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GeriBastian
GeriBastian Member Posts: 12
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed

Hi, I was diagnosed on Dec. 23rd. I was giving a name of a surgeon/oncologist, I'm notable to get in until the 9th and I'm looking hard for some kind of answers on what I have and how good or bad it is and what I can expect.

I'm 48 & healthy

From the pathology report I get that I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma 1.8cm, grade 2, ER+, PR-, HER2 +

I have changed my diet and cut out red meats and sugar. Can anyone shed some light on my diagnoses and what I should be doing now until my appt. I know I can beat this thing I just want to know what I'm up against! 

Thanks 

Geri

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited December 2013

    Geri, sorry that you are dealing with a dx of breast cancer. I am assuming you had a biopsy. Did they biopsy your lymph node? You will meet with your surgeon & discuss/decide on a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. My surgeon was very pro lumpectomy, which is obviously easier than mastectomy. Lots of reconstruction issues with a mastectomy. Waiting is the worse part. You truly won't know what you are up against until they do the surgery and you find out if, or how many positive nodes. That was the big shocker for me, I am healthy, lots of excercise, yearly mammos & still had 6 nodes positive...yikes....Jump around on these boards, don't panic on the food stuff. I lost 20 lbs in the first month. I still cannot eat a full meal...hoping it will change soon....good luck, keep posting, it really helps as we know how difficult this is.

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited December 2013

    Hi Geri - welcome to these boards and this site, but ugh so sorry you are joining our ranks.  Not the holiday suspense anyone wants to live in...but you will...promise...I'm a year out this Xmas...waiting is the hardest.

    Read understanding your diagnosis and breathe...the data comes in slowly...our heads spin waiting, but until final path from surgery you will not have all the info for attack plan. 

    So during this wait...check out your BC center, if there's a support group visit, BC center may have a RN or NP who can provide additional reading material, and this site has reading recommendations. Then breathe, don't rehearse something you may not have to do...focus on today.  

    Again read the understanding your dx, staging, join the IDC threads...ie 2013 Sister Warriors! Most of all remember we are all unique...our dx&tx will be similar but unique too. Choose the best BC team, prepare your questions (make 3 copies you dr appt bud) choose an appointment buddy to be your ears, encouragement & soundboard, shoulder, start a file and ask for copies of all your records, then go do something that makes your heart and spirit smile :)

    You will be fine brave warrior!  Stay here...no mr goggle...this site is full of good info...a safe place to share, vent, celebrate.  Breathe, will be in your pocket (((hugs)))

    Cindy

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2013

    Hello Geri, and welcome to Breastcancer.org, although we're sorry that you've had to join this great community.

    A good place to start to learn more about what to expect is the Breast Cancer 101 section of the main Breastcancer.org site. It's designed for those who are newly diagnosed, and can help direct you to the answers you're looking for.

    You'll also find support and personal experiences of others, right here in the discussion boards.

    Best wishes,

    • The Mods

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  • Rockym
    Rockym Member Posts: 1,261
    edited December 2013

    Geri, sorry you have found yourself here :-(.  The beginning is usually the toughest.  There are so many decisions to make and each person is unique in what they may want to do.  All the doctors are very different in their treatment too.  I would say that being informed on your pathology now and also after surgery is most important.  Depending on your age, family history and background (European decent, etc.) you may want to have a BRCA test.  This test could determine some of your choices during surgery.  I see you listed HER+ which unfortunately/fortunately lends itself to chemo treatment.  Normally, I would say that the Oncotype test would also be the next action, but with HER+ I am not sure if that test is helpful or not.  You may want to read up a bit.

    Lastly, there is a thread on here called "Just diagnosed, get prepared."  I found it very helpful in getting me organized.  There will be many doctor's appointments, many reports, etc.  You may find the information helpful.  It can be tough to keep track of everything that is going.  Just remember, it is your body and your decisions.  Make sure you are comfortable with your doctors and trust them.  Waiting a week here and there on treatment isn't going to hurt while you are thinking things through.  Heck, I even took a family vacation before surgery knowing that I wanted to have one last trip before everything began.  I'm glad I did and have all the pictures to see my family together before so many things changed.  I am now 2 years out from my last chemo and life does get back to normal.  Good luck.

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  • Harley-Girl
    Harley-Girl Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2013

    I was just diagnosed on December 13th so I'm in the same place you are.  I am 59, have the same size tumor, and am ER+ and PR+.  I don't know much more until my surgery on January 2nd.  Check out a website called cancermath.net.  You can enter your stats and it will give you a good idea what your recurrence rate will be.  I found it very informative.  Best of luck to you GeriBastian.  You are not alone!

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  • waterdog
    waterdog Member Posts: 46
    edited December 2013

    As you can see from my stats, my diagnosis is very similar to yours.  Don't be surprised if your surgeon or oncologist recommends chemo before surgery.  I was surprised when mine did.  From what I understand, it is becoming stardard for women with HER+ to start with chemo first because there are brand new protocols for people like us.  In any event, its a shocker.  I used xanax to get through the first few weeks so I could sleep.  Now that my treatment has begun I am in a much better place and you will be, too.  Hang in

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  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited December 2013

    Harleygirl - I would hesitate to use cancermath at least at this time. The pathology from the biopsy is often different from the pathological report that one receives after surgery. Also, there are a large number of factors that cancermath does not take into account. Your oncologist will be able to answer questions for you as time goes on about your prognosis.

    Geri - So sorry that you find yourself here. When you have your appointment, it's a good idea to have someone else there with you to take note, remind you that you wanted to ask a certain question, etc. You can also ask the doc if it's okay to record the appointment. You will likely have chemo first  being that you are HER2 + - this can be very good because sometimes it shrinks the tumor so much that surgery is less invasive. 

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  • GeriBastian
    GeriBastian Member Posts: 12
    edited January 2014

    Thanks everyone for the post. This site has helped me a lot in the last week. I meet with my oncologist surgeon next Thursday. I kinda gather from post that since I have her2 positive that I might be advised to do chemo first, if so how long? Also at this point I dont see anything on my pathology report that says anything about my lymph nodes. Will they check this out before they make any recommendations. I guess I would like to know if this has spread anywhere else. Is there anything else I can or should be doing before my appt.? I feel like Im wasting time, I went to my ob on the first of dec and it seems like its taking forever to get results and get diagnosed  :(

    Ger

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited January 2014

    Geri, did they biopsy your node when the biopsied your  tumor ? I knew before lumpectomy that one node was full of cancer, so most likely I would be doing chemo.......I do not know much about her+. But some have chemo first, the herceptin treatments seem to go on a long time, but without the side effects that come with some of the other chemo, ( A/C...the red devil..)

    Without more info, it would be difficult for anyone to assume to know what your tx might be...good luck...

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  • GlobalGirlyGirl
    GlobalGirlyGirl Member Posts: 269
    edited January 2014

    GeriBastian - Sorry you are part of the yucky club. The waiting SUCKS, but I'd take the time to pamper yourself. Massage, hot baths, etc.  Your head must be spinning like mine was. It's good to step back and breathe for a while.  Big hugs. Hang in there, mama.

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