Just tell me
Hi All, I'm new here, first post. (Sorry If double post as first try didn't show up.). I had 3 biopsies 2 days ago and am not expecting good news. My ultrasound report noted highly suspicious for malignancy on 3 nodes and there were also 2 questionable areas on the same side breast. My doctor said she'll be very surprised if there's no cancer. So somehow in about a week of reading as much as I can here I've gone from shock and a sick feeling to ready to find out and start whatever's next. I am 59 with no previous breast issues. I'm so glad to have found you all here
Comments
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Hi Rosie24, I hope you get your results soon. The waiting is awful.
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Hi Rosie24
Glad you found this community. Someone will have experience with any questions/feelings that come up and it's a great support system. You are in the hardest part, in my opinion ... waiting! I had the hardest time waiting for results. Once I met with the surgeon to review results and had a plan for moving forward, it was so much better. Even though it was breast cancer, it was such a relief to be able to deal with whatever it was and move forward.
Hang in there -- you got this!
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Hi moth and MDRR, thanks for your responses.
I meet with my breast surgeon next Thurs to review the biopsy results and discuss what’s next. She mentioned when I met her that she would expect medical treatment first, then surgical. I assume medical means Chemo and/or radiation? Also, do you see multiple doctors throughout this journey, an oncologist also I would guess? I may be getting ahead of myself but I can not keep my mind off of this now!
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Rosie24, waiting is no doubt the hardest and you will feel better when you have a plan in place. I received so much information during that first meeting, and was referred to a plastic surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and the practitioner that would do my genetic testing. It felt overwhelming at first but my nurse navigator was amazing at handling all my questions and appointments! If in fact it is cancer you will handle it and turn to fight mode. This community is a wealth of knowledge and support so I am glad you have found it. Let us know how your appointment goes.
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Rosie, You are in a hard place right now...."Hope for the best, prepare for the worst"!! Yes, you will be seeing an Oncologist if it is indeed BC. Usually, the BS and MO will consult and determine a treatment plan. Some medical facilities have what they call a "tumor board", where several specialists can review your case before giving you treatment options. They may also have a Nurse Navigator, to guide you through the process, should you need it. If you want your imaging report(s), get them from your Dr. As others have said, the waiting seems to be the hardest part. With that said, I hope you get benign results!!! Try to stay busy doing something you enjoy while you wait. Stay away from Dr Google, if you can! You will get plenty of support here, either way! A lot of threads dealing with all aspects of treatments and decisions. Best Wishes!
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we're thinking of you and welcome you to the community, but hope that it's just as a visitor! that said, you can handle whatever comes your way!
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Hi Rosie-
I met with my breast surgeon for biopsy results but they came back piecemeal. So she will most likely discuses what Stage your cancer is, your tumor markers, and treatment options at your appt.
Yes medical would treatment chemo/ radiation before you might have any surgery. So if chemo was an option you would meet with oncologist. I didn’t have radiation but you most likely be referred to a radiologist if that treatment was an option.
The other person you might need on your “team” is a plastic surgeon if you wanted or needed any reconstruction work after your surgery. But that’s something your BS will guide you on!!
Pick a team that you feel comfortable with and get a second opinion. Your surgeons and oncology expect you will do that and it should be covered under your insurance.
Please feel free to keep asking. We all know how scary and anxiety provoking the unknown can be. We’ve all been there and feel your discomfort. It’s great you are reaching out!!
Hugs
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A little fyi about chemo prior to surgery....
I had a nearly 4 cm tumor and at least one node. Had I done surgery at that point, it would have been a mastectomy, plus all nodes, then chemo. Doing chemo first, my tumor shrank to virtually nothing, as did my lymph node. I just had a lumpectomy and 4 nodes taken. MUCH less invasive. If your lymph nodes appear to be involved it is likely they will offer it.
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Dani444 and Keepthe Faith, Hello! Makes sense that there are many specialists involved. Hope I have a nurse navigator also. I guess I should wait for diagnosis but I feel like I practically have one with node observations.
MDRR, Just wondering if you’re finished with treatments and how you’re doing?
CBK and Santabarbarian, Hello! Thanks for responding. It’s good to know there is so much experience here and you’re so willing to advise us newbies. I’m curious how fast things will move once my results are known. Scheduling so far has been quick. I’m probably reading ahead of myself, but your path, Santabarbarian, gives me hope. Do you find out the receptor status with the biopsy report or is that a separate test?
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Hi Rosie24
I am just one year out from my diagnosis. My lumpectomy was February, 2018, followed by a March, 2018 BMX due to the pathology results. I'm doing great! I started on Arimidex in April, 2018. So far no side effects, fortunately. I got the green light to return to all normal activities June 1 so I was able to complete a trek to the bottom of the grand canyon in mid-june carrying a 30 pound pack, camping along the way. It was fabulous (and really hard!)!! I was also able to play softball and golf the rest of the season (I'm on a senior softball travel team) so I have been most fortunate. I see the breast surgeon next week for a follow-up, but so far all check-ups have been good. I'm curious about whether the med is affecting my bone density and have a dexa follow up in April. So far so good! You will be able to manage whatever comes your way and we are here to support each other.
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Yes, if your lumps are malignant, your biopsy pathology will include receptor status and will also include the type of malignancy (DCIS, IDC, ILC etc).
Sometimes that changes after surgery. Occasionally they retest a larger sample and get different results - I think some tumors are not homogeneous and results vary depending on which chunk they look at but generally speaking you'll know what you have from the biopsy and that will guide your treatment decision making.
MO on this board refers to medical oncologist and that is who prescribes chemo. Some people have chemo before surgery, others have it the other way around. It depends on the specific tumor characteristics and also, it seems to me, where you are, as some regions seem to do neoadjuvant chemo more frequently than others. I didn't even meet my MO until after my surgery. -
Things moving fast is great. Others on this site seem to have the opposite problem of long waits.
You will find out the hormone receptors from biopsy, as well as the grade of the cancer (pokey to aggressive). If the hormone receptors are negative they will re-test with FISH test to find out HER2.
Once you know more your team will have recommendations for treatment. If you have any lymph nodes involved, then the order can change from surgery first to chemo first. When there is no nodal involvement, they tend to remove the tumor first. I was anxious to have that cancer removed, but then I was very happy to be able to feel the tumor shrinking and know my chemo was working.
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MDRR, What a great outcome you've had already. Wishing you continued good news.
Moth, I must be in one of those regions, or have apparently have something that signals the neoadjuvant treatment to the doctor. I hope to know a lot more on Thurs.
Santabarbarian, yes, I'm glad to be moving fast. Doctor offered a results appointment tomorrow but was unsure if results would be ready, so it'll be Thurs. which is her other office day. Or maybe it's due to my Birads 5 status after ultrasound?
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Ok, I got preliminary results by phone from my doctor, then read the results report that was emailed after our talk. Axillary node is metastatic carcinoma (1 tested), one breast mass is DCIS and IDC grade 3. ER+/PR- and HER not yet available. One breast mass wasfibroadenoma/benign. I’ll find out more about what’s next on Thurs at my appointment. Thanks all for answering my questions and just for being here. Hope to see you around on some other topics as I step further into this journey.
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definitely keep us posted on your plan; this forum is a wealth of information and support; wishing you the best!
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Oh THANKS MDRR! I feel strangely calm even after hearing “you have cancer”. My hubby was startled because he’s been trying to keep me optimistic, but he also heard the doctor say she expected it to be cancer. The day has gone on almost normally. I’m very glad not to have to be social tonight though. Tomorrow we see some family members and they’ll be wanting to know if there’s any news. So it gets a little more real tomorrow.
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Hi Rosie,
I'm glad you have your results! Go with your feelings, whatever they are. They can't be helped anyway.
My only regret in this so far is that I didn't trust my feelings and take off from work way sooner in the process. I put myself through psychological to keep showing up, and now I'm truly dreading going back to my job. The ironic thing is that I actually *liked* my job (though it was stressful) before this all started, but because I kept forcing myself to show up when my head was so not in it, now I have all these anxiety feelings. Everyone says, keep pushing through like normal, stay busy, etc. But I think the most important thing is to know yourself and trust yourself.
Use the resources available to you, including mental/emotional health if that seems useful, find good doctors and trust them, and do what you need to do. Sending hugs and best of luck with the sure-to-be-annoying process ahead!
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Hi Salamandra,
I agree that it’s so important to listen to our feelings and body. I think my calmness is actually some denial and blocking out reality for another day until my Thurs appt. Ive decided to hold off on confirming the cancer with friends and family until after the appointment. That way I will have some kind of plan to let them know.
When I was working I was amazed at how my coworkers would be able to work intermittently to accommodate illnesses of their own or of family members. It’s hard enough to keep up sometimes without being in and out. But somehow they do it, like you did. Are you working your normal Schedule again? Is your radiation still going? Sorry for all The questions! I’m finding this board such a great source. Thanks For being here
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Hi Rosie
So sorry to hear your news -- just read this thread this evening. I'm basically at the same point as you are. I see my doctor on Friday. This all started for me on Nov. 2nd when I noticed the lump. However, I sought a second opinion at a different hospital so there has been a lot of waiting. I'll see the surgeon on Friday for the results of my bone scan, blood work and additional biopsy information. I wouldn't do the MRI she scheduled. I was also in shock the first couple of weeks and didn't feel too bad -- however, that has now changed and the anxiety is extreme. We'll get through this - although I'm sure not looking forward to it.
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Hi Jessie,
Not looking forward to it either and I don’t even know what’s coming! It was pretty much expected that mine would be cancer but I understand (getting slightly educated) a lot of factors determine one’s treatment. Do you have much biopsy info yet? I told a friend that I’d like to skip 2019 and move right into 2020. It’s gonna be a tough year, I think. Thankfully there are lots of supportive people here and a few friends who are survivors that give me some confidence that I’m up to the task. Yeah right, we’ll see if I think that once things get started!?
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I was first diagnosed with Lobular -- then went to a teaching hospital and the diagnosis changed to mammary carcinoma - Lobular like. I think it has other names like Mixed and IDC - L. I am estrogen/ proges. positive and HER2 negative. My Ki-67 score was low. However, I haven't gotten the grade yet -- guess the doctor forgot to tell me that on the phone. The size was 1.3 cm with ultra-sound, but I've read that's not very dependable. They didn't examine the other half of my breast or my right breast during ultra-sound ---- the MRI was supposed to check that, but I didn't do the MRI. My biggest decision now is whether to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Just can't decide. If I go for the lumpectomy I'll have to do the MRI. I may be ahead of myself, because the doctor may decide my treatment herself on Friday. In a way I am glad that I am older with this because I've had 4 very good friends with BC and they are all fine. They were all in their early to mid 60's and have paved the way for me. You are so right --- sure wish this was 2020 instead of 2019
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Rosie, Jessie, sorry to hear of your DX. You are right, it isn't easy, but you will get through it....sometimes one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time! One day you may find yourself having a pity party, the next day, with your boxing gloves on!
I think what surprised me most when DX'd, was that BC is not as black and white as one would initially think...nor, is the treatment. Just hang on tight, you are in for a ride....but, we are right there with you; you are not alone. Vent, cry, ask questions, share whatever.. Soon it will be in your rear-view mirror and you will find that although your experience is unique, you will be able to help others that have gone through much the same things. Wishing you all the best. You've got this! ((HUGS))
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I met with my doctor today to review my biopsy results and find out what’s next. Already had an mri today. I’ll also be having bone scan and cat scan to see if anything else is going on since I have node involvement . My cancer is “tiny but aggressive “ says my doctor. For now my treatment will be chemo first (expected to start later this month), likely lumpectomy after that, radiation after that, and hormone pill 5-10 years after that. All subject to change based on tests. I guess I’m a bit unusual in having at least 3 cancerous nodes but not more significant tumor. Hoping for no surprises in scans
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just reading through all of these comments, and I’m surprised to find out that chemo is often offered first if there is a lymph node involved. My mom has a 2 cm tumor in the breast (as per biopsy) and an even tinier one in a node (as per biopsy) and they got her into surgery right away for a mastectomy. They are saying likely chemo and rad next but we’re still waiting for the actual path Fromm surgery. Does it offen change stages after surgery? Like is there often a lot of “surprises”? Still also confused why they aren’t checking for mets just In case!! Seems like people say if there’s lymph involvement they get scans
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Rosie, I'm glad to hear the doctors were able to get moving right along with everything for you.
I am curious if you don't mind, and others can chime in too. What where your symptoms that led you to go be checked in the first place? I tried posting my "story" thus far but when I submitted it never posted. 🤔 I'm just curious what others experienced before diagnosis.
Your doctor seems very on top of it! That's fantastic!
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keep the faith- Thanks again for your reassurance. It is good to know to prepare for a ride. You all that have been through this are so important to me. I need your wisdom and perspective!
Juleseyes-I hope you get some responses from others as I am so new to this I’m just reading here and following whatever my doctors say so far. Best wishes to your mom. Has she already had her mastectomy?
Atan-I had a yearly mammogram which came back as abnormal and needing further info/ ultrasound.
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jules, yes, the pathology and stage can change after surgery. I was originally DX'd with Grade 3 at biopsy, then changed to 2 at surgery....so, I consider myself 2.5! Either way, it didn't change my treatment plan.
Rosie, the "good" thing, about a higher grade tumor, is that chemo seems to be more effective than with a lower grade tumor.
I would also suggest jumping in on a current chemo thread for tips and support, before you get started. It can be very helpful.
I think it's kind of normal that we feel fearful, scared and helpless with the unknown; but don't let any of that keep you from asking questions of your medical team until you get the answers you need to move forward comfortably. Get second opinions if you need to. Don't be afraid to be your own advocate. You know your body and mind better than anyone else. Best wishes to you all:)
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