Newly Diagnosed

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desimone
desimone Member Posts: 40
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed


Hi - just diagnosed on Oct 29 with infiltrative ductual adenocarcinoma. The 3 cm has crush artifact but areas of single cell infiltration as well as focal aggregate formation are seen. I do not know what this means. I am having surgery on Nov 14 and very scared. My sister has ovarian cancer and tested positive for BRCA 2 mutation. I am beside myself. My minds is going all over the place. I do not know what to do?

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  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 377
    edited November 2013


    So sorry you are here with us but you will find lots of information and support. Not sure what surgery you are having but they should be able to determine the stage at that time. Once you have a treatment plan, things will make more sense. Take a deep breath and take care of yourself. If you aren't sleeping, ask your doctor for something. If you need something for your anxiety, ask for that. Now is the time to put yourself first and be as healthy as you can be going into surgery. Please keep us posted.

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  • desimone
    desimone Member Posts: 40
    edited November 2013


    Hi - I have decided to have a mastectomy. I have been in touch with the Hereditary Program and hopefully I can be tested and see if I am positive for the BRCA 2 gene. If am positive I will have the other breast and my ovaries/tubes removed. I went to see a counselor today at the breast clinic and that helped. This is such a nightmare. I will let you know how it goes next week after the surgery. Has anyone heard of "Inspire Health" in Vancouver.


    Thanks

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  • desimone
    desimone Member Posts: 40
    edited November 2013


    Hi - I have decided to have a mastectomy. I have been in touch with the Hereditary Program and hopefully I can be tested and see if I am positive for the BRCA 2 gene. If am positive I will have the other breast and my ovaries/tubes removed. I went to see a counselor today at the breast clinic and that helped. This is such a nightmare. I will let you know how it goes next week after the surgery. Has anyone heard of "Inspire Health" in Vancouver.


    Thanks

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  • Joankzk
    Joankzk Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2013


    Hello Desimone, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I had a double mastectomy in September, right now I'm doing great. There is a lot of information on this site. I decided against reconstruction for the time being, as I am almost 60 years old. I did not have to take any pain pills after surgery, and overall the surgery was a lot easier than I ever expected. Be good to yourself.

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  • desimone
    desimone Member Posts: 40
    edited November 2013


    I was wondering why some women have a double mastectomy and some single. I spoke with my sister who has ovarian cancer and BRC2 positive and I guess today at her oncologist's appointment she had discussed me and he said because my sister had an aggressive form and that I had a clear mammogram in June that mine could be aggressive and I should have a double mastectomy. I am now second guessing everything.

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited November 2013

    desimone - Take a deep breath. A clear mammo in June does not always mean that it is new and aggressive. Mammos are notorious for missing things, especially in dense tissue. People say thoughtless and scary things, try not to let it upset you. Take it one step at a time. If the anxiety gets to be too much for you ask your doctor for something to calm you down. I know you are so frightened right now. Gentle cyber hug.

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  • desimone
    desimone Member Posts: 40
    edited November 2013


    Thanks - I guess my mind is going in 100 directions. She also said I should have a total hysterectomy and I was just thinking of removing my ovaries and tubes. I spoke with my gynecologist and after I told her that my sister is positive for BRCA 2 she said that we should discuss my options. I know people are trying to help you but scaring me is not the answer. Finding out I have BC is hard enough to take but also finding out that my sister is BRAC 2 positive really scares me. I am in the process to see if I carry that gene and from that I will decide what I will do.


    Thanks eveyone

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  • desimone
    desimone Member Posts: 40
    edited November 2013


    Reading many post I a wondering if I'm making a correct decision. The surgeon said she wants the cancers out now in my right breast (as they know it is there) and if I decide to have the other breast removed that is an option. I guess I hear that many of you had both removed and I am only getting one done. I am so confused.

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  • EstelaLorca
    EstelaLorca Member Posts: 98
    edited November 2013


    Hi Desimone,


    Everyone will have different opinions on what you should do. It is important to remember that you can't make all of these decisions without having the facts. You should not worry about making your next decision until you have your BRCA results. Just get through the first step.


    I was diagnosed 4 years ago. My doctors recommended a lumpectomy but the margins weren't clean. I followed up with a mastectomy to my left breast. I decided, at the time, to keep my right breast. I've had Chemo, radiation and now I'm in remission. I had a delayed reconstruction, because I'm young. I was 32 when I was diagnosed. I'm now, 4 years later making another decision - to have my right one removed. Everyones decisions are personal. For me, after keeping my right breast, I've had yearly mammograms which are followed up by ultrasounds and MRIs (again because I am young they are keeping a close eye on me). I am finished with having these tests. They stress me out every single time I get followups.


    I highly recommend that you seek out resources that are available to you. Maybe not now, but later? I joined groups (and I didn't think I was a group person) and I've asked for counselling. It definitely helped. I don't like to take any sort of medication, but during this time, it made things a lot easier. Especially the sleeping part. You need your sleep, and your rest.


    Stay close to your family, I wish you the best.

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited November 2013


    Desimone - If your surgeon wants to remove the cancer now, you might consider just a lumpectomy, and then get everything else in order once your other testing comes in. A lumpectomy is a relatively easy surgery and should not preclude a single or double mastectomy down the road.

    I came from a high risk family also. The good thing about that is we know we're at risk AND people take us seriously. Again, take it step by step. This is the scariest time when there are still so many things unknown. It does get a little easier as your treatment plan gets mapped out. This is going to be a scary ride for awhile.You can private message me anytime if you'd like.

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