If you have just been diagnosed....

Thank you, Britt.  My BS almost didn't even order an MRI... she was that certain from the ultrasounds and the mammos that my tumor size was just 2.6.  However, the MRI showed it to be 4.6 cm!  A big difference especially since I am a grade 1.  The oncologist and the BS both feel like the MRI is probably wrong, but who knows at this point.

I agree with you... it is certainly best to go ahead and have the tests and possibly go on hormone therapy to shrink the area prior to surgery. 

My "boys" are home from college for the Christmas break and try as I may... I'm just not myself.  Like you said, the waiting is awful! 

Thank you Deanna.  I am not worried about co-workers, I live in a very small town and many already know our story and all about this, I just find it extremely difficult to voice my concerns home is all.  And, actually after posting, somehow he was able to at least get some calmness and respond appropriately, and on our anniversary, the 27th, we had one of the loveliest anniversaries I can remember.  Seems like this diagnosis has opened a way to communicate, at least for now.  I am having a bone scan today, CT's tomorrow, then a PET scan and talk with the plastic surgeon on the 5th. I may have to wait for surgery until the 21st, and yes, waiting is the absolute worst. 

Hello everyone,

I am relieved to have found you all.  I was dx on 11/14/08 and like so many other posts that I have read, no family history of any type of malignancy.  My surgery was 12/16 with a lumpectomy and two sentinel nodes removed. OWWWW. It has been two weeks and I am still so tired (or just want to escape a little)  Has anyone else had neck or shoulder pain post-op?  Any good exercises to suggest?

My MO (medical oncologist) sent my tumor for oncotype testing to see if chemo would benefit me.  I hope it says no.  I won't know until Jan 12th. 

The waiting between each step makes me feel like I am on a journey with lots of lay-overs.  It is so hard to concentrate at work sometimes.  My husband is being wonderful, but still has a hard time when I get a little down.

Really glad to find this group.

Nadean

I am so glad to find you all out there. I will keep you in my prayers. I also was just diagnosed - on 12/16/08. I didn't get a copy of the Pathologist's report but will request one.  I was told, I think, that it is a 1.5cm invasive ductile Carcinoma and appears to be Stage 1. I have no family history.  However the MRI I had on 12/22/08 showed another lesion which I will have biopsied 1/2/09.  Is this common to find other lesions?  The Surgeon had set up a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy for 1/13/09 then radiation.  Now I wonder what effect the new lesion will have on those plans.  I can see I really need to get more information.  It has been so difficult with the Holidays and this is all new to me.  The waiting and not knowing is so hard - my emotions are all over the board.

Hi Deanna,

I'm afraid of dying... leaving my children...

I'm not afraid of the surgery.  I have a high pain tolerance so post-op will go well. I just want the damn thing OUT... so the surgery can't come soon enough.

Michele 

Michele ~ In the beginning, it's overwhelmingly terrifying.  But as soon as you have information you don't yet have, that will change.  As long as you get appropriate treatment, you will survive and thrive.  One of the things that helped me most in the very beginning were the women who contacted me to tell me that they'd been treated 10 or 12 and more years ago, and were doing just fine -- women I either didn't know had had bc, or sort of knew, but never paid much attention to it in the past.  Believe me, it gets so much better once the shock of the dx wears off and you know exactly what you're dealing with and what you have to do to be cured. 

Mary ~  Did they tell you how large your lesions are?  Of couse, much of what you decide to do about surgery comes down to the peace of mind factor.  But with large breasts and a couple of small lesions (if they are small), lumpectomy might be just as appropriate.  Often women who decide to do bi-lat masts have family histories of bc or other influencing factors.  You sound very decisive for having been dx'd 2 days ago, and I can't help but wonder if you've had time to think this through or are maybe still in a bit of shock.  If you haven't found them already, there are several threads on this board where women discuss their choices, and the good news is that just about everyone seems happy with the decision they eventually made.     Deanna 

Hi I was dx 12/9/08 with IDC 1.2cm- didn't know it til I told everyone but have some family history (g-ma, 2nd and 3rd cousins,great great aunt). I found the lump in my left breast 11-16 and was in to my primary care doc two days later- so glad she didn't blow it off  like I saw on here someon'e elses doc did- had a mammogram and ultrasound a couple weeks later- needle core biopsy 12/8- got the news back the next day. I'm 35 so they want me to have surgery, chemo , radiation, hormone therapy (ER positive). I really really do not want to have chemo.

I had an MRI dec 22- haven't gotten any results back on that-I have an appt with my surgeon jan 9

 the lump is pretty close to my nipple , not sure if that will have to be cut out too- plus I have read if the lump is centrally located masectomy might be a better option  bc cosmetic results of lumpectomy aren't great. but if suregon thinks the nipple can be saved I think it'd be worth it to have to go through radiation and all that.

 lots of thoughts swimming around in my head - its very good to know I am normal in my roller coaster ride of emotions. I have chronic depression too so that adds to the mix. I have been taking meds for that for years- certainly not going off those right now!

 if I do have a mast I would have the tram flap reconstruction I think. I don't know if I have any lymph node involvement yet or not. I'm either stage 1 or 2 depending on that.

everything still feels surreal, I really never ever thought this would happen to me. but it is. the support of friends and family has been amazing.

First let me say, "Happy Blessed New Year to All, I want to share with those that I haven,t since I haven,t been on in awhil, I was sick with a nasty Virus, But I want to Inspire All of U especially those new to the board, I was diagnosed with L breast cancer, ductal carcinoma, with 3 nodes involved, I had total radical mastectomy, with chemo and radiation, hair loss,(Bald) and all while making plans to marry my wonderful husband. I don,'t know what each of U believe in(higher power) But mine is God, and Jesus my Lord and Saviour who I know I couldn,t have gotten through it ALL. My husband(fiancee) at the time, stood right beside me even when I told him he didn,t have to still marry me with one breast, But Praise the Lord, his love for me was so real, and now we are married 15 yrs this May. So believe that U will make it through, have HOPE and I,m now 15 yrs cancer free, thank God so see U can become a survivor, I wish I had someone that I knew survived that long when I was first diagnosed. God Bless and U ALL are in my prayers, lets pray for each other. msphil

i didnt do biopsy yet pending MRI and knowing nothing at this time is really, really devastating. I hope i will hear from u guys so that my anxiety will be lessen. Plsssss!

omonim53 ~  I'm just dashing out the door to go to my first radiation tx, but I had to take a moment to tell you that I've read your post and will pray for you specifically this a.m.  When is your MRI?  The beginning is the very hardest part -- hearing the surreal news that you have bc, and waiting to get all the facts to figure out a course of treatment.  But, it does get easier once you and your doctors have all that information.  It sounds like you are getting all the right tests, and it also  sounds like you have a wonderful family to support you, which is a blessing. I'll post more later ~  Deanna 

omonim53 ~  That's good that you don't have to wait long to have your MRI.  And, since there's no pathology or lab work to wait for, your surgeon will usually have the results fairly quickly.  It is just so overwhelming at first, and you have very right to feel down.  This is not the news any woman ever wants to get, but the advice your surgeon gave you is some of the best anyone can -- just focus on one thing at a time, and don't let your mind or imagination get ahead of the task at hand, which is to get that MRI, then sit down with your surgeon and discuss your options.  That's another thing about bc -- you usually have options and input into your treatment, which is why this site is so invaluable, because you can ask others what they did in your situation, which is a huge help in sorting through your choices and making decisions.

plutz ~  Sorry that you, too, have joined this club that none of us ever wanted to be in.  If you are having trouble sleeping, you may want to ask your GP for something to help you sleep, at least temporarily.  Or, if you are into healthier stuff (as I am), try the health food store for some natural alternatives that will take the edge off your anxiety and let you fall asleep.  Many supplement manufacturers have sleep-aid or stress-relief products that will help you get some sleep without feeling drugged.

To all of you who are just starting this journey, yes, it is scary, and you will have tears.  But you are strong -- probably stronger than you know -- and you will get through it!       Deanna

Well I had my appt. with my doctor yesterday. She's almost sure I have inflammatory bc. I am expecting a call today for an appt. for an MRI,CAT scan and a bone density test. I am scared. I'm trying to not show any emotion around my husband and my 2 teenage daughters but when I'm by myself all I do is cry. I have a long road ahead of me. I will be starting with chemo by the end of the month for I don't know how long. Then I will have to have a mastectomy. Have any of you been diagnosed with inflammatory bc?

I was diagnosed with DCIS by biopsy last week.  After 2 attempts to place a clip (marker) it still is not in the right place so now I have to have the MRI as soon as possible and they will place one at that time.  Can anyone describe this procedure?  Dreading lying on my stomach because of back problems.  Also claustrophobic.  Dreading the contrast dye.  Dreading the whole thing because of a heart arrhythmia.  Dreading the surgery because when I had a lumpectomy 14 years ago it took me a long time to come out of the anesthesia.

 I was doing pretty good until this morning when the sense of urgency arose to get the marker placed ASAP.  Also had to go back today for yet another mammogram.  It's a wonder my right breast does not look like a pancake.  To top it off, I'm more sore than I was before the mammo because the tech forgot to release the compression and I was compressed for about 45 seconds.  I thought maybe she was going to do something else and I'm not a complainer so I didn't say anything until she said "you can cover up now."  I said "I can't get loose!!!" 

Anyway, my journey is just beginning.  Again, if someone can describe their MRI it might ease my fears. 

Thanks so much.