I feel like I'm drowning....

Options
Heather_Hu
Heather_Hu Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer
I feel like I'm drowning....
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Heather_Hu
    Heather_Hu Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2007

    My shoulders are just not broad enough to bear everything I have been going through for the past few months. My mother was dx with Stage III ovarian cancer recently. We began fertility treatment this month and I just learned that my mammogram showed calcification in one breast. The radiologist recommended a biopsy in light of my family history. I've got an uncle w cancer, a cousin that passed away at age 29 from breast cancer, my grandmother passed away before the age of 35 from breast cancer also, my aunt had cervical cancer, and another cousin had prostate cancer. The radiologist said nothing about what kind of calcification it was but told me to call my gyne that day. The fertility treatment center said they would not continue treatment until they learn the results of the biopsy are negative. I am devastated by everything. It is shocking enough to watch my mother go through her tragedy and now I may have to face my own. I have a three year old little boy who is so attached to me and so sensitive. What will happen to me? What are my chances or survival if it's malignant? If it is, should I get a masectomy to eliminate the chance of it returning?  I am so scared for my little boy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jen44
    Jen44 Member Posts: 631
    edited November 2007

    Heather I am so sorry to hear about everything you are going through.  First off having a calcification in your breast does not mean it is cancer.  It could be any number of things.  The radiologist was doing the responsible thing by telling you to get it biopsied, especially with your family history.  I also have a lot of cancer in my family, mother died of cancer, two grandmothers, and two uncles; one the day before I was diagnosed.  When there is a question about something it is always better to find out what it is first.  I know it may not be easy, but try not to find the gloom and doom of the situation before you even know if you have a situation to worry about.  Wait for the results and then take it from there.  You may want to consider getting genetic testing since you have so much cancer in your family.  I will keep you in my prayers as well as your mom.  Please come back and let us know how things are going.

    Jenny

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heather_Hu
    Heather_Hu Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2007

    Jen, thank you for your words of support. It's hard not to think of the worst case scenario. My husband and I are not close at all to either of our families. We have no relatives that live close by. I think if I had a supportive family living nearby I wouldn't feel so pessimistic.  At least I'd feel that my son would be in good hands if something were to happen to me.

    Forgive my ignorance, but this is all sooo new to me. What is IDC, Grade 3, ER+/PR+, HER2-? How is your cancer treatment coming along? How are you doing?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pharmmom
    Pharmmom Member Posts: 300
    edited November 2007

    Dear Heather,

    Take a deep breath and one thing at a time.  First don't worry about calcifications unless you are told they are bc.  You know in your life personally that there is enough stuff to worry about that you know is there.  If you do have bc there is alot of things in the arsenal that the doctor can throw at it.  I am a mom.  I have 3 children.  My youngest has severe autism.  She will need me forever. She will never be able to grow up and live on her own.  I understand the fear.  I hear you.  I had Stage 2 Her 2 positive (very aggressive) with 3 positive nodes.  I had a mastectomy, aggressive chemo and am now on arimidex.  I was diagnosed 5 years ago this month.  Have faith things will work out.   God Bless you.

    Love,

    Barb

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jen44
    Jen44 Member Posts: 631
    edited November 2007

    Hi Heather,

    I don't have a lot of family near either, and most that are really aren't much help.  I have to be honest the best support I have gotten is from friends.  The funny thing is a lot of the friends I thought would rally haven't and many of the ones I didn't think would have.  Funny how these things work.

     I don't mind you asking at all.  Believe me you are not ignorant.  I had no idea what any of it was either until I was thrust into it, I am still learning. 

    IDC is invasive ductal cancer.  That means the cancer broke out of the duct it started in and spread further.

    Grade 3 is the rate the cancer grows.  There are usually 3 grades - 1 being the slowest and 3 being the fastest.

    ER is estrogen receptor and PR is progesterone receptor which are hormones in the body.  Basically that means that my cancer grows because of these hormones.  It also means that I should respond to hormone treatment later to help stop recurrence.  It also means my ovaries will probably have to come out to help stop estrogen in my body.

    HER2 is a gene that helps control how cells grow, divide, and repair themselves. Being negative is good because it means the cancer doesn't grow as fast as HER2 positive.

    I am by far no expert, but if you have any more questions please feel free to ask.  I will do my best to answer.

    My treatment is going okay.  I have been through 2 lumpectomies and a double mastectomy since being diagnosed on Sept. 5th.  I will begin 6 rounds of TAC chemo treatment the week of Thanksgiving.  I will have radiation after that.  Thanks for asking.  Let me know how things go with you.

    Jenny

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heather_Hu
    Heather_Hu Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2007

    Thank you so much for your words of support. I will try not to worry too much until I get the results.

    I only have one child and so badly want to give him a sibling. I have read that if it's bc then I can not get fertility treatment because they'd be giving me estrogen and progesterone.

    I was reading last night on how I can reduce my chances of getting bc and it said nothing really matters if it's hereditary or you are genetically predisposed. With all the cancer in my family is there nothing I can do to prevent it?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carol_sister
    carol_sister Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2007

    Heather, I really relate to your fears. I lost a sister to BC when she was 40, and when microcalcifications showed up on my mammo this summer I freaked. I could just picture myself going through everything she went through and not being there for my kids. It turned out that the microcalcifications were DCIS, which is curable with surgery. My husband was really good at calming me down during all the times of uncertainty. He would say "so far I haven't heard anything that makes me think you won't be OK." And he turned out to be right. I hope you get good news soon and wish you well in your quest for a sibling for your son.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jen44
    Jen44 Member Posts: 631
    edited November 2007

    Hey Heather,

    I wish I could say there was some magical way to prevent cancer, but if there was we wouldn't need this website.  I know people that have lived their life's doing everything right and still got cancer.  I also know other people that are overweight, never watch what they eat, drink, smoke, never exercise and have nothing wrong with them, not even high cholesterol.  If this disease were fair then maybe we could deal with it better, but its not.  The thing that we are fortunate about is that there is more and more progress being made everyday.  We are also blessed to have a way to communicate with a wide range of people for support, just ten years ago people didn't.  There are definitely ways to help your body to be healthy, which is a good idea whether you have cancer or not, but there is no way to make sure you don't get it.  Maybe one day there will be.  Also remember that if the worst happens, and chances are it won't, and you can't have another baby that there are so many wonderful children out there that need a wonderful mom and brother to love them.  You seem to have a large heart and a lot of love to give, I know that you will be able to find a child to share it with.  God bless and keep us posted.

    Jenny

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories