Confused and upset
Comments
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((((((((HUGS))))))))))
Sweetie,
For the record, my tumor was 3cm with lymphnode involvement. I was staged at 2B, and had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Why am I telling you this? Because I know you are confused and afraid, and full of questions and "what if's".
Why else am I telling you this? Because that was over 6 YEARS ago!
I am alive and vibrant, and full of Life~ and, oh how hard is this to admit~ I will be 60 in 3 months! But I was recently engaged to the man who saw me thru cancer and beyond, I did a 5K last Saturday, I take Jazzercise classes, and walk 8 miles 3X a week. I have decided that 60 is the new 30 ( sorry you 50 yr olds!) even AFTER a cancer diagnosis.
I hope this helps put things in a calmer, safer perspective for you.
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
Take one day at a time
I was diagnosed with stage IIIB ductoral carsinoma in 2003. I also had had regular mamograms and physicals each year. Had a radical mastectomy with 10 out of 12 lymph nodes involved. All of this was followed by chemo and lots of radiation. Here I am at age 65 plugging along and living a fairly normal life taking chemo for the second time. I can assure you that we all learn to face our journeys head on with the assurance from our faith, family, and supporters. You get all of your questions you want to ask your doctors written down and don't leave until you have all of the answers.
NeNe600 -
Hi Kat, I know how
Hi Kat, I know how disappointed you must be. To think it's 1cm and now 3cm. I think the problem may lie in the fact that mammograms don't work as well on dense breast tissue which is normally found in premenopausal women as they do on post menopausal women without dense tissue. Perhaps it's the density that is causing the discrepancy. However I would ask those that told you it was 1 cm and see what they say. The MRI is suppose to be top of the line for finding bc but getting the tumour out asap will let you know the size for sure. If there is no node involvement then you can get a test called oncotype dx which will indicate your risk and if that is low, then maybe you won't have to do chemo.
I'm not really familiar with that test so hopefully others on the board will jump in and correct me. Try not to be scared. Take a deep breath, relax and be calm because that is the best place to be to make decisions and nothing is going to happen right away anyways. Do your research, write down your questions and think about the next step.
Your questions are reasonable about getting the facts and I hope you do get them.
Good luck to you Kat
hugs
jan0 -
lymphnode involvement
Hi Kat
I'm new to this like you.in fact this is my first post..I just had my surgery May 1st., but your situation sounds similar to mine. My Doc. said my cancer was a stage 2 less than 2 cnm. and he thought we could do a lumpectomy and radiation , no chemo if the lymphnodes weren't involved. Well as it turned out,the sentinel node was cancerous, but the other 10 nodes he removed weren't...so yay.. but boo
It meant I had to go ahead and have the mastectomy and I will have to do chemo and radiation,but only 6 treatments on the chemo...3 weeks apart...and the reconstructive guy
went ahead and put in an expander so a have this little miniboob that they will expand every week with saline.And I have to be relieved that only 1 lymphnode was involved. There is no way to know until the surgeon gets in there to see, but think positive! Most women don't have any lymph node involvement with stage 1 or 2 cancers and you probably wont either...The hardest part is just waiting to find out....I wish you well...0 -
Changing Information
Kat, I know how you feel. For me also there were changes in what I was told from one test to the other. I think, as the others said, it is a matter of the technology. Really, only after surgery will the findings, or facts, be clear.
I know it will be hard to wait. I can tell you that this is the worst time. After surgery, the facts will be clearer, and the treatment needs/options will also be clearer. You will be taking action and not just enduring test after test and just waiting.
As far as chemo, I just finished 6 treatments of one of the most aggressive regimens, and I made it through. If need be, you can do it, too. The women of this board will be here for you, as they were,and are, for me.
Finally, please listen to Claudia. Breast Cancer is not a death sentence, as many here will also tell you. Even with a 3cm tumor, it sounds as if the cancer was caught early. Maybe not as early as originally thought, but still early.
I will be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way.0 -
big one
My tumors were 6cm, 3cm, and another that was smaller. I also had to have chemo first to shrink them and more chemo after surgery. It turned out two lymph nodes were still cancerous even after the first four cycles of chemo. He removed 15. I was diagnosed in 2003. I was a stage 3a.0 -
Kat11
I know all about being told one thing and then another. It is truly frustrating, you have your plan in your mind (and that was hard enough to accept) and then it gets worse. Sometimes i wish they wouldn't say anything until they show us the facts on paper.Also the wait..is almost inhumane..i wish they could give us the facts instantly, in my case i was first told lumpectomy maybe rads no chemo..until after the surgery when they found 6 out of 23 nodes positive. Then i was told mastectomy, chemo and rads. Well i rolled with the punches and am very proud to say that i've made it through mastectomy and chemo and am going on to rads soon. I will make it though..and it will all be worth it. Just take it one step at a time.
As for mammograms, don't you think by now they could have some kind of fault proof-detection? I will always from now on ask for an ultra-sound as well as mammogram..(On my remaining breast that is). And I don't mean to complain, I am so thankful that science has come as far as it has in the last years! But it could go faster as far as i'm concerned.
You are in my thoughts and prayers..take it one minute at a time if you have to.
hugs,
jackie0 -
Kat, I was diagnosed with
Kat, I was diagnosed with invasive like you and mine was not seen on the mammo either. I had a mammo in January and felt the lump in May. After seeing the gynecologist, I scheduled an ultrasound and they did a mammo again and it still didn't show. But once, they did the ultrasound, the radiologist came in and told me the news. That it is was a very suspicious mass and that I needed a needle guided core biopsy which they did a few days later. Seems that this type of cancer is very aggressive. So it could be that it was very tiny when they did the mammo on you or wasn't there at all. Regardless, it's very upsetting, go for a second opinion if you feel you need it and discuss what your options are. If the tumor is that large, they may not be able to perform a lumpectomy if you have small breasts. But a notepad and write down all these questions, that way when you go back to the doctor or go for a second opinion, you'll be more prepared. Please keep us posted. Hugs, Lili0 -
Welcome, dyaneb123!dyaneb123 said:lymphnode involvement
Hi Kat
I'm new to this like you.in fact this is my first post..I just had my surgery May 1st., but your situation sounds similar to mine. My Doc. said my cancer was a stage 2 less than 2 cnm. and he thought we could do a lumpectomy and radiation , no chemo if the lymphnodes weren't involved. Well as it turned out,the sentinel node was cancerous, but the other 10 nodes he removed weren't...so yay.. but boo
It meant I had to go ahead and have the mastectomy and I will have to do chemo and radiation,but only 6 treatments on the chemo...3 weeks apart...and the reconstructive guy
went ahead and put in an expander so a have this little miniboob that they will expand every week with saline.And I have to be relieved that only 1 lymphnode was involved. There is no way to know until the surgeon gets in there to see, but think positive! Most women don't have any lymph node involvement with stage 1 or 2 cancers and you probably wont either...The hardest part is just waiting to find out....I wish you well...
Though sorry for the reason you're here...
This is an amazing group of wonderful folks with wide open hearts.
Visit us often.
Best wishes to you.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
Confused & Upset, not surprising...
Unfortunately, modern medical technology is not perfect. A mammo shows only so much, an ultrasound more, an MRI shows even more... These are the initial tenuous steps along the journey.
Most breast cancers grow for about a year before they can be detected. This is average. Remember that cancer is cells, itty bitty tiny cells. The cluster of cells/tumor has to reach a certain size before it can be felt or seen.
Quite honestly, most of us don't really know - for sure - what we're up against until AFTER surgery. After all my pre-surgery testing, only lumpectomy (w/sentinel nodes removal) and radiation treatments were predicted - based on approximate tumor size. Following surgery, chemotherapy was added to my treatment regimen due to the tumor was slightly larger than expected - and positive for cancer nodes. It's one heckuva roller coaster ride. And, a tough one - no doubt.
Your let down is totally understandable. Please, please don't think in terms of "less chance to make it"... You WILL survive, Kat11! I'm an almost 6 year survivor, and there are many within the group much more long term than me. Hang on to HOPE, the best survival weapon in our warrior princess arsenal.
Best wishes to you.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
Mastectomy or lumpectomy Immontero38 said:Kat, I was diagnosed with
Kat, I was diagnosed with invasive like you and mine was not seen on the mammo either. I had a mammo in January and felt the lump in May. After seeing the gynecologist, I scheduled an ultrasound and they did a mammo again and it still didn't show. But once, they did the ultrasound, the radiologist came in and told me the news. That it is was a very suspicious mass and that I needed a needle guided core biopsy which they did a few days later. Seems that this type of cancer is very aggressive. So it could be that it was very tiny when they did the mammo on you or wasn't there at all. Regardless, it's very upsetting, go for a second opinion if you feel you need it and discuss what your options are. If the tumor is that large, they may not be able to perform a lumpectomy if you have small breasts. But a notepad and write down all these questions, that way when you go back to the doctor or go for a second opinion, you'll be more prepared. Please keep us posted. Hugs, Lili
Mastectomy or lumpectomy I just want it over. My hands and wrists are sore from needles and IVs. I think thats it,no more test's except on the 20th I have a biopsy for the clinical study I agreed to. I did ask all the questions, or I thought I did, and I thought I had all my answers until today when things changed. I guess I was hoping to luck out here and only have the tumor cut out and call it a day. My mom had breast cancer many years ago. Maybe 30 or more, and times have changed but I remember so much. My mom died in 1991 not of breast cancer, she kicked that without any treatment except surgery. She just refused Chemo or rads took pill. She died of a new cancer and that was lung. Nothing to do with breast they told us, and I remember that it was very hard on everyone. I was her caregiver. So I think back on all this stuff and well I scare myself. I hate change and life as I know it is changing. My friends and Family God bless them try real hard to help and I make them think they have. Thank you for letting me vent.0 -
The surgeon is still sayingdyaneb123 said:lymphnode involvement
Hi Kat
I'm new to this like you.in fact this is my first post..I just had my surgery May 1st., but your situation sounds similar to mine. My Doc. said my cancer was a stage 2 less than 2 cnm. and he thought we could do a lumpectomy and radiation , no chemo if the lymphnodes weren't involved. Well as it turned out,the sentinel node was cancerous, but the other 10 nodes he removed weren't...so yay.. but boo
It meant I had to go ahead and have the mastectomy and I will have to do chemo and radiation,but only 6 treatments on the chemo...3 weeks apart...and the reconstructive guy
went ahead and put in an expander so a have this little miniboob that they will expand every week with saline.And I have to be relieved that only 1 lymphnode was involved. There is no way to know until the surgeon gets in there to see, but think positive! Most women don't have any lymph node involvement with stage 1 or 2 cancers and you probably wont either...The hardest part is just waiting to find out....I wish you well...
The surgeon is still saying lumpectomy at this point. I hope so because I do not have a plastic surgeon on board yet. Ok I will wait for surgery to be over to get all the answers. Thank you so much0 -
I am really scared of chemoMoopy23 said:Changing Information
Kat, I know how you feel. For me also there were changes in what I was told from one test to the other. I think, as the others said, it is a matter of the technology. Really, only after surgery will the findings, or facts, be clear.
I know it will be hard to wait. I can tell you that this is the worst time. After surgery, the facts will be clearer, and the treatment needs/options will also be clearer. You will be taking action and not just enduring test after test and just waiting.
As far as chemo, I just finished 6 treatments of one of the most aggressive regimens, and I made it through. If need be, you can do it, too. The women of this board will be here for you, as they were,and are, for me.
Finally, please listen to Claudia. Breast Cancer is not a death sentence, as many here will also tell you. Even with a 3cm tumor, it sounds as if the cancer was caught early. Maybe not as early as originally thought, but still early.
I will be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way.
I am really scared of chemo and the hair thing. I am not happy in my body as it is, so to think of hair loss on top of it, Yuk. You guys look good though. I hope I look as good.Thank you Moopy. Did you by your shoe's yet ???? lol0 -
Changing and changing
For some reason I feel some reassurance that so many of us had metamorphosing dx's and live to tell our stories. For me it started with "It's nothing," to a year later, "It's probably nothing," to "Oops, it's something, but just a lumpectomy," to "Good thing we did a bilateral mastectomy because there is nasty nodal involvement." I went from "It's nothing," to Stage 2b to Stage 3a.
I was so angry, I wanted to sue my surgeon! There are so many stages to work through - the anger and grief and sheer wish to just be able to rewind and get it right this time. This site is an excellent place to share your feelings and ask your questions. The loving support is here.
And guess what. It is a scary and an awful journey and you will find within yourself the courage and stamina to push on through.
Much love and support. Lynn0 -
Kat, who told you the MRI
Kat, who told you the MRI looked good? Your oncologist, radiation oncologist or surgeon are the only ones that should tell you anything inre to your tests. And quite honestly, the only thing that can truly tell you what you have inre to size of tumor, er or pr positive, type of cancer, if nodes are clean or not, if the margins are clean or not..is the pathology report, and, that is done after your surgery. I understand you are scared..we all were and are. This is a rough road to take, but, we get thru it and you will to. You just have to keep a positive attitude and be willing to fight bc with everything you have in you. My mammogram showed microcalcifications, which tipped them off that something was wrong. I then had more intense mammograms, followed by an ultrasound and an ultrasound core biopsy. That biopsy showed them I had dcis and idc. But, only after the surgery, did I know the exact size of the tumor, what stage I was in, if my nodes were clean and what treatment would be best for me. And, that came in the pathology report. So, try to relax, educate yourself inre to treatments, talk to your doctors and come here for support. You can do this...we did..you can!
Oh, by the way, my tumor was .8 cm and clean margins and nodes, so, I had a lumpectomy and just finished 37 radiation treatments. I may or may not take the Tamoxifen for 5 years. I am not making that decision for a few months. I feel lucky compared to what a lot of the women here went thru.0 -
Claudia - What is thischenheart said:((((((((HUGS))))))))))
Sweetie,
For the record, my tumor was 3cm with lymphnode involvement. I was staged at 2B, and had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Why am I telling you this? Because I know you are confused and afraid, and full of questions and "what if's".
Why else am I telling you this? Because that was over 6 YEARS ago!
I am alive and vibrant, and full of Life~ and, oh how hard is this to admit~ I will be 60 in 3 months! But I was recently engaged to the man who saw me thru cancer and beyond, I did a 5K last Saturday, I take Jazzercise classes, and walk 8 miles 3X a week. I have decided that 60 is the new 30 ( sorry you 50 yr olds!) even AFTER a cancer diagnosis.
I hope this helps put things in a calmer, safer perspective for you.
Hugs,
Claudia
Claudia - What is this stage 2B ?? whats does the A or B mean ? I just know the number stages. Yes I am a bit calmer now thanks to you all for letting me vent.
Kathy0 -
Jeanne - I had theJeanne D said:Kat, who told you the MRI
Kat, who told you the MRI looked good? Your oncologist, radiation oncologist or surgeon are the only ones that should tell you anything inre to your tests. And quite honestly, the only thing that can truly tell you what you have inre to size of tumor, er or pr positive, type of cancer, if nodes are clean or not, if the margins are clean or not..is the pathology report, and, that is done after your surgery. I understand you are scared..we all were and are. This is a rough road to take, but, we get thru it and you will to. You just have to keep a positive attitude and be willing to fight bc with everything you have in you. My mammogram showed microcalcifications, which tipped them off that something was wrong. I then had more intense mammograms, followed by an ultrasound and an ultrasound core biopsy. That biopsy showed them I had dcis and idc. But, only after the surgery, did I know the exact size of the tumor, what stage I was in, if my nodes were clean and what treatment would be best for me. And, that came in the pathology report. So, try to relax, educate yourself inre to treatments, talk to your doctors and come here for support. You can do this...we did..you can!
Oh, by the way, my tumor was .8 cm and clean margins and nodes, so, I had a lumpectomy and just finished 37 radiation treatments. I may or may not take the Tamoxifen for 5 years. I am not making that decision for a few months. I feel lucky compared to what a lot of the women here went thru.
Jeanne - I had the mammogram, then ultrasound, the core biopsy, MRI and then next week another biopsy (for clincial Study )with ultrasound. I can only hope to be as brave as all you have been. I am positive, I know I will do just fine.
Kathy0 -
2B is kinda like getting a B+ or an A- in high school~ really close to the next grade( or stage in this case) but not quite! I hope that helps! I would rather have gotten an "F" on the Cancer mid-term, but I've always been a high achiever!Kat11 said:Claudia - What is this
Claudia - What is this stage 2B ?? whats does the A or B mean ? I just know the number stages. Yes I am a bit calmer now thanks to you all for letting me vent.
Kathy
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
Lynn - I am so glad thatlynn1950 said:Changing and changing
For some reason I feel some reassurance that so many of us had metamorphosing dx's and live to tell our stories. For me it started with "It's nothing," to a year later, "It's probably nothing," to "Oops, it's something, but just a lumpectomy," to "Good thing we did a bilateral mastectomy because there is nasty nodal involvement." I went from "It's nothing," to Stage 2b to Stage 3a.
I was so angry, I wanted to sue my surgeon! There are so many stages to work through - the anger and grief and sheer wish to just be able to rewind and get it right this time. This site is an excellent place to share your feelings and ask your questions. The loving support is here.
And guess what. It is a scary and an awful journey and you will find within yourself the courage and stamina to push on through.
Much love and support. Lynn
Lynn - I am so glad that your hear to tell your story. I hope sometime in the future I can tell my story and help someone like you have helped me.0 -
Kat, just a note....Kat11 said:Lynn - I am so glad that
Lynn - I am so glad that your hear to tell your story. I hope sometime in the future I can tell my story and help someone like you have helped me.
in regard to being you mother's caregiver. I was in treatment for bc about the same time your mother was. (Dx in 1986 and again in 1988). What I wanted to say is that since then so many new and better things have been found to help women through this process. Better nausea meds, new understanding about things like fatigue and 'chemo brain'. Doctors in general 'get it' so much more than they did in 'my day' in regard to these kinds of things we deal with that do not show up on x-rays or blood tests. This is NOT your mother's cancer...thank God.
You are going to do what must be done with style and grace and then come here and hold the flashlight for someone else. God bless.0
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