If you have just been diagnosed....

hello,, since im new to this as of yesterdays diagnosis, i am deriving strength from you.  i keep wondering if i will go thru with mastectomy.  mine is invasive ductoral.  i meet with surgeon this monday.  i would rather have mastectomy than go through all that chemotherapy.  did you go thru chemo with your cervical cancer.?

Hi candlemason...I know what you mean about being in a fog. Once the doctor said the word Cancer, everything else she said was how you hear Charlie Brown's teachers voice on the cartoons. i then had so many terms to google, and searched videos on youtube to watch....I love this site though..lots of good info.

ER and PR refer to Estrogen positve, and progesterone positive...it means the cancer cells are receptive to those hormones and thats what it needs to divide and keep growing. At least thats what I took it to mean.

Well I joined the C club on January 10th oficially.  I had a mammogram that showed microcalcifications in the right breast, was scheduled for a stereotactic biopsy on the 6th and got the diagnosis on the 10th.  My Breast surgeon has scheduled everything for me, and provided me with copies of the biopsy report.  I had a PEM scan done on the 12th and meet with an Oncologist tomorrow the 19th, then a radiology oncologist on the 24th and back to the surgeon ont the 31st.

 I have to say this whole thing is like a speeding train for me.  I really don't have time to think.  The biopsy stated I have IDC with DCIS.  The tumor was graded at a 1, but nothing was said about any ofthe ER/PR or the Her2 on the report.  So I really feel that I am still in limbo.  I mean I am glad it is a grade 1, slow growing cancer, but I can't feel overly great about it since I don't know the whole story, which makes it difficult to make a decision about lumpectomy of mastectormy.  Hopefully tomorrow the PEM test results will clear things up and the Oncologist will have a few more answers.

 Anyway, I am finding comfort in reading other peoples stories here so thank you so much for maintaining this site.

UPDATE:

 Just got back from the Oncologist, I am one very lucky woman. The tumor is highly hormone reactive and the PEM scan showed it is the only one in both breasts.  So I am a candidate for the lumpectomy and radiation therapy. As it is in my right breast, I am going to go with the Drs. recommendations. If it were in my left I probably would have gone with a mastectomy due to the threat of artillary sclerosis.

 Any way scarey day is done, now I can move forward. I will check back here as I progress through this journey for comfort and knowledge.

I had a biopsy in Nov. and was told Dec. 2011 it was cancer.  Left breast.  Had a mastectomy Dec. 29 and met with oncologist Jan. 15,2012.  I am scheduled for echocardiogram and PET scan this week and will then see Oncologist as discuss treatment.  I also have MS so I am concerned with the interactions of any drugs necessary.  I know since I have HER2 positive gene that herceptin will be given if echocardiogram comes out OK.  I just don't know the chemotherapy and the time frame.

I'm reading everything on this site to help me better understand what to expect and how to prepare for it.  

did you, connieheg5, decide on the mastectomy?  I was diagnosed last Weds with the invasive ductal carcinoma and at first just wanted both of them off. The surgeon said i had a choice, a mastectomy or the lumpectomy.  I also dont want to go thru chemo as a co-worker went through it for six months after a lumpectomy and said how painful and uncomfortable it was.  Some of my friends tell me im making a mistake having one removed but it's my decision and i really wish they'd support me. As one woman wrote on her she likes her breasts but they don't define her.  My breasts are also droopy (I'm 46) and I have the stomach pouch still from having my kids so I figured that would be another good reason to do this, get rid of the cancer (hopefully all of it, I know there's a small percentage it may return), and the getting rid of the stomach pouch which is actually uncomfortable and my breasts are heavy and so saggy.  I dont like operations and understand the DIEP take eight hours or more. I'm hoping this will all go fast and be successful.  Im actually kinda scared about the whole thiing as Im still in shock that i have breast cancer and am a single parent so it just adds to my worry. i'd love to have this surgery at Stanford but it's at Santa Clara Kaiser.  Anyone else had theirs performed there?  A mastectomy with reconstruction using the stomach tissue?  A Dr. Ho is doing the plastic surgery.

I was diagnosed January 25th 2012 with DCIS in situ on left breast. After MRI was done they found DCIS in right breast also. At this point they think it is all contained but it is all over my ducts so their only recommendation is a double mastectomy. They are holding off on chemo or radiation until after the surgery because there are some areas they just aren't 100% sure of. My mother passed away from breast cancer 26 years ago, my father is beside himself and my baby sister (39) is having an MRI done because they found some areas in her right breast.

To say that I am scared to death is a small statement. I am waiting on a surgery date because I have opted to have reconstructive surgery at the same time. Can anyone tell me what I am in for?

Left breast: 2.6 cm, 1.4 cm, 1.3 cm, 1.6 cm and various others (greater than 15) ranging from 4-5 mm all over in the ducts.

Right breast: greater than 10 all ranging around 45 mm

Iknrocha,

I too am going through the VA as I am a Marine and Gulf War Veteran. Mine was found by an act of God. I have DCIS in situ in both breast and it only showed up on an MRI. I only have one option and that is a double mastectomy and will have reconstructive surgery at the same time. Do you know how long you were under for? I would love to hear more about your experience and progress.  I am still waiting on a surgery date (hopefully the end of March).

Gigi

February 14th: routine mammogram

February 15th: callback; they found something

February  16th: more images. Radiologist showed me microcalcifications in one area. Said they were suspicious. 

February  20th:stereotactic biopsy. Bled a lot. Developed a bit of a hematoma. (Am I spelling that correctly?)

February 21st: took Tylenol and iced area. Quite painful. 

February 22nd: asked to have the area looked at, as the swelling had increased and the pain was no longer being controlled by anything I could do. Had an ultrasound and the radiologist tried to aspirate the blood; that failed. While I was there, he got the results of the biopsy. Said "We found cancer". Said he'd be talking to the surgeon at noon and they would call me. Assured me they'd found it VERY early. Got an rx for pain medication and went home and waited.

No call yet.  I don't know anything. I want answers. I don't even know what questions to ask!

I also am going thru the VAMC ,at least so far . I know the one I  am going to does not have the plastic surgeon to do the reconstruction, so I can have the surgery there and do the implant at another time or I can choose another VAMC. I also am wondering if I should go outside the AMC and try Sloan Kettering.  I have made an appt for Mar 5 with the breast surgeon there.I do have private insurance, but have no idea what my out of pocket expense will be. It's really a hard decision to make go for the VAMC and save money or go to Sloan Kettering  and feel more confident.. Oh I also am on meds since 2010 for Reumatoid Arthritis, wonder how that is gonna affect this. 

I am glad i found this site, I've diagnosed with IDC, the tumor is small and i am schedulling for lumpectomy next week, The BS offer lumpectomy or mastectomy, and I choose lumpectomy, but now I questioned myself, should I choose mastkectomy, I am 46 yo with no back ground BC in the family but I have family history for pancreatic and colon cancer, the BS urged me to get colonscopy after surgery, before I believe after surgery n treatment i will be clean but now I am scared the cancer will return and travel to colon or pancreas. After surgery i will get radiation then hormone therapy. Well, I am sending you all warm hugs and thank you for letting me sharing my fear in here

I was diagnosed with stage 1 Breast Cancer back in December and have already had surgery. Now I'm waiting on chemo treatments to begin.  One thing I haven't found in my area are really strong face to face support groups with women coming together to discuss how they are getting through all this with diet, exercise, etc.  Do you know if anything like this exists?  I am in the Charlotte area. 

Hi, Gracie2.  As it stands right now (and subject to the results of SNB and final pathology), it looks as if I will not need either chemo or radiation once past my BMX later this month.  It was one of the key reasons I chose that route vs. a lumpectomy with guaranteed radiation.  So, not a finished experience for me but certainly what I was told by two BS when making my decision.

EDIT to add that my tumor is thought to be much smaller and less aggressive than yours, so that will likely add some impact.  Your BS should be able to give you thoughts on the likelihood of at least the radiation portion with mastectomy vs. lumpectomy.  Location of your tumor may also play a part of that decision.

Sorry.. BMX = bi-lateral mastectomy

Hopefully this will work.  Here's the link to the Discussion Board Abbreviation Key: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/131/topic/773727?page=1#idx_1

If the link doesn't work, just go to the first "Just Diagnosed?" link by the moderators (top of the forum page) and you can find it there.  Good luck!

Hi all!  just diagnosed on Mar. 1st and scheduled to see team of drs. on Thur.  I am beyond scared an anxious.  I have been on this dis board lurking and devouring info since I found out I have bc.  All of the woman are so brave, strong and helpful but I think I may be making myself crazy with too much info and not even knowing the exact stats of my BC.  My Mom had BC @ 66 and I just turned 48.  My sister and Mom both had uterine cancer so I wonder if I should think about genetic testing.  The cancer is in my left breast and all i know is the radiologist said it is small but I still don't find comfprt in that.  I wish I asked more questions when I got the call but I was in shock.