Still surprised

Anonymous

Still surprised

Ceemdee

I had a mammogram in late April that showed a small area of concern, a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound in mid-May, a biopsy Wednesday and a diagnosis of IDC grade 1, hormone receptor positive as of yesterday morning. I’m not sure why I’m so surprised, really, since breast cancer runs in my mom’s family (my mom died of unrelated issues when I was young but her sister and a lot of herfirst cousins have had breast cancer). I knew I was at higher risk, I just didn’t actually process the fact that higher risk means “more likely to get breast cancer.”

On Tuesday, I have an appointment to see the surgeon. I am crossing my fingers that since it’s grade 1 and barely 1cm, it hasn’t decided to go anywhere else and is sluggishly hanging out in one spot waiting to be evicted. My PCP said I’m most likely going to have a lumpectomy followed by radiation, and whether or not I get chemo will depend on what the surgeon finds in my lymph node/s.

I have two kids, 12 and 9, who are type 1 diabetic and I do most of their care (my husband works a lot). My biggest fear right now is not being able to take care of them. I’m more worried about that than I am about surgery or radiation!

55cellos

Hi - even though my mom died of metastatic breast cancer, I'm still surprised also. And numb. Telling people is so awful as it makes them sad. I see the surgeon Tuesday, as well. Want to get this show on the road. Waiting for biopsy results & appointments is so hard

Salamandra

Hey Ceemdee and 55cellos,

I don't think anyone is really prepared for that diagnosis. Part of me always thought it was coming (mother died from MBC, maternal grandmother survived early stage), and it was still a struggle to wrap my mind around.

Ceemdee, depending on your husband's work, there's a good chance he has access to FMLA leave that will give him time off to take care of you/the kids. That could be really helpful for the couple of days right after surgery. And who knows, it could be a beautiful thing for their relationship.

I hope your appointments go well and you have smooth sailing!