Halloween diagnosis and appointment tomorrow

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Wigging2000
Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
edited November 2018 in Just Diagnosed

Have been posting in another section of the forum (waiting for test results) but today I received the news that I do have breast cancer.

I’m 45, this is my first diagnosis. Had a biopsy last year on my right breast for suspicious calcifications which came out B9. Last week I was called back on an annual screening mammo on the left side, had diagnostic mammo with u/s on Monday and biopsy on breast and lymph nodes yesterday. Today, I got the call around 4pm. I am incredibly thankful that things have moved so quickly so far.

All I know so far is that the lymph nodes they biopsied were clear, that I have some type of invasive carcinoma in the breast, and that they want to do further testing on lymph nodes.

I have an appointment tomorrow at the cancer center. I’m going to read up here for questions to ask, but if anyone has something that they’d really like to suggest that I say or do..PLEASE feel free. I don’t really have a lot of support. My mom died when was very young and I have very little family...and almost no experience with anyone who has had breast cancer. I do have three daughters, ages 12, 14, and 17...so all o can think of is how this will affect them.

I am ready to fight. I will share more when I know more, if that’s ok.

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  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited November 2018

    Hi,

    Sorry you have had to join us here. Its a bit of a waiting game now. Waiting for hormonal receptors on the tumor and type of bc. Great that the nodes were clear, though I'm unsure on what they mean when they say they are doing further testing. They actually took a piece of the node out or did they do a needle biopsy on it? Depending on what the factors come back at they will suggest what options you have Whether lumpectomy, chemo etc. Wish you had someone to go with you...to take notes. I know we hear what they say but we don't always process it because we are in shock..then it helps that notes were taken. I'd ask when they expect to have the type and hormonal factors back on the tumor. What's the size, grade? What do my options at this point look like? Will genetic testing be advised? What are you looking for in the nodes if the initial biopsy came back clear?

    Once you have more information, you will have a plan formulated and feel like you can take control again. I have 3 kids also..bit older but my daughter was 20 last year when I was dx. She took it the hardest but I reassured her that I planned to be here for a long time and that I was doing the most I could do to ensure that just that would happen. That I wanted her to go back up to college, work hard and enjoy. My other two are boys, they just absorbed it and didn't say anything. I chose not to tell them until I knew everything about it and what i was going to do. I felt if I told them before I knew whatever I could about it that it would just leave them more worried.

    You will fight this and beat it back. Please let us know how it goes today.

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited November 2018

    I wondered too about the further testing on the lymph nodes. Why if the others were clear?

    I also wish you had someone to go with you to take notes. My DH went with me. He’s an engineer so he’s a stickler for details plus as beach said it’s hard to focus when you are in the state of shock. The radiologist who DX me kept spouting all these percentages and medical terms that made zero sense to me at the time. So if no one can go with you make the doctors talk slow and explain everything. That’s their job.

    You will be okay. You are in the early going of the process so there are still unknowns about your particular tumor.

    Once you get more info please post here and we will help you in any way we can.

    Keep the faith.

    Diane

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  • rachelcarter35
    rachelcarter35 Member Posts: 368
    edited November 2018

    My daughter is 19. It has been 7 months since DX. I think it grew her up a bit and made us closer. I know we want to protect them from hardship but this is life. Ultimately the best people all have faced adversity and found their strength and humanity. My daughter had her first of many lessons to come showing her that life can change on a dime and how one should live because of that. The lemonade is that hopefully it will make her a better person.

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  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited November 2018

    Thanks to all who have commented here! I must apologize...On the “support” front...I did take my husband with me and he did a great job...I gave him instructions on what to do since I was completely overwhelmed. When I mentioned my lack of support, I meant “female" support. The hubby is also pretty ADHD and he’s not the best listener, so we recorded everything!

    What I know:

    IDC, stage 1, grade 2, 1.8cm.

    Biopsied Lymph nodes negative.

    Next step is MRI, had blood drawn today for genetic testing. Based on those 2 things and final pathology will proceed with surgery decision. I’m a candidate for lumpectomy unless genetic testing is positive, or they find something on the MRI. However, mx is also an option either way.

    So, more waiting...MRI hopefully early next week seems to be the next step. Final pathology hopefully by Monday. Have I mentioned that I have a diagnosed anxiety disorder and hate waiting? Deep breaths...


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