Hard Not To Worry

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  • 786tex
    786tex Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2016

    looks like I'll be moving on to the chemo boards. Honestly, I'm terrified. I guess I was prepared to hear surgery first but they want me to do 4-6 months of chemo first, then surgery, then radiation, then chemo again..that's because of positive lymph node. Still don't know stage, I have PEM scan set up on Thursday for that. I'll let you all know after that. Thank you all for your support.

    Heidi I hope all goes well tomorrow. Will be thinking good thoughts.

    Mamalala glad they moved things up for you. Sooner is better, the stress of waiting is awful

    Seedsally hope all went well today and they gets results to you soon.

  • StaceySue2U
    StaceySue2U Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    I'm so sorry, TX. May the chemo work miraculously well and may you come out of this 100% cancer free, with no future recurrence.

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    Thank you Tex for wishing me well and I feel the same for you. I feel connected to a few people here I think because we seem to be in the same boat and same time frame. Please keep us up to date with your progress.

    I had the stereotactic biopsy of left breast yesterday. Not a painless experience exactly, at least for me. Before the procedure I asked my surgeon about the results of last biopsy done on 02/12/16. He wouldn't say and just told me all the results aren't back yet. I wonder if that is bad news. I see him tomorrow for a followup I hope he has an answer for me then. I just wish he would tell me something even if all the results aren't in yet. I also want copies of any reports he has. I wonder what I have to do to get that info.

  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited February 2016

    You are entitled to copies of all your reports Seedsally. Just ask for them.

    Hope you get some answers at tomorrows appointment. Waiting is so hard.


  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    Thanks Smurfette

  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited February 2016

    I didn't like the stereotactic biopsy. I had it a week after my ultrasound guided core biopsy of my initial mass, which wasn't bad. For me, the core needle lymph node biopsy was the worst, followed by the breast MRI, then the stereotactic. I am sure some issues may have to do with being small breasted and having a thin build. There have been several times along this journey so far that I have wished for extra meat on my bones! I have had lots of offers from loved ones to share...

  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited February 2016

    Seedsally... I have asked for copies of everything from biopsy results and radiology reports, to all my preoperative test results. My surgeon already had a copy of my oncotype results before I even asked yesterday ...haha

  • heidi16
    heidi16 Member Posts: 79
    edited February 2016

    Logang; I am also small breasted and very thin which makes both ultrasound guided biopsy and MRI more technically challenging. At both occasions the radiologist stated the fact. Was supposed to have a MRI guided biopsy of a small second mass in the same breast (previously noted on MRI) today but could not find it this time so we will see what happens next...

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    Heidi and Logang did either or both ofyou have an open MRI? I am so worried due to extreme and I mean extreme claustrophobia.

  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited February 2016

    Seedsally, I had a regular breast MRI with and without contrast. You should definitely speak with your doctor about the claustrophobia. The problems I had with it had to do with position. I cannot stand laying on my stomach and felt like I couldn't take a deep breath because I was laying on my diaphragm. Once again wished I had more meat on my bones!

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    I am getting my results at 2:15 today from my surgeon. Hopefully a good diagnosis but am expecting bad news. Everyone please keep me in mind and I appreciate your suppor

  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited February 2016

    Sending prayers! My thoughts will be with you!

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    Thank you so much

  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited February 2016

    I wish you the best result Seedsally. It's so hard to wait for test results.

    Thinking of you.

    Sarah

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    Thank you so much. It is hard.

  • heidi16
    heidi16 Member Posts: 79
    edited February 2016

    Seedsally:You can get premedications for anxiety before MRI. I hope your results are good! Hugs

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    Saw the doctor today. Not all results are back yet. DX Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. Tests on left breast not complete. Surgeon will wait till all results in before full treatment plan put in place. I have appointment next Friday for further discussion. In the meantime I am supposed to think about lumpectomy and radiation versus mastectomy

  • 786tex
    786tex Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2016

    seedsally. So sorry to hear the diagnosis. I keep holding out hope that someone will get a negative result. I start chemo Wednesday. It's all moving so fast! Hope it does for you too.

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    Thanks Tex. I feel like I've been thrown into the center of a whirlwind and don't know how to get out.

  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited February 2016

    Seedsally - I am so sorry you have got bad news. We were all hoping for benign. This time is so hard, in between diagnosis and treatment starting. Once you have your plan things will start to feel more doable. Take time to get used to the shock. Be careful of researching too much - Dr Google can be such a scaremonger. This site has some wonderful resources and support in the many threads.

    I wish you comfortable and successful treatments. This time may feel unending but it will pass. I had 5 months of chemistry, followed by surgery, rads, recon and now feel I am back to normal.

    Best wishes

    Sarah

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    Thank you Scwilly for your support and I have found everything I need here on BCO that I need for information. I just have to decide on the type of surgery first and if I want reconstruction. Then follow whatever plan that is set up. At least I have some answers and that horrible wait is over. Again thanks,

    Sharon

  • heidi16
    heidi16 Member Posts: 79
    edited February 2016

    Seedsally: So sorry about your dx. We are all here in the same boat at the same time of dx and support each other throughout this "journey". I was also given choice of lumpectomy vs mastectomy and I chose lumpectomy. I based my decision on that in mastectomy they take out several lymph nodes and recovery is much longer (in my case my baby is traumatized enough that I stopped breast feeding due to the biopsies and MRI contrast injections and would like to minimize any additional changes out of her ordinary routine).

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    Heidi have you already had your surgery and was radiation treatments part of your treatment plan? I believe the commitment Side effects of lumpectomy with 6-8 weeks of treatments daily 5 days a week versus mastectomy and recuperation afterwards may equal the same time frame and possibly similar down time for healing. I won't know until I meet with the cancer radiologist if I decide for lumpectomy. I have been given a week to decide.

  • heidi16
    heidi16 Member Posts: 79
    edited February 2016

    Seedsally: My surgery is scheduled for 3/11 and radiation is always given at my hospital after lumpectomy. If radiation is not required after mastectomy, then definitely the time commitment is similar. Let me know what you decide on!

  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited February 2016

    Lymph nodes may be removed during a lumpectomy too. A SNB is far less invasive than an auxiliary node clearance and lessens the risk of lymphedema. The area where nodes are removed is definitely more painful than the mastectomy site. Good luck on your journey ladies. Hugs Donna.

  • StaceySue2U
    StaceySue2U Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    Seedsally, I had my BMX yesterday and the first good night of sleep I've had since I got my diagnosis! Yeah it's painful and doesn't look pretty right now but the anxiety is gone and I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders (and I got a lot off my chest LOL). I hope your stress and worry resolve as well as mine did. Of course....a lot of it could be the valium they gave me to prevent muscle spasms :)

  • Mamalala333
    Mamalala333 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2016

    I posted here a few days ago because I was waiting for a biopsy and results. I had my biopsy yesterday and they got me the results today! I have infiltrating ductal carcinoma. It has spread to at least one lymph node. I'm embarrassed to say I don't know the grade. Is that how fast it grows? I do know that I'm "triple positive" with HER1+. I understand the HER positive thing, but not the 1. Any help? I have MRI Tuesday then meet with surgeon Thursday. I want a double mastectomy but am not sure if I'll have chemo or surgery first. I'm married with 5 kids and only 36! It feels unreal

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    I'm so sorry Mamalala I can't tell you much as I'm newly diagnosed with the same type and still learning. I don't have all the information on mine yet. They seem to be moving so fast with your tests and results. That's good Keep us informed and I am wishing you the best.

  • heidi16
    heidi16 Member Posts: 79
    edited February 2016

    Mamalala: So sorry for your diagnosis...Yes, the grade is how fast it grows. What does your pathology report exactly say? If the HER2 testing was performed with immunohistochemistry 1+ means "low reactivity" (which means you are HER2 negative). Have you been told that you are HER2 positive?

  • 786tex
    786tex Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2016

    Mamalala, I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Mine is also triple positive so we are in the same boat. I start chemo next Wednesday which will be every 2 weeks for 4 months, then mastectomy ( I would rather they just do double too) then radiation. Please let me know how things go.

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