Finding out for sure tomorrow

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TinaLee
TinaLee Member Posts: 12
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed
Hello, I am 37, a mom and right now very scared! Last week, I got a mammogram and it came back a category 5, showing a 26mm spiculated mass with disorganized calcification. A few days after that, I got the core needle biopsy and tomorrow I get the final word. Both of my doctors have already told me prior to biopsy that it looked very serious, and that I should prepare myself for a positive finding on the biopsy. I am not holding out any sort of hope at this point for it not being cancer. I guess I am simply waiting to find out what kind it is, how far it has likely gone, what sort of surgery I can expect, and what sort of treatments I will have to go through after the surgery. Even though I know, it will still be a shock to hear it said out loud. I am at a loss for words really. Just reaching out...
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    Tina,

    So sorry that you are here, but glad that you have found this site it will be very helpful for you and the people here are wonderful....

    Your in the worse part of this ordeal right now....the waiting for test results are horrible...I always prepare myself for what I think could be the worst outcome and so far Ive gotten better news that I expected...yes, mine came back cancer the first time so I have gone through treatment...I made it to my 6 months and the first mammogram showed calcifications in my other breast, so now am waiting to meet the oncologist this week to see what will happen with this turn of events....so you see, there are absolutely tons of us who are in the place that you are with your thoughts.....the best I can tell you is to try to stay busy so the time goes fast and to remember that you have found a group of people here that always willing to help as much you they can....you can come here to seek information from those of us who have already been through the breast cancer process or you can just come here to visist, rant, rave, cry--whatever you need to do to keep you thoughts grounded....

    Please keep posting so that we may help you through whatever you may need to do....

    Hugs

    Jule

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    Oh TinaLee...I wish you the very best outcome here. My own diagnosis occurred in a way very similar to yours and, yes, hearing someone tell you that you have cancer is an experience one never forgets. It is, of course, still possible that you'll get benign results and be wonderfully surprised, but the spiculation aspect is very suspicious...that's what was explained to me anyway.

    I certainly wish you the best. No matter what you hear tomorrow, just remember that there is a ton of artillery available to you to conquer this beast, that it does work, that the treatments are very doable, and that we are always here for you. I don't know how I would have gotten through it all without these incredible women here, so please stick around and let us give whatever help you need.

    I see that we're neighbors, so if you'd like, PM me with questions or whatever and I can even give you my phone number if you should like it.

    ~Marin

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  • sazylazzy
    sazylazzy Member Posts: 61
    edited September 2007
    I'm sorry to hear you had to join us in this way.  I pray that its NOT cancer, but even if it is like Madalyn said bc is very treatable.  Plus you have our support.  I agree that you should take someone with you to the docs.  You will not hear a lot of what's being said.  Take a friend and if you can a family member.  I took a close friend and my husband.  I did not regret it. They each heard different things.  My close friend is a bc surviver.  I wish you the best.  Keep us update. 
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  • wendy440
    wendy440 Member Posts: 21
    edited September 2007

    Best of luck to you.   I hope you get a good report, but if you do join our ranks, you have come to a wonderful site for information and support.    In addition to your family, friends, and doctors who will help you through whatever you have to face, you'll have sisters here to support you and answer your questions.  I'll keep you in my prayers tonight.

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  • TinaLee
    TinaLee Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2007

    It is official now. I just got home. I have Invasive Duct Carcinoma. Estrogen positive, Progesterone positive, HER-2 Negative. No word on staging yet. I have the MRI set up in a week, and surgery the week after. The doctor said that I should expect to have chemo and radiation following that, since it is aggressive.

    The only thing that I found odd was in the microscopic description. A "rare mitosis" is noted. I'm not sure what that means. I was not surprised by the findings, but they were still a shock to me so I didn't think to ask what that meant.  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    Tina: I'm really sorry to hear that you've joined out club. You'll have plenty of doctor  visits to ask about and understand what the rare mitosis means. 

    Be gentle wih yourself -  take each day at a time and try to not get overwhelmed.  It because much easier for me once I had my treatment plan in place and started just doing what needed to be done.  

    You're not alone ...  the sisterhood is here with you and can help you with any questions/concerns that you have.  Let us know how we can help.

    Hugs,

    Doreen  

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited September 2007

    TinaLee,

    I just want to say that I'm sorry that you've joined our club.  I hate it when we get new members! 

    I've got lots of pathology glossaries bookmarked and looked up "rare mitosis" for you.  Mitosis has to do with the division of cells. Most of the more detailed explanations were too complicated for me to interpret but here's one that might be helpful:

    "Mitotic Figure, Abnormal or Atypical Mitotic Figure, Mitotic Rate, Mitotic Index-When a cell divides, it doubles its DNA or genetic material and condenses.  Just before the cell divides, this condensed DNA material is visible with routine stains, and this is termed a mitotic figure.  A typical mitotic figure is symmetric and well formed.  Cancer cells frequently have abnormal quantities of DNA and thus form abnormal or atypical mitotic figures.  The mitotic rate and index are related and are a quantative measure of the number of mitotic figures per a defined area, usually expressed in terms of a microscopic high power field (hpf or HPF).  The higher the number of mitotic figures and the mitotic rate or index, the more rapidly a cell is growing, which usually correlates with aggressive growth and poorer prognosis."

    Good luck with your appointments and treatments ahead.  There are women on the board who've been through every kind of BC so I know you'll get good information, helpful advice and lots of support here.

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  • sazylazzy
    sazylazzy Member Posts: 61
    edited September 2007

    Oh Tina, I'm sorry to hear that you joined the club.  There are a lot of good sources on this site.  Sounds like they have a plan already for you.  That's great.  I will add you to my prayers. Keep your head up and live your life.  Don't get too bogged down in reading everything all at once.  Get yourself a good support group/person whomever to cry, laugh, joke, and understand, with you.

    bless all bc survivors! God has a reason for everything.   Innocent 

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  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited September 2007

    Oh Tina - So sorry you have to go through this.  I agree with the ladies, this is the worst time.  The unknown is so stressful.  No matter what the doctors have said (or say in the future), never, never lose hope!  Hope is what keeps us going.

    Your diagnosis sounds similar to mine.  I remember how devestated I felt when I received the news.  Fast forward to today, I've had two lumpectomies, chemo, radiation, hormone treatments and now am two years cancer free.  It hasn't been easy but totally doable.  I know you can do it too!!!!!

    God blessings and gentle hugs.

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  • dlsuniversal
    dlsuniversal Member Posts: 16
    edited September 2007

    Tina,

    I am so sorry to hear about your dx.  Hearing the words cancer are so devastating.   

    I was dx on December 21, 2006 (my husband's birthday).  The same day I got the devastating news, I flew home (to Michigan) from Florida to spend Christmas with my family only to have to tell them I had cancer. 

    I agree with all the other posters, the waiting is the worst part.   

    Take someone with you to your dr's appts to ask questions that you can't remember and someone who will take notes. 

    I think it is also important to have 100% faith that the doctors are doing everything they could (can) to get rid of the cancer and to keep it from returning. 

    There are many, many survivors on this Post.  You came to a great place for advice and comfort.

    You are in my prayers,

    Denice

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  • Ka-Loni
    Ka-Loni Member Posts: 431
    edited September 2007

    Hi TinaLee, I am so sorry about your diagnosis. I had IDC as well. Been through it all. Yes, great that your getting going with your treatment. Yes, if your  cancer is over 1 cm, and depending on the stage/grade. You will need chemo and radiation. My cancer was 2.1 cm and stage 2. I only had chemo. Yes, alot of this is overwhelming and shocking. You will learn more about your cancer and will not feel so overwhelmed later.Just be patient and take one step at a time.

    God Bless,

    KaloniWink

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