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Charliestweetie
Charliestweetie Member Posts: 29
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi!!! 

My final pathology report came in. I am so blown off: what was supposed to be a Stage 1 IDC turn into a Stage 3 with 24/24 nodes involved and 6 tumors in my right breast---one was 1 inch---which neither an MRI or mammogram had picked up. The only indication that something was wrong, were those microcalcifications.

I am scared out of my mind--I never expected to be a Stage 3.

What to do know? How can I beat this shit?

Charliestweetie 

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  • KSteve
    KSteve Member Posts: 486
    edited September 2012

    I just reached the two year mark with stage 3a and I plan to be around for many years to come.  You need more details to understand exactly what you'll be facing.  When do you meet with the doctors (breast surgeon or oncologist)?  Remember, this is the scariest part.  Once you have a treatment plan, you won't feel so scared and powerless. 

    Hugs,

    Kathy

    p.s.  I love your name!

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  • Let-It-Be
    Let-It-Be Member Posts: 325
    edited September 2012

    Sorry you moved to the 3's.  But, we're an awesome bunch :)  Lots of ladies do well for many many years.  Check out the "Success Stories" thread for those good stories of women who have made it for years and years.  I think it's under the "Inspirational" board.  As KSteve mentioned, you'll feel so much better with a treatment plan, knowing you're kicking it to the curb!  Good luck, be well, and hugs!

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  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited September 2012

    Sorry you joining us!!! I am two years out too and my initial pathology report said stage II, which then turned out III. I was shocked , upset, worried, angry and more. I didn't want to sleep, not to wake up to the shock again and again!! It took couple of neoadjuvant ( chemo before surgery) chemos and a shrinking tumor, plus my oncs optimism, that gave me the hope I would beat this. I remember her saing the word " treatment", which was like a soothing balm to my aching heart. It was then the surgery and instead of expected 1-2 nodes, there were 6 six of them. Then again six more rounds of chemo and radiation. It was last year this time I finished active treatment and been doing quite well since. With every follow up and good results it gets easier. Cancer is not any more the first thought when I wake up and go to sleep. So please don't despair and communicate with us and know, that you are not alone. We are here to support you in every possible way while you go through this hard time. Good luck and hugs!!!

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited September 2012

    Hi- my stage 1 biopsy ended up being stage IIIc after my lumpectomy with 17 of 17 nodes being positive. Three weeks later I had the double mastectomy. I just wanted the dam things gone. My tissue expanders look great. No bra needed and they only hurt right after the surgery. I have had no pains with the fills. I always look forward to another fill because I keep getting bigger and better foobs. I am almost 2/3 of the way through chemo and I still go to work every day other than the infusion days. I am more tired than normal, but life goes on. You will get through this and we are all here for you. Sorry you have to join us though.

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  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited September 2012

    You are in the right place! Keep asking questions...lots of shoulders to lean on here. It is scary, but it gets better! I am weeks away from my 3 year mark!! Hang in there!!

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited September 2012

    Many of us went from one to three pretty darn quick.  I had a small tumor , that didn't show on mammos, I found it myself. No nodes showed on MRI, no masses showed on mammo.  After surgery - 5 positive lymph nodes and one other tumor.  Stage 3 is a scary word but the definition is - give me all you got!  There is no grey area, you get moved to the front of the line and you get the most and best treatment. 

    I am just over 4 years out - diagnosed June 5th 2008 (so really 4 years 3 months and 2 days  - but who is counting) .  I took whatever treatment I could and did it as quickly as possible.  I wanted my life back and I did get my life back. You can do this - of course you can.

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2012

    One day at a time, Charlie, that's how you beat it.  You focus on what you have to do each day, and try not to worry about the next one.  My doctors initially thought I was just dealing with microcalcifications too, but I suspected lymph node involvement because of the locale of the lump.  It still rocks your world when you get the official news!  We are here for you, and you can come here and get the support you need.  And my last piece of advice is to not to pay attention to much to the things people say to you in general as you go through this journey.  People are mostly well-meaning, but they can say some incredibly insensitive things and it helps to keep that in mind so that you can smile to yourself when you hear it and say, "Yeah, my BC girlfriends warned me about that!".

    Hugs

    Bobbie

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited September 2012

    There is one advantage to Stage III.  I know, it sounds crazy.  There will be no gray areas as far as treatment.  You will receive the strongest treatment your body can handle, and you'll never have to wonder, "Did I do enough?" 

    My #1 piece of advice for you right now is don't google Stage III.  Any information you might find is outdated.  At my first onc appt. I specifically asked my doctor not to talk about my prognosis, only my treatment.

    You must feel shellshocked right now.  Once you have a treatment plan in place, remember that the emotions you feel can be the result of the steroids given with chemo.  You may feel agitated, moody, tearful and anxious.  Steroids are powerful drugs and this may be a time to accept whatever anti-anxiety drugs may be offered to you.

    Find out what your onc says about Zometa to possibly help prevent reoccurence.  This is a bone strengthening drug that many of us are taking. "Pure" was treated by a cutting edge onc and she received it during chemo. 

    There will be some dark days, but you will get through this.  Be sure and read the Stage III 5 years out check in thread posted on the top.  You'll read the stories of many Stage III women who are doing well.   This is the best place to come for advice, and comfort.  All of us truly understand what you are going through.

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited September 2012

    Hi Charlie. Welcome to this great group of womne. YOU will be OK and beat this Sh*t.

    I absolutley agree with Calriceak. They tx Stge III very aggresively, which ultimately gives us a better shot. Also the crap on the net is OUT DATED  and does not reflect  current tx and outcomes, so don't read it.

    I was floored when I got my Stage IIIC. It was supposed to be stge I!

    Anyway, after the shock, I gradually got my footing back.

    I am now over 7 years and doing great. You will too!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited September 2012

    And exercise will cut your chance of reaccurance a lot. So when you are done, youwill do some sort of exercise.

    After about three months rest after my treatments. I joined gym and do the classes. I cant do the steps likeeveryoneelse, so i just get in back and move to my own drummer.

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2012

    Sorry you've had to join us, but we're a pretty great group I think. This really is the worst part of it, the early days. It does get better. (((HUGS)))

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  • Charliestweetie
    Charliestweetie Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2012

    Thanks girls!!! You are awesome!!!!!

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  • Ihopeg
    Ihopeg Member Posts: 399
    edited September 2012

    Hi! I hadn't read your post before now! We kinda have similar diagnoses. the same thing happened to me regarding the path report. Thought I was stage I and after surgery IIIC. Please let me help you get through this. Been there done that!!!!

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  • JacquelineG
    JacquelineG Member Posts: 282
    edited September 2012

    They initially thought I just had DCIS, then stage 1 and I ended up with Stage 3c - it was a huge shock but 5 years later I have my life back and you will too:-)



    Jackie

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2012

    I'm sorry you've had to join us here but welcome.  This is a great site full of great woman, info and support.  It got me through many dark days and now I was 2 yrs in July.  It is possible, tx is doable and there is hope.  You are in the worst place right now, I was a complete basketcase, once you get a tx plan you will feel more in control and ready to fight (or I did).  Come here often, we get it.  Hugs.

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  • pp729
    pp729 Member Posts: 135
    edited September 2012
    Hi charliesweetie -- sorry to hear of your diagnosis but this is a great forum for Stage 3 ladies.  Before you see the Onc and BS, you may want to check out the NCCN guidelines which are sort of the bible on BC treatment.  Go to www.nccn.org and you'll have to set up a user name and password.  Then look for NCCN Guidelines along the top and then for NCCN Guidelines for Treatment of Cancer by site and then select BC.  It will open a huge PDF file that you can use along with your pathology report to see what is the recommended courses of treatment. 
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