Just diagnosed I am scared it all over my body

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Ilovewhales3
Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
edited December 2020 in Just Diagnosed

I am afraid it’s all over my body 4 years since last mammogram I also have a rash all over body is this related?

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  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited October 2020

    I'm sorry you're here because of a new diagnosis. It is scary and is worst when you first find out. It gets better when you have more information and a treatment plan. None of us has any way to guess what the rash is. Have you asked your doctor about it?

    What did your pathology report say about the diagnosis? What scans or tests were used? Did you have a mammogram? Ultrasound? Biopsy?

  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020

    I had a mammogram and ultrasound on Monday biopsy on this Monday so I don't k ow what kind I have 3 inch? On base of breast a smaller one below nipple and two lymph nodes but the didn't look any outside of breast area I'm pretty shook up and so scared because of uncertainty I'm kicking myself in butt for not having a monogram in 4 years so I'm afraid it's had time to spread I know breast cancer has high odds if you catch it right away but I don't know if I did

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2020

    I know it is difficult to do but try not to project or speculate about things that are not known yet. Most breast cancers are actually very slow growing, only a small percentage of women are diagnosed at stage IV(Metastatic). I think it’s about 5-6 %. No, a body rash is not a symptom of metastases. Please wait until you have your biopsy results so you can deal with what the situation actually is. Not easy, but why make yourself sick with worry when you still have only limited information? Take care.

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2020

    I should also add that breast cancer does not cover the body like a rash. Metastases are generally to internal body parts Such as bone, lungs, liver, brain so can’t be seen

  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020

    I know that I should worry I am so mad at myself for not getting mammogram I know it doesn’t help but I also know how hard this is for my family my plan was not to say anything until Monday but my mom knew about appointment and my son was at my house when I got home I started crying so I told my other two children and of course my husband I just told right away I feel like I let my family down I know that’s not rational but I should have stayed on top of mam

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2020

    Sorry that you told people when you have no diagnosis yet. That just makes it harder on you.

    It is NOT your fault. You didn't do anything to invite whatever it might be. But as others have said - don't put the cart before the horse. And try to stay away from Dr. Google.

  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited October 2020

    Quit blaming yourself and quit speculating. It sounds like you don't have the biopsy results yet? Then you don't know if you have cancer or a benign condition. You're going to give yourself an ulcer at this rate. Do some fun stuff until you get your results. And then do more fun things after you have them.

  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020

    I appreciate all comments and advice. I'm truly asking why some have said I don't have a diagnosis.The doctor said it was cancer stage 3 he said biopsy would tell what kind and how to treat The nurse talked to me after about it as well. I assumed I would not get results right away so I confirmed it was a diagnosis.Is this not right? I really hope I misunderstood but I don't think so

  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited October 2020

    Ilovewhales3 , you said they measured it as 3 inches?
    I guess what we're saying is that until you get a biopsy result, you don't know what it is so it's premature. I can understand a doctor saying it probably is but they can't tell from imaging - they need to get a pathologist to look at the actual mass tissue, either from a biopsy or from a surgical excision. And final staging isn't till after surgery. Are they doing a biopsy on the lymph nodes as well?

    Hang in there. It's early days and this is the hardest time - when you suspect stuff is wrong but don't know what exactly and what the plan is.

  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020

    yes they are looking at lymph nodes I really appreciate the clarification I will post after Monday appointment I really appreciate the support And in

  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited October 2020

    hello sweetie hang in there we are here for you try to calm down till you get results..msphil idc stage2 0/2 nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast got married was planning at diagnosis then 7wks rads and 5yrs on Tamoxifen. Praise God long term Survivor. Hold on get results first.

  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020

    I have my tests back and am wondering how to post them here. I am so scared and brave sometimes and sometimes have panic attacks where I feel like I can’t breathe The women here seem so brave and I need to get ther

  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited October 2020

    As Beesie, one of the smartest members here, says, you don't have to be brave, you just have to show up. Sorry I can't help you with advice on posting your report.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2020

    Sorry I can't help with posting either. Why don;t you just tell us in a couple of sentences what it said?

  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited October 2020

    you could cut and paste from your report - just remove your name and other identifying stuff - if you got it through your patient portal. Or just type out the sentences that seem most important. We don't need the whole report. What does it say in "impressions" or "diagnosis" or "recommendation" sections?

  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020
  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020
  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020
  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020
  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited October 2020

    well hun, this sucks. It is cancer. It's invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) grade 2 ( that's better than 3!) And it seems it's in your lymph node.

    You'll receive your hormone staining results soon and then meet with a team to decide your next steps.

    Hang in there. This time between diagnosis and starting a treatment is really the worst part. It gets better.

    Got any questions? When do you see your Drs?

    Hugs


  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020

    Can I ask how you know it’s grade 2? And what does it mean when they can’t find lymph node? Any indication it’s spread? I meet with surgeon tomorrow and oncologist on November 5 and have a breast MRI on November 12 I’m so afraid of Covid as well I m a mess I don’t even really want to talk to friends just my fa

  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited October 2020

    under diagnosis A it says Nottingham grade 2. That's the grade we talk about.


    For C it sounds like the entire sample was cancer cells and it has replaced all the normal cells in the lymph node.

    I don't think this is correlated with distant spread. Your surgeon tomorrow will probably give you general options. I think a lot still depends on the hormone status as sometimes chemo is given before surgery.

    Don't worry about covid in health care settings. Ime, they're being super careful.
  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020

    Thank you so much I actually feel better May I ask if you are on the other side?

  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited October 2020

    Ilovewhales, I'm the group nobody wants to hear..you can see my diagnoses in the signature line for Feb 2020. Stage 4. Bastard came back. But it usually doesn't!

  • YesIamaDragon
    YesIamaDragon Member Posts: 363
    edited October 2020

    Hi there, and sorry you have to be here, but it is a great place to ask questions.

    First: By ultrasound your tumor was 3.3 cm in largest dimension, so much smaller than 3 inches, and on the core biopsy was smaller than that. Final size will be better determined at surgery (MRI is better for measurements than u/s, but if you are like me and only have MRI after biopsy and have a lot of bleeding in there (hematoma) then even the MRI measurements can be off.

    Next: Treatment plan will depend on testing for hormone receptors (ER and PR) and for HER2 over-expression. HER2+ cancers will pretty much always have chemo recommended for them I am triple positive, and tumor was more than 2 cm AND I had a positive lymph node, so had neo-adjuvant chemo, which is chemo before surgery. The very good news is that treatment options are much better than they were even ten years ago, and new options are coming along all the time! The hormone receptor information should be available fairly quickly, the HER2 may take longer. For me, the HER2 only came back something like 3 days before I was scheduled for my lumpectomy! So only had a few days to wrap my head around that before getting port placed for chemo instead.

    None of us want to be on this journey, but here we are. Agree with the quote from Beesie above -- just show up, one day at a time. And the beginning is the hardest. Also, pretty much every cancer center has therapists who specialize in helping cancer patients with the emotional stuff.

    Keep breathing!

  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020

    I did read that hoping I might be wrong cancer is an ugly ugly beast if I can be here for you too I’m so sorry

  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020

    thank you sounds like strong women here hopefully I can be as w

  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited October 2020

    You don't have to be strong. :-) Try to stop IF ONLY-in yourself. If only I would have blah blah blah. You are here now, and soon you will have a treatment plan and onward and upward.

    Don't freak out about COVID in the hospital /doctor setting everyone is masked up and they have good air filtration systems. But do avoid indoor spaces with anyone not wearing masks.

    If you have not already, go get your flu shot!

    xoxo You can do this.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2020

    hospitals & doctor's offices are probably safer than grocery store right now. Moth & 2019 are right. One foot in front of the other - but don't forget to dance along the way & listen to your favorite music and do whatever you can to short circuit your anxiety.

  • Ilovewhales3
    Ilovewhales3 Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2020

    I know you actually sound like my mother who has been my rock She has not cried once and I know she has in pri

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