information overload

CVWILL
CVWILL Member Posts: 3
edited July 2015 in Just Diagnosed

I am 67 with no breast cancer in family however family does have cervical and ovarian cancer. Regular mammogram showed questionable area in left breast. Had ultrasound then core biopsy last week. Monday my GP called advising cancer and set up apt with surgeon who I saw today.  He was very thorough and went over all info in the pathology report. invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features Nottingham Grade 3. is 1 cm.  stage 1.  No indication of lymph node involvement on examine but not yet tested. He went over surgical options and had his office set up appt with oncologist on Monday.  Really liked surgeon and hoping oncologist also good so I can stay with treating facility which is close to my home. He gave me copies of the report which I have read quite a few times. Understanding more of the various tests each time but starting to be overwhelming.  I am planning on getting second opinion from top cancer facility in my area but I know from previous experience can take a while to get appointment and I really do not want to wait too long.  so much information so quick difficult to process.    

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  • plumster1
    plumster1 Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015
    Cvwill-
    Sorry to find yourself here. I was just diagnosed 3 weeks go so I know how overwhelming this time is. I had 3 consults with top BS in my area and I found it very valuable. All concurred on my treatment plan but I found the perfect match for me. Once that happens I felt so much less anxious. I know it's an overwhelming process but take it a day or an hour at a time. I will be thinking good thoughts for you nd keep us posted. Xo
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  • CAMommy
    CAMommy Member Posts: 437
    edited July 2015

    I was so overwhelmed when I got my dx. And I made it worse by googling everything. After I met with my breast surgeon I felt tons better. I'm not getting a second opinion since I'm being treated by the same doctors who treated my GYN's wife for her BC. I feel confident they are on the ball. But I think getting a second opinion if you feel you need one is a great idea. After awhile all the information does start to settle in your brain. At least it did for me. I'm feel much calmer now.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2015

    CVWILL, Welcome to BCO. You picked a great place for support throughout treatment.

    It's very overwhelming at the beginning - so many decisions. Once you have your treatment plan in place, it does get easier. Sending you best wishes and gentle hugs. You can do this.

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  • footprintsangel
    footprintsangel Member Posts: 43,890
    edited July 2015

    You will find a lot of support and know there are

    people that have been in Your shoes and now

    are helping others. You have a new family with

    a lot of caring people. praying for you. Debbie

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  • CVWILL
    CVWILL Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2015

    Thanks for the support and prayers. Already finding comfort with responses from everyone. Very hard for me initially as I Lived with my sister and her husband.I am just recovering from losing my sister at age 66 to COPD in 2012. Then her husband diagnosed with 4th stage lung cancer in April 2013.  I was his main care giver and manager all his chemo and radiation. He passed in August of last year. By then I had lost a lot of weight and was not in good health. I since gained back 20 pounds and now at 105 lbs feel healthier and emotionally better than I have been for 4 years.    Took a break for a day and just enjoyed the weather and family. Helped a lot. Feeling refreshed. Actually looking forward to first visit with oncologist so can move forward with needed treatment. I am not going to make any quick decision on the surgery until I have talked with oncologist and get second opinion.   

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2015

    CVWILL, so sorry to hear about the recent loss of your sister and her husband.
    Keeping you in my thoughts. Please keep us updated on your progress when you can.

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  • GrammyR
    GrammyR Member Posts: 702
    edited July 2015

    CVWILL- Yes this is such a stressful time and for you having gone through such a very tough couple of years already. My prayers and hugs come out to you right now. I know you will feel in a rush to start treatment but please get all options discussed first. I was all of 105 lbs on diagnosis, no family history, biked several times a week, never ever smoked and rarely drank -as a nurse myself I was in total shock. Take one day at a time and try not to overload your mind too much. The ladies on this site are here with you to lean on and vent along the way.

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  • SoLoved
    SoLoved Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2015

    Hi everyone,

    I was newly diagnosed on July 29, after a biopsy of my right breast. I am scheduled to see the surgeon tomorrow to get all of the information concerning my cancer, and treatment. I am a bit overwhelmed, but trying not to loose it! My husband,family and church are being very supportive! But I'm realizing this is something that I must really endure alone...

    I'm new here, and will keep you all in my prayers!

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

    Hi CVWill and SoLoved and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

    We're so sorry you have to be here, but really glad you found us! You're sure to find the Breastcancer.org Community a wonderful, welcoming, supportive place for you to share experiences and gain knowledge as you begin your journey. (SoLoved, did you mean June 29 as your diagnosis date? You may want to edit your post .)

    Once you have more information on your diagnosis, please check back in with us and let us know how we can help! We have all kinds of forums here, reflecting all types of diagnoses.

    Welcome again.

    --The Mods

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2015

    Welcome SoLoved!! Sorry for the reason you are here. There are some wonderful ladies/men here to help you get through treatment. Please post often with any questions you may have, and keep us updated on your progress when you can. Gentle hugs to you!!

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited July 2015

     i believe that most if not all of us felt the same way, overload when diagnosed,but we are here for u, and to Inspire u, i am a 21 yr Survivor this yr(Priase GOD) and Positive thinking and HOPE, But after my cry kept me going and fighting, i was planning my wedding when i found the lump, so hang in there sweetie. msphil(idc,stage 2, 0/3 nodes, chemo before and after surgery, rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)

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  • faithingit
    faithingit Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2015

    Hi everyone,

    In late June I was biopsied and diagnosed with "ductal cancer In situ, stage 0". Ironically, the lump I had found, that caused me to go to the doctor, turned out to be nothing but a "fat globule", but the mammogram showed "calcifications", leading to the recommended biopsy. I have had yearly mammograms for years and the one a year ago did not show anything.The doctor said the 0 means the cancer was enclosed inside the duct so far. I am awaiting a breast MRI "to see if there is other cancer there that the mammogram didn't pick up."

    This is very scary, I feel as if I am being cast into a foreign land with a foreign language... I am now doing a lot of research into what promotes breast cancer and what has preventive and/or suppressive effects. Even though I am a nurse, I do not work in the area of cancer. I had harbored NO fears of getting breast cancer! I have long-lived genes in my family, and the only person with breast cancer in my family was a great-aunt who lived 10+ years after her 1970's treatment. She died of other causes.

    I have been health-conscious for many years, keeping my weight normal, nonsmoking, eating in health-conscious ways, etc.. I don't exercise like I should, though, and this past year I spent many, many more hours sitting in front of a computer than usual because of increased work and school demands. I even put on 7 unwanted pounds this year because of it. But apparently the worst thing I have done - I think - is take postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy for 8-10 years. My GYN started me on it for bone density reasons, and never advised me to stop it, though he was aware every year during my Pap smear visits that I was still taking it. I feel like it is my own fault I got this, that I should have stopped the HRT on my own. I have to work hard at not beating myself up over it. The HRT was the ONLY scheduled medicine I was taking, I am a healthy person overall.

    This is a scary time. I pray I make the right decisions. Already I am having problems with the healing of the biopsy site because of a hematoma that formed and is persisting. The nurse had to put pressure on the site for a half hour to make the bleeding stop. Has anybody else dealt with that?

    Please welcome me...


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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited July 2015

    faithingit,

    Welcome! I was just diagnosed a few weeks ago and am waiting for my lumpectomy the end of the month. When the radiologist called me with the results of my core needle biopsy the first she said was that it's not my fault, it's nothing that I have done ad my estrogen replacement therapy did not cause the cancer. I had to stop the estrogen because it is estrogen receptive but she was very clear not to blame myself. Please don't beat yourself up just move forward with whatever plans are put in place to beat this.

    I am glad you found this forum. There's a wealth of information and experience on these boards.


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  • CVWILL
    CVWILL Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2015

    Saw the oncologist on July 6th who reviewed mammogram and ultrasound. My treatment plan will definitely include hormone therapy. May not need chemo but will not be able to complete the treatment plan until all results in. Saw second opinion surgeon on July 16th. The team recommended breast MRI as my breasts are very dense and ultrasound not definitive enough. Then biopsy of right breast as I have calcifications in the right. The Surgeon also offered genetic testing as my brother has prostate cancer and my grandmother died from Ovarian cancer but those results would take a while and delay surgery. I have decided not to wait for the genetic testing as it would not change my decision. MRI scheduled for July 31st. I see surgeon after that to schedule right biopsy. Once those results in I will make decision on surgery. Both doctors assured me that there is no emergency and encouraged me to take deep breath, wait for all test results to make a good informed decision on the surgery. Still scared which I guess is normal but not feeling so overwhelmed. I have decided to go with second opinion surgeon who is very through and specializes in breast surgery. Now that I have my treating physicians in place feeling better but the waiting for all test results difficult as I just want everything to move fast.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2015

    CVWILL, Waiting is so very hard. Once everything has been decided and you start treatment, it will get easier. There are so many decisons to make at the beginning, it does get overwhelming. Thanks for keeping us updated. Keeping you in my thoughts!!

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