If you have just been diagnosed....

Hi.  Today is my one year anniversary of being diagnosed and I've never felt better.  Check out my website www.jillies.com.  It offers really helpful info on getting through treatment and beyond.  We have beauty, fitness and nutrition advice as well as many hepful resources.  This is a warm and welcoming place that will help you do this with the most dignity possible.  Check it out and pass the word on!

I haven't seen a pathology report. How do I get it? I had a sterotactic biopsy that came back with the dx Ductal Carcinoma in situ. I see a surgeon tomorrow -- I got the dx today -- so things are moving quickly and I'm concerned they are moving without me having a good understanding of what's going on. What questions should I ask the doctor tomorrow? I live in a small town, the surgeon does a lot of breast surgeries but it's not that he specializes in it. Should I go to a larger cancer center (about 120 miles away) or should I get a second opinion about whatever he tells me? I'm dazed and confused ladies -- help!

I had a screening mammogram a couple of weeks ago. There was a suspicious distortion. Followup mammogram and ultrasound looks definate for cancer. I have a surgical consult on monday, november 10th where I'll learn more. My doctor wants at least a lumpectomy, and possibly more. Originally they were going to do a biopsy, but my doc says it'll just waste time telling us what we already know.

 I'm doing research, studying the pros and cons of the various treatments. Obviously it'll all depend on how many (if any) nodes are involved, type of cancer, and so on. I'm also researching diet as it relates to cancer.

I have really lousy bone density, so need to study up on the damage that chemo can do to bone, and am hoping I can do mastectomy with radiation, for instance, instead of lumpectomy with radiation AND chemo. But I'm getting ahead of myself, since I don't have the details yet.

ShondaE, I don't know, and none of us can tell what the experts can. I can tell you, from my research, that the removal of the ovaries would be about limiting estrogen, which apparently can feed the cancer cells. If it turns out mine is bad, I want both breasts removed. And since I had a hysterectomy with ovary removal six years ago, that's not on the table for me.

If I were you, I'd get a second opinion from another surgeon. Hating your surgeon will set you up for more stress, and you need your strength to fight. Just my opinion...

Hugs, good luck, and take care!!!

lollipops, U have the right attitude, with your HOPEFUL thoughts, I too felt like U after my cry, and being POSITITVE like U are will get U far, God Bless U and this is coming from a 15 yr survivor this December, Praise the Lord. msphil

I too, Have been diagnosed with infiltrating ductual carcinoma, grade 3, in my lymph nodes.  Scheduled to have surgery next Monday.  This will be my second masectomy.  I had breast cancer 18 years ago and just last year got up the courage to have breast reconstruction.  And now this.  I know things have advanced from 18 years ago but it is still very scary and very disheartening.  They tell me that chemo will be very aggressive and that first bout about killed me, so I'm not too sure I'm wanting to go thru with any of this.  Where are you from?  I'm from Kansas and I'm 52 years old.  It might be interesting to compare notes and treatments and stuff.  I wish you all the best.~Holly

karenrex, I am also a Karen in Washington state. I'm in the Spokane area, and if you're at all nearby, I'm happy to get together for support, or if you want company for tests and such. I'm also always happy to give rides to hospital or test center, in case you need another "cancer buddy".

Hi TreeLee -

I was also treated with radiation for Hodgkin's disease, 24 years ago. Was diagnosed with breast cancer this past August and radiation was not an option for me. I opted for the double mastectomy. Cancer presented only in one breast initially but I decided to do the double just to get it done and they actually found cancer in both breasts. It's very possible the radiation was the cause for the cancer so keep that in mind in your decision making process. I'm very comfortable with my decision. The reconstruction process is long, but in the end I'll have beautiful breasts with little chance of cancer so it's worth it to me.

I'm Stage I with a good prognosis ... caught very early. Will finish chemo 12/4. had tissue expanders put in at same time as mastectomy. Did have some issues with healing from the mastectomy, and was given hyperbaric oxygen therapy (which is apparently pretty common in treatment of non-healing wounds in previously irradiated tissue). Worked great and I've healed well. Because of the prior radiation and healing issues my PS has opted to not begin the fill process until chemo is done and out of my system (+3 months). The expanders are just "there" right now but aren't causing any discomfort.

I was told I'm not really a candidate for the flap procedures due to my body size, so expanders and implants were my only option. There's a lot to think about and consider. My biggest advice is take the time to get all of the information, ask lots of questions, and you'll make the decision that's right for you. Good luck!

Diagnosed with invasive Ductal carcinoma.  Whatever that is!   3.5 cm lump found in the shower.  Surgery is already scheduled for Dec. 4th  and I am worried that things are happening so fast.  I am not sure I know enough to make any treatment decisions and are completely trusting the drs. Is that a mistake? I have been told by other people in my area that I have the BEST doctor in the area so how do I, who knows nothing, question her treatment plan.  Just wondering how others dealt with the helpless feelings.  I do not do well being sick or dependent on others.  I have a long history of depression and don't really trust many people so I am surprised at my willingness to just let some stranger decide whether I should have this or that!!!

Hi Ladies,

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 11/20/08, two days ago. To say the least, I am in shock. Didn't really see breast cancer on the horizon for me. Maybe other cancers like leukemia or lymphoma but not breast cancer. I am 41 years old and was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in 2003 and because of the heavy duty chemo that they used on me, I always knew that there was a chance for leukemia or other blood related cancers to show up in the future.

I didn't have any signs what-so-ever of any problems with my breast. I've had a TON of problems with my thyroid though and just happened to be talking to my Endrocronologist (sp?) and she had suggested getting a mammogram. I had been thinking about it anyway because its been 2 years since I've had a PET scan and then she told me that breast cancer doesn't show up in PET scans anyway. I never knew that, so I made the appointment last month.

They saw what they thought looked like scar tissue, but I had never had any surgery, biopsy or radiation before. After doing a few mammograms and a few ultrasounds, I did an MRI. I'm not even going to get into how much that torture chamber sucked but to add insult to injury, they notified me a few days later saying that the machine malfunctioned so the reading was no good. Geez! Well, we went ahead and did the biopsy without the MRI reading on Monday and it turns out that it is breast cancer. My breast specialist thinks that it is less than 1 centimeter but won't know for sure until I re-do the MRI on Monday. She said that we will probably do a lumpectomy and some radiation.

Now this is my question...I don't know the first thing about breast cancer. I had assumed that she had received the full pathology report from the biopsy but I've been reading what everyone has written on this board and it seems like there are a ton of different types of breast cancer. Is it possible that I'm in for more surprises after the MRI? She never gave me a description of the type of breast cancer...just that it's breast cancer. I guess I'm pretty confused.        

Chemo sucks, but you will get through it - it's done if a tumor is over than 1 cm. The thing to do is to go on to the chemo boards - there is usually one starting every month - this way go through it together - much better than going through it alone.

I was where you are now last year at about the same time. I can tell you that the groups for chemo & radiation helped me get through.

I was also able to get through without increasing my antidepressants. It's amazing how making a choice can get you over the totally helpless feeling. You are now a participant in your treatment - be knowlegable about what is to come. You can't stop the side effects, but you can prepare yourself.

Hi

Just wanted to drop you a line to tell you I had a bilateral mastectomy on 9/30 and I am doing very well.  It was a lot to digest at first but you have to do what is best for you.  I had a lump in right breast and had lumpectomy.  No clear margins so they wanted to do another lumpectomy to clean it up.  I decided on a mastectomy and have both done to be  safe.  I had nothing in the lymph nodes so I felt this was the best for me to do.  I had reconstruction with small silicone implants.  I am very happy with the results.  No chemo or radiation but the oncologist put me on Tamoxifen and took them for one week but I got nausea and headaches so I went off them for the next two weeks to see if that was a bad reaction.  I have to see the oncologist after the 2 weeks and she will suggest the next step.  I was up and driving in 1 week, after the drains were removed.  Not much pain after the 3 days in the hospital.  Did not take any of the pain pills prescribed after I came home.  There was more soreness than pain and I was able to control it with extra strength Tylenol.

My prayers are with you.  You are young and there is so much more for breast cancer and just get all the knowledge you can and if you fell like a second opinion go for it.  I did and I am glad because I was more satisfied with the second dr and the plastic surgeon that worked together as a team.  I was at the Dana Farber in Boston.

Good luck

Pattie

I had a MRI last year when i had the cyst. I am totally freaked by the MRI. But this one is different.you lay down on your stomarch and your breast hang off the board. Really wasnt bad at all. Good Luck... Karen

hi my sister was just diagnosed with breast cance..... she discovered a small lump in her left breast.....  when they went in to take a biopcy.....they discovered five more.. and scheduled surgery, when she had a radical mastectomy

they were only going to take any lymph nodes that they thoght were cancerous.. or suspitious.. they ended up taking 14 nodes as well as her full left breast. when they got the results back 13 of the 14 nodes were cancerous........ she had a mamogram in april of 08  that showed nothing.... this is all tooo incredulous to believe.... are there cancers that are this agressive!?

Hi All I have been diagnosed with Medullary Carcinoma, I have read about this type of cancer on the web and aside from what I have read I know very little. 5-7% of breast cancer is this type. I have had the lump removed and I am awaiting an appt with oncologist to learn more and what form of treatment I will be receiving. I have been attending PMH now Brampton Civic hospital and I would like to hear from anyone else who has same diagnosis and any feedback on Oncologists at Brampton hospital. Thanks ladies and my name is Sherry and I have to let you all know that Iam glad I have found this wonderful website and forum sisters supporting sisters thanks again