If you have just been diagnosed....

I was Dx on Dec 4 2008. I had a lumpectomy on Jan 19 2009. Yesterday(Jan 29 2009) the surgeon told me that there were residual cancer cells in the tissue and that she has to do a second surgery to remove more tissue. I am debating whether or not to have a double mastectomy or just try one more time. My mom died of ovarian cancer  in 1977 at the age of 29.

Thank-you qutypy.

I am still have a hard time dealing with everything. I just concerned about recovery time and time off from work. I guess for now I will follow what the surgeon says and if she has to go back again I will go for a double mastectomy. What is TRAM reconstruction.

Hi mfgibby

I had LAT reconstruction, not TRAM...must have been the pain killers I was on that made me think that!! The recouperating is not bad at all. Much better than expected although my back is sore. Actually the worst part is the drains. I had 2 removed and 2 to go. i will be a very happy camper when they are gone...Started driving this week (12 days post op) so I am not confined to the house.I dont parallel park yet, but then I was never very good at it anyway. I don't work now, but I imagine that I would have gone back after about 2 weeks no problem. 

Hello.  I was just diagnosed yesterday (some valentine's present) and I can't remember everything, I'm still in shock.  I know it is invasive, grade 2 intermediate, and I can't remember if he said ductal or not.  Mammogram didn't show it, ultrasound did - actually I found the lump about 4 weeks ago and went immediately to my ob/gyn.  I am terrified.  My doctor will be scheduling an MRI, CT scan and other tests, before we set up surgery - he prefers to do a lumpectomy w/radiation, unless a mastectomy is needed.  I can't sleep, I am having diarreah and just generally losing my mind.  I will begin keeping a notebook with questions for the doctor.  What can I expect from those who have undergone similar?

I was diagnosed on June 3, 2008. I had all the testing done and my surgeon wanted to schedule surgery as soon as possible. I had travel plans, baby showers and even a few weddings. I said I didn't want to have surgery until these things were over. My surgery was on September 15, 2008. I had bilateral DCIS. I am happy with the decision I made. I am finished with radiation now but I wanted to enjoy my life before dealing with surgery and radiation. It was in the back of my mind but I didn't let it rule. I think the decision is up to you and how you feel about the IDC and treatment.

Thank you for your replies.  Dr. didn't seem concerned.  Told me to have fun...may not feel well for quite awhile!  It's just one of those things that eats at you!  I want to go and have a good time with my family (DH and 4DS's).  But...I also get nervous this thing is growing and spreading in me like wildfire!  What a mess to wake up to.  One minute your life is going a long just fine (soccer mom, taxi cab, wedding arrangements for my oldest son) and then the next it just sucks! 

Sending hugs out to all you ladies that are picking up the pieces and making a new puzzle out of them!

Chris

I was also just diagnosed on Feb 10.  And I understand exactly how you feel. Surgeon says it's a early Stage 1-very small.  I am scheduled for a lumpectomy w/ lymph node biopsy on Friday.  I was feeling OK with it until I talked to a few acquaintances w/ bc.  Seems like everyone I talked to elected to get a mastectomy.  Am I making a mistake with the lumpectomy?  One friend asked if I got a second opinion.  I didn't!!  Now I am more nervous than ever.

Hi I was diagnosed with breast cancer grade 2 with microcalcifactions.  I am going to have a right mastectomy on March 25th.  I am waiting because I am going on a cruise the first week of March (already planned before I was diagnosed).  I have been reading several posts and they have helped me to understand more.  My surgeon did not tell me what kind or stage of cancer it is and I was too shocked to ask.  I will have plenty of questions when I go back.  My prayers are with us all.

wanting ~ I'm sorry to hear about your sister, as I am about everyone here who has recently had a bc diagnosis.  It's always so shocking and surreal in the beginning, but you have all found the best place for information and support. 

To answer your question, "Grade" has to do with how much the cells have changed from normal cells, which translates into aggressiveness.  If you click on the Symptoms & Diagnosis section of this site, you can search Grades and get a complete explanation.  Grade 1 would be the least aggressive.

What is perhaps more important than the Grade is the "Stage", which has to do with how large the tumor is and if it's traveled anywhere from the initial tumor site, such as to a lymph node.  Stage I would be the very best scenario, but later stages don't necessarily mean a worst prognosis -- just that more systemic treatment (chemo) might be recommended. Staging is also explained under Syptoms & Diagnosis.

Hope this helps.  And julesd ~  As long as you've had an MRI and there are no additional areas of concern, lumpectomy is a very logical choice and the one I initially made, as have thousands of other women.  Good luck tomorrow, and please let us know how you do ~  Deanna

Hi to all,

I am reminded of the words from a Sylvia Plath poem:

"So many of us,

So many of us! ("Mushrooms')

I am recovering at home right now from a mastectomy performed Wednesday, Feb 18, I have a high grade cancer and had a large tumor removed. I await the results from the node biopsy. I had heard that I would get the results in about one week, but reading some posts on this site I am beginning to think I may not find out the stage, etc., for weeks. Does anyone have any input?

I have a question about biopsy of lymph nodes.  Is that always done at time of surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), or is it ever done first as a separate procedure?

Hello rascal, and to All here, I just want to add, just take a deep breath, and take it one step at a time, that is what I did with my diagnosed, it is all so much to take in all at once, I will keep U and all in my prayers I will lift U up and ask God to help U with all u need to do. I am a survivor and a long time one at that Praise the Lord, it,s 15 yrs, I had a left total radical mastectomy, and during making wedding plans. I had my cry and then I became angry with the cancer and told it to leave my body, I spoke to it eac night up until the surgery, I had chemo, radiation, and on tamoxifen for 5 yrs. God Bless us all, take care sweet heart. msphil

I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer this week. It is devastating news. I have always lived a healthy lifestyle, I breastfeed both of my children and there is no strong genetic predisposition (no immediate family members have had cancer). This is not supposed to happen to me. It is so out of the blue. So completely unexpected. I went for a routine mammogram, which I do each year, and they found a growth in my left breast. The radiologist called me back for more images, and then called me back for a biopsy. The biopsy came back positive. I have an appointment with a breast surgeon next week, which is the soonest I could get in to see him. The wait is painstaking. I have tried to remain positive and not do too much research online in an attempt to not misinterpret my pathology results. I can't seem to get on with my life. I am preoccupied and devastated and convinced that I am going to die. All the plans we have made for our future and retirement, seeing my daughters grow and have families of their own - I suddenly cannot think past today. I don't know what to do. My husand is devastated as well. I have two teenage daughters who I have tried to stay upbeat for, but they know something is up and are scared too. I don't want to tell them too much at this point until I know more. Is there any advice someone can give to boost my spirits? I want to remain positive but can't seem to get there.Thanks in advance!

Libby,

I had my node biopsy prior to surgery.  Once the node came back positive, my doc switched from doing surgery first to doing chemo first.  This way he can shrink the tumor (2 cm) prior to surgery.  He also said that they can "see" the effects the chemo is having on the tumor.

I insisted on having the node biopsy ahead of surgery so I knew going into it what to expect.

Hope this helps,

Chris

I had my surgery on Feb 27th.  Fear is our worse enemy and something we can not control.  I was like everyone else in living with the fear.  I prayed and prayed some more for the strength to face all of this head on.  Not being an overly religious person however praying helped me so much.  I, like so many found real comfort in this forum.  We are not alone in all of this.  We have our friends, family and so many who we never gave a thought too.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Know you are not alone, I feel all of us who have already walked this path are with you every step of the way. 

Nadine