Diagnosed on Friday at 40 years old, possible Pagets

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Suz1975
Suz1975 Member Posts: 12
edited October 2016 in Just Diagnosed

Hi all, I'm 40 and was diagnosed on Friday through a Fine Needle Biopsy, I'm in Australia. All I know is it's cancer, and I'm seeing a specialist on Wednesday. I have no idea what the pathology report means, but I have a 2.7cm x 11mm lump and prominent axillary nodes. My  nipple is slightly Inverted, I have pain in both breasts, and have a small hole in my nipple that won't heal, hence why I'm thinking Pagets. My aunty was diagnosed with HER2 positive BC aged around 42. I wish I knew more but I've heard on these posts to be patient, I'm doing my best. I'm recently divorced and don't get on well with my ex, we have a 6 year old and a 2 year old that mostly stay with me. I'm already tired, so not sure how I'm going to cope with whatever treatment I need, whilst looking after my kids. I'm not good at asking for help, but I guess I'll have to learn huh. I'm still reeling form the news, it feels really surreal.

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  • LM070917
    LM070917 Member Posts: 323
    edited September 2016

    Hey Suz, so sorry to hear about your DX. Its can be very surreal, esp at a young age. It's never easy but once you have more of a treatment plan, youll be able to tackle it head on. I was DX last year at 34, nearly one year on and I'm doing really good. There are a lot of BC survivors out there It's hard but stay strong. Where inAus are you? I'm in Perth.

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited September 2016

    (((((Big Hugs)))) to you sweetie!!! Hug

    I was 41 when diagnosed and had an 11 year old son. My mother was 42 when diagnosed, so I guess I always knew I had a pretty high chance of this happening one day. When it did though, like you mentioned, it felt surreal.
    Right now, you are at the hardest part of this "journey". There are so many unanswered questions! I promise that once you meet with your doctors, learn more about your cancer, and determine a treatment plan, you WILL feel better. I didn't believe that when the ladies here told me the same thing, but they were right. It absolutely does get better!
    Please stick around here. The support and info these wonderful ladies give are invaluable! I learned more here on these boards than I ever did from my doctors!
    Hang in there....you will be just fine!

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  • Suz1975
    Suz1975 Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2016

    Hi, thanks for the responses. I'm keeping fairly upbeat at this stage. My appointment with the Breast Centre is tomorrow, I just wish I knew what to expect. I'd like to know exactly what I'm dealing with, and am worried they'll just refer me for more tests, which means more waiting. It's hell on my nervous system, thinking the worst.... I'm actually hoping it's HER+ as it seems to respond well to chemo. All I can do is speculate right now and it's driving me crazy. But otherwise I'm ok. I'm in NSW, near Newcastle.

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  • Suz1975
    Suz1975 Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2016

    So I found out it is Paget's yesterday.... bummer, there goes my nipple! So Lumpectomy, SNB and nipple removal next Friday. I considered a Mastectomy but will wait to decide as the recovery time is too much with two small kids. So here we go... I'm patiently waiting to find out more after Surgery. Thanks for your support

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  • Michellelynn875
    Michellelynn875 Member Posts: 21
    edited September 2016

    I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. More test will reveal a treatment plan for you. Once you get that plan, you'll know exactly what to expect.

    I was diagnosed just after my 40th birthday. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy and lost both my nipples... I know it's disappointing. But it's better than taking a chance of recurrence. If chemo and surgery are part of your plan, you'll need help. Don't hesitate to ask the willing....

    Is it possible to sit down with the ex and ask for a truce during this trying time?

    Keep supportive people in your life, I don't think I could have gotten this far without it.

    Best wishes,

    Michelle

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  • Suz1975
    Suz1975 Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2016

    Thanks Michelle, the x has been helpful so far, so that's a bonus.

    They're thinking Chemo at the moment but obviously I won't be sure until the results come back. Can I ask, how long was the recovery period for your double mastectomy? My surgeon recommended to do them as separate operations if I chose to have them removed... I was considering it but am concerned about how long I'll be out of action for.

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  • StayMom
    StayMom Member Posts: 67
    edited September 2016

    All the best Suz. I'm 42 and currently waiting for my diagnosis but was bi rad 5 so 95% sure it is cancer. Trying to prep for information overload, telling people, surgery, treatment options. It's overwhelming. I think it is good to weigh your options as there is a lot to consider especially being a single mom. Hope you have a lot of support around you to help with the decisionsand help with your children. All the best and hope that you are on the road to recovery very soon.

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  • Suz1975
    Suz1975 Member Posts: 12
    edited October 2016

    Well its been a crazy ride.... I've canceled my DMX that was scheduled for Friday so I can find out if I can do chemo first. Fingers crossed. I'm already down one nipple and one cup size on the right, I'm not ready to cut more off me yet. I think im getting to the anger part.... cancers a bitch but I'm angry at the way the whole process steers us first to surgery then oncology, it's like a process line at the beginning... the surgeon cuts then I get to talk to someone who knows about cancer.... doesn't seem logical to me...

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