40 years young prime of my life then my 1st mammogram

WorriedMe77

My cancer is invasive mammary carcinoma of no special type (ductal) intermediate combined histology Nottingham grade 2

10 mm in extent involving multiple cores

I know it means I have cancer but beyond that I'm totally confused. I need it it broke down into terms that I fully understand.

I'm sure my surgeon will explain things tomorrow I got this information from my pathology report I'm taking him in the morning. My anxiety is terrible and I just want to under stand what's going on without feeling like I'm stupid for not knowing

Just to give a time line on how fast this has happened. Nov I mention to gp I have some bluish discharge out of my breast she did a breast exam and said well u just turned 40 let’s do a mammogram start you’re annuals. Nov 8 1st mammogram called back 5 days later for 2nd one with ultrasound radiologist told me sorry for the bad news BiRad 5 I’m 95% sure it’s malignant. November 14 gp gives me results over phone grade 2 cancer come into my office today if you feel you need to. Went didn’t learn much else. Today nov 15 I’m given the pathology report to give to surgeon tomorrow so I read it and see My cancer is invasive mammary carcinoma of no special type (ductal) intermediate combined histology Nottingham grade 2

10 mm in extent involving multiple cores

I know it means I have cancer but beyond that I'm totally confused. I need it it broke down into terms that I fully understand.

I'm sure my surgeon will explain things tomorrow I got this information from my pathology report I'm taking him in the morning. My anxiety is terrible and I just want to under stand what's going on without feeling like I'm stupid for not knowing. Trying to stay calm even with my anxiety meds I’d becoming harder. I’ve had pain discomfort in my breast chest neck should and sometimes in my arms that I always assumes was from either my anxiety or the metal in my left shoulder from a scapular fusion I had in 2012 Now I wonder has it been the cancer causing me pain ???im so worried and scared and confused and mad

gb2115

It sounds like you have a small intraductal tumor. Grade 2 is middle of the road as far as aggressiveness (not overly aggressive). There's more pathology that they will do on the cells to determine treatment.

I'm sure the surgeon will give you a good explanation and start talking about a plan!

edwards750

Of course you are scared and mad but you aren’t stupid for not knowing. There’s a lot to know and you don’t know everything yet. Once you do you will have a better idea of the treatment plan.

We all know how you feel. The shock and anger is perfectly normal. We all drew the unlucky card.

You are in a state of limbo now but once the treatments are determined the process should proceed very quickly.

Of course you don’t like this but you can do it. We are all living proof of that.

Diane

Tresjoli2

I'm so sorry. I know what that is like. You think you're going in to get your baseline and then - cancer...please know this is the hardest part. Once you have your treatment plan you will feel more in control. If your doc offers you ativan, take it, it will help.

WorriedMe77

I’m having a lumpectomy on Dec 4th then 4 weeks later I will start radiation. My brca gene test came back negative thank you God!!! Now it’s time to kick cancers ass!!!! My prayers for everyone..

WorriedMe77

Well ladies I had my lumpectomy this morning along with a sential lymph node biopsy, and I’m sitting in my very own bed writing this.God is so good 😊 I believe that my anticipation or anticipation of the unknown was the worst and I have great team of doctors that are making me feel very reassured and I’m just ready to kick cancers ass along with all the rest of you beautiful ladies. I just have to tell you ladies so the tech came in the room this morning and I knew I had to have this this lymph node biopsy but I didn’t remember the details and she tells me it was Robertson I have to give you an injection in your nipple With no numbingmedicine and it’s going to hurt. Since I don’t even remember which I’m sure they told me but I don’t remember the specific conversation and I was already having madding anxiety I totally freaked out I was like oh no I cannot have a biopsy on my nip while I’m away no No way this is no way to do this totally freaking out. Turns out it was a very little needle almost like a TB shot that I had to get for some radio active activity but I completely blew it out of proportion laughing my butt off but I was very nervous thought maybe some of you ladies that have gone through the same thing my need a little laugh there was a year of how overdramatic I was I was just like the way no no no my nipple no numbingmedicine what

WorriedMe77

went To my postop appointment today, I was told by my surgeon that My biopsy on my lymph nodes test positive for cancer,Because my cancer is considered to be somewhat aggressive I'm going to have to have chemotherapy with the radiation. I'm extremely scared I don't really know what to expect I've heard all kinds of horror stories from people. Oh man man man not what I thought I was going to hear today

chronicpain

Worriedme77, I am so sorry about the less than optimal path results.

Not everyone who has chemo and radiation has "horror stories", people with horror stories are more likely to post more, Talk to your doc in detail about what they recommend, get a second opinion if you do not like their style of communication, and avail yourself of the threads here that talk about getting through chemo and getting through radiation. Turn to church and family and if needed anxiety meds through your primary care doc to be sure you can sleep and think as rationally as possible about the decisions you make,

You are young so generally it is important to treat an aggressive tumor aggressively in young women, so your life can be longer and happier,

Women get through chemo and rads all the time, read some of their stories about ongoing happ lives with their families, they are inspiring.

It is so, so hard at the beginning, and never is a walk in the park to deal with this.

My heart goes out to you, and I will be optimistic .

Best,

CP

WorriedMe77

Cam someone please help me to understand what exactly chemo and radiation is going to entail?? The unknown gives me more anxiety than anything else

Tresjoli2

worried why don't you join us on the triple positive thread. The ladies there have a wealth of information. So sorry you are starting chemo.

WorriedMe77

Thank you and I think I will head that way.. haven’t been on the board very much kinda struggling with side effects 🤢 just did my 2nd infusion Froday

Meg101

Hi Worried! Believe it or not, chemo is not too bad for most of us. There are great new meds to help reduce the side effects of chemo. My chemo included Taxotere which appears to be what you will be given. They will "infuse" the chemo into your veins through an IV. You will be sitting in a comfortable chair for the duration of the infusion of chemo. You can be infused in a room with other people, or you be in a room by yourself. You'll be able to get up and walk to the bathroom with your IV. You will probably have one infusion of Taxotere every 3 weeks. That will continue until you have had about 6 rounds of Taxotere. The morning of each round of chemo you will be given steroids, anti nausea pills, and more. I loved the steroids. They gave me energy and reduced the sides effects. They might give you Benedryl as well. Between the extra energy of the steriods, and relaxing effect of the Benedryl, I felt a wonderful "high" throughout and after the infusion. Other people receiving chemo infusions in the room with me were very friendly. We would ask each other what type of cancer we were being treated for, etc. I actually enjoyed infusion days. You will likely take the steroids for a few days after your infusion, along with other prescribed meds to reduce side effects. You will find tips and tricks about using these meds from others who have been through chemo. BCO (BreastCaancerOrg.com) is the best place to ask questions and share your experience throughout treatment, etc. As you start this journey, it will get easier because you'll know what to expect, and you'll make friends who are going through what you are going through. Here's to wishing you the best of luck, and very few side effects throughout your treatment. Feel free to ask questions.