Crazy Train
Just found out last Friday I have breast cancer, and I am 48 years old. Only told it was invasive, grade 2 and it is small (less than 1 cm). Trying to keep busy, and even going ahead with the plan I had to have a surprise birthday party for my husband in just over 2 weeks (friends helping)....but it's tough not to go crazy inside. Mostly, I am trying to be positive, and I am, but even my hubby is struggling with waiting for appointment with surgeon. I put a call into Nurse Navigator yesterday to get a copy of my report, but haven't heard back 24hrs later. My family Doc is off this week, and is winding down to retirement so she's not there, and she told me she didn't have any details anyway. Now I wonder if I have cancer somewhere else too....my mom passed at 58 from lung cancer (smoker), so this thought is now creeping in, I don't want these thoughts. Will they check me all out eventually? We have an 8 year old, and she is doing ok., being part of the party planning is helping, she's excited about that. I guess anyone in this position should not expect to feel fabulous, and expect and accept to have some down moments or days.
Comments
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I was recently diagnosed as well... invasive ductal carcinoma with some DCIS. The waiting is the worst... but like you said, keeping busy helps (I'm also party planning for my DD who will be 5 in 2 wks)... I've had my surgery -- a lumpectomy w/ node removal -- 2 wks ago (I met w/ the surgeon on a Thurs and her asst said there was a cancellation on her surgery schedule for Tues and I said I'll take it)... it was about 1 cm w/ no node involvement... having my first consultation with a medical oncologist tomorrow. I'm finding when you are first diagnosed there are a lot of holding patterns where you wait (for biopsy results, then for surgery, then for pathology, then for an adjuvant treatment plan, etc.)... I've never been an over-achiever where waiting is concerned, but in addition to keeping busy, it's helping me to talk w/ others who have gone on this journey as well.... here and there are a few women I know who are survivors. The good news for both of us is that the tumor is small. Here's to being cancer-free very soon!
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daisy, once you have surgery, they will be able to stage you.. Depending on what the surgery reveals, will determine what they want to to do in the way of more testing, etc. to determine your treatment plan. I had a BRCA test, oncotype test, chest and neck CT, (RO thought he felt swollen nodes) blood work and PEM scan. The waiting is so hard, but it sounds like you are on the right track keeping busy, with distractions, etc. You WILL feel better once you know what you are dealing with and have a plan in place. Enjoy your up-coming party:).
Best wishes with your up-coming appts.
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Hello, I just wanted to say I'm so sorry you've found yourself here but keeping busy and staying positive and your family is what's going to get you through this crazy train ride. I was also 48 with an 8 year old when I was diagnosed and I know how scary that is but it sounds like your tumor is small and you've been in contact with the right people. I think my first step after dx was a MRI but it took a week or two to get the ball rolling. I was dx in September and didn't have surgery until October. The waiting stinks but hang in there and I promise you'll feel better once you have a clear treatment plan. ((Hugs)
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I totally understand the whole freaking our stage. The beginning is horrible. It will settle down as you learn more. I had that whole what if worry, but I was a smoker, the tumor extended back toward the chest wall...ect....Take a deep breath and know that your team will discuss all the options with you. Talk frankly with your care team about your worries...
Best Wishes
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Stay busy, don't consult Dr. Google (easier said than done), put your fears out here on these discussion boards, and know that you're going to be okay. We are all here for you and know what you're going through. This is just a chapter in your long life, and really will be a short chapter. You'll get over this bump in the road and then continue on--spending time with your hubby and 8 year old, just as you planned. Let us know how it goes and what your plan will be once you know. We care and we speak the same language.
Claire in AZ
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I guess I was incredibly lucky to get my core-needle biopsy results the very next evening--IDC, grade, hormone receptor and HER2 status. Perhaps it was because I had to delay my biopsy 2 weeks after my ultrasound due to travel for work and they figured I had waited long enough. Two weeks later, I had my surgery and five days after that I had the stage (and ER/PR percentages as well).
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