Just diagnosed on 10/24/17

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Dskvarla
Dskvarla Member Posts: 7
edited November 2017 in Just Diagnosed

Hi everyone. My names Deanna. I’m a 33 year old mother of 2 children. My daughter is 6 and my son is 4. Been married to my husband for 8 years.

I was just diagnosed with two forms of BC. One is DCIS and the other is invasive cancer (not sure what kind but my online port said adenocarcinoma). My journey started in August. I had bleeding out of my left nipple. I told my obgyn about it at my annual. She ordered me a mammogram. I had that done and an us end of August. They didn’t see anything on either but the radiologist was able to suppress blood out of my nipple so he suggested a ductogram. I had that done 2 days later on sept 1. Results came back as 2 papillomas. Or so they thought. I met with my BS end of September and she suggested a lumpectomy. I had that done on October 16.

The pathology report came back as cancer. I had a feeling deep down inside for months I had cancer but I was still shocked. Tears rolling down my face. Thank God my husband was there too.

So now I wait for an Mri on Tuesday and I meet my oncologist Wednesday. I have a copy of my pathology report. It says I’m ER + and PR + but her2- my k1-67 is 45%. Which I’ve read anything over 20 is fast growing so that has me freaked out. The sizes of the cancer is small so that’s hopeful. My BS said I’ll need another surgery to remove more cancer and tissue and lymph nodes. She said mastectomy’s are uncommon now. Not sure why she said that as they seem common to me. They are checking both breasts on the mri. She also said I’ll need radiation for 4-6 weeks 5 days a week. But probably wont need chemo.

My question to you ladies is 1) will my oncologist be able to tell me what stage I’m at? The pathology report doesn’t say. It just says grade 2.

2) will he determine if I need chemo? I wouldn’t think my BS would? So I don’t know why she’s stating I won’t need it.

3) what determines you to need chemo? Has anyone been in a similar situation as me and needed chemo? What was your k1-67 if you had chemo done?

Thanks for reading. I’m scared as hell and am so numb right now. I can’t believe I have cancer at 33. My mom and grandmas never had breast cancer.

Prayers to all of you ladies!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2017

    Dear Deanna,

    We are so sorry to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis but very glad that you reached out to our community. We know that you will find lots of support and information here to help you along this very new path through treatment and recovery. While you are waiting for some of our members to add their thoughts you might want to look at this information on our main site which helps you to prepare questions for your oncologist. Please stay connected here, keep us posted and let us know what we can do to support you along the way. The Mods


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  • GreenEyes81
    GreenEyes81 Member Posts: 389
    edited October 2017

    Hi Dskvarla, I am sorry to have to welcome you to the site. Though a tough place to be, you are in a great place for support day or night and inbetween tears and triumphs. I will share what I know from your discription, others will join in soon. Trying to understand all the new terms can be a challange!

    First, k1-67 is a visual test. This score is simply from a lab tech "looking" at your pathology and then giving a score. That means, 10 lab techs can provide 10 different results. So....that said, my onco said he gives it very little "credit". Now, in your report you should have a "grade", it will be 1, 2 or 3. 3 is the most agressive. That is what will give you a better idea of agressivnes...though cancer is a "full picture" with many peices. Grade is just one, the type of cancer is also a factor.

    I hated hearing this! Now I find myself saying it... lol Being ER/PR positive is a great thing. As my navigator said, if you had to pick a breast cancer...this is the one you would want. It is also the most common which means there is a lot of research, treatment and help.

    For your questions:

    1. Stage----if anyone gives you a stage BEFORE surgery, it is a guess. Its what they think, only surgry will confrim. This is because the size of any tumors have a large part in setting your stage and until they see it with their own eyes, they are guessing.

    2. Yes, the oncolgyst will help you decide on chemo, but that is down the road for you I would think since you are scheduled for surgery. Some have chemo first others after surgry. Chemo dempends on your stage, if you have cancer cells in lymph nodes, the type of cancer and several other factors.

    3. See above. :)

    Two things that concern me, your comment from your doctor that "mastectomy's are uncommon now". I'm really have a hard time believing that, and if she does not perform them very often, please find a new doctor if you decide on a mastectomy. I really do not get that...it depends on your cancer, size ect. My mammogram/ultrasound ended up finding one cancer tumor. Lumpectomy was an option, though I had to have an MRI to make sure nothing was missed. My MRI found two more confirmed cancer lumps....they were multifulcal which means spread apart. Lumpectomy was no longer an option. Also....due to mine also being small and having a mastectomy there was no need for radiation. If I had the lumpectomy, I would have needed radiation regardless. When it was one lump, I still had the choice either way. Looking back and knowing what I know now....personally I would get the mastectomy if it meant skipping radiation.

    I am SO glad you are getting an MRI!! This is what will let you have more info on if a lumpectomy or mastectomy is best for you.

    Lastly---IF ANY DOCTOR does not listen to you, answer your questions or you are not confident in their care for you, get a new doctor. You are in charge! I actually had a doctor I LIKED welcome to getting a 2nd opinion and didn't even disagere with what he recommended. If you don't like how someone is drawing your blood, caring for you ect---say something. You have every right to be confident in your team, YOU are in charge---not the cancer.

    By the way I am 36, two boys- 12 and 13. Welcome to the 30's group. :) There is a thread of us too, check it out. We are all sisters in pink, but a 60 year old women has very different considerations than a 30 year old. For most of us, once we have a plan we feel much more in charge again. It worked for me until I was "done" and had no more "plan". :)

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  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited October 2017

    Welcome, Deanna. I am so sorry about your diagnosis. It is always a terrible shock. You are in a very anxious time, waiting for tests and test results, wondering. It will seem a very long time. You will probably feel much better when you have a treatment plan.

    I do not know why your Surgeon would say that. Mastectomy seems to be a common surgical treatment choice for early stage breast cancer.

    1. There is clinical staging, which is a guesstimate and subject to change. Then there is pathologic staging, which is determined from Laboratory examination of the tissues removed in surgery. Your true (pathologic) staging will be figured when a Lab Report has been issued on all the tissues (to include lymph nodes) removed in your next surgery.

    2. Yes. Given your tumor's indicated IHC characteristics, depending on your tumor size and lymph node findings, you may be a candidate for OncotypeDx testing of your tumor tissue. OncotypeDx testing results can help guide in the decision about Chemo. Your young age may also be a factor in that treatment decision.

    I will bring some links to content that may be helpful to you.

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  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited October 2017

    Member Beesie's post here__

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics/849193?page=1#post_4828669

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  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited October 2017

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/147/topics/855778?page=1

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  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited October 2017

    Here are some pages you may find helpful__

    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/mast_vs_lump

    http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/best-surgery-for-early-stage-may-depend-on-age

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  • Dskvarla
    Dskvarla Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2017

    Thank you so much for your replies. It’s helpful. And I’ll definitely choose new doctors if I am not happy. So far they seem great.

    I am very anxious about the next steps. But I know I’ll find out soon enough.

    God Bless! And many many prayers for you amazing ladies!

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  • Shenandoah
    Shenandoah Member Posts: 39
    edited October 2017

    Hi..im somewhat older, 62, and am mortified at the amount of breast cancer in ladies as young as yourself.

    One day, I noticed a puckering inward on my right breast..over the next couple weeks it never changed or went away. Confirmed lump about 1 inch and then on to the mammogram, never had one in my life..never thought breast cancer would ever had been my diagnosis.

    I was sent to the diagnostic center for a biopsy.

    Cancer

    From there the center set up my appointment to visit the oncologists/surgeon. She explained the steps I would take, and basically the recommendation to get to where I needed to be.

    The biopsy explained what type, hormone levels, how large and with this report the surgeon tells me I will need to have it removed and while on the table they take out lymph nodes which are tested immediately to rule out cancer. I thankfully did not have cancer in the lymphs.

    The lymph nodes under the arm can carry any cancer to other parts of the body. If in the lymph they suggest chemo and radiation.

    You will know nothing until the biopsy.

    You are awake with numbing to the breast as they take an instrument that clips the tissue.

    At this time they insert tiny little steel markers into the breast to mark the lump and it's size.

    No pain, you are numb.

    On to surgery..almost 2 hours. 5 stitches in armpit and 10 stitches on breast. My surgeon said 6 mos to heal from inside out due to cutting muscles etc. You have to wear a bra for 2 weeks. They waited 3 weeks until I had radiation for 3 weeks. I chose the face down position with only the affected breast being radiated. To me it was the safest as no exposure to other parts like heart and lung. The treatment takes for me 3 min.each time.

    I am thankfully done. Now the soreness from the radiation is like a sunburn from the inside out. It should last about 3 weeks

    The last step is taking an estrogen stopper by pill every day for 5 years. My lump was being fed by estrogen and to prevent any further problems. Who knows? Only God.

    It's quite the journey..i had considered no, to all treatments, but changed my mind. By the Grace of God he saw me through.

    Before my diagnosis I had severe fatigue. They say the body's immune system was fighting off an unknown enemy. The fatigue is gone. I feel 100% better. It was worth it physically but protect your mental outlook, no one understands but us what our emotional can do.

    Blessings.


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  • Dskvarla
    Dskvarla Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2017

    Shenandoah thank you for response and experience. I am amazed too at how young people are being diagnosed. I am shocked since I’m only 33. I am healthy and run 4-5 days a week. I ran my first marathon last October. It’s not fair!

    I know that I’ll be getting lymph nodes removed as well and tested. I pray to God the cancer hasn’t spread there.

    Two more days till my first oncologist appointment. I can’t wait...

    Deanna

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  • Staceyx72
    Staceyx72 Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2017

    Hi Deanna!

    I was also diagnosed on October 24, 2017 and have my first oncology (Thursday) and surgery consult (Tuesday) this coming week. The past couple weeks have been hard not knowing anything so I understand totally what you are going through. I am 45 years old, married and have 2 children as well. I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with Lobular features, whatever that means. I just got a few results by phone yesterday about my pathology report which also stated I was ER/PR+ as well as HER2-. My K1-67 was borderline at 16.5%.

    Like you, I'm really scared as well. I'm not sure if it has spread to my lymph nodes because my left armpit is sore and it's near the lump in my left breast.

    Anyway, I wanted to wish you luck this week. Looks like we'll be in this together!

    Stacey


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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited November 2017

    My armpit was sore having even a small b.c. BUT my nodes were all negative. Maybe they sometimes press against a nerve and you get referred pain. Sadly, more and more young women seem to be getting breast cancer, something I NEVER had in my mind when I was 33! That is too shocking for such a young person, but you will come to the new normal for awhile. Your prognostic factors seem good but your age will likely influence courses of action, among other things. Ki67 is one of the diagnostics used in the Oncotype DX test...often called the poor man's oncotypeDX test. 45% at age 33 would probably involve a healthy discussion on chemotherapy; definitely anti-hormonal therapy is in sight. But wait for the size, nodes, and other possible tests they throw at you these days. Get second opinion if in doubt. Grade 2, if that is correct, means an average growing tumour. I think it would be in your best interests to have the oncotypeDX test and possibly the genetic test because of your age. Not any one thing is considered "sinister" because you have to combine several things to get a good idea of the nature of this cancer. Just hang in there and focus on kicking cancer's butt!!!!!

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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    Your armpit could be sore from the biopsy. I know mine has been..Esp since I had 2 biopsies in one breast..ugh


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