Can this really be happening?

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MaryWear
MaryWear Member Posts: 2
edited October 2017 in Just Diagnosed

I am still in shock since being diagnosed last Thursday!  I found a lump in armpit in February and never thought breast cancer would be the cause.  I am only 35 with 2 small kiddos and am trying to wrap my head around all this.

After getting a mammogram and ultrasound in February I was told to come back for a follow up 5 weeks later because I had enlarged lymph nodes.  So on April 3rd I went back for an ultrasound and the lumps were still there.  On the 7th I saw a general surgeon who had removed the 2 large nodes the following day.  On Thursday I got a call from the surgeon saying the nodes were cancerous and then had an oncologist call me.  That day I met with an oncologist who confirmed the cancer and ordered a bunch of tests for this week to see if the cancer spread through the nodes.

So far this week I have a PET Scan, bloodwork, MRI, genetic testing and an EKG.  On Tues after my PET scan my oncologist called to say that things looked fine except there may be a little spot on my femur.  She said not to worry and the radiologist would try to "clean up the scan."  I got a call the next day saying the scan didn't clean up and I have to go in for a bone scan.  OMG I am freaking out.  I have gone from thinking I could beat this and it not being so bad TO   
thinking I have Bone metastasis. 


How do you guys handle all this?!?

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  • car2tenn
    car2tenn Member Posts: 515
    edited April 2014

    Please take a deep breath and take one thing at a time...Yes you are in a huge vast land of fear...If cancer  has spread there is a whole different treatment plan...If it has not spread you go in a different direction...YOu are young with children...You have every right to every fear you ever could think up...But the reality is that there are prescribed courses of treatment and your medical personnel will help you find your way...This web site will help you find your way also.  Just remember that you are on a path and nothing seems to happen quickly...You will find knowledge and reassurance and hopefully cure.  My thoughts are with you....I was age 66 and diagnosed stage 4 from the get go only a few weeks after a negative mammogram.  So I know your fear...But I do not have such young children.  I hope you have strength and courage and blessings from on high...I among many will be thinking about you...Carolyn from Tn/Fl

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  • Infobabe
    Infobabe Member Posts: 1,083
    edited April 2014

    Mary, I have nothing to add to what Carolyn said.  But I want you to know that my heart aches for you.  Please come back to this thread.  There are many knowledgeable women here and a lot of love and support.

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  • sydney2013
    sydney2013 Member Posts: 29
    edited April 2014

    MaryWear,

    I am so sorry you are going through this. It is too much to take in at one time, but you can do it and there are so many wonderful people here that will help you when you need it. We are all different, but I can tell you that I think I have had every scan, most more than once, with the exception of PET. My bone scan showed, well I don't know exactly what it showed but they came back after viewing it asking me if I recall taking a hit to the head and when I didn't they ordered more scans. I was convinced I had brain cancer. Everything turned out to be okay. I feel like I will spend the rest of my life thinking cancer is behind every bad feeling I have in my body.

     I felt so overwhelmed when I was diagnosed, I probably averaged 3-4 hours of sleep, the rest of the night I was online trying to get as much information as I could and I was not a very patient person at that point. Most things in my life have returned to normal, well I call it my new norm, but I will take it. Take it one day at a time, you can do this. You are stronger than you think.   

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

    Mary, it all is horrible, the diagnosis, waiting for the next test, next surgery. At your age you should not have to deal with this stinkin disease, I am sorry that you do.

    Try to take it one day at a time, I was tested for mets after having 6 positive nodes. I thought I might have a heart attack waiting. I was clear, except another stowaway axillary node, that chemo or rads zapped. My best advice is keep busy. Let your health providers know if they have a cancellation, you will come in early.

    You asked how we handle this? We struggle, we learn to lie to our families, to protect them from our truth. My kids are young adults, I was the tower of strength, as I could see the fear in their faces. 

    Keep posting, it helps to know that we all get it, understand the panic & anxiety...

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  • Godisgood1
    Godisgood1 Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2017

    hoping u r doing well I see it's been awhile -can u tell me where u felt the lump in ur armpit as my underarm was sore n achy and when I tried to feel armpit there is a kind of soft lymphnode frel to it deep within the arm .. but it's not on the chest wall side of the armpit it's more like if you have your arm up it's to the outer upper side within the armpit - any info would be appreciated god bless

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