57 years old, diagnosed with clinical stage 1, grade 2

Hi ohioproud!

((Hugs)) No one wants to have breast cancer. Here are my thoughts on your questions:

1. No scans are perfect, so until you have surgery, the size of your tumor and any node involvement is somewhat speculative. So, staging won't be clear until after surgery.

2. Your surgeon will probably take a few lymph nodes out during surgery (the sentinel nodes -- those most likely to be compromised). If those are clear, he/she won't take more out and will assume that the ultrasound and mammogram were accurate.

3. The tumor is small, but as to whether you have a lumpectomy or mastectomy is up to you. If you are an A-cup, you may prefer a mastectomy and reconstruction because a lumpectomy will produce a poor cosmetic result. I was a C-cup; a lumpectomy didn't have much of an impact on my affected breast. Also, if you have more going on than a small lump (tumors in different parts of your breast or widespread DCIS), you may opt for a mastectomy. Also, if you have a lumpectomy, you will be advised to do radiation. Some women who choose a mastectomy can avoid radiation. Finally, if you have a lumpectomy, you will have to have mammograms every six months. Some women choose a mastectomy so they can avoid scans and the anxiety they produce.

Knee surgery? Ugh. Hope that goes smoothly and that you're mobile soon!

I completely agree with ElaineTherese and want to say welcome, although I certainly hate the circumstances that find you here. There is so much information and support on these boards. Don't hesitate to ask if you can't find information that you need. ((hugs))

Ohioproud - it's amazing how each person's experience varies so widely. Many of the women here saw their oncologists prior to surgery. I did not. I asked my surgeon if he would be sending me to oncologists and he said yes - but that happened after my surgery. One step at a time, I guess.

As for LX vs MX, it's a very personal decision and something you will discuss with the surgeon. S/he can tell you exactly what s/he will do. The appearance of your breast post LX depends in large part upon where in your breast the mass is located and its ultimate size - mine was a bit smaller than originally estimated. I can't tell yet what my breast will eventually look like as there is still swelling from my surgery and there may be some swelling from radiation. My breasts are on the small side. Given the choice of an LX with radiation, I grabbed it as I didn't want the more extensive MX surgery.

Best of luck with your knee surgery and your consultation with the BS.

MJ

I am sorry you are dealing with this.

I agree with ElaineTherese, too.

I will add that I found it helpful to set up consults with plastic surgeons (I saw 2) to know options. Some of our treatment choices can impact options, so I wanted to make an informed decicision that was right for me. It really is a personal choice. Some choose no recon at all.

I did not wait for a surgeon to refer me to an onc or ps. I researched on my own and set that up. If you do set those up, Look for a board certified plastic surgeons who are experienced with recon.

Good luck!

I just know I have breast cancer as of yesterday. I am 65.

I have been reading a lot here. So much I do not even know yet about my cancer. Feeling anxious. But so happy to have found this site and all this information.

Thank you kira 1234!

I will be here often.

Ohioproud, I used to live in OH. Some great medical care there!

As soon as I had a positive biopsy, I was given appointments to meet with my breast surgeon, medical oncologist and plastic surgeon, all on the same day as well as get lab work done. It was a bit overwhelming but I was very happy to have such an integrated team approach since so many treatment decisions are dependent on other decisions. It's also convenient that they are all in the same place. A friend of mine had the same team 2 years ago when she had her surgeries and chemo so I know I am in good hands.

Every time I have had a test done, I ask that they give me a copy of the official report. It helps a lot to read it myself rather than just trying to remember everything that is told to me over the phone. My hospital system has a private patient portal where they can send them to me online. Ask if yours has something similar.

Best of luck!

No, I think your doc probably gave it to you straight. But I don't care for the way she backed into it. What does that mean - she wasn't going to mention it. Sounds like maybe you had a lumpectomy? Does that mean she didn't get clean margins? Or that there were lymph nodes involved? You need to ask her a bunch more questions. Go to My Profile and put what information you have about your diagnosis & treatment to date.

Since you have IDC you should see an oncologist and maybe a radiologist. Be sure to get your path report & determine if you are ER/PR positive and if you are HER2 positive. Both of those things will make a difference to further treatment. And any other scans or X-rays that have been done.

Kimhf when did you have surgery and where. I knew much of this information even before surgery by the biopsy

Your surgeon may be able to give you the details you need. It's in your sx path report. You can always request to get a copy or if you have an online chart you can find such test results there. I found my stuff out before I met my MO.

Thank you for a great response, Michelle. It makes me feel better. I'm flipping from fear and stress, especially since I learned yesterday I'm a grade 3, something I did not know. I have an appointment this afternoon with a counselor. Finding a therapist was one of the first things I did!