Diagnosed on 10/14/2016 and New to the Forum

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amw5
amw5 Member Posts: 189

My breast biopsy and axillary lymph node biopsy was on 10/13/2016.

I was diagnosed on 10/24/2016.

I had a breast mri done on 10/25/2016. I had a PET / CT scan done on 10/27/2016.

I meet with the oncologist next week, and then have a follow up with the breast specialist next week as well.

As of now, it looks like I will be doing chemotherapy first (then surgery, then radiation).

I filled out my signature area as best as I could. I will update the stage after I find out, and I will update the node information after surgery).

Comments

  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2016

    Hi Amw5, Sorry you have found yourself here as well. I was just diagnosed this week and am wondering how they confirmed your lymph involvement.  I had an axillary lymph biopsy but it came back as fibroid tissue so I am calling to schedule PET tomorrow for next week hopefully.  Did your PET show lymph involvement?

    Good luck to you with your appt's, wishing you the best.


  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    Hi tigo17.

    I'm also sorry you have found yourself here as well. (((hugs)))

    During my monthly self breast exam, I noticed a lump in my armpit, and I was having pain in my breast. I phoned my doctor, and she immediately faxed over an order to the imaging center for a diagnostic mammogram and breast ultrasound. The imaging center called me to get me in right away. When they did the diagnostic mammogram and breast ultrasound, they told me what I felt in my armpit were swollen lymph nodes. They also discovered a lump deep within my breast (which I would not have felt any time soon). The breast mri showed lymph involvement. I had the PET / CT scan done today (and will pick up the report and cd tomorrow or Saturday morning).

    Thx so much for the well wishes. Good luck to you with your upcoming appointments as well.

  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2016

    Hi, thanks for the info, I hope your PET comes out clean. I had my breast MRI first after mam/ultra showed nothing unusual. MRI did show enlarged axillary lymphs, but after the core needle it was still unclear, so hoping my PET comes out ok.

    Good luck and Hugs!!!! Fighting this journey now right with you!!


  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    Thx my dear tigo17. (((hugs))) Good luck to you too.

  • KSteve
    KSteve Member Posts: 486
    edited October 2016

    amw5 - So sorry you find yourself here. I see that you are triple negative. There is an incredible thread called "Calling all TNs" which is very active with a great group of ladies. Since triple negative is treated differently than other types, you may find it helpful to connect with others that have the same type as you. There are lots of other helpful threads here too. Chemo first is the usual standard of care for triple negative. I had a large tumor with node involvement but had no evidence of disease remaining when I have my bilateral mastectomy. And here I am 6 years later doing great. You are at the scariest part right now. Once you begin treatment, you will slowly begin to feel in control again. Please feel free to reach out with any questions along the way. We're here for you!

    Hugs,

    Kathy

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    Hi KSteve (Kathy)

    Thank you so very, very much for pointing me in the direction of the TN thread. I will be loading up on information there. If you feel there is anything else that is useful for me here, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm truly grateful. (((hugs))) ps. Your post was very comforting and soothing for me. I will be so very glad when I get started with my treatment so I can begin to feel in control.

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    BosumBlues,

    Thx so very much for your post and well wishes. I truly appreciate it. (((hugs))) I'm so thankful for this forum.

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    My apologies, but the date in the title of this thread should read 10/24/2016 (which is the date I was told about my diagnosis).

    I could edit it within the thread but not in the thread title.

  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited November 2016

    Welcome; sorry you find yourself here. I would also suggest jumping into the thread in the Chemotherapy section for those starting chemo in Nov 16. My chemo groups were more valuable than I can even put into words, and we are still in touch now. Best wishes to you.

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    Thx KBeee.

    I started posting in that thread today. Lots of good info.

  • Autumn121
    Autumn121 Member Posts: 29
    edited November 2016

    AMW5---

    I am so sorry you had to find this website, but you will be so glad you did! I second the advice of getting on a chemo board with the month you are starting, and also to look at the month before, as they will have lots of great ideas, advice, and support.

    I want to let you know that I was in your shoes last fall, diagnosed with IDC last August. I did 16 rounds of chemo and 33 rounds or radiation. I finished my active treatment on June 23, 2016. I now take Tamoxifen daily.

    After the breast cancer storm, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I feel great, am back to work full time, and doing all the traveling and activities that I could not do last fall and spring. Chemo seems like a very distant memory!

    Good luck to you, stay strong, and post when you can. We are all with you in hoping for fast, effective treatment, and a great outcome!!

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    Thx so much Autum121. I'm so glad I found this helpful forum.

  • Superstar3102
    Superstar3102 Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2016

    My diagnosis date is 10/24/16 also. I had my port placed yesterday.... Chemo starts tomorrow

  • Kimm992
    Kimm992 Member Posts: 135
    edited November 2016

    Just chiming in to say that I was diagnosed almost exactly one year before you...there is a light at the end of tunnel.

    It is one year later and I am happy and healthy and thriving...you will be too!!

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    drawdyaccount - Thx for chiming in. Please keep us posted. Be sure to get plenty of rest after chemotherapy, and drink plenty of water. I feel both of those things helped me with my first cycle yesterday.

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    Kimm992 - Thx so very much. I am looking forward to my one year mark.

  • Hanging_in_there
    Hanging_in_there Member Posts: 226
    edited November 2016

    OK, we are having the same Chemo regime. AC then Taxol. Starts 11/28. I don't know the particulars, but hope you post about your experience as we are twin BC victims, but you are 2 weeks "older".

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    Hi there hanging_in_there. :) I posted a bit about my first chemotherapy cycle in other thread, but I will copy and paste it below. I've been so tired, and I have been getting my rest, so I haven't been able to go into great detail (sorry dear).

    Good morning my dear sweet pink sisters. Thanks for all of the prayers and the love that you gave and showed me on my first day of chemotherapy. I truly appreciate each one of you. I was quite tired afterwards and a wee bit nauseous. Plenty of anti nausea meds were given to me (through my port) before chemotherapy started. Once my chemotherapy drugs (ac) were administered to me, I began to get so tired. Once I got home, I began my resting. I've always drank plenty of water, and I still do (along with a some ginger ale here and there as needed). My taste buds are gone for now, but I will still eat foods that are kind to my tummy, get in a great amount of water and sip on some ginger ale as needed) I will also take my prescribed meds. I believe in God. He's been so good to me. I will continue to pray for all of us. Please stay strong. (((hugs)))

  • Hanging_in_there
    Hanging_in_there Member Posts: 226
    edited November 2016

    AMW5, Thank you for the update, I'm going to keep checking back on this thread and read what everyone else has written. I figured out the avatar and signature thing.

    Hanging_in_there

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited February 2018

    Hanging_in_there

    Hi there. I noticed your siggy pic. Nice.

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