Biopsy results are in. I am devastated.

Arkiux

A few months ago, back in February I told my OBGYN about a weird mass I had on my left breast. She missed it while doing the palpation during my well woman's, it was quite big, and hurt a little but I thought it was a benign cyst. I had 4 of those removed, one of them on my right breast so I wasn't worried. She sent me to get a mammogram and ultrasound but I kept postponing the date (due to cost, over 2K). Back in May the mass felt bigger and hurt even more, and I started shopping around for better prices but kept postponing them. In July my 35-year-old cousin was diagnosed with IDC and she was the first case ever of breast cancer in our family. That night the pain on my left breast was unbearable, I was so scared I ended up in the ER trying to get something done, anything, but the ER doctor told me it was "probably a clogged milk duct" because "breast cancer doesn't hurt". He prescribed me tramadol and off I went. I travelled overseas, came back in August and finally got my mammogram done. Then the ultrasound. It was supposed to be a bilateral ultrasound, but the radiologist just did the left breast. She found the mass and 3 enlarged lymph nodes under my left axilla. — BIRADS 4, suspicious of malignancy, biopsy needed.

I got the biopsy this past Monday and results today.

1. Left breast at 4:00: Grade 3 infiltrating ductal carcinoma
2. Left Axillary lymph node: Metastatic ductal carcinoma

Clinical Info:

1. Hypoechoic mass, BIRADS 5
2. Left Axillary lymphadenopathy, BIRADS 5.

Now what?

My doctor called me and told me the results, I stopped by her practice for an actual copy of the pathology report and I can't stop crying. I don't know what this means. She told me tomorrow the nurse will call me because they want me in to start treatment ASAP. She told me she was praying it was nothing. She cried with me over the phone while I was just there asking myself if this was it? I am 35 years old. I have two wonderful kids. I am their support system.I am all they have, they are all I have.

Now what?

readytorock

I'm sorry you're here. It will get better once you have a plan.

AliceBastable

I'd run like hell from any nurse who said they were praying, or started crying. How unprofessional!

reflect

Hello Arkiux. I know you are freaking out right now but you will feel much better once you have a treatment plan in place. Read some of the treatment and basic information sections on this site. Notice all the women (and men) posting here over years. Try to breathe. Others will be along here shortly and we are all here with you. ((((Hug))))

Newfromny

I know you are devastated right now but you’ll get a plan and you can absolutely fight this, it might be tough but read all the successful stories here, you have a community that is with you

HeartShapedBox

Im so sorry you got a breast cancer diagnosis. I know this is all a lot to take in right now and is terrifying, but there is no need to panic. Treatment options have come VERY far in recent years, and it is very rare for women to die from the initial breast cancer, which is very treatable (it's the potential for metastasis, later down the road, that is the bigger risk).

Your pathology report is telling you that you have a main tumor in your left breast, and that is did test positive as cancer. It"s also telling you that at least one of the enlarged lymph nodes also tested positive as cancer. That does NOT mean metastatic (incurable) cancer! But you want to get more testing to make sure, and start treatment soon. Grade 3 means that the cancer cells are fast growing, and it sounds like the main tumor is also quite large since testing was delayed.

My diagnosis was very similar- I delayed testing, thinking it was something else, but my cancer was very fast growing and by the time I got my diagnosis, my main tumor was large (4.5 cm) and it had spread to my lymph nodes (they suspect 3). Even still, treatment will more than likely put my cancer into remission, and I have a very high chance of being alive and cancer free in 5 or 10 years. Perhaps forever, if I follow all the treatment protocols and respond well. The same is true for you. Did your pathology report tell you if you are ER positive, PR positive, or HER2 positive? That will determine what kind of treatment you get. But because your cancer is larger and has spread to your lymph, you will definitely need chemo and probably radiation as well as surgery. For now, you need to meet with an oncologist who can order more testing to find out the best strategy.

For your Dr to say "I'm praying it's nothing" is HIGHLY unprofessional and dangerous- the report states that is IS cancer, and you will need treatment. Your primary care Dr now needs to refer you to a medical oncologist, and THEY will take over your care from here. Is there a cancer treatment facility near you?

Sjacobs146

Agree with previous posters that your doctor seems very unprofessional. She should also have made sure that you got that mammogram in February and connected you with low/no cost options. That said, the 5 year survival rate for BC is >98%, and it is very likely that after treatment you will be NED (no evidence of disease) for many years to come. I have friends who have survived 2 and 3 rounds of BC. Please find a hospital with a dedicated Breast Center and experience treating BC.

This is the most challenging part of the BC experience. Sending hugs to you, and positive vibes. You will get through this

Missmom79

I'm so sorry. Your thoughts are normal. I was diagnosed almost 4 weeks ago and they have really lit me through the ringer. I know that cnacer is a lonely disease but you're not alone. I too have those same fears. My kids are all I have. I am their main caretaker and my son has a genetic condition to where he has to take meds three times daily (life sustaining meds) I think if I'm gone who will take care of them. What you're feeling is normal. I am slowly adjusting but everyone is different. I am 39 btw a lil older than you. The ladies are right once you have a “plan” about treatment and such you’ll feel somewhat better. I do not even have a Plan yet and it’s driving me nuts. I have had two biopsy’s which showed DCIS high grade scattered through my whole right breast. I initially went to the dr because my breast became slightly red and had enlarged hair follicles. The radiologist said I had inflammatory breast cnacer. They are still thinking I do but are trying to find something more invasive. I too also had a minute amount of cancer in one of my axillary lymph node. I asked the surgeon wasn’t that enough to say that I have cancer and it’s in my nodes! But tomorrow I will be undergoing s samlll surgery to get a bigger chunk of tissue so they can see the whole picture so they can give me the best treatment

berries

I'm praying for you as I know how devastating this can be. I was diagnosed 3 weeks before my 35th birthday. It's such a dark road to walk on and I hope in time it will become easier for you to bare.

I'm still in the thick of it, after surgery, but before any treatment or scans and reading these boards and talking to these lovely ladies have helped a lot.

I wish you nothing but peace and solace as you walk this road.

x

G1973

I am so sorry to hear your news. Know that we are all here for you! I remember the same thoughts you have now. Once your plan is in place it will be much better! It is amazing how for medicine has come. Love and positive vibes being sent your way❤️❤️

cathy67

Hi vmb,

Sounds our b-day are pretty close. My diagnosis date is three weeks prior to my 52nd birthday. What a gift!!!

WorryThePooh

Very sorry things have turned out this way for you Arkiux. It's good you have joined this community as there are so many wonderful supportive women here.

edwards750

So sorry you are dealing with this insidious disease. I agree with others ordinarily someone praying and crying with you shows empathy but not your medical professional. Talk about lack of confidence. It’s no crime to be emotional but did she even think about how that made you feel?

We look to our medical team to give us hope and confidence in their treatment plan.

Try not to worry. Whatever it is doesn’t mean it can’t be treated. We are here for you. Btw I’m 8 years out this past August so there is reason to be optimistic.

Diane

BlueGirlRedState

Arkiux - I am so sorry you are going through this. Your fears and feelings are understandable. Finding a support group might help, I am hoping to join one later this month. If there is a "nurse navigator" or "social support person" where you are, they can probably help find resources. Letting your children know is important, talk to your DR and other support people. How much may depend on their age. I am reading "Anti-Cancer Living, Transform your Life and Health with the Mix of Six" by Lorenzo Cohen and Alison Jeffries. They write a lot about building support and community, and how important it is. I am trying to work on that, I am very weak on that. This is the 3rd time for me, and I find myself anxious, depressed, angry, impatient. I used the "S" word several times with my health insurance when discussing an error in how things were billed and their solution. That is not me. The DR thinks each occurrence is a new cancer rather than recurrence . Fortunately a PET scan shows not mestasis and a genetic profile shows none of the known 20+ markers. I wish you well.

mac5

Arkiux...your reaction is perfectly normal. Cry if you want, tears release!

I want to tell you there is Support out there for whatever you need to fight this beast. Emotional, physical, financial, whatever. A dedicated facility for Breast Cancer Treatment should be your first decision to make. From that point a Social worker and/or Nurse Case Manager will be assigned to help you. The words are terrifying until you understand what they mean.

You will manage to care and support your children and yourself as you need to.

You don’t have to be Brave...all you have to do is show up. 🤗.

msphil

hello sweetie I was diagnosed while planning our 2nd marriages its a lot I know but take some deep breaths have you cry. I'm gonna use me as example had 3mo chemo before and after Lmast then got married he was a strong support we here are that for you too.Then 7wks rads and 5yrs on Tamoxifen am this yr a 25yr Survivor Praise God and celebrated our 25th Anniversary with beautiful wedding bands to mark it. So please hang in there. msphil

Maryjv

Good morning❤️ I am 34 yrs old, I have a 7 yr old daughter and I am newly diagnosed and so scared that I may have cancer somewhere else...I wa diagnosed with idc 11/22..1.5cm mass. I feel like life is moving around me and I am just waiting for answers. I have gone for bone scans, ct scans and tomorrow I go for breast mri...tomorrow is my f/u apt with the oncologist and I will know more 🙏 the fears I have are related to my chronic diarrhea and occasional side pain as well as some aches and pains since diagnosis. I feel like my brain is not resting and I keep researching. I am going to try and stay positive and pray tonight and hope for some good news tomorrow. Thank you for listening, just wish I had someone to talk to that understands what I am feeling and going through

keepthefaith

Maryjv and other newly DX'd, It is normal to feel the way you are feeling. You are still early in the process, so don't get ahead of yourself. Try to stay busy doing things you enjoy while you are getting more information from tests, etc. "...and I keep researching"....be careful of the sites you are looking at. Some of them are out-dated and have mis-information. Take someone with you to your Dr appts if you need to and get copies of all of your reports/records as you go. You don't need to look at them, if you aren't ready to. Jot down questions you have for your Dr.s and don't be afraid to ask them. Unfortunately, there are way too many others that are going through a similar situation. I'm sure some of them will chime in. As others have said, You can join a support group and contact the American Cancer Society for resources near you. If you have a Nurse Navigator on your medical team, they are great. You aren't alone. This forum is a great source of information and compassion. Best wishes moving forward. ((HUGS))

Maryjv

thank you for your comforting words. Will be sure to ask questions and I am trying my best to stay off the web because you are correct...nothing I am reading is good! Just trying to stay positive, keep my faith,carry a smile and get ready to fight with everything I have!!!

msphil

sweetie you are talking to us all here that's here for you that went and going thru what you are. Best people to talk to who have been where you are and where you will go hang in there and stay here with us for We know. For Inspiration sweetie I am a 25yr Survivor this pass yr Praise God and celebrated our 25th Anniversary. We were planning our 2nd marriages at diagnosis. idc stage2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast then got married then 7wks on rads 5yrs on Tamoxifen. Hope Positive thinking.msphil