Never Thought I Would be Here, Just Diagnosed

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SpooMom
SpooMom Member Posts: 4
edited March 2018 in Just Diagnosed

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Grade 1, ER/PR positive, HER-2 negative

I meet with a surgeon Monday at 8am.

After living my life of 50 years with friends and family in South Carolina, I find myself with a cancer diagnosis in Wisconsin. I only have my husband here. Scrambling to research hospitals and surgeons, deciding not to travel to Chicago for treatment all in a matter of days. I'm hoping for lumpectomy with radiation and ability to work (haven't even been at my job a year!).


I am thankful to have found this board and community. I wish NONE of us were here but here we are.


Comments

  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited February 2018

    Welcome, SpooMom. We are glad you found us. We are so sorry about your diagnosis. We know it is a terrible shock. You will feel better when you have a treatment plan and get started on it with your surgery.

    I understand the Froedtert-MCW system is very good. When I lived in Wisconsin, my annual breast cancer screening was done at the Breast Center at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. I recall a very cheery breast cancer patient there. She liked to show people her surgery site.

    I do not know if these locations would be convenient to you (?).

    https://www.froedtert.com/cancer/network

  • SpooMom
    SpooMom Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2018

    Froedtert is the hospital I chose! Thanks so much for the response and support

  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited February 2018

    SpooMom:

    Native South Carolinian and (unfortunately) BC survivor here to welcome you to our little club. I'm so sorry you about your diagnosis here but glad you've found us.

    The initial days are the worst while you struggle to gain a treatment plan. Just know that it does get better. The anxiety lessens once you have a plan in place.

    Ask any and all questions. We're here for you.

    {hugs}

  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited February 2018

    Sorry you are here, but welcome. Ditto the above, its a crazy ride that you get put on unwillingly, but you will hang on and make it through. :)

  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited March 2018

    hello sweetie None of us thought we would be here or hearing those words But together with support from each other we can get thru this. For Inspiration I am this yr a 23 yr Survivor this yr 24 Praise God. We were planning our 2nd marriages when I found the lump in shower. Had my cry then decided to fight and with Positive thinking and lots of Hope here I am. Hang in there.msphil idc stage2 0/3 nodes Lmast chemo before n after 6 months total We got married then rads n 5yrs on Tamoxifen

  • EMH525
    EMH525 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2018


    Hi Everyone,

    I am new here. Diagnosed last week, still kind of in shock. Left Breast Calcifications, DCIS with 1mm area of micro invasive. Worried that I'm ER- PR- and HRET2 positive. Still getting treatment plan in place. Met with surgeon yesterday, have meeting next week with radiation oncologist and thinking partial MX with node check and radiation.

    I've been reading a lot of posts on this site for a couple of weeks. One thing that seems to stand out to me (maybe I'm just loopy) but I don't feel like I'm seeing many people post who chose not to have MX. Even lots and lots of stage 0 people chose to do that. It scares me to think my getting a lumpectomy or partial MX could be a big mistake. Surgeon has said she thinks I would be fine going either route. She has a great reputation and works at a well-regarded breast center. I liked her very much; she was so respectful and forth coming and I have no reason to doubt her, but I'm just so scared.

    Thank you for anyone who cares to respond.

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2018

    Dear EMH525,

    Welcome to the community. We are sorry for your diagnosis and glad that you reached out to our members. Here is a link to our main site that looks at Mastectomy versus Lumpectomy. We hope that you find support and information here that will help you along the way. Keep us posted. The Mods

  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited March 2018

    Hi EMH!

    I was Stage III, and I had a lumpectomy. I feel very comfortable with my decision. Everyone has their own reasons for their surgical choices. I wanted to do the minimum of surgery because 1) I work full time; 2) I didn't want to go flat; and 3) I didn't want to do reconstruction, which can take multiple surgeries. I also don't mind getting mammograms; scans don't bother me. Think about what you want to get out of surgery, and go from there. ((Hugs))

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

    Hi there. Actually quite a few of us chose lumpectomy + radiation. Do ask a lot of questions, but combined with chemo it may be a very good choice for you.

  • Skier-girl
    Skier-girl Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2018

    I too am newly diagnosed. 2.3 cm , +, +, -. Sounds like one or more of my lymph nodes is effected as well. I never thought I would hear the words, "you have cancer". I am a 56 yr old athlete. Learning that this disease doesn't care.

    Thank you for all the support you are giving us "newbie's". From what I hear, this is a common?? Has anyone had this diagnosis?

    The surgeon is recommending a lumpectomy and then radiation and then hormone therapy for years!! Oh my!!

    I am a competitive runner and would like to continue to run through this. Is this possible?? I would love to hear from any athletes that have words of wisdom.

    Thank you so much for helping me through this scary time.

  • Skier-girl
    Skier-girl Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2018

    Wow... thank you for such an encouraging post!! It is wonderful to hear that there is life after breast cancer! Being so newly diagnosed.. I am so scared to never be able to say "cancer free".

    So happy for you.


  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2018

    Hi Skier-girl,

    We want to welcome you to our community! We're so sorry you find yourself here, but just know that this is a supportive place, and we're here for you on this journey.

    The Mods

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