just diagnosed 2 wks ago...

I also started to feel pain in my breasts and under my arms almost as soon as I heard I had breast cancer. Even after the MRI came back clean for the nodes. I think I get so focus on the cancer, I notice every little twinge and multiply it ten folds when I wouldn't have notice it otherwise.

I did not have nodal involvement and I did not have any signs either....however while some ladies may feel pain, hardness, swelling, etc...cancer doesnt sometimes show any symptoms. At the same time, many symptoms one can feel in the nodes are signs of other problems BUT NOT cancer....so I know all of this is difficult, but hang in there....the funny feeling can be other things...

Glad you came through ok yesterday! I was thinking about you around noon your time,

My surgery was a week ago, preliminary path on the sentinel nodes is negative and I have clear marguns, , but I could swear as soon as I had my mammogram two months ago that I started feeling something in my armpit . Power of suggestion?

I see the oncolonist today who will likely try and talk me into radiation anyway despite my low grade tumor and risks for radiation. My surgeon took my drain out yesterday and could not understand why I still have so much pain, 7-9/10, despite my discussion with her before that I have chronic pain sensitization from RSD, PMR, and fibromyalgia. Some docs do not listen very well and want to fit people into a box

I will do my best to offer all information, listen carefully, and balance risks and benefits, without fear of asking questions, politely but assertively. We have the right to be involved in decision-making

hello sweetie I was diagnosed at 42 while making plans for Our 2nd marriages idc stage2 0/3nodes Lmast 3 months chemo before and after got married then 7wks radiation to Inspire u and others to have Hope I am now a 23yr Survivor Praise God.Hang in there. msphil

Hi there, I was diagnosed very young too. The impact this diagnosis has on our psyche is amazing. I had many symptoms after diagnosis that I surely felt were mets signs..  I'm doing fine. Praying your surgery goes well.

I had no pain in breast or lymph nodes before and after being diagnosed. MRIs and ultrasounds indicated no lymph node involvement. After surgery it was found I had 2 with micromets. You really won't know anything until they examine all the tissue. Best wishes. You are way too young to be dealing with this.

My nodes WERE clear! Yay! so relieved

My tumors were smaller than the biopsies indicated,too, which puts me at Stage 1A

and btw BRCA test might change your opinion on removing the healthy breast.

My genetic tests were all NEGATIVE. Had they been positive, I probably would've done a bilateral.

Jgd78:

Such a personal choice (if given multiple options from your surgeons) and one debated greatly on this site. (Search and you'll see many discussions you can read through from recent past).

My decision on BMX and why.

(1) Initially, lumpectomy was discussed with my BS. (They were okay with UMX/BMX as well. Up to me but I'm sure they favored lump.)

(2) When I had my MRI, another area of concern was noted. My choice at about 2 weeks out from surgery was another biopsy or UMX. So -- that made that choice. No more biopsies.

(3) Now, I talked to three PSs and ALL warned me away from lumpectomy but only due to my very small breast size. Cosmetic, nothing to do with cancer, that advice. Lumpectomy would have taken most of my breast.

So, I struggled with taking one versus both. Exactly as SWG says, it's more surgery and more recovery. Both arms involved at the same time. More chance for complications, I guess. Loss of sensation (numbness). All that. True to various extents depending upon the person.

(4) Main reason I chose BMX is that mammography never, not even with me telling the radiologist exactly where my tumor was, found anything. I had very small, dense breasts. US almost missed it. SO -- I could not see leaving myself with annual mammograms or begging for MRIs, which was all I felt safe having in the future. Mammograms were not my friend. (And I'd been having diagnostic for almost ten years due to family history -- starting at 39 -- with nothing seen.)

(5) I'm BRCA-, however, my mom and I both have ILC. So...I think they haven't found my genetic connector yet. I don't know -- I just wasn't sure I trusted my breast tissue anymore, which I know is not a scientific way to think about it.

POST: When I went to an MO recently, head of the breast center, focuses on younger women, she said very nonchalantly, "oh, good you got BMX because you have LCIS and that is greater predictor for cancer in the other breast". Which I'd frankly never heard before. Maybe only her opinion. Idk.

So even though BMX was not the easiest experience in the world (but it was doable), I don't regret it. But it's a terribly personal decision and you'll find folks who have done all three options (lump/UMX, BMX) and they will all tell you why and why they are glad they chose __. However, I will say that I personally would go BMX rather than endure another surgery in the future with another breast. But that's just me. If I had to do it again, the only thing I might push for is direct-to-implant without tissue expanders. I had nipple/skin-sparing and did not go very large. I might have been able to skip those damn tissue expanders. (Which are doable, too, but not the most fun.)

GOOD luck and know we're here for you! Ask any and all questions.

anyone hear of magee (spelling ?) equations. Waiting for my oncotype to come back...path report: ER + > 95%, PR + >95%, her2 neg, 2.3 cm, clear margins, 0/6 nodes, Ki 10-15% intermediate. Had surgery Nov 9 now waiting to see if chemo needed. all depends on Onco score,

Magee equation link requires H scores for ER and PR..H score is different than the raw percentage values...anyone no if high ER/PR percentage = high H score?

you can google to get equation link..cannot include link here (I am new)

EastCoast, thank you so much for your informative post! I found a lot of usuful info for me. As a newbie, I really appreciate you sharing your experienc

I can relate to all you are saying here. It's so good to know am not alone. Have just been diagnosed with IDC two days ago after a lumpectomy and duct excision. Mnwhle, the mammogram and ultrasound came out as fibtoadenoma but I insisted my doc remove the lump and do a biopsy. Don't know the staging yet but have been scheduled for scans to check for metastasis. Have been really depressed and sick since I got the news but thank God for this support group. It's really helping me pick up my courage. T