Trying not to be overwhelmed

Krasmama

ok, im on vacation with my family and got the call! What does it mean.....feeling isolated!

I had a mammogram in December. I get them every 6 months as i had suspicious cells. About 3 weeks ago felt a lump, went to Dr, had mammogram and told it was suspicious. Skipped the biopsy as i have implants and Dr felt it was too close to the implant. Had an excisional biopsy where the lump was removed. Dr said it looked benign. Nurse called today (6 days later), said there were cancer cells. Me - does that mean its cancer, nurse - yes.

Follow up appt is on Tuesday. So....what does this all mean??

Do i have breast cancer? If so, surely it cant be that bad as my December mamo was clean.

Will i need radiation? Chemo? She removed the lump...so am i cancer free?

My hhusband is acting like nothing has happened. I want to yell at people-hey- i think i have cancer!! Am i over reacting??

Please help me stay sane here....

LisaAlissa

Deep breath, Krasmama.

It's not good, but it's not necessarily a disaster, either.

The first thing you want is the pathology report from your excisional biopsy. That will tell you more about what's going on. It could be Stage 0, Grade 1, DCIS. or it could be any of many other things. There's really no way of telling based on what you know now.

So call the nurse back and ask for a copy of that report. Some offices make them available on their patient portal, some make you pick them up in person, some will email or fax. You'll just have to see.

Until you have more information about what was found, you won't have any idea what treatment might entail, if anything.

When you get your pathology report, come back here (to this thread!) and tell us about it, and we'll help.

Hang in there. You can do this.

LisaAlissa

MTwoman

Krasmama, So very sorry your beautiful vacation has a black bc cloud over it! LisaAlissa is right. Only knowing there "were cancer cells" is not enough to give you much helpful information. Do take a breath, and try to collect information. Your report will give you that. And schedule a consult with your surgeon for as soon as you're back. Once you have your report, there are so many knowledgeable people here, you can ask questions, get support and start a good list of questions. I would also plan on having your DH or another level headed friend with you to take notes as the first visit can be a bit overwhelming. You CAN do this! We are here to help you. Once you're able to get your report, distract yourself with fun vacation as much as you can. ((hugs))

Krasmama

Thank you guys

Emily2008

I agree with the others. You have very little information right now, because as you will learn, breast cancer isn't *one* type of cancer. There are stages, grades, types, subtypes, etc. Once you go over your pathology report with your doctor you will have more information. Take a friend or your husband with you to that appt because there will be much to remember!

As for your husband's reaction, well, he's a guy, lol! He's staying calm because he doesn't have all the facts and he doesn't want to overreact. Come here for support because we get it!

keepthefaith

Krasmama, I agree with getting your biopsy pathology report. If they removed the lump, they may also want to remove sentinel lymph nodes. That's usually done when they do the surgery, not at biopsy. If the lump is already removed with the biopsy, they may do a sentinel node biopsy also, before they stage you. I'm sure you will have more testing done, genetic tests, maybe more scans. I don't think you have enough information yet to know exactly what your diagnosis is. Try to take one step at a time, gather information and get your reports as you go. Best wishes!

Krasmama

I did call the nurse today. She said it is invasive and estrogen receptive. She will give me the pathology report tomorrow. I will need surgery next to check lymph nodes.

Thank you for the comments...i still feel numb, but one day at a time

Rose882

Hi Krasmama. Did you get the pathology report yet?

Trvler

Whether you need chemo or radiation depends on how big your tumor is, the grade (how fast it's growing) and if you have any in your lymph nodes. Depending on how high your estrogen receptor level is, you will probably take hormone blockers.

Krasmama

Dr said surgery May 12 to check the lymph nodes. Already scheduled radiation appt to start in June. X5 days a week for 6 weeks. She said its lobular, so slow growing. MRI on Friday.

So hard to think of anything else but all of this!

Thank you for the response

MTwoman

Krasmama,

you may want to check out the ILC forum as women there will have more info for you specific to lobular.