What were the first words out of your mouth after getting diagnosed?

crselby

Since the core biopsy I had
Since the core biopsy I had been researching DCIS, since that was the most likely thing that was being seen on the mammograms as microcalcifications. The good part would be that it is non-invasive. The bad part could be that it tends to follow the ducts and be widespread that way, requiring a mastectomy.

The lab sent the results to the wrong doctor, so all my doc had was the info that I had breast cancer. She made very sure she had my full attention, got close to my face and said, " you have breast cancer". Probably just the way the be-a-doctor books say to do it.

My first words were, "Is it DCIS?" and she, not being really informed about breast cancer, answered with, " It's d - u - c - t..." I stopped her right there since she obviously didn't know what I meant by DCIS!

Next words were "What should I do" She suggested a general surgeon, which I rejected. I lost all confidence in her judgement that day, in the case of what's best for me.

I was so angry on the drive home. I had been betrayed by my body. Still can't quite get over that. I didn't cry until a couple of days later when I got to thinking about how this could affect my husband and son.

Good question, Ayse. i like hearing people's experiences.

~~Connie~~

Mitzi333

Texasgirl10 said:

Oh God
I was at work. I got tired of waiting for the nurse to call me, so at 9:30 in the mornng I called her. she was happy and said " I don't have any results yet, it'll be around 4:30 this afternoon". One hour later, I had just set a lady up for a pap smear and told her that the doctor and I would be right in. My cell phone started ringing and I knew without ever looking at it that it was the nurse. I'll never forget the silence on the line then she said " Dawne, this is Melissa. I am so sorry but all 30 samples are cancerous". I remember screaming " Oh God". Then I cried and cried. I remember I kept saying over and over " how am I going to tell my Mom, she's so little, how am I going to tell her. How am I going to tell my kids". The doctor that I work with called my husband and my Mom after speaking to the nurse.

It's strange, but I still cry and my heart pounds very fast when I think about that day. It's only been 4 months, but it seems like it's been a lifetime ago.

What???
Are you kidding... I received the shocking call at the end of the work day. After that call, I immediately called my significant other to share the news. I was in total disbelief...I had to teach a cycling class that evening...I did so, but was still in Shock. Needless to say, I had a sleepless night. I did NOT know how to share the news with my daughter and sisters. The next few days was a whirlwind of doctor appointments and test. Now that it's shunk in, and I have the support of family and moreover my belief in God... I took off work for an extended period of time to care for me and relieve the Stress of work...

Now... I'm ready to rock and roll and give this "Thing" a Battle.

Thank God for the support of Family and Close Friends!!!

This site is Also a GREAT source of Support and Information. Thanks to All of you for sharing your journey.

Big Hugs~
Mitzi ;0)

laughs_a_lot

Kinda knew
I had an instinct that something was wrong with my breast before going in for the mamogram. Once they did the core biopsy I was quite certain I knew the answer would be that I had bc. I got the call while waiting in th ER with a friend who needed some support for a mental health screening. I told her I had breast cancer and then started making a few jokes to lighten the mood as she was after all going in for a mental health screening. About 5 minutes after getting the call I called my husband. I asked "How would you like to have a one boobed wife?". He said "oh" then I told him I had breast cancer.

When I got home from the business with the family friend I stated. "I'm calling in to work tonight for a mental health day." And so I did. It was quite a quiet night that night and was so glad to have a hubby and my cat while I processed the information. There were extra implications for me because I am the bread winner for my family, and my husband is the domestic engineer. When I told the kids I stated "Cancer has picked on the wrong 61*@&." By the time I told the grandchildren I was saying "I will be your grandma with a boob and three quarters." I was able to joke again by the time I told the grandkids. I didn't want them to worry. They had to know, as I had made big plans with them for the summer and bc was going to change our plans.

roseann4

laughs_a_lot said:

Kinda knew
I had an instinct that something was wrong with my breast before going in for the mamogram. Once they did the core biopsy I was quite certain I knew the answer would be that I had bc. I got the call while waiting in th ER with a friend who needed some support for a mental health screening. I told her I had breast cancer and then started making a few jokes to lighten the mood as she was after all going in for a mental health screening. About 5 minutes after getting the call I called my husband. I asked "How would you like to have a one boobed wife?". He said "oh" then I told him I had breast cancer.

When I got home from the business with the family friend I stated. "I'm calling in to work tonight for a mental health day." And so I did. It was quite a quiet night that night and was so glad to have a hubby and my cat while I processed the information. There were extra implications for me because I am the bread winner for my family, and my husband is the domestic engineer. When I told the kids I stated "Cancer has picked on the wrong 61*@&." By the time I told the grandchildren I was saying "I will be your grandma with a boob and three quarters." I was able to joke again by the time I told the grandkids. I didn't want them to worry. They had to know, as I had made big plans with them for the summer and bc was going to change our plans.

I was at lunch with a friend.
She could tell by my side of the conversation that it was not good news. I just said....I have cancer and need tests to see if it has spread. That was over 2 years ago.

Roseann

Hippiechick58

roseann4 said:

I was at lunch with a friend.
She could tell by my side of the conversation that it was not good news. I just said....I have cancer and need tests to see if it has spread. That was over 2 years ago.

Roseann

Mine was discovered during a
Mine was discovered during a routine mammo, so my DH was not with me at the time. Everything happened at once. I had the mammo, went back in for additional views, had and US. Then they tell me I have to see the surgeon and they booked me that same day. Saw the surgeon and she said she's pretty sure it's malignant, but let's do a biopsy. Had the biopsy and the very next day she calls with the results: IDC! I can remember praying,"Please dear God help me through this."

Dianne

disneyfan2008

joannstar said:

Am I the only one
who doesn't have a clear memory of what was said?? My surgeon who performed the biopsy called and said that it was early stage cancer and to come in to discuss it. I know that I told my husband immediately, but do not remember anything precise--perhaps I'm blocking it. I'm not sure I want to remember. I'd like to put as much of this journey behind me as possible.
Hugs and smiles,
JoAnn

@Joanne
I too rec'd phone call...i was home alone...not even sure how I told my hubby...

MY dr whom I LOVE...called and said not good but not bad...so I wasn't really too concerned until I started looking it up on line...still ok until went the surgeon and he said the words "survival rate is good"

then I lost it and didn't hear anything else after that..

Denise

tgf

Hippiechick58 said:

Mine was discovered during a
Mine was discovered during a routine mammo, so my DH was not with me at the time. Everything happened at once. I had the mammo, went back in for additional views, had and US. Then they tell me I have to see the surgeon and they booked me that same day. Saw the surgeon and she said she's pretty sure it's malignant, but let's do a biopsy. Had the biopsy and the very next day she calls with the results: IDC! I can remember praying,"Please dear God help me through this."

Dianne

words
I think I just said ... "OK .. now what do I need to do?" ... and from then went on "automatic pilot" and just went through everything one step at a time ... lumpectomy, chemo ... radiation ... etc.

hugs.
teena

skipper54

should add
I should add to my previous post that the hardest part of teh whole thing was telling my mother, 86 at the time, who had lost both a sister and a husband to cancer. Then I reassured her that we would beat this. I had already called my husband at work to ask him about his schedule for the rest of the week. He dropped everything and went with me for every appointment and test, then every chemo treatment. I truely believe that if not for all the prayer support we wouldn't be where we are today - dancing with NED

disneyfan2008

skipper54 said:

should add
I should add to my previous post that the hardest part of teh whole thing was telling my mother, 86 at the time, who had lost both a sister and a husband to cancer. Then I reassured her that we would beat this. I had already called my husband at work to ask him about his schedule for the rest of the week. He dropped everything and went with me for every appointment and test, then every chemo treatment. I truely believe that if not for all the prayer support we wouldn't be where we are today - dancing with NED

@skipper
so sorry you and family have gone through so much...IT must have been so hard to tell your mom...

ONE of my first thoughts when I FOUND out..is I DID NOT Have to tell my mom-she died about year prior...

Denise

mwallace1325

Good one
The results are positive and I'm going to be OK.

marge

kit kat

mwallace1325 said:

Good one
The results are positive and I'm going to be OK.

marge

Diagnosis
I cried and cried in my lap, in Doc's office, and drove home with cloudy vision and I thought to myself ,this is the end of my life, and I wanted to steer my wheel over the bridge. I am a chicken. To this day I go to bed thinking please don't let me wake up.Bc chemo ended sept 29 10 Part of my life now at 50 years old. I see 95 year old people that look better than me Depressing.

Gabe N Abby Mom

Ayse, thanks for starting
Ayse, thanks for starting this conversation. Although it makes me cry, it also reminds me of how far we have all come.

I spent all afternoon at Kaiser, first with the PCP. He sent me for an immediate mammo, the tech was very energetic and showed me the pix. She got me in for an immediate ultrasound, that tech barely said a word. But I could see her monitor as she clicked and clicked...I can still see the big black spot. She brought in the radiologist who said she was "99% sure it's cancer".

I don't know if I said anything or not, but I do remember crying. And I called my husband...poor guy I bluntly blurted "it's breast cancer". Then I pulled myself together and drove home.

The doc was able to squeeze me in for a biopsy the next day, the nurses were amazing. The following day I had to work, I was at an off site business presentation when I got the confirmation call.

csr771

Wait a minute! Let me call you back!
I was at work and waiting for the results of the biopsy. I had not had a mammogram in four years. I finally had one in October, 2010. I was called and told that I needed to come and have some more pictures for comparison. It would take a couple of hours. I was at the hospital from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM. I had more pictures, magnifications and a biopsy. One of the sites biopsied was a cyst. I was thinking that the other sites were probaby cysts as well. I was to hear the results of the biopsy by the end of the week. I didn't so I called Monday AM. The nurse said I recognize your name hold on -- you have ductal carcenoma and invasive ductal carcenoma. That's when I told her that I would call her back. I went to our conference room with a paper and pen. I had no idea what to do or who to contact. The first call was to my PCP for the names of breast surgeons. I think that I went into shock for a while. It was my dad's birthday. Although we were not having a celebration due to other illness in the family, my family was together. There came a time whereby I could not hold it in any more and I said, "I have breast cancer." My stepmother eventually held me like I was small child and I cried and cried. I am sitting here with tears in my eyes for all of us. Nobody should ever be told that they have cancer no matter what stage, kind, aggressiveness, etc. Blessings to all.

phoenixrising

I found mine and knew what
I found mine and knew what it was....then I swore like a truck driver and said "I don't have time for this", ha ha, like that was going to change anything! So when I was officially dx, I had already vented the worse of it.

cahjah75

Ayse
When my gyn found the lump in my breast, I knew I had cancer. So, when my surgeon called 2 days after the biopsy done in his office, I knew what he was going to say. I was resigned to deal with it. So, my first words were: "I'm not surprised." I'm the 5th in my family with bc. I was concerned though when finding out just how large my tumor was.
Char

sweetvickid

Well crap, I'm gonna look
Well crap, I'm gonna look butt ugly without hair!

Kat11

sweetvickid said:

Well crap, I'm gonna look
Well crap, I'm gonna look butt ugly without hair!

My doctor called me at home.
My doctor called me at home. My husband was home. All she said was I am so sorry and that was it for me I was crying and Dave held me and took the phone.
kathy

Mothercrone

Two Words...
"Oh great." (said in a sarcastic manner, at which time my breast specialist replied, "You're sooooo negative.")

laughs_a_lot

Mothercrone said:

Two Words...
"Oh great." (said in a sarcastic manner, at which time my breast specialist replied, "You're sooooo negative.")

so what was he/she expecting.
How nice to be judged on your initial reaction. I hope they did not expect you to throw a beer bash when you heard the news.

lizzie17

i wasn't strong
My surgeon, after the biopsy came back, said I had invasive breast cancer. This was on the phone at the end of my work day. I --like a dummie---thought invasive meant my whole body had cancer. So, a mastectomy didn't seem so bad at the time. I remember crying a lot, driving straight to my significant other at his office,and just crying. The next step was to tell my two adult daughters.