If you have just been diagnosed....

thanks ladies,

I did set it up as a new topic.

Cathy

Parkwoodcottage- I will be saying a prayer and thinking good thoughts for you on your surgery tomorrow- Let us know how you are when you can. (((((((((hugs))))))))))

Debbie

Cathy ~ So glad to know that your bc is in situ.  Of course, it's still bc and will require treatment, but it sounds like you understand the positive aspect of having DCIS (it's not invasive, so rarely goes anywhere outside of the breast) and are relieved. 

I''m also breathing a huge sigh of relief that you finally know what you're dealing with and can more forward ~  Deanna

Dear dee1402, JMHO  I hope you don't mind my intervention in your diagnosis but I recommend getting as much testing and biopsy done before having just a lumpectomy of one area.  From my past experience of being a Breast Imaging Specialist and a Breast Cancer Survivor doctors tend to assume that they will get all ca tissue out with lumpectomy and do lots of time.  Get an MRI of your breast that is a dedicated Breast Unit ASAP and definitely before surgery.  Even MRI imaging does not show everything(not the best for any in-situ findings) but does tend to show enlarged nodes, invasive ca, and potential problems.  If you are told that you have very dense breast that can be difficult to diagnose that is a risk of having more going on than they can prove by imaging.  We see this all the time at our Breast Center and try very hard to interpret to the very best ability but things still get missed.  I don't want to scare you but do want to help you make good decisions.  My ca was missed for sev yrs but I have a very untypical type of invasive lobular ca that I finally found myself 2 mths after Cat 2 Benign findings mammo read by extremely good radiologist.  My ca had to have been there for sev yrs because of size and 5 +lymph nodes.  So beware of trusting imaging totally.  Surgeons tend to trust imaging 150% and are mostly ultra conservative these days on taking breast tissue.  It is wonderful to be able to have a lumpectomy and save the breast but not if you leave cells behind.  Br Ca is very sneaky and can simmer for years with no symptoms.  Sometimes by the time it will show up on imaging or produce symptoms it is already Stage 3 and you are battling for your life.  It is still treatable at this stage but my onc has told me I will never be considered cured even if I live to be 100.  If caught early it can be cured.  So just be diligent and get proactive and arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible.  If you can find a Dr. who actually is a BR CA Surgeon not just a general surgeon he will be much more cautious and try to really find out what is in your breast.  I also recommend seeing a good Breast Onc after MRI and get all results you can to take to him and ask him to review your actual mammo and MRI,Breast U/S, and any other studies one on one with good Breast Radiologist.  If you can get these guys looking at a more personal level and talking it is always an advantage.  You can get 2nd opinions which I would do before any surgery is done.  Sorry for such a long post but I do not want others to have regrets that they did not pursue every avenue to finding ca early and being able to have a cure.  Hope this does not offend you and I would be glad to talk with you privately if you would like.  You may send me a private message if you have other questions or if  would rather I keep my opinions to myself.  I will understand because I know all of this is scary and you feel frustrated.  Hope everything works out for you and this is just a bump in the road. Whatever you do must be your decision not anyone elses.  You must be comfortable with that>Saying a prayer for you now if you don't mind.  God bless you and keep you, LOL,gin2ca

Cathy ~ I believe what Gin is advocating for is thorough screening via appropriate tests & equipment by extremely competent technicians and docs to help you decide.  My bio is a perfect example of what she's talking about -- dense breasts, an oncology surgeon who "knew" exactly what she would find, a mediocre (blurry) MRI -- and voila -- 3 tiny missed lesions that, thankfully, a breast surgeon at UCLA diligently found in evaluations AFTER my lumpectomy.  (Actually, 2 that a better MRI found prior to my mast and another tiny one that was only found in that final pathology.)

One thing that can be a problem is lobular bc vs. ductal bc.  It's not entirely black and white, but lobular is known to be harder to detect and tricker in its behavior.  Lobular in situ is LCIS (vs. DCIS).  Another factor is that invasive bits of bc tend to hide within larger patches of in situ bc and are often not discovered until final pathology.  An explanation that helped me understand it is comparing the biopsy process to biopsying for a raisin in a loaf of raisin bread -- you might hit one and you might not.  

Many, many women do absolutely fine with a lumpectomy.  But you need to be sure you are properly screened prior to it, which is why I strongly advocate that women use a breast surgeon at a comprehensive cancer center, and not just their local general surgeon who may or may not be as entirely up on the intricacies of bc as we assume they are.     Deanna 

I'm sorry I've not posted sooner but I've been reeling since seeing my surgeon on Tuesday.  I'm a triple negative on hormone receptors.  And, yes, I've been to that forum on here and read the positive stories for TNBC.  But I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm very scared to be a triple negative.  Actually my Her2 neu was 1+ but they classified that one 0-1+ as being a negative. 

Also, my MRI actually showed 2 more small areas of concern in the same breast and a "probable" intermammary node involvement.  So, I have to have another set of biopsies next Tuesday.  I have to have them via MRI biopsies this time and will be on my stomach (I don't do stomach real well) for 2 - 2 1/2 hours in that machine.  They are giving me a sedative this time as I will need it.  I'm wanting to think that intermammary means "still confined to the breast" and that might be a good thing but I'm scared to breathe life into any hopes at this point.  I was so dazed by getting this news that I forgot to ask a few questions and have called and talked to the nurse once and will do so again to get my questions answered. 

 When the Dr. told me this it hit me in the gut, about the triple negative.  She said it was a given I will have to have chemo, a more aggressive chemo and possibly for longer and then possibly radiation also.  I read on here that TN's sometimes respond better to chemo then other cancers and that if I can stay cancer free for 2-3 years that it drops my risk of recurrance at least to a more hopeful level.  I also was told my the nurse that TN in no way is a death sentance.  That's good, I don't want to die from this monster.

I went ahead and made one decision and that is NO reconstruction.  My husband is 110% on board with this decision.  I don't want it because I have a hip replacement implant and every time I submit to any surgery I put myself and that hip at risk for infection (my orthopedic surgeon cautioned me about that at the time of that surgery) and they told me that reconstruction would be multiple surgeries and the risks sometimes with implants, so because I could tell them 100% that reconstruction was off the table, they went ahead and scheduled me for surgery for August 9th.  I am waiting to decide what surgery I elect, lumpectomy, partial mastectomy or mastectomy, until after pathology screens the biopsies taken on Tuesday.  If those 3 places are cancer as well, I've about decided for mastectomy. 

I like my Dr.  She is 110% all business.  She strongly feels it is the woman's decision, the kind of surgery for breast cancer, and no one elses, not even hers.  She tells you what your options are and she is very sure of herself.  Not to the point of being arrogant but to the point of knowing what she does for the patient on an individual basis.  However, it seems strange to me that they told me I won't see her again until the day of surgery but maybe that is the norm for a larger medical community with a much in demand breast surgeon.  Whew, she is a busy sergeon as she is in high demand.  I've heard lots of good things about her. 

Oh, forgot to also say that I have invasive ductal carcinoma and also the in situ version.  How can this be?  My mind couldn't clear enough to ask her that. 

Deanna~ Well, its time some one gave you a BIG HUG!! ((((((hugs)))))) you always give every one such good advice and support, so now it is your turn to get that in return, I will be praying and hoping every thing turns out good on your MRI on tuesday-

Warm hugs,

Debbie

Thank you, Debbie.  I've been meaning to PM you to tell you how delighted I am to see you on this thread.  Your responses are truly a blessing to the new women here.

And thank you, msphil, for your encouraging post.  I know it will be uplifting to everyone reading it.  I'm a 2-year survivor, and your words helped ease the underlying fear we all experience to some degree at check-up time.   Deanna    

Hi to all,

I have just been told at my first visit Fri 9th for a mammo, US and FNAC, that then and there they said no beating around the bush it was the C, and that I have cancer a 4cm malignant lesion @12 oclock left breast. As it is the weekend I will not know more until my GP tries to get me to a breast cancer clinic first thing Monday. Needless to say very scary but not going to that place just yet and just trying to stay pos. Im up as I cant sleep, layed awake and finally got out of bed at 2.00am  as I have incredible pins and needles sensation down my arm actually its hard to describe not quite pins and needles but close enough. It just wont let up so that I can rest. Is this normal? I was wondering if its because the radiologist really concentrated on my under arm and maybe its from that. Its very comforting to know I have a soft place to fall as my husband is very supportive researching the net till his brain hurts but I suppose thats his way of trying to solve the problem. I am also fortunate that at the moment I have my twin sister and her husband living with us while they are building a new house. They have been great especially my sis who has had the dreadful task of fielding phone calls as Im just not up to dealing with people right now. Im glad I also have this forum I know it will be very informative and cut through to the real deal that we are all facing. So Thankyou all so far, smiles, big group hug and keep positive LOL

Hi Strongmom, I really appreciate your comment about "I" dont have cancer my breast has. I will now  adopt this great positive attitude.Oh and honey it may not seem like it now but you are truly better off  without your boyfriend as you need  positive people around you, to get your life back the way it was, and I have every faith you will because you have your beautiful girls to fight for.So keep it always in your minds eye your future with your girls. Something to look forward to. Ive always thought about belly dancing.... I wonder

Hi tryn2,

Surgery is half way to sorting things out so glad your on your way.So what do they say... Break a leg. This is certainly not a club you choose to join but Im sure glad we all have our sisterhood to reach out to. Ive discovered a great distraction to take my mind off things and tune out its pogo.com  I play poppit and turbo 21 card game it tunes me out for awhile. Again keep smiling all

Cat

rachel15738

Of course your worried, and your just getting over cervical cancer, your probably in shock of the dx again.  I know a nurse friend of mine who had cervical cancer and node surgery over 20 years ago and no reoccurrence so now lets just concentrate on the BC battle and we all know it can be beat too. Easier said then done huh?  Well all of us here are forced to face our fears and deal with it.  Sorry you have to join us. It sounds like you may live in a more remote area as I do where your not in the middle of all the resources available to those who live in more populated areas.  I'm just guessing that by the time line it took to get a verbal answer and not a pathology report back.  My BS put a rush on mine and it still took about 10 days.  I asked for a copy of the pathology but I must sign for it at the Hospital Records Department when I go Friday 16 for my surgery.  You should be able to access yours also.  From what I've learned on this site there are still many tests to be done after surgery.  I don't know anything but the type DCIS.  I so wish there was a faster way of getting the answers.  I truly know what the waiting does to you and to your loved ones.  We are here to listen and help if we can.  Best of Luck.

Cathy

Hi all--got diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma. Stage to be determined based on the surgery next Monday. Was hoping for better diagnosis but Doc mentioned this is most common form. Trying to stay hopeful!

@tryn2stayca...I actually live in Canada in pretty populated area. I guess I am so anxious--just wish everything happened faster. Actually got verbal pathology back in about 5 days (1 be national holiday) and got full pathology back this AM--prob could have received on Thurs/Fri but was away for the weekend.

Hello All,

  I am still getting my mind around my recent diagnosis. My daughter suggested I look at the discussions here. Yesterday as I read many of the posts all I could manage was to cry for you all, and myself.  I am having a CAT on my abdomen today and next week a bone scan.  I have had my cyst for quite sometime and it was trouble only with my  cycle.  I had my first biopsy/lumpectomy 33 yrs ago. I have had fibroid cysts all my life and had 2 other biopsies all negative.  I became insensitive to this condition and treated it as routine. I had a mamogram in 2008 and it was fine. I decided to stop living in a state of wariness and skipped my 2009 mamo. A recent concern not associated to this sent me for medical help and after many other tests I decided I should do the mamo also just to get back on track. Immediately following the mamo I was sent for ultrasound. As the radiologist read my images in the next room he came in to see it live and sent for the breast surgeon. At htis point the room was getting a bit crowded and I was starting to panic. I had 3 needle core biopsies on breast lumps and one in the closest lymph node. Clinical diagnosis was stage 2a.This was 7/1 the path report was read after the holiday weekend so I got the info on the 6th.following  an MRI w/contrast.  A 5 cm tumor invasive ductal carcinoma  moderately differentiated on one, and associated ductal carcinoma in situ intermediate nuclear grade with cribiform growth pattern,on another, the third was a fibroadenoma. I was told multiple sites lit up on the images from the MRI,I don't understand what that means yet the Dr. was not forthcoming with info and I found it hard to get info from him.He did finally say I was now at a 3b. I will be seeing a different Dr. in the office, he was filling in while vacations were taken.  I will get a treatment plan after seeing the oncologist on the 27th this month. If I don't lose my mind before that! I have great support and a loving family, but not one of them has first hand experience with this thank god!  Right now I am in the dark.

just diagnosed, and still having tests before a treatment plan is made I have IDC 5 cm, involving at least one node, and er/pr and her2, stage 3b, have had MRI w/contrast, CAT on abdomen w/contrast, and will have a bone scan next week. I am wondering if this is the course for everyone w/IDC