If you have just been diagnosed....

My heart goes out to all those who at time feel in the dark about this disease.

I have just come from my surgeon today.  When first told I had BC they said it was contained and would really only need a lumpectomy and possibly not radiation as the limps were in good shape.  Surgeon at the time was on vacation, when my MRI came back spoke to my GP and she said the results look good and not to worry.

THEN today had a bomb fall out of the sky from surgeon saying she is 100% sure I will need chemo and radiation after my lumpectomy.

I am stage II, size is 3.1cm. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Has been with me for years, slow growing so they say.  Has always felt that same size, even since I was in my 20's.  Now 45, they tell me if I wasn't so young (brother first time I have heard of being young at 45) that I would not need chemo.  I am so confussed, angry and DO NOT want to do chemo.

Come hell or high water I just feel in my heart of hearts I don't want to do this.  Am I being stupid in not wanting chemo and trying alternatives.  No limp nodes have been affected, and they tell me the cancer is contained.  All I read about chemo is just hell in a hand bag.  What is your quality of life like after and during.  I have just got engaged, enjoying my relationship and our future, but scared of the side effects from chemo.  Lack of sex drive, mouth sores, feeling ill etc etc.

Can someone who has gone through lumpectomy had chemo and radiation please tell me what it was like for them.

I am so angry now, and know in many ways I am very lucky and should be grateful for my life.  I am not in that space yet..my poor partner his sister died in her late 30's of BC, his dad died of prostrate cancer, now this...

Sorry to sound like a squeeking door.

HI LADIES, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME ON THIS SITE(NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE HERE)! IT'S VERY SCARY.I HAVE JUST BEEN DX: WITH STAGE 3 B BREAST CANCER. MY TREATMENT WILL BE AT THE IRELAND CANCER CENTER. MY MIND IS STILL WIRLING! THE PLAN IS TO START CHEMO FIRST(4-6MONTHS) HEAL A BIT, THEN MASTECTOMY, THEN RAD. TREATMENT. WHAT A MONSTER TO FACE. A WHOLE YEAR OF?????I DON'T KNOW!!!! THE UNKNOWN!!! WHO'S BODY WILL I BE LIVING IN? ARE YOU SICK THE WHOLE TIME? IS YOUR HAIR GONE , FOR HOW LONG? A YEAR? TWO YEARS?

Hi Morningglory....I'm so sorry you have a reason to come to this site, but it's the absolultely best place to be for good, up to date information and support. 

We have all been in the place where you are now...It's the worsst....Your  mind just can't process it all....When I got "that call", I was alone at work, and just could not breathe for a minute or two.....It's such a terrible shock...and seems to come right out of the blue.....

Come here often...Ask any quetions you might have....We have heard it all, so don't be afraid to say just what you think....You will find constant support and love here....

As you gather information re. your diagnosis, it might help to start a file.... And be sure to get all your reports.....You are entitled to know as much as you can about your illness...The more you know, the more prepared you will be to make good decisions....and you will have to make a lot of them!  

None of us thougt we would be here on thie board....None of us signed up for this particular ride..But..We are here, and we do all we can to encourage and support one another.... We welcome you with open arms...

Sandy

Hi,

I had my routine mammogram on 4/15/08 finding 2 small suspicious areas..almost looking hooked together, but were two seperate, so then had ultrasound followed by core biopsy. During the biopsy a vessel was knicked and instead of the bleeding stopping in 15" as anticipated, they had to manually apply pressure for over an hour and a half before it would stop! The biopsy results said I had grade1 infiltrating ductal carcinoma, so I was scheduled for a lumpectomy and plans for radiation and then a drug like tamoxifen for 5 years. After the surgery, the oncologist called and said sentinal nodes were clear and everything looked good. Then the next week, the surgeon called and said they didn't get all on the anterior margin, so I needed to go back to surgery, which I did for a reexcision on May 23rd. On June 6th my daughter and I went for my follow up appt. and then the oncologist started talking chemo which shocked us both. The report she showed us was of the first surgery and it was then noted as grade 2,stage 1 which she didn't mention when she called me after the 1st surgery.( I am ER and PR positive, HER2 neg.) which is good, but I am    confused as to why "everything looked good" when she called me after the surgery and now she is talking chemo? Maybe I should have had a mastectomy the second surgery if I had known that? She wanted me to enter a clinical trial, which I don't want to do at this point, so I asked for the oncotypeDX test which I am still waiting for results. In the meantime, I had another opinion at another facility..that Dr. made me feel like I should have had a mastectomy considering I am 63 years old, have no relationship ( my husband died 9 years ago of a malignant brain tumor). He also mentioned the effects of radiation to the heart as it is the left breast. He also ordered a blood test related to clotting, as I had blood clots in the past in my leg after childbirth and a couple times after. That came back that I have a gene mutation which puts me at risk for clots, as does tamoxifen. So, now I am even more confused and concerned about treatment. I too am/was a nurse, but when it comes to your own body,it is a whole different ballgame.Also I am concerned that with that blood vessel being nicked with all the bleeding with the biopsy..could any of the malignant cells have gotten into my blood stream? Is that even possible or am I just freaking out over something that could not be? My final diagnosis after the reexcision, says "focal residual ductal carcinoma in situ, solid and cribiform patterns, 1.1mm in greatest dimension". Final margins clear..negative for malignancy, which sounds like a good report to me? Tumor is 2mm from the inferior margin. changes consistent with previous biopsy, hyalinized fibroadenoma,benign. I am awaiting the oncotype test results and in the meantime am scared about the thought of chemo in addition to the radiation! What do you think..anybody??? I know I will have to accept what needs to be done to LIVE a longer life, but choices are so hard to make.I suppose it will help with the oncotype results, but that can be "iffy" too if it falls in the middle.Well, anyway this is getting very long..just had to vent to someone and see what any one says who is also going thru this journey! My kids have been very good, but at times I feel really alone with this whole thing and the choices I made or will need to make! And somtimes I think being a nurse makes it almost worse, as you may know a little TOO much? Thanks....

Hi Maria

I am going to Boston Medical and was just diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features.  I am getting a Bilateral breast MRI Thursday, going in for pr-op 7/1, and a lumpectomy  and the sentinal node removal on 7/8 .  This is all Greek to me.  I was wondering how you are doing and if you can tell me anything to help.

I have no other health problems and am terrified with this news.

Hope all is well with you.

Pattie

What is 4 AC/4 T?

Welcome Ladies, glad that you found us but sorry that you had to look for us.  There are a lot of great threads here that should lead you to experts of sorts to answer your questions.  I have not gotten all of my test results back yet so I am not too informed on treatments but I can tell you that the MRI is easy but can be uncomfortable due to having to lay on your stomach with a lot of the weight on your chest but again it is fairly easy.  I had a mastectomy on the left side in May and in a couple of months I will have the other one done.  This was a personal choice for me not wanting to wait for the other shoe to drop sort of speak.  The mast was not as bad as I thought it would be but everyone has a different response to it as you can read in the threads.  Please hang in there  and ask as many questions as you need  to and get as many opinions as you need to to feel comfortable.  Always remember this is your health and the doctors work for you.  Hang in there and let us know if we can help.

On 6/25 I was diagnosed with DCIS and I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy on 7/8. I'm 29 and terrified of having all of these scans and MRIs and procedures, and the more I read about all of this the less I understand! Can anyone tell me what the the MRI like? Thanks!

Hi sweetie, I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis...I am sure it was unexpected and seems so unfair. Right now, its normal to feel overwhelmed and I am sure you have lots of questions. Remember to write them down so you can ask your doctor. I am a stage three 2 year survivor, and I went through so many different emotions. Family and friends were so supportive. But this is a journey. You are awfully young to have this, so learn everything you can about your condition, what different treatments are available, and how to get financial, and emotional support. An MRI is painless, and really gets a good look at breast tissue and surrounding areas, so they know how much has been affected. It sounds like they are very aggressive about treating this.

HI LALON

I  AM ALSO SCHEDULED  7/8 FOR A LUMPECTOMY AND THE SENTINAL NODE REMOVAL.  My prayers are with you.  I have been reading a lot.  I got Dr Susan Love's book  on breast cancer and have a lot of support from family and friends who have gone the route of breast cancer but I am still terrified.  Keep in touch

Pattie

I live in Boston.  Where are you located?

Hi everyone. Please read through the different threads as there are tons of information in them. There are also lots of good info on the website itself.

 Jeannine: Your doctor can also provide you with a referral to meet with the oncologist now as well. I know that I had a referral for a consultation with the surgeon and the oncologist prior to any surgeries and chemo. I think that this was very reassuring. I also had the benefit of knowing that my "team" met every other week to discuss cases which was helpful to know. Good luck to you. I know that this period is the most stressful until you figure out what needs to be done.

Willbeth 77: Have you met with an oncologist and surgeon to discuss your options? Have they given you copies of your reports as well?  I didn't know if a second option was an option for you in your situation,  but I am wondering if this would make you feel more comfortable about what you should be doing. 

 Lalon: I am 37 and diagnosed as of April. I am actually doing chemo now, and I am on my 3rd treatment. There are tons of tests to go through at this point which is good because you want the doctor's to get all of the information. It depends on what type of MRI (probably breast) but this more closely looks to see if there is a spread of the cancer that was not detected in the mammogram or ultrasound that you probably had. This is not painful. If it is a breast, you are laying on your stomach with your breasts through a cutout. You have to lay still and then you are slid backward into a machine that will start making all of these clicking and clacking noises. It does not hurt at all but it is loud. They give you earplugs and it takes maybe half an hour to 45 minutes if I remember right. The doctor can give you a script if needed to help you relax, but all in all not an issue. Oh, you may get an IV at some point to show contrast, but they will tell you if this is needed before you go. Good luck, and remember that doctor's need all the info to determine what the course of action should be.

PattierPM: 4AC/4T: This describes the chemo medicine that is being requested for you. Basically 2 medicines for a total of 4 sessions followed by 4 sessions of one medicine. I am terrible with all of the names, but if you do a search on the website it will bring up what these medications are. Also the doctor can tell you the names of the medicine and will go over what some of the side effects of the medicine will be. 

Hugs to all of you. You will make it through this. 

HI MY NAME IS LASHON. I AM 26 AND I JUST FOUND OUT I HAVE BREAST CANCER AS OF YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS AT WORK. IT HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS WHEN SHE TOLD ME. THEN I HAD TO CALL MY MOM IN NORTH CAROLINA AND TELL HER. AND JUST BROKE ON THE PHONE. THEN I HAD TO DRIVE MYSELF HOME AND JUST STARTED TO SCREAM IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. IT JUST HARD TO TAKE IT IN AND I AM STILL TAKING IT. BUT TODAY IS BETTER THAN YESTERDAY.THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A CYST WHEN I HAD THE ULTRASOUND DONE AND I COULD HAVE A CYST ASPIRATION DONE. I WASNT GOING TO THEN I DECIDED TO. THEY ENDED UP DOING A BIOPSY ON 6/25/2008. WHEN NOTHING CAME OUT WHILE DOING THE ASPIRATION. I GO TOMORROW TO MY FIRST APPOINTMENT. I DONT KNOW WHAT TYPE OF QUESTIONS TO ASK. I FEEL SO LOST. MY HUSBAND IS GOING TO GO WITH ME AND THE FACT THAT I AM A NAVY WIFE AND I HAVE TRICARE SUCKS REALLY BAD.CAUSE THEY WANT YOU TO USE BASE HOSPITALS. BUT AT THIS POINT ITS INSURANCE CAUSE I KNOW IT WILL BE HARD TO GET ANY OTHERS. I AM VERY SCARED. MY HUSBAND AN I DONT HAVE ANY KIDS AND I REALLY WANT TO KNOW WILL THIS KEEP ME FROM HAVING CHILDREN. NOW ALL I HAVE IS THE WHAT IF'S AND I SHOULD OF DONE THIS AND THAT.(AS FAR AS HAVING KIDS) AND THEN AGAIN MAYBE ITS BETTER THAT MY KIDS DONT SEE ME GO THROUGH WHATEVER COMES NEXT. BUT THROUGH IT ALL I AM TRYING TO STAY POSITIVE AND UP BEAT. I KNOW I WILL NEED MY FAITH NOW MORE THAN EVER.. IF ANYWAY EVER WANTS TO TALK I AM ONLY A MASSAGE AWAY. THANKS FOR READING

Hi Cindy....So sorry you had to come here, but so glad you found us....This is the best breast cancer site going...bar none...The women here are knowledgeable, and compassionate....And the site itself has lots of really good..and accurate...iinformation....

Right now...as you gather infomation...have tests (and more tests) and then wait for results is the wors time of all...You really don't know what's going on, and have no treatment plan....Just take a deep breath and take it all one step at a time...I know...easier said than done!  Been there and done that one!

Being told you have breast cancer always seems to come  out of the blue, and hits you like the proberbial ton of bricks....I couldn't breathe when the Dr. who did my biopsy called with the news that I had DCIS....I had never heard of it, and had no idea of what it was..But knew it was cancer....Since that day, I have had a lumpectomy, and am to begin radiation treatments soon...

 Believe me, you will feel so much better when you get all the infomation about your cancer, and have formulated..with the help of your doctors....a treatment plan..It seems that just having a plan of action is a huge help....

Keep in touch with us, and let us know how things are going for you....We will be here, and you can count on us.

Sandy

Lashon....Man, I know the feeling...I remember screaming in my car, too.....Wanted to ram the car ahead of me!  And...i was told at work, also...As luck would have it, I was alone in the office...Boss lady was off somewhere....I couldn't breathe, the Dr.'s voice sounded far away, and I had to ask her to reapeat things, and explain what Ductal Carcinoma Insitu meant.....I'm sure I didn't hear...or understand....her answers.  AAll I knew was that "carcinoma" surely meant cancer...breast cancer....It wasn't until I had met with my suegeon and got a treatment plan formulated that I settled down...Just ask my boss!  I was totally whacked out....

Although I am sorry you had to find us, I'm glad you did, because I know you will find a lot of comfort here...I found it the day I found out about my BC, and have been here daily....Only women who have had BC have any idea of what you are going trough...

 I have had a lumpectomy...clean margins...and will be seeing my rad/oncologist next Tuesday.  I'm very eager for my treaments to begin, so I can put this behind me and move on...Although I fully understnd that it will never really be "behind me"....I want to kill the monster that is CANCER....All of us do....

I know that being a Navy family does pose certain problems....Sorry about that...But at least you will be getting treated....Good luck...

 Come here whenever you like....Your sisters will walk with you through this whole excruciating experience....God bless..

Sandy

Rafaela....YIKES is putting it mildly...Surely there is SOMETHING they can give you....Just thinking about having six to eight shots in the area of my nipple makes me cringe....

i'm so sorry you are having yet another bout of cancer....But I'm glad you have found us....This is the best place you could have come....Please keep us informed about your progress, and what the doctors say....You won't be alone, I can promise you that.

Sandy