Just Received Call From My Breast Specialist

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jojo38
jojo38 Member Posts: 16
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

After a week of waiting, I received a call this afternoon from my doctor. Of course, her initial call was a v/m stating she was going to call my home number in which I do not have voicemail. After several attempts calling Kaiser, I finally was able to leave a message for my doctor. So ten minutes passed, I get the call. I do have breast cancer possibly Stage II due to 6.5 mass. Not sure if its mm or cm? Gotta go back in for more tests, removal & drugs. Don't want drugs! Luckily, after my ultrasound biopsy on Tuesday, my 8-year old daughter was sent home with head lice then my 12-year old daughter came home with those nasty critters too! So I was quite busy treating their hair, my hair, doing excessive laundry & de-lice'in my house that I didn't really get to let my mind wander. Well, my appointment with my doctor is for tomorrow to go over my treatment plan. Broke the news to my mother-in-law that I'm very close too who cried. Broke the news to my mom who told me to be strong since she was diagnosed 3 years ago with same, but refused chemo. My husband rushed home, held me & cried. My girls are home too because after conquering lice crap, they both have colds/coughs! What to do now?

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  • Crescent5
    Crescent5 Member Posts: 442
    edited January 2013

    You're doing the right thing ... staying busy. I'm sorry about your diagnosis. I'm sure your specialist will have some encouraging news tomorrow. In the meantime: DO NOT GOOGLE. It will only bring up horror stories that were probably never true. Stay here where it's safe. {{{{hugs}}}

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited January 2013

    Jojo38- Take some slow deep breaths so you can get a little inner calm.  I know your head is spinning and like anyone else who receives a phone call from the breast specialist, you just don't hear everything even though you know someone is talking to you.  Thank goodness everyday family events ( ie combatting a lice situation and colds) help bring one back to reality so one can focus on something else.  I hope your husband or Mom or Mom in law or good friend will be accompanying you to your appointment tomorrow for moral support and to hear what is being said.  If you have questions, write them down and ask the doctor tomorrow.  Take pad and paper so you can take notes.  One day at a time; one step at a time.  All in due time, the facts of your situation will reveal themselves.  You may feel like it's a hurry up and wait during this time.  It's that emotional roller coaster that you have read about on this forums.  As you have been advised, no Dr. Google!!!!  There is inaccurate information, outdated information and information out there that just may not apply to you.  If you are wanting more info, go the BCO. org main website.  Glad you found this site and forums but so sorry you are joining the journey.  Remember that you are not alone and never will be.  This is a safe harbor for you to let out what you need to release; so rant, cry, vent because it is definitely okay to do that here!!!  Sending you lots of HUGS and positive calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy!!! 

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited January 2013

    You got very good advice from these ladies, Jojo. So sorry that you find yourself in this situation from which there is only one way out, and that is right through it to the other side. Trust me, this beginning stage is the hardest and scariest part because of all the uncertainties and unknowns. As soon as you have more information, a plan of action and a medical team on your side, it will get better. Breathe, and don't let our mind wander to dark places. At stage ll your chance of dying in a car accident is much higher than dying of breast cancer, to put things into perspective. Big hugs!!!

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  • Cuetang
    Cuetang Member Posts: 575
    edited January 2013

    I'm sorry you had to join us but glad you found these boards.  I was just diagnosed earlier this month, so all the emotions you're going through are completely fresh in my mind.  Like the wonderful folks have indicated, keep busy with all the other things going on with your life right now.  It will be a good idea to have someone with you at your appointments to listen to all the things you'll probably miss because you'll be on a horrible emotional roller coaster.  Don't forget to get copies of all your reports to keep for your own records.  Once you find out more from your pathology report, there are several different posts where there are others like you that have just recently been diagnosed and share experiences and provide tips on how to move forward.  This is a great place where you can rant, vent, air out all of your concerns and folks will completely understand.  One foot in front of the other and you'll definitely get through it.  (HUGS)

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  • jojo38
    jojo38 Member Posts: 16
    edited February 2013

    Thank you all for your encouraging words. It helps so much knowing there are others who can relate. I catch myself now, crying at times. I know this is another hurdle in life. Life is not easy and I was blessed (sometimes I feel cursed since my oldest daughter is a pre-teen, lol) with carrying/delivering & raising 2 beautiful girls, so I am determined to show them that I will beat this. Thank you again :)

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited February 2013

    Just wanted to send you a hug. I got my diagnosis yesterday. So sorry hon.

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited February 2013

    Jojo38- A positive attitude will serve you well from this day forward.  The tears are a part of what one needs to do to help release the stress and anxiety.  You don't need to hold those emotions inside; let them come and they will leave as quickly as they came.  Just keep moving forward and you will find yourself looking back one day and simply amazed at where you have been and what you have done.

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  • Sallyann
    Sallyann Member Posts: 29
    edited February 2013

    A year after I was born in 1946, my mother had a radical mastectomy. My earliest memories are snuggling up to her fleshless ribcage, scarred thin flesh on one side and her natural full breast on the other. She never ever mentioned throughout her life, the agony, fear, pain, loneliness and even shame that people experienced in those years. when the word "cancer" was never uttered, only in barely audible whispers, as if even the mention of the illness could infect you, make you vulnerable to a barely understood evil that crept into families and stole people's lives. There were no support groups for survivors, no dissemination of precise and well-researched medical information, no pink ribbons, no open, brave conversations between sufferers and their families. No lumpectomy, no exact targeted dosages of chemotherapy or radiation, no reconstructive surgery, nothing for a woman to do except be brave, silent, and hide her shame.

    I have dodged this bullet for 66 years, hoping against hope that my Askenazie Jewish genetics and my mother's fate would never find me after a lifelong game of hide-and-seek with the scary boogie man of breast cancer. I was diagnosed 10 days ago with DCIS and in 10 days I will undergo a lumpectomy.

    It is a frightening shock to be told by a well-meaning doctor that you are sick, but a miraculous blessing to find a group of extraordinarily courageous and smart women who provide what I only wish my beloved mother could have experienced, a community.

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  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2013

    Jojo38, april485, sallyann, so sorry you are joining us here, but know you are in good company. The ladies here have given me some great advice and the inner strength to keep going when all I wanted to do was stay in bed and cry. Surround yourself with good people and know that this to shall pass. I can't tell you when but it will happen. Take care.

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited February 2013

    SallyAnn, so very sorry. Huge hugs for you and for Mom even if she has since passed away. Cancer is evil. There should have been cures for this by now imho. The have done amazing things but still, people die every day from this vicious disease.

    I join you in your sadness. I am waiting for the Patient Navigator to call me with my lumpectomy date. Then there will likely be radiation and some AI pill. I pray that we come through this with grace and dignity and can put it behind us where it will just be something that we "went through" although we will be forever changed.

    Again, so sorry we are here even though I have met so many brave and wonderful people on this site.

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