Just diagnosed-feeling a little overwhelmed

One day at a time. This period before having a treatment plan is tough. Lots of waiting. Hang in there

What you are feeling is perfectly normal. You've been blindsided by the diagnosis and it can seem overwhelming at first. Be kind to yourself and avoid judging yourself for your emotions. It's important to have a support network, and it sounds like you do with your family. Everyone handles things differently and there is no right or wrong response. Once you've received the pathology results from your lumpectomy, and the results of any tests, such as the Oncotype DX, then your doctors will recommend a treatment plan. Your biopsy results indicate that you have IDC, the most common type of breast cancer. Grade 3 is a score of 8 or 9, which is more aggressive, meaning that the cells are growing more quickly than those in a grade 1 or 2 tumour. Try not to panic; this absolutely does not mean that it must be removed asap, today if possible. Grade 3 tumours are more responsive to treatments. Your tumour is hormone receptor positive, meaning that its growth is stimulated by hormones. About 80% of breast cancers are hormone receptor positive - having estrogen and/or progesterone receptors. You are ER-, PR+ (70%), HER2-, ER-,PR+ is the least common of the hormone positive combinations, representing about 2% of breast cancers. This is what they are refering to by an unusual phenotype. Personally, I don't think it will influence the results of the HER2-, but they wish to retest. Depending on the size of the tumour, the core biopsy is a small sample of it, so the testing that is done on the surgically excised tumour is the most important, as several samples from differenct areas will be assessed. Waiting to find out your final pathology results and thus knowing what you are dealing with so that a treatment plan can be determined is truly the hardest time. Try some deep breathing to calm yourself and also do things you enjoy or with other people to distract yourself. If you find your anxiety is bad, or are having trouble sleeping, you may want to consider asking your doctor for a prescription for ativan or xanax. This is a great community of supportive women, who will understand what you are feeling and going through, so come back whenever you need to. Stay strong, I promise it will get easier. Hugs

The beginning is the hardest part. I don't think you ever get use to "having cancer". For me it's been almost 5 years since my diagnosis and I still find it hard to believe I had cancer. Take it one day at a time. Once you get more information and a treatment plan it strangely becomes a little easier. Have faith! Hugs!

I will be having bilateral mastectomy Thursday, November 6th. I chose mastectomy because I did not want radiation, I've been called back for more tests 14 of 20 mammograms, numerous biopsies, etc.

Also, I am not having reconstruction.

The diagnosis is really the hardest thing. You will be fine! Believe it and that helps your odds tremendously. For real.

citrinieffe--did they have you on tamoxifen during the past 10 years since your diagnosis of LCIS and ADH?

Anne

I felt overwhelmed for 2 days after diagnosis - I couldn't make a decision...I couldn't concentrate...I remember telling my son and him looking at me with fear in his eyes. I tried to minimize and make the news a bit casual when I told others...especially my 94 year old mom. I gave them info in stages (told them I would need chemo a while after I told them the diagnosis). My family takes their cues from me - I am positive and optimistic and that helps them. I also have learned that allowing them to help me or give me flowers or chocolate etc. also helps them to cope. They need a role.and something to do.

I chose a lumpectomy because my surgeon explained that the outcomes were similar in terms of disease recurrence and survival between mastectomy vs lumpectomy +R.T. . More importantly, mastectomy would have meant a longer recuperation and may have delayed chemotherapy, which for me, was more of a priority to get started (I have triple negative disease). I had a pretty rapid recovery from my lumpectomy 4 weeks ago and just finished my first round of chemo and am doing well. 

My thoughts will be with you during your surgery!

I am sorry that you have found yourself here.

My surgeon told me that a lumpectomy was not an option for me due to where the two tumors are located and the other images seen on the MRI in the area between them. So mastectomy it is for me when I get to surgery. At this point I am leaning towards bilateral.

I am so sorry you're dealing with this, but glad you found this group of amazing people who know exactly what you're going through. Telling my family was very difficult. I have been diagnosed since the end of August but treatment has been delayed because I ended up with a post op infection from a ductal excision. Now I am scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy December. That was a very hard decision for me, and the support here to help me come to that decision has been unbelievable. Everyone makes their own decision, but the guidance we get in helping us come up with a plan that is best for us is invaluable. My choice was just finalized this past week, and I'm certain for me it's best - although I'm still mad and sad about it. This is my second diagnosis - first was 10 years ago so I felt like it was my best option. Take your time - I know that you want to get through it quickly, but make sure your decision is the best for you.

Hugs,

Beth

Good luck cjafarm , saying a prayer for you and all the other women here.

I have a head CT scan today, I've had balance issues for a year and now occasional headaches. Hoping headaches are just stress and balance is an ear issue. I should have results at Wednesday appointment.

I just want to get this show on the road...

Good luck cjafarm

I was recently diagnosed after a single surgery that removed two lumps - both DCIS on the right side. Early cancer - stage 0. Surgeon didn't expect cancer, so didn't take a large enough margin. I have an MRI tomorrow to make sure we haven't missed anything else undetected by imaging etc. As long as it's clean, then I'll be having a second surgery to take a larger margin. I'm going to have a course of radiation, then apparently I'll be on estrogen blockers. No suggestion of chemo at this point. I'm scared of the MRI showing more cancer....I haven't told my grown up kids yet - waiting until I get more information. If MRI shows more cancer, I'll push for mastectomy and reconstruction. I don't want to do small surgeries over and over again. Rather have it all out in one swoop.

Scary as this has been, I'm positive I will beat this. I beat ovarian cancer at age 14 (42 years ago), so there's no reason I can't lick this as well. Am I being naïve?

Yes this first stage when there are so many unknowns and so much information to get educated on is definitely the hardest!! I had about a 6 week gap from diagnosis to beginning of treatment. During that time I had all kinds of tests (US, mammogram, breast biopsy, PET scan, breast MRI, genetic testing, and lymph node biopsy). No one on the treatment team could really answer my specific questions until all the testing was done. My MO assured me that the gap in time was okay and that having all the information from the tests was imperative to getting the correct treatment plan. Try to breath and know that it will be easier to think/process things once you have a plan in place. It is a whirlwind of terror right now, I know! Hang in there and ask any questions you have to those of us on the boards.

WOW Windingshores, I'll mention that to Surgeon tomorrow. I saw my CT Scan results on my patient portal this morning and NO masses or other abnormalities. No metastatic disease. So thankful. WOOHOO YIPPEE

Good luck cjafarm with surgery, praying for you and all the other brave women here.

I know how you feel. I just got a diagnosis of IDC. I got back the surgeon this Friday the 6th to talk about a Mastectomy, cuz I can't go through anymore biopsies and the torture of waiting for results. I have always had b9 results and this was a kick in the gut for sure. I am so scared.