just diagnosed at age 61

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Barb325
Barb325 Member Posts: 8
edited January 2018 in Just Diagnosed

Just received my pathology report. I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Mucinous type, moderately differentiated. Left breast. The tumor size according to the ultrasound 3.7cm. The other particulars of the tumor are pending... the ER,PR etc.. hopefully that comes later on. Started all this just 4 days ago after a mammogram.. and the week is a blur. Waiting on a call from Sloan Kettering (I live a few blocks away which is convenient) coordinator for an appointment with the surgeon. I found out that mucinous type is less aggressive and less likely to spread, but I'm worried about an ongoing stitch in my right side and what that might mean, and the high anxiety level only ramps up any little thing I feel. One month ago before any of this current situation I had an ultrasound and chest x-ray because of my complaint about the right side issue, which is not debilitating but I feel it. Everything on both procedures was normal, but I'm concerned. I just want to see a doctor now that results are in...and start doing whatever I need to. More fearful sitting here doing nothing than facing whatever surgery and treatment are in my future. My GYN wants me to get two opinions but I hate dragging things out. For me, this inactivity is torture ...I want to be sitting in the doctors office, hear a treatment plan and start acting on it.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited January 2018

    Believe me, we get it. This IS the worst part, when you have a little info but no clear plan. We've all been there. As for getting two opinions, well, that depends. If you like the first oncologist and you agree with his recommendations, I don't think it's wrong to choose him. I liked my breast surgeon so much, i didnt look further. However, my initial oncologist was a doofus. After the second visit I realized that we just did not click, so I found a new one who was utterly amazing.

    Best of luck to you. As my lovely onc said to me, "You're not gonna die from this, but the next year is gonna suck." She was right, it sucked. But now I'm doing great and cancer is (almost) a distant memory.

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  • Barb325
    Barb325 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2018

    thanks so much for the quick response mustlovepoodles..and I do love poodles, though I have a mini schnauzer! Before this the only community boards I've been involved with have to do with dogs!! Much more fun than cancer. Yes-- my friend who just finished up a year of treatment (and doing well) said the same thing... sucky year ahead. Ill take it if I can just get going already. My tumor is not so small and the fact that it sits there, in me, while I'm here doing nothing to stop it bothers me. Just want it gone. The call for an appt. is supposed to come today...I will bug them pleasantly, after lunchtime, and I hope I at least will get a date on my calendar. Will hate to reach the weekend without knowing that I have an appointment. So glad you're doing well--fantastic to have successful outcome.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited January 2018

    Barb, totally agree that the early waiting around is horrid. If you like to take action (definitely my preferred mode!) go ahead and schedule an appointment with a radiation oncologist or two, as well as an appointment with a second surgeon. Everything takes forever anyway, and I felt so much better having a second opinion on every step. You can also keep busy doing physical things (yard work, exercise) that will not be possible in the days immediately after surgery. Then once you have the ER status you can really make a plan and that will feel so much better.

    All best wishes to you.


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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited January 2018

    Yep, we sure understand you want it out YESTERDAY and the waiting is the worst. But once you have a plan, and tests start to happen, it gets easier. If the stress gets too much, ask your Dr for some anxiety meds. No shame in that!!

    In the meantime take the furkid for walkies and remember to breathe😎.

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  • Barb325
    Barb325 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2018

    Thanks Georgia and Spookiesmom-- good news is now I have an appointment with the surgeon...had a choice of Tues, Wed, or Thursday of this coming week,, and first jumped on Tuesday just because it was the soonest.. but then stopped took a breath and said I would call back in a 30 minutes after I went through the doctors profiles on the Sloan Kettering website and made a choice, not just by the website....I had a couple of recommendations through some doctors we know, and a radiologist in the breast dept there who gave me a few names that all have excellent reputations. I chose someone who seems just right for me, and before I booked it my husband checked everything out and my cousin also a doctor here in NYC gave her green light. Of course my choice was available on Thursday... so, okay, would have rather been first part part of the week but choosing the right person was important. Having the date on the calendar feels so much better now.

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited January 2018

    we have a mucinous carcinoma breast cancer thread. Come join us....just go to the serch bar and put in. “Mucinous carcinoma of the breast" and you will find us. All of the research concerning mucinous breast cancer can be found there...and all of our mucinous sisters.



    Furthermore...register at the NCCN website and read the professional version of the breast cancer guidelines. There is one page dedicated to favorable breast cancers mucinous and tubular. Also read the footnotes.


    Good luck!!

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  • Barb325
    Barb325 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2018

    thank you voraciousreader... I will definitely check that all out! Thank you. :)

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