27 with IDC

Melissa919

These past couple of weeks have gone by so fast. Started out feeling something abnormal in the shower and was seen same day by my gyn who ordered a mammogram and ultrasound.

I really didn't know what to expect at a mammogram. After the first set of images I was sent back for a closer look(which made me nervous) and ultrasound

Radiologist talked to me a little while later and showed me my images. She pointed out a cluster of microcalcifications, slight distortion and focal asymmetry but no visible mass. I had no idea what she was talking about until I got my report and started searching. She request a stereotactic biopsy

So I went it yesterday for my biopsy results. She didn't even have to say it...I knew it wasn't good news

IDC grade 2, ER positive(which she said was a good thing)PR negative. Proliferative fraction is borderline 15-20% which I have no idea what that means...Waiting to hear about HER2

I see my BS on Tuesday to go over everything and set a plan. I think I may have asked if I could have more kids(which now sounds selfish and probably the last thing I should be thinking). There was talk about removing my ovaries, gestational carrier and genetic testing. I just feel so overwelmed and idk where to start and how do I choose what is best for me. My husband wants me to freeze my eggs, but that will put a hold on treatment. Will I know more on Tuesday? How do I talk to my 9 yr old son? My Dr said this will be a long 8 months

Idk if I'm asking for advice or just needed to share.

ElaineTherese

Hi Melissa!

((Hugs)) You are so young to be dealing with this. I hope you will know more on Tuesday, but sometimes, things don't go that quickly. For example, my sample underwent two tests for HER2 before my doctors knew for sure that I was HER2+.

Because you are young, your insurance should pay for genetic testing. If you do test positive for BRCA, your doctors may recommend that you have your ovaries removed. But, many BC patients do not have a genetic disorder, and I've decided to keep my ovaries (even though I'm 50, way too old to have children).

You are not selfish for wondering whether or not you might be able to have more children. Yes, freezing eggs may delay your treatment somewhat, but cancer doesn't really grow that fast. I was diagnosed with very aggressive cancer (Grade 3, HER2+), and I didn't start treatment for a month. My cancer did not get bigger in a month (it was still 5 cm when I started chemo).

As for your 9 year old son, I didn't tell my daughter about my cancer until I had a plan so she knew what to expect. There are also children's books out there which can help explain cancer to young children.

((Hugs)) It WILL get better when you have a plan.

buttonsmachine

I'm sorry you are going through this - reading your post reminded me so much of where I was in the beginning of all this. I was diagnosed at 32. The beginning is often the scariest part. Once you get a treatment plan underway and you adjust to the situation things will calm down. Treatment is not easy, but a lot of it was not as bad as I was afraid it would be. Try not to let your fears overwhelm you, and take it one step at a time. For me, the things I was most afraid of never happened, and the complications I did have weren't even on my radar.

One suggestion based on my experience: If you think you might ever want more kids, freeze your eggs now. I didn't freeze mine in the beginning, and then there were a lot of treatment surprises, and one thing led to another and now that option is no longer available to me. Freezing your eggs should only delay treatment by a couple weeks. Talk to your doctors and ask to be referred to a fertility clinic that deals with cancer patients. Hugs and best wishes to you!

Melissa919

Thank you both

I have no idea how I feel right now. The waiting part is so hard. I know I am meeting with my breat surgeon and I believe my care nurse will be there. I'm unsure who else will be at that appointment. When do you usually meet with a oncologist? I'm trying not to worry about it spreading but my back has been bothering and I'm really hoping it's unrelated. A lumpectomy was mentioned but I really think I just want to have a mastectomy. Idk if that sounds crazy

Now I'm feeling bad for other people. My husband, friends and family. I feel like it is hard to have normal conversations now. I know it's not my fault and idk if this feeling is normal.

ElaineTherese

Hi!

When you meet with the oncologist depends on your cancer type and size. I met with the oncologist early because I had a large lump that was HER2+ and Grade 3. My hospital's tumor board recommended chemo before surgery (neoadjuvant chemo). Most BC patients have surgery first, and then they meet with their oncologists. Their oncologists often depend on the results of the surgery and the pathology report to guide their recommendations about post-surgical (adjuvant) treatment. Since you are ER+, your oncologist should order an oncotype test, which would test a sample of your tumor to determine whether or not you would benefit from chemo.

Plenty of women in your position opt for a mastectomy and even a bilateral mastectomy. It is true that if you opt for a mastectomy, you slightly reduce your chances of recurrence, compared to recurrence rates for a lumpectomy + radiation. However, the survival rates (what % are still alive after 5 years) are about the same for both procedures.

I opted for a lumpectomy because after 5 months of chemo, an MRI and a PET scan showed that there was no active cancer left in my breast and compromised lymph node, which was later confirmed by my surgical pathology report. I did not want to go flat, and I didn't want to undergo reconstruction (which can involve multiple surgeries).

No one can tell you how you "ought" to feel -- there is no one right way to respond to a diagnosis of breast cancer. So, how you feel, talking to others, is normal for you. ((Hugs))

KBeee

I am sorry you are dealing with this.

I for sure would see a fertility specialist ASAP. I know a few gals who have had kids after breast cancer and chemo.

I know there are meds they can give to help protect your ova