Diagnosed a week ago...

Swissmiss · January 2014

I thought I'd add my new BC diagnosis to the discussion...I think I'll be a regular here for a while, so I might as well introduce myself My name is Trina, I'm 44 years old, married, and have three children aged 14, 13, and 11. Up until now, I've been very healthy. I have always been health-conscious, have never smoked, drink only sparingly, and up until the last couple years, have maintained a very healthy weight. I breast fed all three of my kids for minimum of a year...and I remember clearly thinking, "this is benefiting my child, but it also cuts my cancer risk." Ha! I guess my false sense of "safety" kept me from going in for regular mammograms. Although I went in regularly for pap smears, I never felt the need for a mammogram...I figured I or my doctor would feel a lump, right? But, after my first mammogram since 2006, I was shocked that the radiologist suspected I actually had breast cancer last month.

I had a core needle biopsy last Thursday, then was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma the next day, January 3. I've had the official diagnosis for a week, and I feel like my journey is moving so slow compared to others I've read about. I met with my breast surgeon on Wednesday to discuss surgical options, and we decided to do genetic testing (results take three weeks), and an MRI in the meantime. I guess I'm supposed to just sit tight for three weeks and not really worry about this?! I've read others were given a diagnosis and basically a course of treatment on the same day, but I feel like my case is going slow. I mean, I won't even decide on a surgery for three weeks. My cancer is consider Stage 1 at this point, based on the size (1.4 cm). I guess that is why the lack of urgency?

I'm doing my absolute best to remain calm, just focus on getting healthier and stronger for my inevitable surgery and treatment. I love reading this discussion board...I feel sort of like a new member of a sorority. Who knew there was a breast cancer "language?" Stages, hormone receptors, grades...goodness, it feels like I'm learning very quickly a foreign language!

MsPharoah · January 2014

Hi Trina and so very sorry that you are on these boards...but welcome anyway.

I was diagnosed on 12/4/12 and I did not have my surgery until 2/18. In those intervening weeks, (along with the holidays) I also had genetic testing and an MRI....and another biopsy of a suspicious area from the MRI, which thankfully was not cancer. I think there are other women who will post here with a similar story. The genetic test and MRI will help your surgeon make a recommendation about lumpectomy versus mastectomy. I hated the waiting, but I knew that I wanted to have options so these tests (and the waiting) is necessary. Sadly, you need to be prepared for a lot of waiting. Before I could have the MRI, I had to have a test to make sure my kidneys were healthy. Once you have your MRI results, you may need an additional biopsy and there will be pre-surgical tests (chest XRay, etc.) that are protocol before surgery and then you have to get on your surgeon's schedule which can take up to 2 weeks.

Once you have your surgery, it will take about 1 week to get your surgical pathology and if your tissue is sent out for Oncotype testing, that will take at least 2 weeks to get the results. Then you have to get on the schedule to see a medical oncologist to determine recommendations about post surgical treatment....chemo, anti-hormonals, etc.

It looks to me that you have a probable stage 1 cancer that is ER/PR positive, Her2-, low grade and no evidence of lymph node involvement. If that is correct, there is no rush to operate and I think your surgeon is doing the right thing to get more information. I know the waiting is hell, but just try to put one foot in front of the other for a while, hon.

Love, MdP

kika2013 · January 2014

Swissmiss--

I was diagnosed in early June and didn't have surgery until almost the end of July. Until I had surgery, I didn't know anything about the hormone status or anything else because my biopsy didn't catch enough cells to test. So it took me about 2 months before I even really knew what was going on. However, my cancer was small and various people (surgeons, etc) reassured me throughout that there was no immediate rush to do surgery. If you were in an emergency situation, you would know it. They all assured me that there was time, and the time I had allowed for an MRI to make sure there was no more cancer elsewhere in my breasts, BRCA testing, and also allowed me time to process what was happening and make a surgery decision that was ultimately the right one for me. I even had one surgeon say he thought no one should be making a decision about how much surgery to have, if given the choice, anywhere near time of diagnosis, because the fear is so great. So though I COMPLETELY understand the urge to just get moving and get it over with, etc. etc., if you can, try to reframe it for yourself and think that you are fortunate to have time, to be able to go through a thorough process of getting information, and to then use that information to make the choices that are best for you. I, too, remember feeling like I was just sitting around waiting all the time (and I had a nice little add-on after I finished radiation trying to work out my hormone therapy--more tests! And waiting!). You will look back someday and see that the path you took was as long as it had to be, and you will be here writing to someone else about trying to patience, sharing your wisdom. Hang in there.

RMlulu · January 2014

SwissMiss - Trina, so sorry you find yourself here, but this site and threads are full of good info and encouragement.

The waiting is the hardest...ugh:( and this journey comes with much waiting so use your waits to your advantage. Note my profile...lots of time gaps and waits. I did do mini no BC vacations between tx

Use this wait time to form the best BC team, visit your BC center ask questions, find out what additional services they provide and avail yourself of them. Read 'the breast cancer husband' highlight areas that speak to you and share with hubby. Make your list of questions for your BS, MO, and RO, and PS. Ask ask ask. MRI results help formulate plan as oncotype score and genetic testing...the puzzle pieces come slowly. It helped that my BS said that my cancer and been there many years, before noted at 5mm so time.

Breathe, stay focus on today! Soak in family, friends, and all the things that make your heart and spirit smile. You can do thus brave warrior...it is doable, not fun, a challenge, but we will be in your pocket {{{squeeze}}}

(((Hugs)))

Cindy

maltomlin · January 2014

Hi

The waiting really is the hardest.............BC doesn't care if you've lived a healthy life etc.........it comes whatever.

Just take heart that there are many of us who have gone thro' the dx, treatment etc and are now enjoying life again. Most don't come back............they are getting on with their lives.........and that's good.

When you're first dx, it's the pits............I had my funeral planned.............but it does get better.........honestly.

I'm now over 5 years from a grade 3 & 3/24 positive nodes dx and planning my holidays for the year.

Where you are now is the worst possible place.........but it will get better.

Take care

Monis · January 2014

Just like everyone else has already said, the waiting is the hardest part. We all want immediate answers, reassurance and resolution. They say most BC's take years to get to a detectable size, so a few weeks won't make any difference in outcome, even though your mind is going crazy. Try your best to remain calm, and once you have more facts available and a treatment plan in place for yourself you will feel more in control. Know we are all here for you - We have all been in your shoes and have gone through this same nightmare, and we can help each other to get through it!

bevin · January 2014

I am very sorry about your diagnosis. I know this is a stressful time and it may sound trite. But, once you get your surgical and onological opinions complete and a plan in place, you will gain control again and feel stronger and better.

I was also young at diagnosis, fit, ate well and excercised 6 days a week - I was a true gym rat. If it helps to know and feel better about the time between diagnosis and surgery, I was diagnosed in June had surgery in August. I had time the doctors said to make a plan, get second and even third opinions and all the testing done to prepare for surgery, blood tests, MRIs, Cat Scans, and mammo's. Its very hard to wait and if I could make a suggestion, take the time to write your list of questions for the doctors, get a notebook going, where you'll write all their answers to the questions you pose, ask for copies of all scans on discs and get the radiologists reports to start and keep your own personal files.

To keep yourself busy, try taking walks,massage, Yoga, doing whatever makes you feel good.If you can't sleep ask for sleep medication. Your doctors are used to women going through this and are there to help ease your anxiety.

Best wishes to you and come back often to ask questions and get support. We're here for you.

edwards750 · January 2014

Bless your heart I am sorry you are here as well but since you are this forum is definitely should be your lifeline. Nowhere else can you come and vent, ask questions and feel comfortable knowing everyone of us has the same affliction in various stages and grades. I am the poster person for impatience so I am the last person to give advice on how to wait. I think for me though I was in such a fog from the time I was dx to the beginning of my treatments that I didn't allow myself time to focus on the shock of being told I have BC. I am not however the poster person for being healthy...I smoked, drank, breast fed but did exercise constantly. Unfortunately, BC does not discriminate. There are lot of women who don't fit the criteria for getting BC but they did. Given the information you gave us it does sound like yours is definitely early stage and that's why there is no rush to do something asap. I have Stage 2(micromet in the SN), Grade 1 IDC. I had a lumpectomy followed by 33 RADS treatments and currently taking Tamoxifen. You will get familiar with the BC terms in time but do have someone with you for your appts if you can. You will be inundated with information and there is no way to digest it all. Plus you can and should have all the support you can get. There is no magic formula for enduring the waiting period but a number of ladies asked for and received prescriptions for anxiety. It does help. You have children too so maybe that might be an option for you. No crime in asking for some help in dealing with this. Also remember BC is not the death sentence it used to be. They have come a long way in research and treatments. We all remember what it was like when we were informed we had the dreaded C word. I have to say I didn't break down until the Oncotype test scores came back. My score was low; I am truly blessed. Use this forum as your go to place because even though you have friends and family there is nowhere else where women understand better exactly where you are coming from. Keep the faith and keep us posted. Diane

Diagnosed a week ago...

Comments

Categories