just got call from doctor positive results from biopsy

dionick656

I am 59 y/o and no history or family history of breast cancer. I just got call from doctor said that sterotactic biopsy positive for cancer. she is referring for surgeons consultation. what does this mean for either lumpectomy or removal of breasts either the right one or both. I do not know how progressive or anything. went for routine mammogram which showed two calcifications spots that were indeterminate and got biopsy done this past Monday. what happens now.

sandcastle

Now....it is a Long waiting Game......you need time to digest....these boards are good to give some direction....Liz

etnasgrl

((((Hugs))) So sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

We really can't give you any info on lumpectomy or mastectomy until you learn more about your cancer. Once you know the details of your pathology report and share them with us, then we can maybe give you some advice.
Until then, you're just stuck waiting which is really the hardest part of this crap. I never knew there was SO MUCH waiting with breast cancer until I was diagnosed.

What should happen next is an appointment with a surgical oncologist. He or she will be the one to tell you, based on your pathology report, what type of breast cancer you have and give you your treatment options. Since your doctor will be referring you to a surgeon, you should be hearing something next week. If you don't hear from the surgeon's office by Wednesday, I would call them. Inform them that you were recently diagnosed and referred to them by your doctor and you would like to make an appointment ASAP.

Continue to post here as this is such a great place, full of really amazing women who can help you so much with support, advice, and info.

new2bc

dionick656,

I am sorry about your bad news today. I too had calcifications in my left breast 3 years ago shown in my mammogram and the biopsy showed IDC. Did you try to get the report from your biopsy? That will indicate what type of breast cancer was detected. Do you already have an appointment with the breast surgeon? The breast surgeon will explain the results of biopsy and give you more info about the type of cancer and if it is aggressive or if it is estrogen dependent and what type of treatment is recommended. At the mean time, if you get the biopsy report you can search here in breastcancer.org to get familiar with your type of cancer. They can probably fax or email it to you. This waiting game is the hardest but try to get appointments soon to decrease the waiting time. If only calcifications were found with no lump in the breast, hopefully it is a small one which means a lower stage of cancer. Please give us updates when you get your report.

Anniekay80

I agree with everyone else. I'm sorry for your bad news. I too got that phone call but my doctor told me on the phone what kind of cancer the pathology report found.

I immediately started researching so I could ask the right questions of the breast surgeon. This may help you as it did me but everyone is different. I made one major mistake.....I felt confident in my research and after seeing the breast surgeon did my best to fast track my choice which was surgery...bilateral mastectomy. Unless you have an aggressive form which is probably unlikely, take it slow, ask lots of questions and get a second opinion if you feel the need.

I fast tracked everything and thought I was fully informed. I literally had my surgery exactly 1 month after hearing my diagnosis. I had a rude awakening after surgery. So many surprises that I ended up regretting some of my choices. I'm one month post bilateral mastectomy with placement of tissue expanders for reconstruction. I could have had a lumpectomy but let the fear of having cancer take over and make my decisions for me.

So my advice to you is to take your time and really get informed. These boards here have just about all the information you could possibly need.......no matter the specifics someone on these boards went through the same thing. Once you feel fully informed both by research and more importantly your consult with the breast surgeon, then make your decisions about how you want to proceed. It seemed to me during the whole thing that the medical community is so focused on allowing YOU to make the decisions, that I didn't feel like I was being advised on what they thought was the best way to go.

So my prayers are with you. Pull close your trusted loved ones and create a good support system. Besides moving too fast, I also made the mistake of suppressing my feelings to be dealt with later. I wanted to be logical and make only logical decisions. Problem is how we FEEL about all this should be a part of the decision making process. After surgery all those feelings I pushed aside came flooding in and I was overwhelmed.

So let yourself feel.....let it out. It is okay to be scarred sad mad overwhelmed etc. All of us on these boards have been there and this is a really good place to vent besides getting informed. Good luck to you.... You will get through this and you are strong enough to handle it....you have to be. God bless you....you are not alone.

Doulabarb

I am a 63 year old woman who received that dreaded phone call yesterday. I went for a monogram and was sent for a biopsy. Yesterday they Dr. who did the biopsy called me and said we tested 3 areas of your breast. The one on the bottom of your breast was negative, the lymph node was negative and the spot on the top (which I could clearly feel the lump) was positive for breast cancer. SO my oncologist called almost immediatly. I have CLL so I already have an oncologist. She said she would like to see me Monday morning at 9,which seems so far away.She also mentioned that the size was 14 ml. large and asked me if I knew which surgeon I would like to see. I am very nervous but strong. I cry when I need to than it passes for a while. I am so glad I found this site so I can read stories from people who can relate. One thing that makes me sad is the way my son and sister are taking it,they are so up and make me feel worse than I already am feeling.I feel sad for them. If that makes any sence. In any case my biggest question right know is if I request my biopsy report do they have to fax it to me? Thank-You and God Bless all of you ! Barbara

keepthefaith

dionick, sorry your found yourself here....you may be having more testing before any treatment starts. Scans, etc. The type of surgery will be recommended by your breast surgeon and tumor board, if they have one. During the process, if you are not comfortable with the Dr's recommendations, do not hesitate to seek another opinion. It is a lot to think about and can be over-whelming. Take a trusted person with you to your first appts, if you can, that can take notes and help you remember the conversation. Or, you might want to record them. Normally, you won't know the stage until after surgery. Take care of yourself and let others help if they can. ((HUGS))

Sunnyone22

I just got my diagnosis this morning on a call from my doc. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. It is my first such diagnosis (I'm 62).

I'm encouraged by preliminary findings: a small tumor size designation on the path report (0.5cm) and grade 1 nuclei. Based on my internet research, both seem promising. I'll learn more next Monday (surgeon consultation appt.) and Tuesday (hemotology oncologist).

Much like AnnieKay80, I am inclined to move quickly and be very aggressive when fighting this cancer. Based on what I read here, though, I'll slow down and take the time to be thorough. I'm lucky to have a wonderful primary care physician who is on top of my case (whom I already met with today) and making all the right connections for me within the medical community. I also live in a big city with excellent care facilities.

Donick656, I don't want to hijack your thread. I just want you to know that there's someone else out here who is just starting down this road too. Like some of the others said here, there is more info probably available to you at this time (what type of cancer you have, details of your path. report etc.) Don't hesitate to ask your doc for all info.

By the way, I have asked for, and received, copies of my initial screening mammogram report (where they found the abnormality), the follow up mammo and ultrasound report (where they confirmed the abnormality) and the pathology report that determined cancer type. I'm keeping a file of EVERYTHING. Suggest you do the same.

Sunnyone22

Doulabarb, I just read your post and see that you're starting down this path too. I'm sorry we have to meet this way but so glad we found this forum.

Moderators

Sunnyone-

We want to welcome you to this community, although we're so sorry for the cicumstances that have brought you here. We hope you find the support and encouragement you need as you head down this road, we're all here for you!

The Mods

herrick602

Diagnoised mid January. Surgery 3 weeks ago. Cancer 3 times size the MRI showed. Headed to bone scan & ct scan tomorrow. Oncologist Wednesday. No talk yet about stages. Man, this is incovient! Have a new grandbaby due in April and childs wedding in July.

Moderators

Herrick-

We wanted to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're sorry for what brings you here, it's the club that no one wants to join, but we hope you find the support and encouragement you need here as you begin down this road. Please keep us posted on how your scans and appointment go this week, we're here for you and you are not alone!

The Mods