Just reaching out to my breast cancer sisters!

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CactusPixie80
CactusPixie80 Member Posts: 11
edited April 2020 in Just Diagnosed

Hello everyone,

I was diagnosed March 12, 2020, and just had my second chemo treatment today.

A month and half after my 40th birthday, I was diagnosed with ER-/PR-/HER2-, grade 3, stage IIA IDC of the left breast. I was told that it's harder to treat triple negative breast cancer, and that it carries a poor prognosis because it's aggressive. I found it incidentally, after removing my bra on a Saturday night, and literally scratching an itch on the 3 o'clock position of my left breast. It was so close to the surface it was an unmistakable lump.

Five days. That's all it took. Five. Days. Lump found Saturday, saw my PCP on Monday, had diagnostic mammo and ultrasound same day, back Tuesday morning for biopsy, results Thursday same week. My next week was filled with oncologist and surgeon appointments and genetic counseling appointments....I had no time to process what was happening. They threw me into this head first and expected me to just start swimming.

Sixteen days. From finding the lump to my first chemo treatment. Sixteen. Days. I still don't know that I've processed it all.

I worked, pre-diagnosis (not to work during my treatment per my oncologist, so had to do short term disability), with patients who had blood and bone cancers. I got lucky. I know my chemo nurses. I know the level of care and compassion they have for their patients. I'm sure knowing the system helped aid my dx a little faster than most, but I'd HOPE any breast cancer patient would receive the same attention that I did.

Anyway.....I'm reaching out to my sisters here to find out your stories, and to learn from your experiences...to know what I may have to look forward to as my treatment goes on, as things get bad....but most importantly, to find friends in hope.

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  • OnTarget
    OnTarget Member Posts: 447
    edited March 2020

    Hi, I'm so sorry about your diagnosis! It does sound like a whirlwind, but when you look back you will hopefully appreciate the speed. Most of us agonize over every day they seem to be doing nothing.

    I wish you great outcomes!!

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  • CactusPixie80
    CactusPixie80 Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2020

    Hi OnTarget!

    I've been reading a lot of the posts for newly diagnosed breast friends, and I'm saddened that it can take weeks for anything to happen. I don't know if that, because I am triple negative, things moved faster, or if I was just blessed by some alignment.

    I did email my PCP and thank him greatly for not dismissing my lump. It frightens me to think that some doctors do....or at least they drag their feet as women (and men!) sit on pins and needles hoping to get answers.

    My goal is to learn from all the wonderful, strong, warrior breast friends on this forum.

    We got this, we can beat this, it's just a battle now, but we'll win this war.

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  • SoulShine1969
    SoulShine1969 Member Posts: 3,047
    edited March 2020

    CactusPixie-

    So sorry about your diagnosis. Such a crazy scary time. It sounds like you’ve got a great medical team fast tracking you through everything so far, that’s great.
    My cancer was also TN and I can report I’m 5 years from my diagnosis, so don’t let the prognosis scare you.
    Best of luck, sister.

    Rebecca

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited March 2020

    Hi Cactus,

    I am so sorry about your very young diagnosis and all you are dealing with, especially right now in this scary time in our world. You are in good company on these boards though.

    There are a lot of ladies who are triple neg as well I know. ON the drop down bar at the top you can find all the triple neg forums that people have started who may be able to offer specific advice to help you get through treatments.

    Try to stay safe from the virus since you are doing chemo right now. Best wishes for you.

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  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited March 2020

    Sorry you have joined us but we are here. Stay safe especially during this time in the world right now. Best wishes and you got this :)

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  • toria1212
    toria1212 Member Posts: 136
    edited April 2020

    CactusPixie,

    You sound like an especially strong and determined woman! I am only two weeks into this journey and whoa! I still cannot believe it. Your journey is going FAST, but I am grateful for you that Dr. has been so proactive and you have begun your path. The waiting is excruciating, but the covid19 'stuff' definitely has me preoccupied as a mum to a Type 1 Diabetic son, and trying to keep my other teens from driving me crazy ').

    I will pray and follow your journey to wellness. You got this, and so do I, and the rest of us. We are STRONG.

    (((hugs))) xx

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