My breast cancer journey begins

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Siciliana
Siciliana Member Posts: 127
edited December 2016 in Just Diagnosed

I met with my PCP this afternoon to review the results of the core needle biopsy. As I suspected would be the case, I have breast cancer. The ultrasound showed the mass to be 5 mm. wide, 6 mm. long, 6 mm. high. Here's the pathology final diagnosis, with more reports to come in over the next few days:

Invasive mammary carcinoma with the following features:

- Nottingham grade 1: poor tubule formation, low nuclear grade, low mitotic activity

- Associated in situ component present. low nuclear grade without necrosis. Microcalcifications not identified. Angiolymphatic invasion not identified.

Prognostic/predictive markers will be performed and the results reported as an addendum.

I will need a staging MRI. (I hope I can get this done before my insurance changes on January 1.

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  • Siciliana
    Siciliana Member Posts: 127
    edited December 2016

    I wonder why my pathology report doesn't say what type of "mammary carcinoma" I have. I thought it would have said whether it was ductal, lobular, etc. Even with my history of being a medical transcriptionist for years, reading this path report boggles the mind!

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  • HoneyBeaw
    HoneyBeaw Member Posts: 212
    edited December 2016

    Siciliana

    I to just found out on 12-5-16 that I had IDC, mine was 2.69 cm much larger then.first thought. I was scared out of my mind. I did find out yesterday based on a PET scan that there is no evidence of it anywhere elece or in my lymph nodes. I will have surgery on Monday to take either a larger margin. BS said margin is clear but he still wants a larger margin due to the size and shape, or I will do a mastectomy. He clearly explained both sides.. Most likely will end up with chemo for sure and maybe radiation depending on surgery I choose

    This site is most likely the only reason I still have my sanity, there are many wonderful woman willing to tell their stories and give you hope in a very dark time . I wish you well

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  • HoneyBeaw
    HoneyBeaw Member Posts: 212
    edited December 2016

    I had my first surgery on 11-29-16 and still do not have all path reports, should have early next week . There is a page on Breast cancer. org that helps explain the path report, with that said my SIL had to read it to me bit by bit as its can be very over whelming

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  • Siciliana
    Siciliana Member Posts: 127
    edited December 2016

    Thanks, Beaw! I appreciate your comment and the support! It helps to much to know others have gone where I am going, shining some light on that path.

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  • Siciliana
    Siciliana Member Posts: 127
    edited December 2016

    Beaw, I also wanted to wish you well on your surgery coming up! I will visualize a great outcome for you!

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  • Mamasha
    Mamasha Member Posts: 104
    edited December 2016

    Hi Siciliana,

    I'm so sorry that we are here but look how great the support is. I found out last last friday that it was IDC and have first appoint tomorrow to discuss. Looks like we are in this together. Thinking of you. never a good time to find out but this week especially terrible.

    Sharon

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  • Siciliana
    Siciliana Member Posts: 127
    edited December 2016

    Hey Sharon,

    Thanks for checking in. This just goes to show you, there is always a silver lining. Getting to meet (at least "virtually") all of these great women is really a Godsend. Yes, we are in this together. We will get through this!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2016

    Hi Siciliana, I'm sorry you got this news, but you've found the best support group ever. Grade 1 is the best, and the tumor is very small, so take heart in that. I hope you get clear MRI results; I bet you will.

    Hugs,

    Claire in AZ

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2016

    Not that it matters, but I cannot respond to people who don't put their stats in the signature line. It's a shot in the dark without that information. Just saying.

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  • Siciliana
    Siciliana Member Posts: 127
    edited December 2016

    I'd put my stats in, but I don't have them yet. I don't know the stage, don't know much of anything except what I posted above. This is new to me, sorry I don't know the lingo just yet.



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  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    It's ok Siciliana, it takes time to get all the details and how to input the stuff we do know on the site. :)

    It's hard when you start to get the pieces, but they don't give you all the details. You have a million questions, but you don't know where to start because you don't even know what you do have and don't have.

    Take a peek on the main site. You can look in under diagnoses and how to read your path report...you may not be able to learn a lot from the little info you have yet, BUT you will be able to figure out what pieces you are missing so you know what to ask! :)

    Take it one step at a time. We will help with what we can.

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  • pamela6
    pamela6 Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2016

    Hi, we are in the same boat. I am newly diagnosed as well and still in a bit of shock. My mammogram showed a small cluster of calcifications (6mm) on the left side and a mass 2cm x 2.5cm on the right, plus calcifications. Did a core biopsy and it showed Grade 2 IDC (2cm) and Grade 1 DCIS on the right. They wanted to do a biopsy on the left, but I canceled it because I also had an MRI scheduled and the surgeon said that he didn't want the bruising from the other biopsy to cloud up the MRI results. I have appointments with two more surgeons for consultations on January 9th. Anyway, I want to know how you are doing and how things are going. I am also scared and feel a bit like I am bumbling around, trying to do the right thing. I feel like we all got lumps of coal for Christmas (or whatever you celebrate this season--so many holidays :) )!

    My thoughts are with you!

    Pam

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  • Wendiwithani
    Wendiwithani Member Posts: 108
    edited December 2016

    Siciliana, updating your signature line should be the least of your concerns right now. Hugs to you and I'm sorry that you find yourself joining our group. My thoughts are with you, as well.


    Wendi

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  • Siciliana
    Siciliana Member Posts: 127
    edited December 2016

    Pamela, I wish you well too! Yes, a lump of coal for sure. I will be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts. It somehow seems less daunting now that I know there is this terrific site for support and education.

    Wendi, thanks for the kind words!

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  • Kawigirl1260
    Kawigirl1260 Member Posts: 60
    edited December 2016

    Welcome to the community, Siciliana. I've been here just about a year. Diagnosed ICD/DCIS ER+/HR- back in Dec. of last year. Had a right-side mx, no recon in June. Fortunately I didn't have to do chemo or rads. I've been on anastrozole since Feb. Side effects have been minimal. Just wanted to let you know that you can come out on the other side. The gals here are great support. What helped me most was 1) having a great medical team with a plan and 2) knowing that I'm not alone in this. Keep breathing...............

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  • tgtg
    tgtg Member Posts: 266
    edited December 2016

    Siciliana--

    Let me encourage you from a different perspective, but a shared timeline. Four years ago on Dec. 21, I too got my biopsy results--two hours before my brother-in-law arrived for Christmas--so I can truly emphathize with your feelings right now! But our family Christmas festivities took place (with me perhaps in a bit less festive a mood than usual), and they actually took my mind off my planning meeting with the surgeon two days after Christmas, which resulted in setting my surgery for Jan 7, and having that date made me feel a whole lot better about the future. The surgeon would get that sucker "outta there" really soon! So the timing doesn't have to be a downer for you--enjoy your family and friends and activities as fully as you can, and be thankful that your tumor was found early and small. Four years later, I am enjoying life to the fullest and not looking back, and offering you support and prayers for an easy ride. TG

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  • Clshep
    Clshep Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2016

    dear kawigirl1260, I'm deciding which treatment to pursue. I see that our diagnosis is very similar. So you chose lumpectomy and about 6 months later had a mastectomy; may I ask what your deciding factors were? I'm agonizing over this decision! Thanks

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  • Siciliana
    Siciliana Member Posts: 127
    edited December 2016

    It seems that in addition to worrying about the cancer diagnosis itself, I am worrying about whether my insurance will allow me to go to the best cancer center for treatment. As luck would have it, I get this DX right before the end of the year--right before the deadline for selecting my new insurance under the Affordable Care Act. For 2016 I have had Premera insurance, but this will no longer be offered in my county for 2017. Only two companies were available to me and I had to pick one quickly. Now, it looks like my chosen insurance may not be contracted with many specialists or cancer centers. I had my mammograms and biopsy done at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and I have faith in them, but they are not contracted with my insurance. Aaaarrgghhhh!

    I realize my cancer is small, as far as I know right now, but still I want to go to a breast cancer team that I have faith in. Also, for continuity of care purposes. Anybody else facing insurance issues like this?
    Thanks to all.

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  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    Hi Siciliana. I can't help you since I'm in Canada and our system is different, but there is a forum for Employment and Insurance questions. You may want to look down the list to that forum and post your insurance question to get responses on what others have done.

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