How do you handle panic?

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Rufhewn
Rufhewn Member Posts: 45
edited July 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Help please.  Got my dx and pathology report on Friday and have yet to a doctor.  But from. googling info, it doesn't look good at all and I am scared to death.  I know waiting is worst but with really negative info, I feel like its ten fold. Any advice most appreciated.  Haven't  eaten and hardly slept in three days. Pam

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited June 2014

    You have already received the initial shock. Once you see your surgeon and oncologist you will have a more defined treatment plan. The book that helped me the most was Dr Susan Love's Breast book. It's very matter of fact and will answer a lot of questions.

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited June 2014

    Pam I remember my first week after being diagnosed and it was ugly.  I lost 15lbs in 17 days.  I finally went to my PCP and he gave me a low dose anti anxiety pill.  It seemed to help tremendously.  

    I read WAY to much on the Internet and I freaked myself out.  Remember most of the Dr Google info is older are treatments have came a very long way.  

    A very smart lady on these boards told me that once I had a plan life would get better.  It did just that.  

    Good luck to you!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    Do you have your pathology details? If you do maybe we can help direct you to the best info?

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  • Rufhewn
    Rufhewn Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    Appreciate the words of support.  I know in many ways googling didn't help me much but the information I uncovered was frightening.  Getting the path report on a Friday didn't help matters.  Hope to see some real progress this week.   Do believe I will handle news better when I know what it is.  So glad there are people out there to send support!  Look forward to being able to help others down the road .....

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  • Rufhewn
    Rufhewn Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    yes, I have both IDC and DCIS.  Diagnosed from high grade microcalcifications.  Grade 2, ER weakly positive, PR negative, HER2 positive.  Tumor size at least 5 mm and 3 mm for DCIS.  Plus I have swelling under my armpit on cancer side.  Then I noticed a small bump at my collarbone on that side (right) that may well be a node.  Very slight but definitely raised.  Thank you for any help

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  • Rufhewn
    Rufhewn Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    A friend recommended that book so I downloaded it this weekend.  I know it will be of help.  It's like I am between having too much information and not enough information.  Waiting for doctor's offices to open.  Hoping to get in very soon.  Thank you!

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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited June 2014

    hi Ruth - I think that you are in the worst stage of the process - knowing about your diagnosis,  but not having a plan to fight with.  If I knew then, what I knew now, I would have asked for some anti-anxiety meds.  Best of luck - I think you will feel more in control once you have a plan in place.  Ridley

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  • Rufhewn
    Rufhewn Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    yes, the unknown is extremely difficult.  I wish my numbers looked reassuring like a lot I see here.  But no matter what the numbers, it is still very scary.  Thanks for responding.  Pam

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    The size of your DCIS and IDC will inform surgical decisions, but basically only the IDC will inform your systemic treatment. That is because DCIS cannot spread and is staged at 0, usually treated surgically. The DCIS and IDC are separately graded, and may have differing hormonal receptors and Her2 status. It is the DCIS or the IDC that is Her2+?

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2014

    Hi Rufhewn, welcome to the community, we're so sorry to hear about your diagnosis x

    As you can see already the women here are very supportive and helpful. 

    If you have any questions for us about the boards or anything else feel free to ask. There is also two more forums you may get some additional help and support from: IDC DCIS

    If you find some forums you like, you can 'favourite' them from the blue navigation board on the left. 

    Hugs to you, 

    from the Moderators

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  • Rufhewn
    Rufhewn Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    specialK, it only shows the IDC as HER 2 positive.  The DCIS shows suspicious for invasion.  No clear margins from bio.  Report was silent on receptors for DCIS.  Obviously I am primarily afraid of the IDC and that is is showing high grade microcalcifications which appear to be casting type, the worst. Plus the underarm swelling, which has been there for sometime, and small raise on my neck.  Appreciate your help!  Don't have anywhere to go with my emotions but here.  Fortunately, womderful husband and lots of support (my three dogs are huge in that regard too) Pam

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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited June 2014

    Pam (sorry I called you Ruth earlier, read your id too quickly) - this is a great board, and you can ask all types of questions and get lots of support, but please don't suffer unnecessarily with not eating and not sleeping.  I encourage you to see your primary care physician and ask for something to help.  If not something pharmacological, then perhaps finding a  support group, etc.  This process is more like a marathon than a sprint.

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  • Rufhewn
    Rufhewn Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    Ridley, No worries about name!  Am waiting for doctor's offices to open shortly and have about five calls to make to get this ball moving.  Anti anxiety meds are on the list.  I've probably slept six hours on two nights and eaten less than 300 calories all weekend.  I'd already been on a diet but would rather do it the normal way.  Ready to reclaim some of my life as soon as possible.  My poor husband doesn't know how to help me right now and I don't either other than just knowing he is 100% here for me.  Pam

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    The reason I asked about hormonal receptors for DCIS was not because they are germain to decision making, it is because I wanted to make sure it is the hormonal receptor/Her2 status of the IDC that you are focused on. Your DCIS diagnosis may drive your surgery type decision, particularly if it is felt that it is scattered, but the IDC will be what any systemic treatment is based on. Don't worry about margins during biopsy, they are unimportant. You will require additional surgery and that is when margins become important, size and location of both things will determine the surgical recommendation.

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited June 2014

    I handle panic and continue to do so six years later by having a prescription for Ativan - I hardly take it anymore (just on scan days) but in the early days it kept me stable, sleeping and eating and not overworrying - see your PCP as soon as you can - you'll feel a lot better.

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  • Rufhewn
    Rufhewn Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Sandy, put a call in awhile ago to my doctor and hope to have it very soon.need some relief from this nightmare.  Encouraging to hear from others it helps.  

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  • Rufhewn
    Rufhewn Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    The news keeps getting worse.  I thought my tumor size was in the 1 mm range and found out its actually over 6 cm in just one place.  Have a breast MRI tomorrow.  Don't know how much longer I can deal with bad news.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    Is this the IDC sizing or the DCIS sizing?

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited June 2014

    Pam, If you can get Xanax or Ativan soon, it will help immensely during these days of unknowns. Also, if you can get it today, it would help to take prior to going in for your MRI. Large tumors don't always mean they are more aggressive, and many times they respond better to treatment....so try to hold on for now.  Bless your heart, I know it seems so overwhelming right now. It will be easier when you know exactly what you are dealing with. And when you get some answers, search these boards and you will find valuable insight and encouragement. Hugs!

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  • sbetts
    sbetts Member Posts: 35
    edited July 2014

    you truly are in a very difficult part right now. Knowing and not knowing. This time seems to take forever... I remember thinking that all the drs were taking forever  and I was going to die before they ever actually treated me. Patience is not a virtue I had at that time. I agree with many of the others. My Ativan still helps me get through rough days and I'm gradually taking less and less. 

    Cancer is a constant whirlwind of information and absorption. You will learn more over the next months than you ever thought possible. 

    Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.  

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