If you have just been diagnosed....

Melissa7 · March 2007

This may be a helpful place to begin reading to get the facts in order, and know how to move through each step as well as coping with the fear of diagnosis.

http://www.breastcancer.org/dia_pict_idx.html

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/fears/

Kayree · March 2007

Just rec'd pathology report today. Obviously very concerned. Diagnosis "Poorly differentiated infiltrating ductal carcinoma" Histolgic grade 3. Metastatic to lymph node. Not sure what to expect from here.

nancy75 · March 2007

my sister has just been diagnosed on Monday with Stage 3 breast cancer. I want to help her so much, i'm soooo clueless on how

Angelflight · March 2007

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis ladies and that you've had to join our club here.

Kayree,
Youre next step will be to see a surgeon. They'll give you several options. 1. Lumpectomy with radiation for 5 weeks at 5x week, then done. 2. Mastectomy with Chemo only. 3. Mastectomy with radiation and chemo both. This will depend on your reports. After that if you're doing chemo you will have another surgery approx 1-2 weeks later to insert a port for your chemo. Then you'll see an oncologist and he'll go over your chemo plan or tell you your options. Then you'll have an echocardiogram and probably a PET or Bone Scan and blood work. About 1-2 weeks later you will begin chemo. Don't get all worked up over your pathology report and don't think this is an automatic death sentence because it isn't. Most bc can be treated and then you're on with your life again. Collect as much info as you can and keep on top of things. There is also tons of information online about how to read your pathology report and what each thing means. Maybe someone here has the link they can post for you. It will help you better understand what you're dealing with and what some of your options will be.

Nancy,
Unfortunately there's not a lot you can do for your sister except be there for her when she needs you. Unfortunately most family and friends (other than spouses) run for the hills while we're left to deal with our bc. Nobody seems to know why but it happens a lot. Stick it out with her and be prepared for some rough moments. Keep her encouragment up for her and help her to think positive about it. Tell her to come here and if she can to talk to us and to get a lot of info she'll need.

Good Luck!
Angel

nancy75 · March 2007

Angel, Thank you kindly for your words. When I am with her, all I try to do is make her laugh. It seems that when my kids and I are around her shes different and I see her smile, which i love to see. My sister is only 34 and I am only 31. I'm such a goofy sister around her because the sounds of her laugther make me feel better. I just cant believe that this is happening. I could never run away from my family. No matter the difficulties. Just like in the movie, Lilo & Stitch, "OHANA! means family and with family no one gets left behind!" I'm not hawaiian but that statement is just so true. I will be definitely mentioning this site to her.

jcarson2899 · March 2007

I have recently been diagnosed with IDC, NOS type, I am confused with the path report. poorly differentiated, but the angiolymphatic invasion in negative. Insitu component is negligible? Am having a lumpectomy this week followed by chemo,radiation. Scared for my outcome, I just feel like I have a few positive things but more negative. Can you help

nancy75 · March 2007

gosh i wish i had words of wisdom but i honestly dont. I feel the same way you do....that lately there just have been tooo many negative things happen in my life...you begin to ask, "how (with all the negativity in my life) do I try to be positive?" I wish I knew...and if I knew I'd try to help you. The one thing that women on this wonderful site have told me is, "Just live life one day at a time!" You know your past, you could never know the future just live for right now because its not sure for anyone of us if we'll have tomorrow.

sschmidt · March 2007

When I was diagnosed in Feb of 06 I was petrified and was sure I was going to die. Each visit to the doctors had worse news than the visit before. First news was stage 1 then stage 2 and still don't know if it is 3. Both of my parents died in the same few months of my first being diagnosed.

I had never been an outwardly emotional person but found myself crying everywhere I went: at work and with friends and family. I was terrified of chemo and had always had a fear of radiation. I think that was from the duck and cover school days of the 1950's.

I have to say that it was all doable. My doctor told me that it would be. Of course I thought he was just trying to make me stop crying. I was terrified to see the chairs. I remembered stories I had heard and thought it was going to be the worst experience of my life. I cried before almost every round at home and in the office. The nurses thought I was a basket case. I saw a phycologist that specialized in cancer and she was a 12 year survivor of stage 3b BC. I made it through.

The reality is/was...I haven't died and won't for a very long time. Chemo is over and it was doable. I even had a life at the time of chemo. Radiation was a breeze and I just got past the duck and cover fear.

I finally started taking a low dose of Paxil. That helped the obsessive thoughts and fears. I can relax and not have panick attacks.

My hair is growing back and time has gone so fast. I am now living everyday to the max and enjoying every minute. I went to Italy for my winter holiday and am going to Colorado for my spring break. I am even enjoying my work as a school teacher a lot more.

I have heard and have used these words..."This is a club that nobody would choose to join." It is a club of fabulous women and some men. I feel a special connection to every woman that has ever experienced breast cancer. It has made me a more compassionate person in almost every way. Slap me if I ever say I am glad I got breast cancer but....life is beautiful and I love it more now than ever before.

bev920 · March 2007

I, too,have had a recent diagnosis of stage 3A,T3 cancer of the left breast. I had a modified radical mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy on March 5, 2007. The pathology report came back on Friday, March 9th. Needless to say, I felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach. I was feeling so good that day until the phone call from my surgeon. He was very apologetic and supportive, telling me I had lots of options, etc. I had a little pity party that very day, sent the bad news via email, because I just couldn't do it on the phone or face to face with anyone at that time. I received tons of emails back urging me to be positive and promises of prayer. God has sent me many angels in the form of family and friends. In spite of this cancer, I am truly blessed.
I am not looking forward to chemo/radiation plus hormone therapy. Too many stories of bad side effects, etc.
But with the help of God, family and friends, I am determined to be a survivor!

cheryl5 · March 2007

I am new to this board as I just found it last night. I was diagnosed last week and had my surgery Moday. Lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation. I am a 56 year old woman raising my 5 year old granddaughter as her Mother passed away when she was 5 onths old. (daughter in law) I am looking for a suport group to ffer positive and truthful in sight. This seems like the place

badboob67 · March 2007

Cherryo
You are, indeed, in the right place! I am so sorry that you are going through this, but very glad you have found us. There are some pretty amazing women here ready to lend an ear and offer you words of encouragement and support. This is also one of the best places I have found to get information about breast cancer, its treatments, and living with the disease.

I was diagnosed last February, 2006 and found out I have extensive BONE METS shortly thereafter. I had a MASTECTOMY and received a few RADIATION treatments to my spine because a vertebra had fractured and required surgery. I have been fortunate so far in that my treatments (ARIMIDEX/ZOLADEX to steal ESTROGEN from those hormone-hungry cancer cells and ZOMETA to help with my bones) are working well and my disease is stable. You will read about people dancing with NED here a lot. Although I'm sure that there's a fella named NED out there somewhere who is quite a dancer, the NED we're talking about is NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE. I haven't had the opportunity to dance with him yet, but only because he's been very busy dancing with others. I'm sure my turn will come eventually!

Feel free to come here and post your fears and triumphs, frustrations and joys. We will do our best to ease your mind and love to hear good news!

I'm sorry you had to join our club, but you will find that our membership is outstanding.

cheryl5 · March 2007

I am looking forward to meeting new cyber friends and offering encouragement when I can and sharing my bc experience. I think I am still in shock even though I have had my surgery. I do know I feel different now ...nothing like I have ever felt before. The grass is greener the sky is bluer and I cherish every friendship with all the love I can. I am so amazed at the amount of people this disease has touched. Somehow I feel I got this to open my eyes to the REAL world. I hope I don't sound crazy! LOL Just so glad I found ya'll. Cherry

lscoffman · March 2007

You've come to the right place to get info. Understanding your treatment will help you deal with the fear of the unknown.
God Bless You,
L.S.

Annaanne · March 2007

Nancy:
You may have found this already, but there's a stage 3 thread on this site that might help. There are some special concerns and fears for those of us not diagnosed at earlier stages, but you will find many of us on that thread that have finished treatment and feel great, positive and very optimistic.
Annaanne

mellowyellow37 · March 2007

My sister was just diagnosed with breast cancer last week. She found a lump on her breast. She quickly scheduled a mammogram and they followed with the sonogram and needle biopsy. It was found to be cancerous, 6 mm and well-differentiated. They said she caught it early, was stage 1 and recommended a lumpectomy w/ radiation. We went to meet with surgeon that was recommended and she told her her options which was the lumpectomy or the mastectomy. She said that with the lumpectomy there was a 6-8% chance of recurrence but with the mastectomy there was a less than 1% chance of recurrence. At that appt. she also said that her report stated the cells were moderately differentiated and she was grade 2. OK, now she was confused..nobody had brought up the mastectomy before....Why would you leave that 7% chance there if you could have less than 1%? After that we scheduled appts with some other surgeons....one of which said he wouldn't even consider a mastectomy with her case. At this point reports stated that it was no longer 6mm but 8 mm? She will receive the results from the other tests (bone and cat scan and hormone)on Monday. She has a lumoectomy scheduled for this Wed and is leaning that way but is still not sure. We have been drowning ourselves in information but it gets very confusing. It just seems like the doctors have so many different opinions.... how do you know who to trust? We are in upstate NY and are working w/ doctors from Albany Med and St Peters. We are originally from Westchester, NY and still have family there and in NYC. They really want her to go to Memorial Sloane Kettering but it is out of network for her insurance. Do you think it is worth it? Believe me, we feel very fortunate to have gotten the diagnosis she did but want so much to make the right first move...also, how fast should you get the surgery . She is 45 and premenopausal. Thanks for listening and for any advice you might be able to offer.

Anonymous · March 2007

mellowyellow -
I feel bad that you have not received any advice. I have read and heard that survival rates are no different - Lumpec. vs. Mast. when the tumor is that small (6mm). It's a very personal decision. Some choose breast sparing, some choose peace of mind. My tumor was 3.9cm - I didn't have a choice. But I did choose to have the remaining breast removed as a precautionary measure. When in doubt, I get 3 opinions - majority rules.

Best wishes to you and your sister.

debxman · March 2007

Hello to all,
I am new to all of this, I failed my mamo, had cluster of calcifications, did stereotactic biob (2/2/07), told had cell changes need to do open biob, did that(3/7/07). Report shwed Atypical Hyperplasia, course of treatment Tamoxifen for 5 years. Would love to here your thought and opions on this med. Family says go for it.

Best Wishes to All
Debbie

NativeMainer · March 2007

I had a benign lump removed from my left breast more than 10 years ago, it was atypical hyperplasia. Three weeks ago another lump in my left breast was dx BC. I wish I had had the option of tamoxifen when the benign lump was removed as atypical hyperplasia is considered "pre-cancer" and maybe I could have been spared the hell I've been through this last 3 months.

themom0329 · March 2007

Just diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ. found 3 clusters of calcifications during my very 1st mamo. did the stereotatic biopsy on Monday,. made a surgical appointment for next week. The full pathology report isnt available yet so I'm not sure WHAT to do at this point!!

Any suggestions?

burquie · March 2007

I was diagnosed March 3, 2007 with stage 2 of the right breast. I have had my second opinion, a couple MRI's and biopsies. I have decided on a mastectomy with reconstruction the day of the mastectomy; and then radiation (if needed) and of course the chemotherapy. My surgery is "tentatively" scheduled for the 1st of May. Both the surgeons had to get together and find a date. My husband is fearful of wating another 4 weeks before we get this thing out of me and start treatment. Any thoughts??

Dorrien · April 2007

new dx this week mast next week
need to make decsion on reconstruction
implants or flap
any one had either???

jolene120 · April 2007

Cherryo- I'm 45 and was diagnosed the beginning of Feb. StageII invasive breast cancer with lymph nodes involved. I had a lumpectomy and all the lymph nodes removed from under my right arm. I started chemo at the beginning of this month, once I had healed from the surgery. I know what you mean-at first I felt that this was an out of the body experience. It has to be happening to soemone else! Then slowly the realization came that no, it was me. You do see the world differently. And I think you listen a little closer to what people say to you. The love and encouragement from my friends has been so humbling. And you do find out who your true friends are. Some people do disappear rather quickly with the news. I take each day as it comes and enjoy my family to the max. I have 2 daughters over 20 and a 14 year old son. I know the chemo and the radiation treatments will one day come to an end and I'll be free once more. So, take heart-there are many people to support you when you need it! Take care.

melinda0178 · April 2007

I was just diagnosed with grade 2 infiltrating duct cancer i have DCIS that is solid, cribriform and comedo--mass size 1.9x1.2x1cm

i'm pretty lost with all this--not sure what to do
i have to do chemo either way if i do mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation

wordgirl · April 2007

why do you have to do chemo either way?

mcshipley · April 2007

Hi thermom0329,
I'm in the same position as you. I received my DCIS diagnosis last Friday, March 29 from the surgeon. I spent the weekend gathering information and was able to speak to an oncology radiologist on Monday April 2 thanks to the surgeon's intervention (otherwise it would be the middle of April for that appointment).

You sound like you must be very young since this was your first mammogram.

What I would suggest is gather information about options. There is so much available online. I filled a 1 inch 3 ring binder over the weekend - I have to read things on paper for them to get through. I would be glad to send you the sites I found beneficial.

Once you have this information, write down all your questions for you surgeon to answer.

I'm planning to have a lumpectomy with one week of radiation starting the week after surgery. The radiation is placed into the area where the calcifications were removed through a balloon that is placed into the breast during the surgery rather than 30 sessions of external radiation. This treatment is new and no longer experimental. It has been used for over 10 years. My surgery will be either April 24 or May 8 because both the surgeon and radiation oncologist will be present for the surgery. I should know the date tomorrow.

Please tell your friends what you are going through. I have found everyone very supportive. The women who sit on either side of me in my chorus are both breast cancer survivers. You never know when or where you will find a kindred spirit.

There is a lot to think about and I think being prepared for you doctor visits is the best thing I can recommend.

Feel free to contact me directely if you want.

Dnavas · April 2007

I was going to ask if anyone knew about the core biopsy and titanium clip. I am having it done on 4/13 and really wanted to know what this meant. no one said anything really, i guess they saw what i felt.. will this say yes i have bc and stage....? any of your thoughts would help all i saw yesterday was a bunch of 'i'm sorry'faces.

mcshipley · April 2007

Hi Dnavas,
I had a mammotome biopsy - with I think is the same as a core biopsy and they placed a titanium chip at the biopsy site to make it easier to find the place to do the lumpectomy if needed. This way they know exactly where the samples came from. The procedure took about 20 minutes - total time about 1 hour with only a couple of seconds of discomfort. I'm now waiting for them to schedule my lumpectomy.

wallycat · April 2007

Hi all,
at noon today, my biopsy report indicated invasive lobular carcinoma. I'm still in shock.
Off to read what is here. I'm very lucky to have a supportive husband, but I am numb, terrified and ...well...terrified.

oxboard37 · April 2007

I was diagnosed March of 2006, It happened all too quick for me. I was told my diagnosis at work and I could not believe it. I almost had a car accident on the way home from work. My mother came with me to my surgeons appointment, I was already in stage 2 I had a lumpectomy and went thru chemo, 8 treatments and radiation for 35 treatments and now I am cancer free but I am on one drug the only drug out there that I can be on. If I go off of this drug according to my oncologist the chances of my cancer coming back is 95%. During the whole process I learned that I had to have a positive attitude and to say that everything is going to be okay and I will get thru it. I had to because of my 3 sons. It is so hard when you are at your worst. But some how you do it. so my thoughts and prayers go out to anyone who has been just diagnosed. It is a hard time. But remember to stay positive no matter how hard it is. I did. there were times that I did not know what was going to happen, but I made it thru it. I fought it. I had to, I had no choice. having family and friends support will help. so stay positive

riley93 · April 2007

Hi there! I was diagnosed in November. I've had a masectomy and finishing chemotherapy next week. After going through this the first time 13 years ago and now again, please take your time, do your research and make sure that you have a surgeon and oncologist that take time to answer all of the questions that you have. What was most important to me was ensuring that my doctors and I were in agreement with the treatment.

Interview your potential doctors and if you don't like their "bedside manners" or the way that they deal with your questions, go see someone else for a second or third opinion. You are trusting these people with your life and health; trust has to be established first.

Here's a website that will help with the pathology reports: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_breast_cancer_staged_5.asp?rnav=cri .

Here's another site that has tons of information: http://www.breastcancergroup.org/bclinks.html . Take the time to do your research, especially when dealing with the chemo drugs and their side effects. It really helps to have the knowledge before you get started. The drugs are definitely better than they were 13 years ago, and the side effects are treatable if you ask for help before you get started.

Take care!

lguise · April 2007

Hi,
In February 2007, I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS, comedo necrosis with a core biopsy (Mammatone). I got a second opinion which changed the diagnosis to "ductal interepithelial neoplasia, Grade 1". I then got a third opinion, which again changed the diagnosis to "atypical ductal hyperplasia". All three pathologists used the same slides. The surgeon suggested I have an excisional biopsy to determine once and for all if it is DCIS or ADH and when I got th e results back, all he could tell me is that all the suspect tissue was removed during the earlier core biopsy and the margins (unspecified by the pathologist)were normal tissue. So the issue remains - I am in that "grey area" between ADH and DCIS but the problem is that the treatment plan for each is very different. My oncologist has offered Tamoxifen but I am wondering if I should consider a) a mastectomy or b) radiation before Tamoxifen. I am consired to be at a 4x higher risk for a recurrence of invasive cancer and I feel that the offer of Tamoxifen just doesn't cut it when it comes to reducing the chance of recurrence. My gut is telling me to treat this as DCIS and go for a mastectomy. Any comments?

If you have just been diagnosed....

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