Stage 3 just diagnosed

azrescue
azrescue Member Posts: 116
edited February 2016 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

Hi. I was just diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 3, grade 2. I do not have the hormone receptor information yet. Also my ct and bone scans were clear. The mass is 5.3 cm and the axila node is positive. I've been in a state of shock and numb. Followed by moments of terror and then pure "I'm ready to kick it's ass". It is like a roller coaster that will not stop. I have a 9 yr and a 5 yr old and an amazing husband. I have so many questions and not enough answers. I have read about getting through chemo. ... Will I do ok with my heart (palpitations & tricuspid valve regurgitation)? Will I have a recurrence? Will I end up with cancer somewhere else? Will I ever look and feel normal again? I'm trying to eat VERY clean and build my immune system before I'd start any chemo. I have an appointment on the 19 & 20th with a breast surgeon and an oncologist. I guess I'll know more then. Does it ever REALLY end? Or is it forever know a life of problems & complications? fatigue, chemo brain, heart issues, lymphedema, etc. I'm angry, scared, determined.

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Comments

  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited February 2016

    azrescue,

    Sorry you have been dx. It stinks! Most likely chemo is in your future with the positive sentinel node.

    None of this is easy, so be kind to yourself. My surgeon recommended a lumpectomy, so I went with that. It was easy. Chemo was torture ( for me ), but many, many ladies report here that it was not bad for the them. We all have different reactions, experiences. Try to keep busy, with 2 young kiddos, I am sure that is normal.

    Roller coaster, yes.....but, somehow we manage to hang on, get through surgery, chemo & then radiation. After that comes the pills.....yikes ! no picnic.... This website is a lifesaver, you can rant, whine, share your misery & we get it. At home & IRL, you pretend to protect our families.

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited February 2016

    hi there. So sorry you have had to join us here. The early days are the worst, as fear of the unknown can be paralyzingly . It does get better bit by bit.

    As your scans are clear, this is a enormously good sign. You will appreciate the significance of this in tIme.

    My advice is join the stage III board. Every single question or concern is most likely there. It a wonderful, calming place to get good solid information.

    Surround yourself with positive people only. Do not listen to other bc nightmare stories. Treatments have significantly improved the outcomes.

    Finally, know you are no alone, there are so many of us out there living way beyond bc, and have taken back our lives.

    For me it's been almost 11years from. Stage III C. Bc dx , and terrible prognosticators, etc. etc, etc. I am well and blessed every day.

    I wish you a gentle journey on this road no one wanted to find themselves on.


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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited February 2016

    Hi!

    I was diagnosed with Stage IIIA in June 2014. I also had a tumor that was 5 cm.+, and had one compromised lymph node. It WAS scary, and I just finished active treatment in December 2015 (am HER2+, so had to do a year of Herceptin). I thought I'd never finish treatment and get back to living. But, now I'm back to full strength and have much more energy.

    By the way, due to the size of my tumor and the fact that I'm HER2+, I ended up having chemo before my surgery. The chemo wiped out all of the (detectable) active cancer in my breast and node, and I was able to have a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy. I was happy to have that option because I'm the mother of three school-aged children (two with autism), and I wanted to avoid a more debilitating surgery and reconstruction (which can require multiple surgeries and revision). I was also pleased with the way I look and that I was able to retain sensation in my breast.

    Every BC patient makes these kinds of decisions for herself; some are happy to have a double mastectomy, some opt for just mastectomy, and some are like me. I just wanted to know that neoadjuvant chemo is an option that you can discuss with your surgeon and oncologist.

    Best wishes!

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited February 2016

    I know it all sounds like so much but you can do it. I had the whole enchilada…BMX, recon, chemo and now on Tamoxifen. My best advice is to get your treatment plan in place after finding the best doctors you can find. Get second opinions if you have ANY doubts about a doctor. Then only deal with the current treatment issues and don't read ahead too much. Join a chemo group. It was by far the most helpful thing on this board. Also, if you can exercise through treatment, do it. I tried to exercise every single day and I almost made it. It kept me feeling pretty good during treatment and now I exercise much more than I did pre dx and I have more energy.

    Best to you. (I have a 12 and 10 year old so I know the fears associated with being a mom.) Hugs.

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