so it might take a while to get some responses. in the meantime you might want to go read up on the chemo boards. It gets better once you know exactly what your treatment plan is. Try and do something nice for yourself this weekend. Best wishes.

Moderators

Sharapril1021-

We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're sorry for what brings you here, but we're glad you've found us, and hope you find the support and information you need.

We've compiled a list of important links that many of our newly diagnosed members find very helpful. You can find those here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5. You may also want to read through some of the topics in our Chemotherapy forum; lots of great information there, and members who can offer insight. You can find that forum here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69.

Please keep us posted on how you're doing, we'll be thinking of you!

The Mods

ElaineTherese

Sharapril,

I'm sorry you landed at our site. I just wanted you to know that just because your lump is 4 cm. doesn't mean that a lumpectomy is out of the question. I had a 5 cm.+ lump, and had chemo BEFORE surgery (neoadjuvant chemo). It pretty much destroyed the lump and cleared the lymph node that had tested positive for cancer. After chemo, my MRI and PET scan showed no active cancer left in my breast or lymph node. I did have a lumpectomy in which they removed a golf ball sized amount of tissue around the surgical clip they inserted to keep track of the lump. I also had some lymph nodes removed. The final pathology report showed that no active cancer was left.

As far as chemo goes, I had a relatively easy time of it. In fact, I continued to work full-time for all five months. But, everyone is different. Some ladies get more side-effects from chemo; some do not.

Just remember that cancer is a marathon and not a sprint. You just have to take it one step at a time, and soon, your treatment will be over.

Warrior_Woman

Hi Sharapril -

You are comprehending a lot with only a few days into this. I remember when I was diagnosed. My head was swimming and nothing on my path report made sense. We have similar stats. although my tumor was smaller. Size is only one factor. Mine was small but fairly aggressive and so I did chemo. They will stage you and that makes a difference too. You'll see from my signature that I've been through a lot. No one can really predict what the course of treatment will look like. In some ways that has been good as it has allowed me to move through this one step at a time. The one thing that has made the greatest difference in my well being is this website. Thank God for the women on here. I've learned more from women here than from any doctor I have seen. In time this will fall into place for you. I've done chemo and I'm heading to surgery # 7. None of this compares to the earliest months after diagnosis. You're in the most emotionally and psychologically difficult place right now. I'm glad you found these boards.

Nancy2581

Hi Sharapril,

I too am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Kudos to your breast surgeon for recommending this site. I found so much support and help here when I was first diagnosed. It was great to have chemo sisters from this site (Elaine is one of them as we went through chemo at the same time).

I think I was very fortunate during chemo. It really wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. I have two chocolate labs and I was able to walk both of them twice a day throughout. I hated losing my hair because I really felt like a cancer patient then. It's growing back now so it's all good.

Welcome to BCO. The beginning is the hardest part. I also wondered why me. It seems I am the only one on both sides of my family to get breast cancer. Phooey!

Hang in there-we are all here for you.

Hugs

Nancy

Lolis197138

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. There is a lot of info on this board. 

Do you know what. Kind of chemo you will have? There is chemo threads that you could follow and read of people experience.

My cancer was over 5 cm and er/pr+ and her2-. I went through 6 round of chemo (3 FEC and 3 Taxorete). The side effects were different on each chemo. While on FEC, the infusion was longer and the biggest pain was nausea. It would last for 1-2 days after chemo day. I took meds for the nausea as needed. I had food gravings and some food didn't taste good at all. I was given neulasta shots (6 shots one after each chemo) to help with white blood cell. The side effects in my case lasted only for 3 days and I was back to my normal self (minus the hair, which fell on day 16 after first chemo). 

On the second part I had more bone and joint pain, big C issues and some thrust in my mouth. The stomach was better and I could eat anything. The pains lasted again 3 days Because of the steriods that I was given, water retention was an issue. 

Everyone reacts differently to chemo, so once you know which chemo you will have it would be best to join one of the threads. I know that helps me go through my treatment. 

Wishing you a pain free chemo treatment!!

Hugs!!