If you have just been diagnosed....

Jule,

thanks for the post... I asked the BS about a topical cream and she said no. I've read other posts with various responses. I figure that if the first one is too much for me, I'll just have to say stop and they'll have to do/get something for me. Just the thought makes me cringe... ugh...

I told the BS it ounds barbaric... she agreed but said if there was a better way, she'd be a champion, it didnt make me feel any better.

BTW, I'm a stage I, < 1cm, very small - 34B... maybe bigger would have been better .. who knows? I am absolutely petrified, the wire loc seems like a piece of cake compared to this.

Yikes!!!

Hello everyone,

 Wow. What a night.  I probably got 4 hours sleep if that. Thank you Jule and CFB.  It was good chatting w/you CFB yesterday. I so empathize w/you Lashon.  It is devasting news and you are young.  This site is excellent and I've already learned so much. 

 I must say I am worried about not knowing my stage yet.  IDC- My lump under my right armpit has been enlarged for sometime.  Right Aux. node.  Tumor 2.1 cm.  I hope its Stage 2 not 3. I could kick myself for not having my mamo when I turned 40 last year but my doc said not to stress over that because tumor may not have been there. I was too involved w/my daughter's graduation, parents  50th and angiogram tests (came out neg). last yr.

 My family has been so supportive and my hubby reassures me this is a very common and beatable cancer.  Lashon:  You need support- friend, relative, staff member.  Call your ins. and get as much info as you can.  I received good info to start a notebook with ALL your tests, ins. docs., etc.,  So thanks everyone.  We're in this together!

 I haven't told anyone in my dept. yet as I don't know when I'll have my surgery and how long I'll be off.  Has anyone worked during chemo?  How are radiation treatments performed? At the clinic, by pill both?  My daughter is worried about being there for me and her 9 yr. old brother. What a journey to follow...

 God bless everyone.

 Jeannine

Rafael,

I don't really understand why other people get different information for tests. I know I was floored when other people said that they received meds before the procedure. I am a 42C and I don't know if size helped....I would think that greater size more needle to push in:) But I have no idea obviously. Just know that you will get through it. Count down the number of needles, look at the ceiling, and try to stay as calm as possible. When they were doing it, I started playing one of the games from this site in my head. The naming items of food from the grocery store in ABC order. I went through the alphabet while I was there but it took my mind off of it. Just remember that as soon as the needle is removed it no longer hurts...just a bit sore.  Thoughts are with you.

Jeanine,

Hi. I am working during chemo with some days better than others. I had my 3rd tx (treatment) on Wed, and was at work on Thursday. My first days are actually the 3rd and 4th days after tx. However everyone is different and it depends on any chemo that you will be having as there are so many different cocktails. I have TAC (3 different drugs) every 3 weeks. Many people have 2 drugs every two weeks or some other type of combination. Radiation is set for after surgery for me, and so that is probably not until Nov or Dec. I have heard at a clinic daily, but again I am not doing this yet. There is a thread about radiation which you might want to check out. I believe that rads only takes about 30 minutes with a lot of that time getting set up as the actual rads takes just a couple of minutes. Good luck and bless you.

Jule,

Thanks for your post. I definitely helps. I really like the 'head game'  and will try to remember to do it. I'm a 34B so maybe I'll get less shots. How many did you have to get?

I'm certainly not going to look when they give the injections. When I had the wire loc done, I never saw a thing as I looked the other way the whole time and didn't even peek at the wires before surgery.

The BS said it's like a bee sting, which another sister here has already confirmed.

BTW - how was your recovery time/pain level? The surgery is scheduled for next Thursday, I'm off Friday and plan to go back to work Monday. I do inside sales, so it's mostly just phone work.

Thanks so much, Big Hugs to you...

Rafaela

Jule,

Yikes ! Where was the tape?  At the SNB excision? How in the world/why did you get blisters?

I don't think I have sensitive skin, I've been a beach bum for years. The incision from the wire loc lump really hasn't bothered me at all and the BS says it has healed very nicely. I had steri strips with a gauze bandage over them which I took off the next day in the shower.

Can't wait to get this next procedure over with.

Hello, I received my diagnosis on Monday after having my yearly mamogram, second mamogram with ultrasound, and ultrasound guided biopsy.  I have invasive DCIS.  I have an initial appointment with a breast surgeon at Stanford on Monday.  I feel relatively sure it has

metasized (?) to my bones because of bone pain in my back and spine.  Initially I felt this would be a death sentence (bone cancer), but after reading some things on the internet, I hope this is not the case.  My husband has nonhodgkin lymphoma and has been dealing with that for 16 years.  He had a bone marrow transplant last November, the type where you use your own bone marrow.  Now here I am with mine.  I spoke with the breast surgeons nurse on Wednesday and she explained everything to me.  They will do a lumpectomy and radiation and will check the lymphnodes in my armpit to know if I need chemotherapy.  The fact that I feel pretty sure I have it in my bones too would indicate chemo for sure probably.  Just thought I would write, feels a little better. 

Brenda/Childminder,

I too had a stage I IDC, about 1 cm in size, involving my nipple and areola complex.  No lymph nodes involved, but because of the location of the cancer mastectomy was strongly recommended, just as for you.

I had a mastectomy of the left breast, and reconstruction with a silicone implant (that involves a stage called "tissue expansion") -- I'm quite happy with the results.

The operation you are describing sounds like a TRAM flap procedure, which is very common.  It uses part of the "transverse rectus abdominis" muscles = part of the muscle complex you feel when you do sit-ups.  There is a new type of procedure which uses blood supply and fatty tissue from the abdomen, but without taking muscle, called a DIEP flap (but far fewer plastic surgeons have a lot of experience with the DIEP).

Here is a webpage that can give you a lot of information about reconstruction:  http://breastreconstruction.org/ 

Right here on this board, there is a whole discussion section about reconstruction: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44

and a discussion section about having no reconstruction: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/82

and also, a website created by a member here, about choosing not to have reconstruction: http://breastfree.org/

Good luck with your sentinel node biopsy -- I'm keeping my fingers crossed for benign results for you!

I know what you mean about everything moving so fast -- we really get plunged into a whole new world with this diagnosis, and have to start treading water like crazy.  I hope you find it helpful to come to this board -- whatever you will be going through, someone here has "been there" -- it has been so helpful to me.

Take care,

Ann

Hi to the BC Cyber Sisterhood.  It has been very interesting reading your stories, and I would like to share mine with you.  I am 50 years old, and had a Lympectomy when I was 26, which was a Fibroadenoma Left Breast.  Have had yearly Mamo and Ultrasounds since. I discovered a lump that I immediately knew was not good, in the Right Breast.  Mamo and then Ultrasound, followed by Core Biopsy to both breasts as I also had a cyst in the other, to discover that I have Invasive Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma, Level 3+.  I had a Mastectomy on the 20th June 2008, and removal of 2 Sentinel Nodes.  I am going to have Level 2  Bulk Dissection of Nodes out on the 17th July at this stage unless I get a call earlier. I was on HRT before diagnosis and my specialist says that is good as it gives a better indication of where the nodes are. I am ER & PR, I have not got Pathology report yet, to see if I am HER 2 but presume I will be! Specialist says I will have to have Hormone Therapy and at this stage, Chemo/Rad, and also that he would be pretty sure that as it is aggressive it is probably in other places.  I will be also taking Herceptin?? but as I said I don't know too much just yet.  My question is, should I be asking for level 3 nodes (in the neck) out as well, while I am under, perhaps Mastectomy of the other breast as well.  So much is not know about the type.  Oh my the way I don't like those CANCER words so I have renamed mine with Breast Lace, as specialist said it looked like Spagnam Moss which is a lacey looking plant, so my name is perfect.  Looking forward to some feeback or similar stories.

Thanks to all of you don't forget to stay positive and remember "THE SISTERHOOD ROCKS"

Donspink

My mom recently developed pain in her right breast and found a dimple there. we have done tests and tests reveal these: pls give better idea

CT Imaging of THORAX(a case of carcinoma breast-for staging)

Supine A. P Digital radiograph of thorax reveal normal cardiac size. Trachea and mediastinal structures are central. Lung fields are clear. Both diaphragms show normal position. CP angles are clear. Bony and soft tissue thoracic wall appear normal. Multiple serial contiguous sections have been taken from the level of thoracic inlet to the level below the diaphragm.

Axial CT sections reveal:

1. At Lung window high resolution CT sections reveal normal broncho vascular architecture and CT appearance of both lung parenchyma. No infliltrative, nodular or exudative lesion. No pleural thickening or pleural effusion.

2. No significant mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy or any other mass lesion.

3. Normal caliber of mediastinal vascular structures. Normal heart and pericardium.

4. 2.7 x 2.1 Cms lobulated soft tissue mass right breast.

5. No axillary lymphnodes.

6. At bone window visualised thoracic vertebrae and corresponding ribs show degenerative and osteoporotic changes.

Impression:

CT scan of thorax reveal no evidence of any mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy or any other mass lesion. No lung parenchymal lesion. 2.7x2.1 mass right breast.

BILATERAL MAMMOGRAPHY

1. Both breasts were studied in carnio caudal and mediolateral oblique views.

2. Both breasts are composed of predominantly fatty elements.

3. Lobulated hyper dense mass lesion with spiculated margin and evidence of specks of micro calcification is noted in the right
lower inner quadrant. associated with thickening of the overlying skin.

4. Nipple and subareolar region appear normal

5. normal vascular markings noted.

Correlated ultra sound reveals predominantly hypo echoic irregular lobulated elongated lesion measuring 25x20x13 mm in lower inner quadrant of the right breast. Bilateral axillary lymphs with fatty hilum seen

Impression:
Lobulated hyperdense spiculated lesion in the right lower inner quadrant is noted, in this known case of Ca right breast.
No Focal lesion in the left breast

Cytology report:

micro: cellular aspirate, shows cohesive & papillaroid clusters of cells displaying overlapping , round/oval/ elongated, hyperchromatic nuclei with irregular nuclear outlines & eosinophilic cytoplasm. The cells display mild variation in nuclear size.

diagnosis: FNAC rt. Breast showing atypical cell clusters

Good day everyone,

 Today is my son's 9th b-day and 6 days after my diagnosis.  I'm sleeping a little better but I'm still waking up in the middle of the night w/the dreaded anxiety.  I took donuts to the YMCA and passed them out to the kids.  It made me feel a lot better. I guess I'm accepting my new condition.  I too can not say the "C" word yet.

I'm meeting w/my surgeon on Thursday. I don't have a C team like many of you.  I do trust the surgeon as he performed on me 16 yrs ago on my thyroid. I just want to get through this treatment. It's the anxiety of not knowing what stage your in, being able to handle the chemo and getting those awful side effects that are so scary.  I have just put in my mind that no matter what stage I'm in, I'm fighting this thing and going to be a survivor!  We all are. We've got to stay positive.

Hugs and prayers to all of you! Keep the faith.

 Jeannine

OK MRI guided biopsy scheduled for Thursday 7/10.  Anybody with any input on this procedure?

any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Pattie

I got my diagnosis on Monday the 7th. After a very long holiday weekend waiting for the results of my ultrasound/biopsy. Invasive ductal, size difficult to determine, but any size is too big! I have another MRI-guided biopsy in 3 weeks(for a smaller spot which couldn't be found on US), which is too long to wait. I've contacted two breast centers near my home, and hope the information-gathering will help. The oncologist was very encouraging, as was the surgeon, as was everyone else I've told. I'm lucky I'm in contact with lots of people in the medical field and all the terms are very familiar to me, but I found myself frozen several times at work last week, having to take a deep breath and get moving. My wonderful sister told me to make a list, don't accept anything but the best, and remember that this is not our mother's BC.(as in the 1960's). Everything is so much better now, the treatments, prognoses, even people's attitudes! We didn't even talk about it back then! Thank goodness for communities such as this one, where we can share issues and problems and vent! Thanks for listening.

Libby 

Thanks, PeachyMarie! I'm so happy for you and your sister. Sisters are wonderful  to have--I've got two and they're gems! I'm looking forward to finding out everything I can about my situation, then getting moving.  Moving forward really helps. I do wish I could move things faster, then I remember that it's moving as fast as I can make it. I've thought about this happening so many times in the past (two biopsies, 20 years of mammograms) that now that it's finally here, it doesn't even seem so surprising. Being a nurse for the last 20 years helps, too, but not as much as you'd think. I'm the same as everyone else when it comes to fear and anxiety! 

Thanks again, 

Libby 

Lisa,

I'm glad I have a few weeks in between biopsies. I thought at first it was too long to wait but now I'm OK with it and have an opportunity to visit two breast centers with some very experienced people working there. I hope I know what's right when the time comes to decide, but I think I will. I really hate having my friends and family worry about this for me, but I know I'd do exactly the same thing if it was one of them! It's actually easier on me! (Right now, anyway, we'll see later!)

Libby in MD