If you have just been diagnosed....

I have just been diagnosed with invasive DCIS. I am having a lumpectomy on The 22nd of April w/radiation port to follow.. If you can give me any comments or information I will appreciate it.

Hi I'm a 25 year old Mother of 2 and have just found out I have (Ductal Breast Cancer Stage 3).  I know of ladies who have had Breast Cancer before but they all seem much older than me.  To make it worse my Doctor has told me he has never seen anyone as young as me with Breast Cancer.  Is there anybody out there who can relate to me?  I just feel so alone!!!

Helz ~  I just came across your post.  Did you know there is an entire section on this website for younger women with breast cancer?  Click on FORUM INDEX above to find it.  I'm sorry that you're here, and I'm especially sorry that you've been diagnosed at such a young age. Unfortunately, I think you will find out that you are far from alone; but, thankfully, there are many threads within this website that talk about the unique concerns of younger women with young children.  And I know there are several women on here from New Zealand and Australia.  There are also threads for each stage of treatment by the month you're going through it or start it.  For example, when you know when your surgery will be, you might want to look for the May 2009 surgery thread.  Hope this helps, and please come back and let us help you however we can  ~  Deanna  

Hi Helz

I have sent you a Private Message about an Aussie and New Zealand forum where you will get lots of support.

It really does help to join in these forums. Sorry you are going through this at such a young age.

Go to MY Home at the top of the page to retrieve your message.

hugs

jezza

On 4/20/09 my biopsy showed infiltrating carcinoma (favor lobular). Estrogen and Progesterone are neg.  HER-2 pos.  oN 4/21/09 the lumpectomy showed two tumor ductal. poorly differentiated. Two out of four lympnodes isolated tumor cells. I don't know what that means.  It was staged 1.  My surg. is concerned that this is an aggressive cancer. He is referring me to an oncologist.  I'm so confused. The surg. said I'll need chemo and radiation. Any help in making this more understandable would be greatly appreciated.  Good luck to you, Toni

Cheers247,

I totally support an immediate chemo for IBC.  Don't worry... at 34, your body could take the rigors of chemo.  From now until the 28th, I urge to begin limiting sugar intake and meals that contain large amounts of carbohydrates.  Both molecules are a great source of energy for cancer cells.  Bear in mind that cancer cells, due to their hurrendous size compared to normal cells, require 20-fold the food intake of a normal cell.  Therefore, by limiting carbs and glucose, you starve them and they will self-destruct. 

Jack Haddad, MD, MBA

Nancy great big cyber hugs to you...So sorry you had to join our club...Yes this is a wonderful site to meet others going through what you are going through and also women who have already been there and done that.......Nancy, how old are you?...Do you have family close?...Where are your mets?.....I am a 2 yr survivor.....You can see my diagnosis below....I had a bilat mastectomy with immediate TRAM recons.....Please feel free to ask ANYTHING here.........You can also vent any all frustrations here, too......

Nancy ~  I'm so sorry about your diagnosis, which I'm assuming was from a biopsy.  Did they tell you anything else about your bc?  Is your doctor recommending a mastectomy because the lesion is large, or for some other reason?  One thing you will quickly learn is that not all doctors agree on treatment, and sometimes you may have more options than you realize or are led to believe.  Is your doctor a breast surgeon?  Have you had a second opinion?  

I certainly understand how devastating a dx of bc is, but you, Jessica, Toni, and all of the others who have recently posted here are not alone.  Please let us know how we can help you ~  Deanna 

Just recieved my Dx yesterday ILC In a few nodes,I can't believe it because I have been so healthy,I'm 62.I don't know what stage yet, or grade,getting a second opinion on which way to go.All of this has to sink in.I love this site.

I am 39 (barely) and i get all the time...you are too young.  Well, that may be so but I still have breast cancer!!!  I am waiting on my results to the BRCA test.  Maybe this is something you should look at as well.  If positive, then surgery will be needed

Hi Nicole-I grew up in the Bronx!  I am sorry about the news.  I was diagnosed on New Years Eve.   Thankfully I wasn't planning on a big celebration.  I had infil. duct. too.  There is no other option for surgery.  The 1st thing you need to do is remove the tumor/cancer.  What can vary, and that depends a lot on your biopsy and surgery results is what your treamtents will be.  Mine was considered Stage 2A.  The dr.s will look at the tumor size, lymph node invovlement, and the results of  your pathology report.  That will tell them what your tumor was made of or responsive to.  After my lumpectomy I am having chemo. and then I am having radiation.  I will then be on meds. after that.  I used Sloan Kettering.  I understand NY Hosp. is also very good. You want to go where they see lots of b/c patients and use the latest research.  I haved learned more than I ever, ever want to know about this challenge.  Anything you want to know e-mail this former Bronx girl.  We're tough and supportive.

To Nancy:  Although I am very very new to this whole experience, (my mother was just diagnosed less than 2 wks ago) I'd like to extend a supportive hand as well.  I suppose my advice at the present time would be to be sure that you are well informed every step of the way.  Some of the things you find out may be scary, but I find that the more informed I am, the better I feel.  DLB asked if you had a second opinion...I think that's important.  Take care!

Hi,

I am new to this post but was just diagnosed last week.  Met with the surgeon Wednesday and  scheduled for an MRI on Monday.  He wants to see if their are any leisons behind the lump mass.  I am 54 and this has hit me very hard since it doesn't run in my family. I have gone thorught many different emotions and not sure what to expect next.I will be visiting this site often for support.  Thanks for any info that could help me adjust to the news.

Cajunlady54

 I was diagnosed with IDC April 29th Grade 2.  Talk about information overload!  Whew!  I am 41 and this was my first mammogram.  I had 3 biopsies on the left breast and all came back the same.  They span about 7cm.  All the tumors are aprox. 1.3cm.  There was a comment on my original mammogram report about a possible benign fibroid thing.  Now I'm waiting for a sonogram to get a visual of that before making my final decision.  I am a 46 DDD and have always hated my chest.  Always dreamed about a reduction...but not this way.  Oh well.  I have an almost 5 year old and an 8 year old boys.  That is what will get me through this.  This was no where on my radar and it has been a rough couple of weeks.  And the fight of my life just starting.  I am so very nervous about the surgery and what to expect following.  I didn't realize you couldn't drive for so long and have to rely on caretakers for me and my boys.  So many decisions and so little time.  I am looking for any support and encouragement.  Thank you for all of your honesty and availability.  Blessings to all of you! 

 I just found out tues. that i have breast cancer. Don't know what stage yet. I will have surgery next friday. It was a big shock to me and my husband. My children are 10 1/2 and 12. They are doing pretty good. I find myself crying  just whenever and then i'm fine. I'm trying to just take it day by day. That is all you can do. Right? My parents aren't handing this very well. And i don't know how to help them. I can't handle them being negative. I'm trying to be positive. That's what i need to be. What can i do?