Just diagnosed

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Trvler
Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
edited February 2015 in Just Diagnosed

Hello Ladies,

I guess I am a new member. Just diagnosed Tuesday. Had the biopsy last Friday. I noticed a pain in my left breast at 3:00 about a year and a half ago. Went to the OB, he sent me in for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. They found nothing and sent me on my merry way. Pain got worse and I went back. Doctor kept saying he thought it was nothing because of the location but gave me another order for mam/ultra, which I proceeded not to get because he was so sure it was nothing. Put it off until after Christmas (about 5 months).

I never thought I would get it, not because I am special or anything but because I have implants and had very little of my own breast tissue to start with. I always thought THIS was the one thing in life I didn't have to worry about. I have a lot of concerns about treatment, especially with the implants. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I am a little suspicious that I got it BECAUSE of the implants and I did find some things on the net that imply that is a possibility. I guess I will never know that.

Anyway, 51 years old, premenopausal, stage 1-2. Had the Brac1 and Brac2 test last week and schedule for an MRI tomorrow morning.

Comments

  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited January 2015

    I'm so sorry that you were diagnosed, but welcome to this forum. There are a lot of wonderful ladies here who will help you. Are there any questions that you need help with? How much information have you gotten so far from your biopsy? MRI will reveal more info on tumor size and help some with the staging. Hugs to you.

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2015

    Dear Trvler, welcome to BCO but sorry your diagnosis has brought you here. There are lots of very knowledgeable people on here to help you through this. Ask you questions in appropriate Topics for most comprehensive answers and providing all the info you have on your diagnosis will help people respond.

    The volume of breast tissue doesn't seem that big a determinate - it is just that any breast tissue can change, sorry.

    We wish you he best in this journey.

    The Mods

  • Susug
    Susug Member Posts: 193
    edited January 2015

    I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. I have implants was concerned when DX about how they would do. I had a lumpectomy and radiation.i did ok during rads had more fatigue than reaction. Mild reaction where is your cancer located? How large is it? You have come to the right place for support.

  • JJ47
    JJ47 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2015

    Hello Trvler,

    I am sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. I too was just diagnosed recently; 1 week before Christmas. I found it interesting that you had some pain in your left breast. I too told my OBGYN about pain I was having in my left breast about a year ago. It was a weird pain, I compared it to growing pains. Just on the outer side of my left breast. He chalked it up to perimenopause. I get mammograms every year since my mother and grandmother both have/had breast cancer so I wasn't very concerned about it........now I wonder if that was an early symptom. I had the genetic testing which came back negative for any genetic connection, even though I am the 5th female on my mothers side to have BC. I am new to this forum as well, I have been pretty good at remaining positive but waiting on results and information is draining! Hope you get more information soon!

  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 353
    edited January 2015

    Hi Trvler,

    I got a biopsy last Friday and also got the official diagnosis on Tuesday. Given my results, I will start treatment (antibodies and chemo) week after next. It's been a whirlwind the past 1.5 weeks. I also have implants. First, there have been studies for decades to see if there is some correlation between implants and breast cancer and there is not. There is no greater incidences of BC in women with implants than there are in women without implants. Women with implants could actually be more intuned to their breast. I think having implants may have helped me notice my lump (as big as it is) sooner.

    Second, I believe having implants will only be an issue when it comes to surgery. If I end up having a lumpectomy, the implant stays in place. If I have a mastectomy, the implant(s) come out and they do not reuse them for reconstruction. Mine are sub muscular. I guess where they are positioned could be a factor.

    So do you travel? If so, that's something else we have in common. I travel for work.

  • Kbrn
    Kbrn Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2015

    Hey! New to this forum and new to breast cancer, sadly. Diagnosed nearly one week ago with Stage 1 DCIS with some invasive features. Won't know about lymph node involvement until surgery....still in process of getting in with a reconstructive surgeon. I remarried a little over a year ago, have 3 kids of my own, all teenagers. I'm terrified, terrified of surgery, potential of chemo. Sleeping is very hard. I'm having a bilateral mastectomy. Haven't had testing for hormone receptors yet. Any words of wisdom would be great.

  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2015

    Wow, thanks for all the nice replies. I do have questions but my brain is on overload right now. I went for the MRI this am and chickened out. I thought I could handle it without meds because they said it was like a massage table. But there was very little space below the place where you put your face and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I know it was psychological. I rescheduled it for Thursday. Now I need to find someplace to send my kids because this facility only has appointments later in the day or next week. I will definitely take the Xanex. Supposedly the machine is slightly bigger, although I don't think the size of the machine is the issue for me. It's the (what I perceive) as limited air flow in front of my face.

  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2015

    Is there a way to reply to specific posts?

  • JJ47
    JJ47 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2015

    I did see that if you click on the persons name you will have an option to private message them. New here so don't know my way around too well yet :)


  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2015

    JJ47, wow, I think our diagnoses look very similar although I think my tumor is bigger. Haha. I guess I win?? BEst of luck with your surgery. :)

  • JJ47
    JJ47 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2015

    Thank you Trvler! I will keep you posted on how it goes. I have used my sense of humor to get through all this so far and it has been a blessing, but i must admit I am feeling a bit stressed now :/ I have to be there at 5 am so not much sleep tonight! Hope to hear more from you and how everything is going when I am able to check back in!! :) Take care!

  • nlosgatos
    nlosgatos Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2015


    Kbrn, sounds like I'm in the same boat as you are.  I've had one surgery without clear margins.  The option was to take a bigger area.  I'm very firm on having a bilateral.  Like you, I'm scared of that, scared of this, ugh.  I'm staying positive the best I can.  I don't know about the receptors yet either.  The core biopsy showed ADH.  The surgical biopsy showed DCIS.  I want to get this rolling ASAP.  I have a "clinic" tomorrow where diff docs will talk to me about my case and the options.  My Mom passed from uterine 3 years ago and I can't believe I'm now going thru this.  I'm single and live alone with lots of time to worry.  I feel for you going thru this, too.  Hugs, Nan

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2015

    Hi and welcome to BCO nlosgatos.

    Besides sharing your experiences and learning from other members here at the boards, you may also want to take a look at the Breast Cancer 101section from the main site, which is designed to help you sort through all of the information on our site to find what is more relevant to you right now.

    Also reliable information on DCIS — Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Diagnosis of DCIS where you'll learn about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, etc.

    We hope this helps with talking to the doctors.

    All the best to all here

    The Mods

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