Life lessons in patience

TimesLikeThese

Hello all! I've been devouring information on these boards since my official diagnosis on 10/4. I'm so grateful for this fabulous resource and inspirational support.

A little bit about me: I found out that I was BRCA2 positive about 7 years ago after my ob/gyn recommended I undergo the genetic testing due to family history. I'm so glad that I did. I was then referred to a high risk screening program, where I have been diligently doing my 6-month mammo/MRI routine. I kind of got used to the yearly scares and biopsies that turned out to be nothing. So, on 9/28 when my routine MRI showed a suspicious mass, I felt a little dismissive and overconfident. After all, I just turned 50, and my family members were all much older at diagnosis.

My cancer prevention nurse called the next day and said I should clear my schedule for the following Monday and come in for a biopsy. 2 days later, I got the call. IDC, stage 2-ish, grade 3. Then the waiting began... 8 days later, I finally got my pathology report in a meeting with my MO (who also happens to be my prevention doc -- nice to not have to transition care to someone new). ER/PR+ but my HER2 was equivocal, so now I'm waiting another 7 days for FISH results. Gah! -- I mean Ohmmmmm

This result will determine my course of treatment. I've long ago decided that I will have a double mastectomy with reconstruction (was considering doing it prophylactically before my diagnosis). If I'm HER2-, I will participate in a clinical trial for BRCA+ folks and will have neoadjuvant chemo with a 50/50 shot of getting a platinum drug as part of my regimen. If I'm HER2+, I will have surgery first and then the standard adjuvant chemo regimen.

While I wait, I'm trying to stay active -- I love to run, lift weights, eat Mexican food I'm reading books about nutrition and things to do to prepare for surgery and chemo. I bought groceries yesterday, and my frig looks like a farmers' market. Ha! Today, I'm going to give my brain a break and go sit at the beach and just listen to the water.

Have a good Sunday!

Moderators

Hi TimesLikeThese, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We're so glad you decided to join and post. We hate that you have to be here, but we're really glad you found our community -- and we're so happy you have found it to be so helpful thus far! We hope you'll continue to experience the amazing support offered here as you start your treatment journey. We're all here for you!

Looking forward to hearing more from you soon. Enjoy the beach today!!

--The Mods

EastcoastTS

TimesLikeThese:

So sorry you are here. But you sound remarkably prepared and in good spirits. (Perhaps due to the BRCA+ status, you had a plan in place in your mind already.)

I just turned 50, too. Happy 50 to us!

Good luck and ask questions/questions/questions. Somewhere here will know how to answer

beach2beach

Sorry you find yourself here. I'm sure it was tough knowing you were Brca+ , the feeling of waiting for other to shoe to drop. My sis was d dx at 48. (9 years ago)Even though Brca- , I felt like I was just waiting. Was doing MRI/Sono/mammo Got me at 51.

You sound well informed with a Dr you have a good repoire with. Fingers crossed your Her2