Young mom scared

Hello dear, So sorry you are having to be here, but so glad you came here for support. There are lots of loving, caring friends waiting to help and comfort. I am her2+++. I am done with chemo, surgery and almost done with radiation. Sugarcakes is right, things can move pretty fast. Start a journal and keep a binder. My cancer center had a special service with someone called a Breast Cancer Navigator. You might want to see if that service is available to you. Mine helped me know what to do and in what order. She also helped things move along smoothly when something or someone was delayed.

I am thinking you need to arrange to see an oncologist first--my primary care physician helped me with that. The oncologist will have a consult with you and help you get moving forward.

I am older than you, but considered young for this mess too. I have four kids. I was terrified too. But I will tell you that I have had great results so far. This journey is very hard, but it can be done. Enlist the support and help of all around you--family, friends, church, etc. If you are religious, get close to your Heavenly Father. Be vocal and find someone to share your feelings so you can sort through all of this. My heart goes out to you. Take care.

Hello Lillyrose,

We're so sorry you just received news that you have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma,

We understand that you're scared but remember you're not alone. The compassionate and kind ladies and men here will understand and be able to support you though this.

The information about your diagnosis can be overwhelming so we're here to help you navigate your way around.

The Breast Cancer 101 section on our main site has a wealth of information to help you sort through your diagnosis, treatment plan, and other day to day issues you may have concerns over such as your job, complementary medicine, talking to your friends and family and more.

Sending you gentle hugs and kind wishes,

The moderators.

hi!!!! I'm 37 and was just diagnosed with a recurrence. I went through this before. 😡 it's somhard, especially when you are as young as us. You WILL be ok. PM me If you wanna chat.

Ali

momie--how was your chemo? I may do that one this time around !

Hi I was 30 with a 2.5 yo daughter when diagnosed. I was diagnosed Dec 4, 2013 and had surgery Feb 28. Honestly you are in the hardest place emotionally and mentally right now. At least it was for me. BUT you can do this. It is a one moment at a time thing but I am feeling more like myself every day. This sucks and I am sorry that you are joining us. You will find the strength to get through. PM me if you want.

I'm sure someone has already stated that if you are HER2+ they will likely suggest chemo + antibodies first. Getting the her2+ status is scary because of the aggressiveness but I must say (and I mean no offense to anyone) if I had to pick out my own certain set of circumstances, I would pick er/pr- and her2+. There are amazing documented results out there. I was dx'd in Jan with a rather large tumor at 4.5cm. In March before my 3rd infusion, I nor the MO could even feel the lump anymore. I'm expecting to becancer free after the chemo. There will still be surgery, radiation, and more antibody treatments for a year. Your fears will subside a lot once you feel as though you have started the fight.

Sugarcakes--I see that you are right--twins. I hope you get the same good results I got. You are right about this seeming to be the "lucky" bc type now. It wasn't so very long ago that it would be more dreaded. I think the herceptin and perjeta are really changing that.

I posted this in another thread or two, but I'll mention it here too. I met lady at my chemo center that got her dx back in 2005. She was her2+ and among the early ones to be treated with herceptin. She is ten years out and going strong. She doesn't even need follow-ups with her MO anymore, just routine checks with her primary care. It was awesome to meet someone who is living proof. Gives me hope.

LillieRose - I am sorry that you had to join our group, but we are fighters and we support our own!  You are right - you can fight this and win!  Chemo isn't great, but those of us that have had it have made it through or are making it through.  There are some really great discussions that pertain to the month you start chemo.  Once you have a start month, check out those discussions.  You will find great information and probably make a few new friends.

Sometimes the FISH test for HER can take awhile.  Mine took an abnormally long time...6 weeks.

Take this time to soak in the information  you need to start your fight, but remember it starts with YOU!  Tell yourself that you can do this.  Give yourself the time to take this all in.  Remember to breathe...sometimes we forget and above all...take it a minute at a time if you need to.  Some people say take it one day at a time and sometimes that is okay, but sometimes it is minute by minute.

While you are preparing yourself for this journey we call breast cancer, remember that you are important and take the time to do the things that you like to do and make you happy, even if for just a few minutes.

Remember - we are here for you!

Hi Lillie,

I am so sorry you have this diagnosis. This is a good place for information and support. We are here for you!

Once I met with my team (BS and MO) and got my treatment plan, I was so relieved! I was stage 2 at DX as well. And like you, my tumor measured just about 2cm. My docs did not recommend a PET or bone scan, but my MO said she would do one if I was losing sleep over it. She said the results would not change the treatment plan, so I decided to move ahead without either.

Like many of the ladies posting, I had a complete response to chemo therapy--nothing left in the breast tissue. The surgeon could not find any evidence of a tumor in my breast and the pathology team examined the tissue extensively and found nothing. My docs feel that if any rogue cells got out, chemo probably took care of them.

I like ml's advice. Take it one minute at a time and remember to be kind to yourself. Hang in there!

Amy

Love the success stories 61 sounds great!

Hello Lillerose:

This National Breast Cancer Foundation has a video presentation that gives you some basic info

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-clinical-trials

Read as much as you can...the more knowledgeable you are, the less fearful you will be, and the more you will be able to ask questions of your doctor,

I am like you, found out in March 16. Stage 2, Grade 3, ER/PR-  HER2+...Got best news yesterday of clear margins, negative sentinel mode (0/1).  DO NOT LIGHTLY GO WITH ANXILLARY DISSECITION. IF YOU CAN AVOID IT, DO. I SIGNED CONSENT FOR IT A WEEK B4 SURGERY. ON DAY OF SURGERY, I TOLD MY DOCTOR I WILL HAVE SURGERY, LUMPECTOMY AND SENTINEL LYMPH NODE DISSECTION (SLND) BUT THAT I WANT TO CANCEL AXILLARY CLEARNACE EVEN IF 1/4 OR 2/4 OR 3/4 LYMPH NODES ARE +VE (ESP IF IT IS IN MICROMETASTASIS STAGE).

If it is macrometatasis, then, perhaps one have no choice, but if it isn't, save your axillary if you can. Coz removing your axillary means that hand cannot life anything heavy, like carrying your child, heavy groceries anything over 5 pounds...also longer recovery, and you cannot have anything done to that ar eg vaccination, take blood, IV insertion, taking your blood pressure, practically everything. I was very very lucky my Doctor is such an understanding person. She gave me caring and support all the way. If you can find a doctor who you feel totally comfortable, who is willing to address all your concerns, who takes the time to call you back like my current doctor.

The more control you can have over your decisions, the better you feel. Please go also to pubmed where there are many information posted by doctors and medical professionals and experts. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/9/254

I know you are pretty scared right now, but the sooner you overcome it, the more you can benefit yourself. You are fighting for your life, and for your child. BE STRONG. If you must cry, cry. YOU WILL SURVIVE when your MORE PREPARED. TELL YOURSELF EVERYDAY - YOU WILL OVERCOME AND SURVIVE IT, FOR ME, FOR MY CHILD, FOR MY FAMILY.

This site, breastcancer.org at this link has this pdf  at the bottom of this link page you can print out.

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/getting_path_report

It explains many things you have questions over. Print and read through them. I have found it to be EXTREMELY useful. These knowledge & my doctor's patience kept me calm thus far on my journey, gave me ideas to do more research online.

May STRENGTH be with you always.

Hi ladies, I'm certainly a bit relieved to see that other's that are Stage 2 have not had scans suggested either. I just did my last chemo and I'm having a really rough time. A lot of fear, pain and crying. These threads are great, but I looked up mets and now I think it is in my spine. I've had a lot of back pain with chemo. I feel like I'm worse now than when I started. My dr. doesn't suggest scans at Stage 2 either. I just don't know if I should ask for peace of mind, or just end up freaking myself out waiting for more tests. Then you read about the high false positives. Anyone here been through chemo yet? I started getting a lot of pain after treatment 3 and it's still here. MO isn't really worried and said we will watch it. I had treatment 4 Wed. so right now I'm feeling a bit hit by a bus.......Love to you all!

if I could do it all over again. I would have had hem do a full aux dissection. I has 0/2 nodes nack in 2013, so obviously they didn't. Well, I just had a recurrance in my lymph node. 😥 thankfully, it's only there but I often wonder if or could have been avoided. I just had surgery.