Newly diagnised

Thanks Jackbirdie. It is exactly as you're saying and yes, I feel overwhelmed. I really wish that I had paid more attention when friends and family talked about their cancers. For some odd reason I thought it would be rude to ask questions about it.

I was devastated when the surgeon had to remove L nipple and areola, so can only imagine how difficult it must have been for you to decide on a double mastectomy? That was a brave thing to do. Mine too was early stage. I felt a small lump in January. It felt 'different' but I convinced myself it was probably nothing. The lump was small according to the sonar and MRI, done in June 2015. After the needle biopsy, it seemed to have exploded and nearly doubled in size in a matter of 2 weeks. I'm wondering if the biopsy did not cause the cancer to spread to the sentinal node? My cytology report diagnosed Ductal Carcinoma In Situ but this diagnosis changed to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma after lumpectomy and pathology there-off.

I would really love to hear about your chemo and radiation experiences. Because I had a score on HER2 neu, the surgeon said that I might be put on hormone therapy, so would also love to know more about HER2 neu and treatment there-off. I really am clueless. Dr Google did not do a good job in my case!

Okay, let me try to complete my profile section properly although I suspect that not all the information is on the histology report. According to all the articles I have read, Stage 2 up to stage 4 are sub-divided. The report does not indicate the stage at all. I phoned the surgeon and he texted the following: T1N1M0 Stage 2. However, the histology report clearly indicates M1, so I'm a really confused. He says the Oncologist would be better equipped to explain everything.

Thanks Jackbirdie. I truly am sorry that you had to go through most of this on your own. Let me assure you, although my youngest son lives at home, it still feels as if I'm lost and alone in a dark hole. Some days I wallow in self-pity and other days I feel sorry for my children.

My health problems started last year. After a few visits to my GP, a blood test confirmed that I have the H-Pylori virus. I was surprised to learn (via dr Google) that there is a link between cancer and H-Pylori?? ...and apparently itchy feet and ankles. Who would have thought there could be a link with cancer? Or is Dr Google misguided?

By October/November 2014, my left arm became painful. This got progressively worse, to the point where I could (still can't) fasten a bra. Getting dressed is a battle, not to mention brushing my hair. My GP diagnosed a frozen shoulder and gave me a Cortisone jab. This made absolutely no difference. An MRI of my shoulder and neck, showed a lesion on one of the vertebrae's and a bone scan was recommended by the radiologist. The Neuro Surgeon did not think it was necessary at the time although, according to him, it needed to be followed up.

Meanwhile I felt more tired every day and the excruciating pain in my left shoulder kept me up for nights at a time (still does). Getting up in the morning is a mission because I have aches and pains everywhere. I had a routine Mammogram and did NOT expect the news given me. On the day of my biopsy appointment, I actually walked out. I thought it was a waste of time and money. Had my GP not phoned and explained the seriousness of my situation, I would probably still be in my bubble of oblivion and denial.

After the breast cancer diagnosis, the doctor immediately ordered a bone scan. The bone scan report mentions an "increased uptake in the sternum" and "degenerative changes in left shoulder" but no bony metastasis. Strange that everything seems to be going wrong on the Left side of my body?

After reading your post and some others, I'm only at the beginning of a long bumpy journey even though it feels as if I've been on that path for more than a year. :-(

Thanks Queenmomcat. I completely understand what you're saying about losing your nipple and areola. My sister and both daughters were like "it's only a nipple, your life is worth more". It is DAMN awful! I don't want to touch or look at my breast! I can only imagine what it must be like having to go through surgery again and having yet more of you anatomy removed. That is a double whammy!

After my op, I developed an allergy for the plaster and had to rush to the ER one evening. When the doctor took the plaster off, I looked the other way and told her that I cannot look at it. She was such an angel. She took my scarred breast in both hands and said "it is still so beautiful and it can be fixed". I started crying when she said that. It will never be the same again, no matter what anyone says.

So I have been to see the Oncologist. I don't need chemo and will start radiology within the next 2 weeks and after that, the Oncologist suggests Tamoxifen. I am HER2- and grateful for that.

I have decided not to take the hormone therapy and yes, I have done loads of research and spoken to cancer patients. One of my friends had a lump >5cm. She went for chemo, then mastectomy, all lymph nodes removed and 5 years on Tamoxifen. She is not the picture of health and constantly complains of aches and pains in her joints and bones.

Thank you msphil. It is wonderful to hear such positive news.

Tshire, thank you so much for responding and for the information. I'm sorry that we have to meet under these circumstances but hey, as Eleanor Rooseveld once said: "A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water".

Over the last 2 weeks I have watched many documentaries about breast cancer and causes of BC, so I am one step closer to making a decision. After all that I have seen and heard, I was a good candidate for BC despite my so-called 'low risk' status.

In one of the research papers about psychological make-up of a person contracting cancer (I have a psychology degree, hence my interest in the psychological make-up of an illness), it is stated that the person experienced a traumatic event approximately 2 years before the cancer diagnosis and could not deal with the issue . My brother died in October 2013, 2 days before his birthday. Unfortunately we were not on good terms for years. The news had a devastating impact on our family and myself. My 82 year old mother deteriorated fast and that caused further stress and worry.

6 Months after my brother passed, my hairdresser told me that something is not well with me and she could see it in the condition of my hair. By her estimation, it is something that started happening 6 months before that day. I suffered from daily heartburn, itchy feet and ankles and worst of all, diarrhea and vomiting for no apparent reason. My GP ran some blood work and diagnosed H-Pylori. After 2 different antibiotics and 2 treatments, those symptoms improved somewhat. Possibly I just got used to the heartburn and occasional vomiting and diarrhea. Over the last year I often skipped meals, sometimes for days at a time and then binged on pastries, chocolates and fast food at other times. Add to the mix home renovations and stress of rescuing abandoned, abused and neglected animals = walking time bomb!

I'm hoping to see a medical oncologist soon. All the best with your treatment!