I know nothing really. Lol

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1976watson
1976watson Member Posts: 7
edited November 2018 in Just Diagnosed

I am 42 and was diagnosed Monday the 29th Ductal Carcinoma. My hormones part of the biospy is not back yet. I have a MRI and gentic testing on Monday. So really I don't know anything. Lol I am wondering what questions I should be asking? Will I need radiation and chemo? I mean will it just be a simple surgery and boom that's it?

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  • CaliKelly
    CaliKelly Member Posts: 474
    edited November 2018

    I like the lol, youre not freaking out! When they evaluate all your tests, the biopsy etc. then you'll know if it's hormone positive (a good thing) or not, the stage, like stage 1, or 2 etc. And a bunch of other stuff.Anyway all that determines how involved your treatment will be. Hopefully you're early stage, no lymph node involvement and can get away with a lesser surgery like lumpectomy, and if it's hormone positive, you'll take probably tamoxifen, to starve any lingering cells of what they like. Maybe radiation, which is not as bad as you think. If it's more advanced, chemo may be in the plan. It's rough, but doable! Whatever is in store for you, you can always find information, encouragement, and inspiration here. Remember you're strong enough to do whatever you have to do! You will surprise yourself! Best best best wishes! Keep us informed!

  • 1976watson
    1976watson Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2018

    Everyone has asked me questions and I just say "Oh damn I don't know" lol And then they just stare at me. Maybe I should start writing their questions down, they seem to have good ones!

  • Freudosa
    Freudosa Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2018

    Writing them down is an excellent idea. Your friends are doing the thinking for you. Definitely like CaliKelly advises, wait until you have results to start looking at your options. Most important, don’t let the doctors rush you into a decision. Take your time to do the research and talk to others who’ve had this. The best of luck to you

  • TalBirad4
    TalBirad4 Member Posts: 13
    edited November 2018

    what type of calcification did you have? Were they linear? Pleomorphic? Did they mention anything?....you're in my thoughts and prayers...

  • 1976watson
    1976watson Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2018

    lol Sorry that made me laugh AND it totally shouldn't. BUT no, she didn't say not that I am aware of. When they told me it was cancerous I was too busy thinking in my head WTF? Because I had convinced myself that it wasn't, other people get Cancer NOT me. When I had the biospy the Dr said nothing to worry about...totally common. So the Dr that did the biospy wasnt there on Monday so a different Dr came in and she said I am sure Dr Stiles told you he was pretty sure it was cancer. Huh? Are you talking to me? 😲

  • oxygen18
    oxygen18 Member Posts: 164
    edited November 2018

    "I know nothing," yeah, that was me the day I was diagnosed. I had studiously avoided learning anything about cancer. In a way this turned out to be good because I felt forced to immediately immerse myself in learning all I could, asap, and this overdosing on learning helped numb me a bit,and I needed me some nonpharmaceutical numbing.

    You don't yet have a full diagnosis, but it's not too early to line up an appt for second surgical opinion. Hope you update us next week. Take care.

  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited November 2018

    Hi!

    I really know nothing either...I'll join you! Diagnosed Wed with IDC. My MRI is Monday, and I had the genetics bloodwork drawn yesterday, also still waiting on the detailed biopsy.

    My docs tell me that the “answers" as far as surgery, chemo, etc. depend on this next set of tests...so I'd guess I'm in much in the same place as you. You seem to have a much better attitude than I do...I can't manage a lol to save my life!


  • 1976watson
    1976watson Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2018

    I live in Peoria, Illinois (where Susan G Komen is from) so I feel confident in my care. BUT I don't feel confident in what questions I should be asking. I have 2 daughters 9 & 6. So I worry how this will affect them. I also I am wondering how much this will affect my career. I know I shouldn't be worried about my job at this point BUT I am only 42 and my career is kind of a big deal to me. 🙄 Like if it is just a simple non invasive will my daughters notice anything, will I be sick? Will I have to take alot of time off work? Again I know I shouldn't be thinking about that BUT I am..

  • CaliKelly
    CaliKelly Member Posts: 474
    edited November 2018

    Hey, of course you should be thinking of your career, and your normal life! Perfectly normal, I was worried about some of my early tests conflicting with a vacation I'd been looking forward to! And I knew my cancer was advanced, I could feel my lymph nodes in my armpit, but I really wanted my little vacay. The bummer is you don't really know anything till they do all those tests, and get the pathology of the biopsy. If you can get away with surgery and hormonal therapy, Yay!! Your young daughters don't really need to know. Even radiation, you can explain away, it's daily treatments but they didn't really affect me, I used to go right to the gym afterwards. The radiated area looked like a bad sunburn. I had no fatigue or nausea, some people do. I had to have chemo, but I didn't tell anyone about my cancer til my hair fell out, then I kind of had to😂 Now if you have to get chemo, you might want a week off every cycle, (My chemo was every 3 weeks), I felt flulike for 4-5 days, then weak for couple days. Then you feel pretty good til the next cycle. My chemo was 6 cycles. If you're going to lose your hair you have to tell people. I Still went to my gym, out with friends, pretty normal, except for 1st week after each chemo. I'm just giving an overview. Everyone's treatments are different. When you know your stage, and genetic characteristics of the cancer, you'll know your plan. It helped me that I had all my treatments in one hospital system, my oncologist coordinated everything and all my tests etc were available to surgeons, radiology etc. Write all your concerns down for your follow up, cuz you won't remember! I got copies of EVERYTHING til my hospital started a mobile app where I get all my results, appointments etc. If you have any questions i can help you with feel free to send me a private message. I know how overwhelming the whole thing is! I was a bundle of anxiety til I got my treatment plan in place, then I calmed down and just GOT TO IT! Would have to be a weekend to wait thru, I hate that😜

  • 1976watson
    1976watson Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2018

    Ok....I clearly love you. Thank you!! You sound like my kind of girl!! Let's just get it done!! I actually feel better!! ❤

  • CaliKelly
    CaliKelly Member Posts: 474
    edited November 2018

    LOVE ya back sister! Really, anything you think of feel free to ask, I think I've had almost every form of treatment so far, and I'm doing great! I'm really hoping, since your Dr. originally said it looked fine, maybe that's a good sign that it's early stage, and just a bump in the road of your happy life! Let us know when you find out, if you can we'll all be rooting for the best possible news. Kiss those babies and try to enjoy the weekend😚💓

  • GreenHarbor
    GreenHarbor Member Posts: 265
    edited November 2018

    You CAN do this! Cali is right... you are in a sort of holding pattern until your testing results are in. I felt much better when I knew what The Plan was. When you meet w/ your doctor, I would just ask what the recommendation is and why. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. I was nervous about the surgery; I hadn’t been in the hospital since I had my wisdom teeth out when I was 16. It was nowhere near as bad as I was obsessively worrying about. It was day surgery, I had little to no pain. My surgeon had me take 2 extra strength Tylenol before I left the house for the hospital. When I got home, I alternated 2 extra strength Tylenol and 3 Motrin every 4 hours. The meds plus ice packs kept me comfortable. I went for a short, gentle walk the morning after surgery, and tried to walk my regular route every day after that. My pace was much slower, but I really think the activity helped my recovery. I went back to my yoga class 3 weeks after. I took it really easy at first, but again, it felt really good to be there. I started anastrazole 3 weeks after surgery. I’m getting horrible hot flashes, but that’s my ONLY side effect. I finished radiation this week. I had 20 treatments. Each took 20 minutes start to finish, plus I met with the radiation oncologist weekly. My skin has turned tan where they zapped me but isn’t painful at all. I do have some fatigue; OK in the morning, worse in the afternoons. This long message is my way of telling you that the physical side of things went really well for me. The emotional side was harder for me: why me, how am I going to get through this, what’s happening in the future, feeling like my life was out of control. It does get better, I promise!! My other advice is be careful about Dr Google. Just because something is on the internet does not mean it’s true. I would even be careful about the message boards you visit here- I decided that threads about different stages than me or different types of cancer than me were not good for me. I’ve been on a thread for people having radiation in October that was GREAT. We all cheered each other on. I wish you the best of luck. Come back and let us know how things work out!
  • CaliKelly
    CaliKelly Member Posts: 474
    edited November 2018

    1976watson, Good luck today! Take deep breaths, My mom sent me a card when I started treatment, it said YOU CAN DO IT! and iside it said, And by IT ,I mean ANYTHING! Take that thought and make it yours. Please let us know what you find out,when you can.😚❤❤❤

  • CaliKelly
    CaliKelly Member Posts: 474
    edited November 2018

    1976watson, Hi, just checking up on you! Hope all is well! Sending love and positive vibes your way!😚💜💜💜

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