Scared, Pregnant, and newly diagnosed

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bbfromkentucky1
bbfromkentucky1 Member Posts: 5
edited November 2018 in Just Diagnosed

Hi everyone,

Breast cancer runs in my family - both grandmothers had it twice and survived (both were diagnosed in 60s and then 70s). Because of that and having Eastern European Jewish decent, I went through genetic testing in 2015 and was BRCA1 and BRCA2 negative. My mom has not been impacted by breast cancer at all.

Probably last August, I noticed a little bit flaking on my left nipple... didn't think anything of it. About six months later, it looked a sore had formed and it wasn't healing. I went to my annual, and my gyno seemed not worried. In September, I came back - still concerned. She sent me for a mammogram, and there were calcifications. I was sent for a biopsy and diagnosed with DCIS in a different spot. I was told how fortunate I was to catch it, and how I would be fine - lumpectomy and radiation. The surgeon (who is amazing) said she wanted to do a biopsy on my nipple just to make sure, but again, she seemed pretty confident it was okay. Needless to say, four days after I got my initial diagnosis, I found out I was pregnant. My husband and I had a miscarriage in April, and we were not expecting to get pregnant with all of this - we actually stopped trying.

I had my lumpectomy and biopsy on November 2... found out on November 6... there was invasive IDC present in the nipple (at least 4mm) with skin ulceration (dermal lympathic invasion) ... which automatically moves staging up. It is ER-/PR+/HE2+ on top of it. I am so sad because I thought I caught this early - and now bringing a child into this world (which is a healthy 10 weeks ago with a strong heartbeat), it makes me go to such a dark place that I won't be here. I lost my father young, so I understand the implications of losing a parent. I go back to the surgeon on Tuesday, but I just need to hear from others that there is hope here. I want good to come out of this - encouraging younger women to know their bodies, trust their instincts, etc.

Thank you for whoever reads this... I truly appreciate it. It feels good to just get it on paper.

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited November 2018

    I was pregnant last year when I was diagnosed. I was further along, end of second trimester, and that will mean probably a different protocol. But I want you to know you’re not alone. If I can help in any way, please don’t hesitate to ask. You can see my crazy year in the details below.



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  • CaliKelly
    CaliKelly Member Posts: 474
    edited November 2018

    Hi, I'm so so sorry you're going through this. I know there are women here who were pregnant at time of diagnosis and now have beautiful babies and are doing well. I know they will answer your post as soon as they see it. The advances in care now are so phenomenal, I know ,whatever your particular situation, there will be a way to treat it successfully. My situation was different, as I was not pregnant, but I had advanced stage bc, went through all the treatments possible and I'm doing GREAT. Do not assume the worst! Many women have successfully fought cancer while pregnant and had their precious babies, I just read one lady here , her baby is a year old now, both doing well. I'll be praying for your best possible outcome! Mark this a favorite subject and get email update when someone answers you.😚💜💙💚

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  • PebblesV
    PebblesV Member Posts: 658
    edited November 2018

    Hi bbfromkentucky1,

    Just wanted to chime in that there is a lot of hope and you will find many women on these boards that are survivors even at a higher stage, and also successfully delivered healthy babies! I have a friend of a friend who was also pregnant when diagnosed, she ended up triumphing over bc, delivering a healthy baby and writing a book about it! The book is on Amazon and called, “Bald, Fat and Crazy: How I Beat Cancer While Pregnant with One Daughter and Adopting Another" written by Stephanie Hosford.

    In her case, the first doctor told her to abort the baby. So they went to a second doctor who told her chemo would not harm the baby (something about the uterine walls protecting the baby) so she went through chemo and actually did really well since her immune system was more built up with the pregnancy. Years later she is cancer free with a healthy family!

    I hope that and the other survivor stories you will find here keep you encouraged and positive. While it sucks to have cancer, breast cancer happens to be the one with the better survival statistics, it’s very beatable. Be your own advocate and know there is a lot you can do to beat rhis

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited November 2018

    So very, very sorry .... just wanted to say I met 2 pregnant moms who were going through chemo when my sister was.

    They were on the same appointment schedule. Both moms delivered healthy babies and are doing well two years later!

    Sending my best to you, your husband and baby!

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  • bbfromkentucky1
    bbfromkentucky1 Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2018

    Thank you all! I am nervous because of the "skin" lesion of this, the staging moves up automatically. It sounds like the tumor size is relatively small. I had a feeling that this was going to be an issue, but I have a great surgeon. Just hearing stories from other women is encouraging. I want to make it for my husband and baby.

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited November 2018

    bb, I wanted to add that tho I was further along in my pregnancy, I did talk to a woman who was diagnosed much earlier in the pregnancy and she and her baby are doing well. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions or share your feelings. We’re here for you. There is also a website for hopefortwo for women diagnosed with cancer (any type) during pregnancy.



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

    bbfromkentucky1, sending you hugs . Our community is here to help guide you along your path. Please keep us posted. We're here for you!!

    The Mods

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited November 2018

    Sending hugs and positive vibes! Good luck with your appointment tomorrow!

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  • bbfromkentucky1
    bbfromkentucky1 Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2018

    I met with the breast surgeon today - who has quickly become one of my favorite people. Her words were "I was surprised not that there was more DCIS, but that there was invasive cancer." I have been referred to an oncologist whom I will meet on Friday, who I asked about her disposition, and the surgeon said I would like her and she was smart - two important things in a cancer doctor.

    That being said, it looks like it is a small spot of IDC - maybe 4-5mm. It also looks like it is isolated to my left nipple - Stage 1. The current plan is a skin sparing mastectomy to allow for reconstruction later. I will do that December 14. Following that, we will wait for the pathology report. If it is what everyone thinks it is, I will do chemotherapy after the baby is born and then be on Herceptin for a year because of the IDC being HER+2, which the surgeon said was also a shocker. If there is more IDC, I will start chemotherapy before the baby is born... and then Herceptin afterwards. If I wasn't pregnant, I would do chemo first, but for such a small spot, the oncologist and surgeon seem comfortable waiting.

    For the record - I didn't have a lump.. the only thing I had was a nipple ulceration - that is the invasive cancer. That small thing was it. I think about the series of events - nipple sore... OBGYN sent me "just in case" for a mammogram... then just in case for a biopsy... then a lumpectomy and the surgeon (just in case) did the biopsy on the nipple... and because of that, I have a good chance that this is curable. Young women need to be vigilant for this.

    Thank you for all of the messages of support.

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited November 2018

    that sounds like a good plan, bb. So glad you’ve found good doctors.



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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited November 2018

    4-5mm is very small! It sounds like you have a great medical team and a good plan.

    I'm so glad you had and have good doctors who are taking your health seriously and being prudent!

    You mentioned you lost your dad young. I think a lot of this stuff can sort of be re-traumatizing for us. I was 19 when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, 20 when she died. When I got diagnosed... I did a lot of 'time travel'. Part of me was shocked, part of me felt it was inevitable and my progression would be just like hers.

    Now I know I caught it earlier (and am younger than she was) and technology is better and I have good chances. Still.. the past is in my thoughts so much. Please get all the emotional support you can. This is so hard.

    That said, I'm confident you will be around for your child and husband, and add so much love to the world!

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