Not even sure where to start.

Dear phrogger78, You have come to the right place for support and information. There is tremendous knowledge, and compassion shared here and we are so glad that despite the newness of everything you had the ability to reach out here. We hope that you will stay connected and keep us posted as to your appointment. We hope to be able to walk with you through this. The Mods

Hi phrogger! (cute username)

I'm sorry you have to be here too. Sounds like you've been flying through the diagnostic process. I can imagine that you haven't had a lot of time to stop and think about it all...

If you haven't started collecting copies of all of the reports/results/bills, etc. you'll want to stop and think about creating a filing system. You'll be amazed at how quickly the paperwork piles up. For instance, based on what you've said so far, you'll want to collect:

1. Visit notes from your primary care provider (PCP). (And related bill)

2. Order for Mammogram (from PCP)...and order for US (maybe from PCP or maybe from radiologist).

3. Mammogram & Ultrasound results (from radiologist)...you'll want to make sure you get the reports that were sent to your PCP, not just the "patient letter" often sent from the radiology center. The one you want will include a BIRADs score and (relatively) incomprehensible language. (And bills from radiology center/radiologist & maybe separate sonographer)

4. Copies of Mammogram/US discs for your files. You'll want to have these to take with you to breast specialist. They should have gotten them directly from radiology center/radiologist. But reports/tests often don't get where they need to go. So either check with the breast specialist's office before you go, or take them with you.

5. Order for the biopsy (from either the radiologist or the PCP).

6. Biopsy procedure report (from the person who performed the biopsy). (Bill from the facility where the biopsy was performed & from the person who performed the biopsy.)

7. Biopsy pathology report (from a pathologist). (And bill from pathologist and maybe a second one from pathology facility).

8. Referal to breast specialist.

Once you've seen the breast specialist, you'll want a copy of her office visit notes and any orders that she makes.

HTH,

LisaAlissa

etc: numbering...

Hi phrogger78, I am a navy wife, my husband just retire

Hello phrogger,

I'm a survivor of IDC stage 2 with one lymph node involved...My heart goes out to you! I am a person of deep faith, and that was what helped me the most through it all. I agree with the first commenter, it is the waiting that is the worst! Once things get on a schedule and settle down you will find yourself relaxing (finally)!

My advice is to take things one day at a time...As far as telling your children, I have only experience with telling my three grown daughters and then talking to my three young granddaughters after their mother broke the news to them. I was so very amazed at how the younger kids seemed to take it so much better than the adults! (My youngest granddaughter snuck the scissors and gave herself a haircut so that she could donate it to me...Thank God her mother caught her before she cut too much off, lol!) Kids are more resilient than we give them credit for. Because your autistic child is more like a younger age, that might just be a plus. Since your children are a part of your daily life, I think its best to be as honest with them as possible and to try to prepare them for what's to come as best as you can.

Honestly, the treatment will go much quicker than you think, and soon this will all just be an interesting chapter in your life's story!

God bless~ Lisa

Phrogger- I am sorry you're going through this, but youre among friends. We have walked in your shoes, and understand. I too have 4 sons. I had bc 10 years ago, when my boys were 2, 5, 12 and 13. My 2 youngest don't remember it, but my 2 oldest do. I've just been diagnosed again, and explaining it to them has been hard. I too am a nurse, at the end of my master's degree and refuse to let this stop me. I finished my bsn 5 years ago, then got divorced. We are strong and will conquer! You can do this!!! You will do what you need to do, and finish school. Maybe you need a break, but then you'll pick it right back up.

As far as the boys go, your provider should be able to refer you to someone who may be able to help you explain it. Like lisalissa stated, child life specialists are very helpful. See if you can connect with someone.

hi,

I've undergone 2 lumpectomies . The first on November 20th, and then again December 3rd. I am fearful too. I see my surgeon I January 6th.,.

Hi there,

First, you need to know that breast cancer has very good success rate. When you meet with your breast surgeon, the discussion will be either lumpectomy ( removal of the tumor only) and post operative radiation or mastectomy ( removal of the breast) . Either approach yields similar survival. It will depend on the size of the tumor in relation to your breast.

After surgery, you need information such as stage of your cancer , Estrogen, progesterone or HER2 receptor status, you then meet with a medical oncologist to discuss treatment plan.

I'm so sorry you have to be here, but these boards were often my saving grace over the last year, so you are in the right place!

I haven't read all the comments yet, but I did see the question about how to talk to your kids. I ended up taking my daughter to a therapist because she was anxious, and the therapist showed her some books that she liked. She was 9 at the time. One was called Nowhere Hair by Sue Glader and she really liked it. She is trying to remember the name of the other book. I also found a book online that was recommended to me- there are no print copies but you can print it. It is called Kemo Shark. My then 10-year old son is developmentally delayed and this book helped him. He did take some of it literally though...:)

Do you know what kind of cancer it is? Her2/Neu status, hormone receptor status?

Like LisaAlissa suggested, I would put a binder together. A girlfriend of mine who has been through cancer several times told me exactly what to put in it. I put business card pages in it for the many cards I received, DVD sleeves for copies of all the scans and tests I had, a calendar I kept updated with all of my chemo and doctor appointments, tabs for other things such as print copies of test results, EOB reports, all doctor invoices, research data, info on the one trial I did. I think that was it. Quite honestly, I rarely had to refer back to it, but it made me feel a little bit in control just having it organized like that! Plus, I knew if there were any insurance issues, I had all of my info in one place.

It has now been one year and one day since I found the lump. I had triple negative IDC in my left breast. I'm done with chemo and had a double mastectomy. I've had a few wonderful months of energy and will go in for DIEP flap on February 18th!

You will get through this. It will suck. We can't sugarcoat it. But you will put on your suit of armor during treatment and get through it. Be sure to join the thread for the month you start chemo. That was also very helpful- having that sisterhood of women going through the same thing at basically the same time.

Good luck to you! Keep asking questions and coming her for support!

Yes, according to all I was told by my Drs, Stage is not definatively know til after surgery. Based on the type and the biopsies/scans it can be suspected/estimated to be a particular Stage. However, injtial suspected Stage can change with the CT/MRI/bone/PET scans done after DX play into the expected Stage DX. There are several here whose Stage changed after surgery (mastectomy or lumpectomy).

I had my ER/PR and HER2 status within a few days (mine is ER+/PR- and HER2-).