March certainly came in like a lion for me...

Yes, size is small and that's good. Did they tell you if it is ER/PR + or HER+?

I will tell you the same thing I just told the other poster. I am going to bet you are ER and PR +. That's good if you are. It means they can give you hormone blockers to block the receptors that are attached to the tumor and make it grow. If they tell you you are +, ask if they know the percentages on both. The higher numbers are better in terms of ability to stop the cancer from growing. Read up on Tamoxifen. That is what they give you (if you are premenopausal, something else if post). It is a hormone blocker and there are side effects similar to menopause symptoms, only you can't take hormone replacement therapy to counteract them. If your numbers are low, you might read the threads about choosing NOT to take Tamoxifen. But wait until you find out. Also find out if you are HER + or -. I can't speak to the treatment of that because I don't have it but you will find out about that if you are +.

If you have no node involvement, which is highly possible with a tumor that small, you will likely not be needing chemo. That's good, too! Also, you will have more options with regard to lx vs mx. A very small tumor with no nodes can very effectively be treated with lx and rads and have equal outcomes to mx. If you are interested in breast preservation, that is good, too!

That first appointment is kind of tricky because you are really just in shock and don't even know what to ask. They might send you for an MRI. If you are claustrophobic, read up on tips to handle the test. There are threads on it. If you can't find a thread, just ask. We will find it for you. I had a BIG problem with it and I went to have it with no drugs and had to leave and come back another day but then handled it fine.

Just know if you go to get the MRI, your doctor has to prescribe the meds beforehand. I sometimes take 1/2 of a .05 mg Xanex to sleep. I had to take 3 x that to get through the MRI. I am telling you that because my sister warned me that my normal dose would not be sufficient and she was right. Make sure you have someone to drive you home.

The machine is kind of like a massage table, opening for your breasts and head. You lie face down and put your breasts and head in the hole. When they told me ahead of time it was like a massage table, I thought no problem. But there was a bunch of crap directly in front of my face, which made me feel like I couldn't breathe, including a pillow. Also, your head is not inside the MRI. You can see the open end. But you can't move while you are in there.

The second time I went, I did everything I knew would help me. I made them remove the pillow. They tried to give me earplugs the first time. I made them give me headphones with music. Earplugs only increase my claustrophobia. Not sure why. That music REALLY helped me. I specifically asked for disco but they gave me a 70's mix, which was ok.

If there was ONE thing I thought was going to bother me, I fixed it before hand. I was getting really hot and I made them take off my socks. Once you go in, they don't want you to come out so know that going in and make sure you are completely ok before they put you in. Sometimes they will try to push you to be ready. If you are not ready, don't let them do it.

I am like you. For some reason, my claustrophobia gets worse as I get older.

justmaximom15 - I am so sorry you have been diagnosed, I can remember how shocking and scary that time was. As you learn the details of your dx and your subsequent treatment, you will start to feel more in control. Grade 1 is good and as Trvler said, probably Er/Pr+. I was Er-Pr-Her2- (triple negative), which is mostly grade 3, but I am grade 2, and only a very very small percentage are grade 1. Remember to ask for copies of your results, your initial pathology particularly. It will seem like a foreign language to start, but will help you understand why you are being recommended your treatment plan. I was given advice by my nurse navigator to try not to worry about everything that could possilble happen and to focus on what you are going through at the time, and also not to drive when stressed/upset. Its ok to cry (I did often and quite ferociously) know that there will be a time when you will feel stronger and able to get through this. Take someone with you if you can to your appointments. This is a club we never applied for but are members all the same. You will find many people on this board that can help you through your treatment. Wishing you all the best. Let us know how you get on. Sarah xo

Honestly, while it is great to have an oncological breast surgeon you feel is a good fit, once your surgery is over you see that doc very little. A post-op or two, then possibly a once a year check-in, depending on the surgery chosen.  People get very focused on the breast surgeon because it is often their first doc in the lineup, but if you have mastectomy with recon you will spend much more time with your plastic surgeon, and if you require systemic treatment you will need a good rapport with your medical oncologist, you will see that doctor for years. If you have a lumpectomy, it is likely you will do a post-op and nothing further with the breast surgeon.  If both docs are equally qualified, and you feel comfortable with both, chose the one who can schedule your surgery at the most optimal time for you. Some docs are very booked, which means more waiting. Or, choose the one with the lowest re-excision rate. Another possibility is to ask other docs you will need, such as RO or MO, who they recommend between the two.

HI justmaximom,

Your story and diagnosis sounds so similar to mine. 47 at diagnosis. Small tumor (1.3) highly ER+. And highly PR +. HER2-. Had to make decision between LX and MX. Had always thought I would go with MX if I ever found myself in this situation. That was my initial reaction after being diagnosed. But I had no peace about it. When I decided to go with LX, I felt peace and never questioned my decision. Because I live over an hour from the cancer center where all my doctors are, I was approved for internal radiation. 2x a day for 5 days. Involved another surgery to have the balloon catheter placed.

I had no node involvement so an Oncotype test was done on my tumor. Came back in the low risk of recurrence so no chemo for me. Put on a hormone blocker.

The one thing you need to consider with a LX is the follow up. You will be followed very closely. You will have screenings every 6 months. I have a single mammo in June and a double mammo AND a MRI in December. These times can be filled with anxiety. Any change is going to be checked out since you have already shown a propensity to grow tumors. I had to have another biopsy done this past December because they saw a change. Turned out to be fat necrosis from my internal radiation. Yay! But still a few nerve wracking days. I still believe I made the right choice going with LX, but I do dread the screenings.

Lastly, you will be going to see a MO and RO(if you have radiation.) At first, I saw my MO every 4 months and my RO every 6. My MO just pushed me back to every 6 months as I am almost 3 years NED.

Feel free to PM me if you have questions or just want to rant. You got this!

I agree with the title of your post I had the same thing basically happen to me. And had same thing happen to me with routine mammo. Mine is small also. .08. Had lumpectomy and since then have found that I don't have any cancer in my nodes.

I'm expecting to do radiation and probably have to go on one of those medications which I absolutely dread after reading the side effects. I have only.

told my husband my best friend my two sisters and one daughter who is 18 and in college. My older daughter who is 20 has aspergers and I don't think it would do her any good to tell her

I am waiting for the results of my Oncotype test and speaking to two different radiologists on April 3

This is all still very surreal and I'm not handling it very well. Depressed and anxious. Thank goodness for Xanax. Although I may have to re-explore taking an antidepressant.

Good luck. Hope you just have to have radiation.

Thanks, Special. It's ok. I had my 'chemotorial' yesterday.

Hi I am just curious. How were you able to get appointments so quickly with two surgeons?

And thst is wonderful you did and it's good they both agree