Feeling anxious and concerned

Options
scaredashell07
scaredashell07 Member Posts: 272
edited November 2016 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I was diagnosed a month ago. Surgery in two weeks. I am feeling tired and have some hip pain and a chronic cough and congestion over last few months. Worried that it's spread but they did pet scan and said t was fine. They also checked liver because of a cyst found a while back and MRI checked part he hip (at the top) and said it looked fine. They said pet would have shown something if my symptoms were caused by cancer spreading. Anyone know if the pains could be from cancer but not shown on scans??

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Jenwith4kids
    Jenwith4kids Member Posts: 635
    edited October 2016

    Your clear PET scan is a really good thing!! It's the gold standard, and if your cancer has spread, it would have shown up. Breath deep and ask your doc for some ativan or xanax. Buckle your seat belt, it's going to be a time of constant stress and worry. Once you get a treatment plan in place you'll start to feel better. Stick around here - there are many terrific women to talk to.

    I'm in NJ too - where are you having your surgery?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 272
    edited October 2016

    thanks Jeneith4- I am going to Msk in city. I'm also in central jersey! Hoping they are correct. They seem optimistic and so I should hang onto that. Can't tell the future I guess. I feel like I have symptoms and no one is acknowledging jt but I have had the scans ..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2016

    Hi,

    Just reading posts and came across yours, glad to hear your PET was clear. I was just diagnosed last week and am calling today to schedule my PET. I am also scared. I feel like I noticed every lil ache and pain now and am worried if PET will be clear. Anyways, as all of us are, hoping for the best.

    Also if you don't mind me asking, when do they stage you? After PET?

    thanks, and good luck to you, I am feeling the same way, so I completely understand.

    Hugs!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jenwith4kids
    Jenwith4kids Member Posts: 635
    edited October 2016

    hi tlg , any staging before surgery is subject to change. staging depends on the size of your tumor and the number of nodes involved. all if that is easily seen once it's all removed. I suppose if they see cancer outside of the breast during the PET then you'd be staged at I'VE.

    I hope that helps.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KathyL624
    KathyL624 Member Posts: 217
    edited October 2016

    I would trust the scan! You are lucky they even gave you one! Doctors seem so reluctant to do it for early stagers. Did they have reason to think it might have spread? Who is your surgeon by the way? I had my mastectomy at MSK with Dr. Heerdt.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2016

    thanks Jenwith4kids! I am anxiously awaiting to schedule the PET and hoping for the best.

    Wishing you the best and continued healing as well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 272
    edited November 2016

    my surgeon is dr Kirstein at Msk. It's a good question. I think they did it because they found another small tumor in same breast. But said it was small.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 272
    edited October 2016

    hugs o you Tigio. They staged me at time of biopsy results appointment but that is just a guess based on US and MRI IThe surgery will say exactly how big the tumor is and how many nodes (as Jen stated). Good luck to you. and hang in there. We may go through surgery and treatments together. Keep me posted.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2016

    Thanks @ scaredashell07-- lets keep in touch and help each other fight together!!  I will keep you in my thoughts with your upcoming surgery as well. 

    Hugs!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 272
    edited October 2016

    looks like we have same tumor characteristics. Will be in touch. Do you know your treatment plan ?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2016

    hi, no not yet. This week I am,scheduling a PET, feeling scared and anxious about it, but hoping it comes back as clean everywhere else. Once they get that back, then dr will talk treatment. Did they test you for Brca gene?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 272
    edited October 2016

    ok keep me posted. Yes I was tested and came back negative. Also had additional testing for Northern European gene. Was also negative. Apparently only 1-5% of women have the gene. I was surprised by that. Good luck on your pet.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fight2016
    Fight2016 Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2016

    After surgery your pathology report will give you a full understanding and stage your cancer. Before my surgery I was told 1.5 cm IDC. After surgery the path report showed 3 tumors. Clear margins and clear lymph nodes

    Tumor 1- 1.9 cm IDC

    Tumor 2- 1.4 DCIS

    Tumor 3- 1.5 DCIS

    I had an Oncotype genomic test done to determine if chemo would decrease a reoccurrence. My score was 18 If I took chemo it would only decrease a chance of reoccurrence by 1%. The chemo and side effects would be more harmful than helpful. I am currently taking radiation. 30 treatments 5 days a week. I'm almost finished 7 more treatments left. The worst part of radiation is the fatigue. Skin is good slight burning under my arm I have not worked since my surgery date 8/22/16 Plan on returning somtime in January Take your time the fatigue is brutal.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2016

    Fight2016-

    We want to welcome you to BCO, and thank you for sharing your experiences! Good luck on the rest of your treatment!

    The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 272
    edited November 2016

    thank you !!! Was surprised to hear my center did not do oncotype tests. Was told I would get chemo anyway. Because of lymphnode status.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited November 2016

    thanks, will keep in touch. Is surgery your next step? My insurance wouldnt cover PET scan (ugh) until they do Bone Scan/CT Scan, so i have those scheduled on Friday now. not sure if they then will need a PET too or how that all works.

    Hugs, thinking of you as well on your battle!



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 272
    edited November 2016

    surgery is 11/9. Good luck with other tests.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories