Triage mode

jenn32214

Just diagnosed with IDC in left breast. Started as micro calcification cluster picked up on screening and then diagnostic mammo. Then had biopsy which came back cancer. Hopefully early stage, pathology report from biopsy doesn't look too bad all things considered.

Except, I have a family history of cancer on my mother's side, including my mother and her older brother dying from it. My uncle died of pancreatic cancer in his 30s. My mother died at age 73 and I am still trying to unravel that mess. Within 4 months she went from being diagnosed with supposedly treatable thyroid cancer, to dying of that, brain, spine, and lung cancer.

Maternal grandmother had BC and mastectomy in one breast at age 59, and lived another 35 years.

During my first consult with BS and I ticked off this history, I saw the raised eyebrow. And once my biopsy came back positive he pulled strings to get me fast tracked for genetic testing. I had thought of it vaguely before, but figured my family's history didn't fit the Brca1 or 2 profile I had heard about. Genetic counselor agreed so she ordered the full panel testing for me. Should get results from that in a few weeks.

Then BS calls me again and says he and radiologist who did biopsy talked about me and said I should have a breast MRI "just to be safe" because there are other calcifications on the mammos.

I will have that done next month.

Then there's the rest of my life. Single mother of two kids ages 17 an 10. No, and I do mean NO extended family around or able or willing to help me. Only a few friends who have their own busy lives.

And then there's my former husband. Yes he is still helping me with the kids and the house. But at the very least he has been in a significant mid life crisis the past 3 years, and is addicted to pot and porn.

Plus he is living with his much younger girlfriend who I have been told by therapists I should not let him bring the kids around because she is even more messed up than he is.

So what the hell do I do? I feel like I still don't really know how bad my BC is, or at least could be, and how the hell am I going to get myself and my kids thru my recovery and treatments whatever they may end up being?

BarredOwl

Hi jenn32214:

Sorry about your recent diagnosis. I guess with an MRI planned and awaiting genetic testing results, your treatment plan is still kind of up in the air. If nothing is found on those tests (fingers crossed), then the estimated size of the currently diagnosed IDC, and its ER, PR, and HER2 status will drive initial treatment decisions. The time before you know what your treatment plan will be is very hard, because of all the unknowns.

Don't hesitate to let the nurse navigator and/or social worker at the hospital where you will be having surgery know that you don't have a lot of support available, so they can help you figure out a plan, direct you to available resources and available assistance.

Keep us posted.

BarredOwl