Diagnosed today--anyone else?

sorry you have to join this club but you will find a wealth of information and support. It sounds like things are progressing very quickly which is good, waiting is hard, you will feel much better once you have more pathology and a treatment plan.

Hi Lisaroz - surreal is the perfect description of what the early days of diagnosis feels like. I also know well the peaceful feeling once the torturous waiting is over. Waiting to s the WORST part of the process as you'll see all over these boards! Tumor size is dependant inseveral factors...type of cancer, how long it's gone unnoticed or even how long a person may get wait before getting it checked out. Some cancers grow very quickly, some slow. Medical and imaging advancements are also picking up earlier. My lump was originally 7cm before chemo shrunk it down to 4 for surgery. I was originally diagnosed as triple negative (aggressive fast growth), but pathology showed ER+ at 15%(very low). It grew fast so I'm left to wonder if it isn't a mix? I'm almost 5 years out and approaching NED status (oh happy day!).

I'm so very sorry you find yourself here joining the sisterhood. We're here for you! Keep us posted on how your treatment plan progresses and reach out anytime...the members here are so helpful and supportive! Hugs n' peace

Lisa, your tumor is still considered quite small. The good news is the grade 1 meaning it is not aggressive and also ER/PR+ is also considered good as it can be treated with the hormone blockers. All in all, if you have to have BC, you have good stats and a good prognosis, although nothing is absolute until the surgery. Hand in there. It gets better.

So I haven’t received the results of my biopsy yet although our dates are close. I found a lump on my own on 4/11, had mammo on 4/19, ultrasound on 4/20 both showed “1.7 spiculated mass highly suspicious for malignancy”. Saw the surgeon this oast Monday and biopsy 2 days ago which he found measured 2.3cm and took 5 samples. He told me it’s most definitely Cancer just waiting on pathology results to see what kind and stage etc. supposedly the two lymph nodes they saw we’re clear so they left them alone. I had a clip placed and after results come back I will be getting an MRI done as the mass didn’t show on the mammo only the untrasound.

Searcher - too true! You can plan for a whole pile of life's adventures but there's nothing like the hell of a cancer diagnosis that drops out of the sky onto your head at 3pm on a Wednesday afternoon (my timing). All I can advise is to take one step at a time. It's a helluva lot to process so don't get caught up in the feeling that you have deal with it all at once. You sound like you're proceeding with the medical end of things splendidly. Getting your head wrapped around it takes time and changes constantly....be kind to yourself and roll with changes at your pace, this is your time! The terror you spoke about is normal so keep talking to the docs about it when it happens. it's their job to give the type of answers you got from your NP, listen to her and trust the answers unless your absolutely convinced she's wrong. That's when advocating foryourself comes in, and believe me, there's nothing on earth like getting cancer to make you your own best advocate! Be informed by doing your homework on your cancer and treatment plan...ask lots of questions. Get yourself a date book, you'll need it as this business is a full time job during treatment. Lastly, don't lose yourself to it all, don't let it define you. This is a battle for sure, but one you CAN and WILL win. Be determined to come out the other side the same beautiful person you always were, only stronger and better. We're here for you every step of the way! Big hugs

Hello ladies,

I was diagnosed on April 20, 2018 with IDC stage 2 grade 3 ER positive. Had an MRI last Friday which my oncologist told me showed 5 more tumors, 3 appear to be benign the other 2 look suspicious so they're going to treat them as if they're cancerous. My surgeon has now recommended a mastectomy as opposed to the lumpectomy that originally was the plan. I'm nervous and very concerned about my prognosis. The oncologist said it's still an early stage, but I have grade 3 which is poorly differentiated cells. I don't fully understand this, it sounds contradictory to me. Everything has been moving so fast as they(my team) has explained to me it's going be like being thrown into a tornado.

Hi Lisaroz, I am in the same boat as you. I was diagnosed when we could go with IDC, grade t I am in the same boat as you. I was diagnosed when we could go with IDC, grade 2, ER+/PR+. Have you had more appointments yet? My first appointment is next Wednesday. The waiting is driving me bonkers. I also have little ones— 2 year old twins

Hello everyone! I just registered today. I'm 44 and was diagnosed with IDC grade 1, approx. 1cm, ER/PR + on May 1st. I had a mammogram in November that was clear and a breast exam at my annual GYN checkup on March 8th that was normal. I noticed some visual changes prior to finding a lump on April 5th. I waited about 10 days to see if it was hormone related since I have dense breasts anyway. It didn't go away. Had an exam with my GYN on April 25th, an ultrasound on April 26th and the radiologist came right in and did a biopsy (BIRADS 5) which was completely unexpected! The waiting was horrific although deep down I knew the result. My GYN called for a meeting the next Tuesday and here I am. No family history. Cancer was the one medical condition I thought I didn't have to worry about. I have had an initial visit with my surgeon who sent me for lab and a PET scan. I have a follow-up with the surgeon tomorrow. I should find out about HER2 and BRCA results at that appointment. I work in the medical field and my personal/professional experiences with breast cancer don't jive with the statistics they keep spouting at me. This has been quite a lot to take in and although I have a wonderful support system, they all seem to think I'm some superhuman who can handle anything. I can't! I hope joining this forum will give me a place to express my feelings and fears. They keep telling me it's small and slow growing but how did it come on so quickly? That makes me nervous! Thanks for listening.

Sorry Okie Chick. It’s the DX none of us wanted to hear.

I’m curious why you say your professional experience doesn’t jive with statistics you have been given. What does that mean?

I do have a family connection. My mother had BC and now both my sister and I have it. Thing is BC isn’t discriminating and by the way the majority of breast cancer patients don’t have a family history. My MO told me the fact is they don’t know why some women get breast cancer.

Small and slow growing is a good sign but it is baffling why they didn’t find it on a mammogram unless it’s because you have dense breasts.

You are human, superwoman or not and this kind of DX will and does knock you for a loop.

Keep the faith and keep us posted.

Diane

Yesterday i received the biopsy results: IDC, grade 2 with 2.4 cm tumor in my right breast and cancer in biopsied lymph node. No family history of BC so this is indeed a surprise to me. My MO appointment is next Thursday. While i read through the forum threads, I’m interested in learning what i should expect during that first appointment. Anyone with similar diagnosis, I’d love to hear about your experience and what i might expect going forward. Thanks!