If you have just been diagnosed....

Priane, I am sorry you had to join the club. Everyone when they are first diagnosed is in a state of shock. If you have questions about the chemo you can check out the chemo forum and ask your questions there. I did not need chemo as my DCIS was still contained and the only chemo help I could give you is second had from my mom and aunt taking chemo. I am 47 with a 23 yr old son.

Sheila

31andscared, I'm new to this too, but I don't understand how it can be DCIS  and be in 80% of the breast. I thought that in situ meant that it hadn't gone past the initial site.  Those handling this with young children are amazing.

  I had  BC 13 years ago also.  Today, I found that I have lobular carcinoma.  Same

breast.  Did you have a mastectomy the second time?  I had radiation the first

time and now the only option is masecetomy and probably chemo.  I just

can't believe this is happening again!  Glad you are through with your treatment.

Hello all,

I am so fortunate to have found this place.My bc was found on a mammogram taken 2 days before my 53rd birthday in March.The phone call,the next day was to say I needed to come in next week because my mammo was "abnormal".Being a medically retired R.N.,(stroke in 1999),I wasn't surprised.I just wanted answers.The next week I had a 2nd mammogram followed by a core biopsy-all in the same day within an hour.The next day the radiologist called to say I had cancer.Four days later I was in my surgeons office(a wonderful woman),who took me and my husband step by step through my pathology and mammography reports and we put together a plan of treatment.In my case it was lumpectomy with a sentinal node biopsy.I then went to see a medical oncologist(another woman!).Since I am in menopause we decided to start Arimidex.This all transpired over a 23 day period.My family hx is that my mother died at age 43 of metasticized bc after fighting the disease for 5 years.I was 11 when she died.Her mother,my grandmother had bc with a recurrence in her 60's and lived to be 90-go figure.Both had radical mastectomies.I went to Helen Diller Center in S.F and found another wonderful woman radiation oncologist.I just finished radiation therapy, 25 regular and 5 "boosts".I have a wonderful husband and grown  son.And I have great friends too.I have always had this in the back of my mind since I have dealt with cancer in the family since I was 8 or 9 years old.It didn't prepare me for my own dx.I thought that a history and/or my being a medical professional would maybe make it easier,but I am here to tell you it didn't.I feel like I am floating on a raft in a sea where there is no land in sight.I haven't even said this to my family.So I am saying it here.I know it will get better.It just really SUCKS right now.

Thanks for listening and I wish good health,love,happiness and peace to us all. Jan

Here is my experience so far.  I did not detect a lump, but noticed a slight change in one of my breasts.  I am soon to be 57, so thought maybe it was just a sign of aging.  I was due for my annual well woman exam, so did not make a special appointment.  My doctor immediately told me it was NOT a sign of aging and dectected a lump in my right breast.  I could tell from her face that she was very concerned.  She scheduled a mamogram and ultrasound from her office before I left, so at 6:30 that Friday I was ready for whatever.  After many "pictures" over a period of several hours, the radiologist said he recommended a biopsy as soon as possible.  I saw the mass on the ultrasound screen and he told me it was 1.8 cm. He checked my chart, and bless her heart, my doctor had already ordered a biopsy, so I had it done then and there.  The results of the biopsy were not going to be available until the next Tuesday.  That weekend was awful.  I did not tell anyone but my husband, and we were both trying to be supportive of each other (he lost his sister to breast cancer some years ago).  Knowing and yet not knowing drove me crazy.  The results were as we expected, and then it was another week before I could get into the breast specialist.  She is a really wonderful doctor, and spent an hour and a half taking me and my husband through what she called "breast cancer 101".  She said that she hoped when she finished explaining it to us, we would see it as good news.  And you know what?  We did.  I am first stage, no apparent spread to lymph nodes (will find out for sure during surgery).  I will have a lumpectomy next week followed by radiation and meds.  After two weeks of not knowing where I stood, we went out to celebrate that night by having dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.  So, all in all, I received the best of bad news.  I am still very anxious and spend a lot of energy keeping my head focused on positive results.  I am so glad to have found this web site.  To all of you, thanks so much for sharing.

Bardaw51

It's been a whirlwind week. I went in for an ultrasound on lump that we've known about, but given it's onset after pregnancy and breastfeeding, it was a very typical change. Well, it was just really bugging me that it was there. So, we pursued it. I went in for the ultrasound, that led to a mammo, which led to an immediate biopsy, and the Dr called 24 hrs later to let me know...Invasive Ductal Cell Carcinoma - Well Differentiated. Apparently I should hear from the surgeons in the next day or so.I am 27 years old with a daughter that will be 2 in October. Absolutely no family history at all. I suppose i'm at the angry phase!

What should I expect from the surgeons? I'd like to be well informed and not let him tell me what's going to happen. I"d like to be in on things. But from what i"ve read there are so many different options...without having seen the path report I'm clueless. I guess I would like to know wht things I need to be aware of in trying to be my own advocate....things you wished you had known when you started the process.

Lost, My husband was also scared of hugging me after my bilat surgery because he didn't want to hurt me. by now your mother should be able to receive hugs without much pain and I am sure that she would like a hug from you.

Sheila

Breezy, I think the time frames vary widely.  I know things went fairly quickly for me, though it seems like it is taking a century.  My ob/gyn found the lump on August 13th and about 36 hours later I had a mamogram, ultrasound and biopsy.  I got the biopsy results from my doctor on August 19th and had an appointment see the breast specialist the next week, August 27th.  I felt comfortable enough with her that I did not seek a second opinion.  My surgery is sceduled for next week, September 16th (assuming Hurricane Ike doesn't interfere----I live in the Houston area).  I have also been contacted already by the oncology nurse navigator attached to the hospital, and have received schedules of seminar topics held there on breast cancer. My breast specialist provided me with a wealth of information, including a journal with sections for medical appointments, medications, etc, a personal journal section and a contacts section.  Also several books.  I was touched and grateful.

MonkeyD my heart goes out to you.  Don't give up.  I hope you find someone you feel you can trust.

B

B, thanks for the good wishes.  My process is already in week 7 so I am definitely on the slow side......Sheila, thanks so much for your reply.  I appreciate it.  Do you mean to start a new thread (post) on the reconstruction forum?  I will do that right now.  Thanks so much! By the way, the website you directed me to is very informative, I appreciate.  D

Lisa, I am not quite sure were the women post, but we have had quite a few Lupus sufferers with BC.  So hopefully, you can find someone else.  But, in any case, all of them did just fine.

MonkeyD, you are in excellent hands at Sloan-Kettering, they are one of the leading cancer facilities in the WORLD.  And their plastic surgeons, knowing their other reputations, would not give me a worry.  You should be better than fine.

Sheila, go around back of your mom, put your arms around her neck, lay your head on her neck, and tell her this is her hug and you love her to death.  This is easy and won't hurt a thing.

Jan, honey, being involved in the medical profession only makes this worse, not easier, you know way, way too much.  But you will get well, so many of us do.

To all the new sisters.  I am 10 years post treatment, my mom's best friend died last year or old age at 92, she was 44 years post double mastectomy.  I met a lady at the dog park and she had BC in 1985, and told me she often forgets which side it was on!  There are thousands of us out here.  There is Olivia Newton-John, Betty Ford, Shirley Temple Black, Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crowe, Happy Rockefeller, (wife of the vice-president), Nancy Reagan, Robin from morning TV, so many get well and go on and live out their lives.  

It is funny, in a way, that we get so scared at the word cancer (I did too), because most of us will die of heart disease, and that doesn't seem to scare anyone.

Also, the "aggressive", and "invasive", words are on EVERY path report I have ever seen.  No one ever says, hmm, there is a lazy, slow old cancer.  Never heard that, but some are.

Also, time is not that big.  Most breast cancer's, when big enough to be found by any means are at least 8 to 10 years old, so don't panic if things move slowly.

So hang in there sisters, and come on down to the other posts, we are a huge club of loving, caring people.

Gentle hugs, Shirlann 

Hi znette, I would put up the white flag for some of the time.  A lot of women work basically, through the whole thing.  Others have more problems.  Usually with chemo, you find out that say, day 3 or day 2 to day 5 or day 4 are bad days for you, and you need to be able to just lay down.  So if you belong to a church, call the secretary and put out the call for help.  

And when people ask?  What can I do?  Have a list, say, "Could you bring a casserole on Thursday?"  Be ready, ask for help picking up and dropping off kids.  Ask for help with housecleaning, or if finances permit, get a cleaning person once a week or once every two weeks.  Get someone who offers to help to go to the store for you.  Don't be shy.  Ask your neighbors.  You will be amazed at the help people will offer you.

So most women have a few bad days, as I mentioned, with each chemo.  But the rest of the time you will most likely be okay.  Radiation is easier.  You will need help on an "on call" basis, so make a list of people available on a moment's notice.  Have someone come in and do up the laundry.  You can call the American Cancer Society, or any organization you or your husband belong to.  My son's wife had cancer, and a group of neigbors brought them about a dozen gift certificates to restaurants, they just did take out, and it was a huge blessing.  So many things can be done.

So let us know how things go.  I wish I was closer to you, oh, remember to ask the family, where oh where is that old maid aunt that could move in with you??  Don't have them anymore.

Gentle hugs, Shirlann

Hi I just joined so how did you decide to proceed ujdecent1?

I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure they get it all and that it doesn't come back.  I have looked at pics of mastectomy and reconstruction, just in case that option is given to me.  I am still raising children and would do what I need to do to LIVE!!!!! 

I am newly diagnosed to, Sept. 15th, and am learning all I can as fast as I can.  I too have a pre-surg. appt. on Oct. 2nd.

Hope all goes well with both of us.

Znette 

I was diagnosed on 9/15 after a core biopsy - I'm 52, young at heart and no history of BC in the family.  I am awaiting scheduling for lumpectomy and sentinal lymph node biopsy.  I am optimistic but very cautious.  My husband is trying to be supportive but falls short... so now I'm angry and scared. 

Hi, there I  was diagnosed on April 2008,I already had chemo, 6 treatments. Now I  started Hercptin for 1 full year. I haven't had surgery yet but I think it will bein Oct. I am going for a lumpectomy. Then I will need radiation. I am 35 years old,and I have 4 children . Yes is very hard. If you want I could answer some questions.