If you have just been diagnosed....

I am also 56 yrs young and recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  I have been considered healthy all my life and have never been hospitalized.  So as you may well imagine, being diagnosed with any kind of cancer was a real shock.  My surgery is scheduled for 4/1 and I am sure I will be fine until 3/31.  I chose a lumpectomy over a mastectomy to preserve as much of the breast as possible.  We'll see.  I won't know the outcome of the spread of cancer until after the surgery.  I am dumbfounded at the quantity of women with breast cancer!  Everywhere I turn there are women who relate their stories of breast cancer.  Woo hoo!  I am now a statistic (a little sarcasm there). 

Kiya,

I'm so sorry you're starting this journey. Once you get your "plan of action" set up, you'll feel better.



For me, I had a bilat mastect with sentinel node biopsy where they removed 3 lymph nodes on the cancer side. Within a couple of weeks I could resume pretty normal activity, but being obviously careful and mindful of lifting, pushing, etc. It was not as bad as I expected.



With my exchange surgery (from expandera to implants), I am 1 1/2 weeks out and almost back

to normal- mine was a breeze compared to the mastect. I had a little bellybutton hernia fixed at the same time, which hurt worse!



I hope these answers help you,

EHK

MLo,

I'm so sorry that you've joined us, but glad that you've found us. 

Breast cancer is staged according to the size of the tumor, the node status, and whether or not there is metastisis.   So in your case, your Stage IIIA status is based on:

• T1c - you have a tumor that is larger than 1cm but smaller than 2cm; I'm not sure what the "p" is but it may mean that this sizing represents your "primary" (or larger) tumor
• N2a - you have lymph node invasion, with several nodes matted together  
• Mx - you have not yet been fully tested for metastisis so they don't have a rating yet.  Hopefully this will be M0 when your tests are complete.

As you find out more about your diagnosis and the planned treatment, please check out the other forums on surgery, radiation, chemo, etc..  You'll find lots of great information and advice, and lots of support.

Hi first time I have submitted, found this site tonight. My mother was diagnosed with bc 3 years ago then 1 1/2 years later her sister both under 50, I am 34 and found a lump three weeks ago, had results within two days - cancer, I had a wedding planned 1 1/2 weeks after diagnosis in another country. We decided that it would hurt more emotionally if we cancelled the wedding so have married and have appt with surgeon tomorow. Am not sure what kind of bc so hopefully lots of answers tomorrow. Feeling a little emotional tonight, so just writing it down to help myself.

Thanks

Hi Christy

Im sorry you've had to join this club, but glad you found us....

This is a wonderful place for just the support you are asking for.....

This is really a rough ride on this journey and the first few weeks are exactly as you said "heading spinning"..

Just know that we are here....we will do whatever you might need to help you get through this...come here to ask questions, rant, rave......

Im hoping that you are reading some of the other threads.....there is on that is for the New diagnosed that I think you will get better response if you post in but post wherever you want and we will find you.....

Hugs

Jule

I am 46 years old and I just got the biopsy report today and I have invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2 in my left breast. I have a strong history of breast cancer in my family-my mom and grandma had it. My younger sister is petrified enough that she bought cancer insurance. I have decided after all these years I have worried over numerous breast lumps and cists, that I am having a double masectomy this Weds. The doctor noticed some enlargement of my lymph nodes and isn't sure yet how involved they are. I have consistantly had mammos every year and they said this one really snuck up on me. I felt a little lump and in the past month it had grown to 3cms. I am so tired of worrying from mammogram to mammogram, year to year. If I have to live like this I just want my breasts gone. My surgeon agrees in my case, it might be for the best. My husband is totally supportive of my decision and I really don't care about having breasts, I just want to be here to see my children graduate high school, go to college and get married. And God willing, I'd like to hold my grandchildren someday!

Deb

I was diagnosed about a 6 weeks with breast cancer, had the operation lymph nodes were clear margins were clear. Seen onocologist last week told me because of the size which was 3cm. he recommended chemo, radiation and hormonal therapy. I had a very hard time deciding to have the chemo as it  would better my chances of reacurrance by l in 16 in ten years to 1 in 12. I went today and after my blood work results and my bone scan results had come back and are clear he has changed his opinion on my treatment he's saying if I go with the chemo my changes are 1 in 12 without are 1 in 10. I really don't know what to do he feels the homonial therapy will work and is not recommending chemo now, it is my choice. What do I do please I need some advice.

Hi Hopeful. So sorry you had to join us this way.  I didn't have chemo, so I'm no help at all. My mom had chemo 17 years ago, but the decision track is so much different these days. 

So many women have travelled the road you're on and have had to make the same tough decisions.

I see you posted on the chemo thread, so hopefully someone will be along to answer your questions. 

Take care and ask, ask away we're all here to help.

(((hugs)))

pam

Hello everyone,

I am so glad I found this site.  Diagnosed March 3rd, went through a barage of tests, waiting for one more to determine if it's spread to my pelvic.  Told it's a stage 3 invasive.  I need to really research the chemo choices since the drs. want to put the port in this week  and start the chemo . With the bc being in my right breast, I believe the regime with the new drug (sorry, don't remember the name) that has less risk of heart problems is my best bet. I will need to go through surgery, radiation and then hormone blockers, or at least that's the plan now.  I have no history of this hideous disease on either side of my family, have been very healthy all my life, am 53 with no children and have a long time loving partner, and am sitting here wondering why so many women are going through this.  I've gone past the fear, denial, anger, and am waiting for the part where I can accept it. Being an extremely private person, the really hard part is reaching out for help. The worst part is not telling my family since they live far away and my mother is in very bad health. I couldn't risk causing her stress and if I told my siblings, as close as our family is, they would not be able to keep this news away from her.  So, I guess I am asking to lean on you, my unseen, unknown friends who are going through this, too. Thank you for listening.

Same thing happened to me at age 63.  You could have knocked me over with a feather at the news.

Get a copy of your biopsy report.  You will learn a lot from it and if you have questions re it, you will get answers here. It would be wise if you got it before you see the surgeon so you will know what he is talking about and what to ask him.

Good luck to you and keep in touch!

Debbie......nice to meet you. Come on in and meet the troopers here, lots of old lots of new. This is the place to learn all you can and ask all you want. I have spent countless hours here too and it's been a wonderful place to connect. I am sure you will find the same. So, we will all walk the walk with you. There is always someone around. This is truley a godsend place. Hugs to you

Thanks Crazydaisy for your comments and support. You haven't heard the last of me yet. I'll be back after I have my follow up on Tuesday with my surgeon. I have some questions for her but would appreciate any suggestions as to the kinds of questions I should ask. Thanks so much. I don't even know what stage I am but assume that I must be a stage 2 because I have a positive lymph node involved.

Debbie 

Hello ladies, I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I'm only 33, but I discovered a large mass in my left breast and went to have it checked out.  They tested the skin on the breast also, cause it looked infected, luckily the tests for the skin returned negative.  I have not seen the report yet, but the doctor said I had spindle breast cancer, he said it was rare and it was an aggressive cancer.  I'm trying to get more information to understand the type of cancer and the treatments.  My doctor said it was treatable only by surgery, and that it wouldn't respond to chemo. I'm going to get a second opinion, but I'm not sure what questions I need to be asking. Any help is appreciated.