Diagnosed and I'm worried too... (please help me off the ledge)

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texaspride35
texaspride35 Member Posts: 12
edited May 2015 in Just Diagnosed

I see a lot of medical terminology used here that I'm not familiar with so, I'm just going to type from my heart...

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on May 15 and I'm scared as hell...I'm a army veteran and I get all my medical care (when needed and hasn't been need often, until now) though our local VA here in Houston...Although it hasn't been that long since my diagnosis, I'm nervous and the waiting is getting to me...

My Primary Care at the VA is waiting for addition test results to return and then, she will forward them to the referral oncologist...Just like the military, hurry up and wait :(

I've always had my yearly mammogram (I'm 53) and was constantly doing the self-examinations and I never and I mean NEVER felt anything...I guess it's why I'm in such shock...As of right now, I don't know the extent of this damn disease (I don't know what stage it's in, if it spreading/growing or nothing)...Does this type of cancer grows and or spread rapidly? I'm at my wits end!!!! Arggggggghhhh

So if you don't mind, please help put my mind at ease the best of your ability because I'm about ready to lose it...Oh, I don't have great family/friends support but unfortunately, it's still hard on me because of the not knowing...

So in closing if anyone that has BC and got your care through the VA, would you please share your experiences as far was the wait time to get things rolling and thank you all...I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have for me...

BTW and I hope I don't gross anyone out but, I've never shitted so much in my life and I hope it's all due to my nervousness... LOL

Thank you








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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited May 2015

    Hi Robbie22, I'm sorry you've joined our "club"! It's totally normal to feel like you just want to get the cancer out right now, I felt that way at first, too! If you look at my signature you'll see that I haven't had my surgery yet and my first diagnosis was April 3rd. I've read some studies on this and it's been found to be fine to wait a couple of months before surgery. Also, depending upon the characteristics of your cancer, they may want to do chemo first, in which case it may be quite a few months before you have surgery. It's difficult to wait but if you read around these boards you will see that many women have a pretty long span of time between diagnosis and surgery. Hugs to you.

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  • texaspride35
    texaspride35 Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2015

    Well hello there, SummerAngel (hugs right back at cha) and thank you for your input...I tell you what if I have to wait that long, I'll go stark raving mad...Is your cancer maintaining or, has it spread any? I know I should be thinking in this manner but, I can't help it..

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  • ml143333
    ml143333 Member Posts: 658
    edited May 2015

    Robbie22 - I am sorry that you've joined our club, but what you are experiencing is normal.  Once we are diagnosed, we want that thing out NOW.  It is okay in most cases to wait because unfortunately it has been in the body for awhile.  My MO said it could have been in my body 5 - 8 years before I felt it.  So I am glad that yours was caught before it could be felt.  Hopefully that means it is really small and in an early stage.

    I don't have any experience with the VA, but I wish you well.  Please keep asking questions here and coming to us for support.

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  • texaspride35
    texaspride35 Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2015

    Hi Mandy and thank you for your encouraging words...I've been getting mammograms for the last 14 years and nothing until now so, I understand what you are saying and I'll take it to heart...But like you said, I just want it out, NOW!!!! :D

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited May 2015

    I actually don't know if it's spread, because my lymph nodes haven't been checked yet. That won't happen until my surgery. If it has spread, we will treat it. Like Mandy said for her cancer, most likely my cancer has been in my body for years already. Thinking of it that way makes me less frantic. What also helps me is to accept things as they are. I can't change what is, I can only make decisions and actions based on what I know. I have made my decisions, scheduled the surgery I know I need, and that is what I can do.

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  • PatRN10
    PatRN10 Member Posts: 332
    edited May 2015

    Hi. I was diagnosed 4/1 and just had my lumpectomy 5/15 due to surgeon vacation and my vacation. It is still horrible to wait. Thank You for your service!!!!

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  • texaspride35
    texaspride35 Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2015

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  • texaspride35
    texaspride35 Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2015

    Hi Pat and you're very welcome...I really enjoyed my time in the military and I'd do it all over again and thank you for your comment, I hope all is well...

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  • texaspride35
    texaspride35 Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2015

    SummerAngel, you are my guardian angel...Thank you.

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