Some newbie questions

ILikeCats

Hi, all. I've posted a couple of times in the Just Diagnosed thread because I definitely have just been diagnosed, but I'm still waiting on some test results, so I thought my questions would be more appropriate here. I suppose I'm looking for answers to/thoughts on some pretty basic questions (which I can easily google and have), but I wanted to solicit some personal experiences from others.

Based on a core needle biopsy a few days ago, my dx as of yesterday was IDC, grade 3, left breast, 5 o'clock position. Hormone receptor and HER2 results still pending.

A week before that, my 3D mammo and US report found: "in the left breast at the 5:00 position, 4 cm from the nipple, there is an irregularly marginated hypoechoic solid mass present measuring 2.10 x 1.73 x 1.68 cm in dimension. No satellite lesions are identified. Scans through the axilla were unremarkable."

My questions are these:

• How many of you were diagnosed with grade 3 (before knowing the stage)? I know grade 3 has a poorer prognosis, so I guess I'm looking for hairpats and reassurance ;-)
• Anyone get a tumor size on the border between size ranges like I did (mine's 2.1)? I realize the size of the tumor won't be "official" until the tumor is removed and actually measured, so all I'm going on now is the mammo/US.
• I realize that the "unremarkable axilla" mean that no gross lumps were seen but during surgery, we'll do the sentinal node thing to get a true picture.

Eh, I dunno. I'm probably just posting because I need to reach out to people and get some stories similar to mine. It's just that there's such a mixed bag of good/bad right now (size not too bad, grade bad, no grossly apparent lymph node involvement, etc.). I keep focusing on the bad, then the good, the the bad. Going crazy here!

Ghionik

I’d wait until you gather all the information and not put too much fright in the grade number of your pathology status. I was grade 2, but ended up being stage 1 cancer (with an additional tumor found on an MRI right before I was only having I thought a lumpectomy). The stage is more important than the grade. Like you I tried to look at info on stage 2 and got myself more worried for nothing. Just my two cents after dealing with this in October. Xoxo

Shellsatthebeach

Hi Ilikecats,

It is good that you didn't have lymph node involvement. As far as grade, yes 3 is the aggressive one, but at the same time treatments like chemo respond more effectively toward grade 2 and/or 3.

You're in the earlier stages of diagnosis. You'll be learning more information about your stage and treatment plans. Sending positive vibes!

ILikeCats

Thanks! I have meetings set up with the entire multi-disciplinary team this coming Tuesday and Wednesday (radiology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, etc.). I', looking forward to it because it beats sitting around wondering and panicking.

Georgia1

Hi there and hairpats to you! My tumor size changed with every test: mammogram, ultrasound, MRI...it drove me crazy. But my RO's assistant said "honey, we're going to treat a .9 the same as a 1.1," so I kinda got over it.

I would say look at the positive for now, especially two findings that imply no lymph node involvement. When the ER results come in you can craft your battle plan. We're with you!

Snickersmom

Yes, everyone is right - wait until you have all of the information and then just take it one step at a time. It sounds like you have a good team in place, and that's really important. I live near Orlando, FL and I have a super team at the University of Florida Orlando Health Cancer Center and they have been the greatest. So it's really important to trust your doctors. I was originally told that I had Stage 2 but that was before I even met with my team at UF. Then when I had surgery, they rated it Stage 1A. So I don't think you will know for sure until your tumor is sent to pathology.

Hang in there and try not to let your mind play games with you. Play with your kitty! My Snickers has been my faithful little companion throughout my journey and I don't know what I would do without her!!

Good luck and keep us posted. We are all there with you

ILikeCats

Thanks, everyone! Like most people facing a crisis of this magnitude, my mind conjures up the worst. It's especially good to know that the tumor "size" changes depending on how it's measured, when, and by whom. My initial mammo said 1.7 cm, so when the 3D mammo a few days later said 2.1 cm, I immediately jumped to the conclusion that it had grown 0.4 cm that quickly.

And I love what Georgia's RO's assistant said!

EastcoastTS

Ilikecats:

My ultrasound found .8mm, MRI 1.2 and actual tumor size 1.8mm. So don't be alarmed that yours is growing.

I also found my mind jumping to the worst conclusion sometimes. How can it not? But try and shift the focus if that happens. And ask for a little something to help you sleep or get over the anxiety hump if you need it. Watch some silly or romantic movies/TV. Read. Love on that cat(s)! Before you know it, you'll have the info you need and a plan in place. Horrible, parts of this journey, but doable. Really, you're about to prove to yourself how damn strong you are.

bearcub

mine was in the left breast 2:00, grade 3, IDC, 1.1 cm, clear nodes, her2+. I was dx may 2012...I had a lumpectomy, Chemo, “the red devil"... radiation, herceptin. So far I am doing fine. It is stressful in the beginning, but for the next year and a half it will be your job and focus to get through. Sending you some strength and peace, you got this