Not diagnosed yet...but not expecting good news

JenBee

About a week ago I discovered a lump about the size of a walnut in my right breast. I'm later 40's and my mother had breast cancer which spread to her bones. Usually I am good about breast self exams, but I just finished moving cross country for my husband's job, sending my son off to college and handling everything on my own since my husband was already at the new job. I scheduled an appt. and was hoping the doctor would say it was probably a cyst or something. I was supposed to get a mammogram that day. Instead, she got the "look" when she felt the lump and told me I needed to be seen at the breast center for a mammogram and ultrasound and the word she used was "concerning". The Breast Center called me within a few hours and I am being seen for not only a mammogram and ultrasound but also have an appointment with a surgeon for the same morning. I am so scared. I don't know anyone in the area and am terrified of how hard it will be to go through treatment being in a new community with no friends or family. My husband is wonderful, but he is working very long hours and my teenage daughter is going through her own adjustments in a new school. Has anyone else been scheduled for a screening mammogram and been jumped to mammogram, ultrasound, surgeon without the screen even being done? This can't be good...

button2

Dear Jen,

This pretty much happened to me. I went for a mammogram and they told me same day that I needed to see a surgeon and go to our nearest large city for a breast MRI. I remember standing on a street corner calling my husband's cell and crying. I know how you are feeling esp as your mother went thru the same disease. So have you seen the surgeon? I know it's hard but you mustn't jump to the worst case scenario right off the bat. It could be benign or early stages. Likely, whatever it is can be treated in any case. Actually, having a lot of time alone is not a bad thing. At least you don't have little kids or elderly relatives to care for. Please let us know how it goes and we will be here every step of the way. Hugs, Anna

twnkltoz

Sending you positive

Sending you positive thoughts!

lintx

twnkltoz said:

Sending you positive

Sending you positive thoughts!

Hi Jen

Mine was all in a day, too.  I had a mammo at 10am and call back within one hour to say "serious finding." I had an MRI and  the radiologist did a biopsy that afternoon.  He saw that I was in need of an answer and said he was 99.9% sure it would be an aggressive cancer. He said we'd know the next morning and not to lose hope that he might be wrong. My next appt was the following morning to see the breast surgeon, who would lay the options on the table.  Mine was a bilateral w/Diep flap reconstruction. Although I was thankful to actually know before I left the radiologist that day, I don't remember any stop signs,lights or turning corners to get home. Thankfully, we live in a time of hope, guidance and medical advances.  Don't be afraid, Jen!  You will get through this just fine.  Please come back and keep us posted. Hugs, Linda  

cati0314

Hang in there!

Mine was pretty fast too.  My breast specialist who saw me  every 6 months) missed an IDC growing tumour until it was over 6 cm.  I fired her and went to MD Andersen where they had an MRI and biopsy to determine that it was a locally advanced cancer.  They gave me chemo first to target the cells in my body and shrink the tumour (neoadjuvent chemotherapy), then genetic testing and I was BRCA 1 positive.  We did a bilateral right after the chemo and a hysterectomy down the road.  I had radiation.  I am OK 5 years later.  The tumour was hormone positive and I was put on arimidex to control the estrogen in my body.  This is a terrifying time for you.  It was for me but breast cancer treatment has come so far and there are so many survivors!  Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual's needs.  I hope and pray that this is nothing.  We're all with you in this.  

Warmest wishes,

Sharon

JenBee

Thank you all so much for

Thank you all so much for replying. My appointment is Wednesday and other than my husband I have not told family or friends. I am glad to hear that all of you are beating this with treatment. Whatever the results are, it is comforting to not feel so alone. I will post after the appointment and again, thank all of you for your kindness. My husband is being wonderful and supportive, but can't really understand how freaked out I am right now. All the best and I'll post the outcome...

GlowMore

When is Your Appointment?

We will all be sending prayers and good vibrations your way for that day JenBee....You seem to have found a very good doctor who is moving in positive direction to be sure that you receive a quick diagnosis.  Fear can cloud your thinking so my advice is to try your best not to look too far ahead and to take this one step at a time. I know what it is to move to a new location & not have any family or friends ....but we are all here to help you and if you give the American Cancer Society a call they also have resources.  Breast Cancer treatment has vastly improved over the last 20 years....when I found my lump & it turned out to be BC....I saw a surgeon within days also and at that time I decided on a lumpectomy....and after that I had to do chemo and radiation because it had spread to my lymph nodes....it also turned out to be Triple Negative IDC Stage 3B....but Jen...that was in 2002/2003 *** AND I AM STILL HERE.   You can do this ......if you are a religious person I would advise that you find a new church and a pastor to talk with also...it was a great help to me...because I was a Widow and my sons both lived across the country from me....my Faith helped me tremendously and gave me and gives me great Peace of Mind.  Prayers for Strength and Courage....please keep posting.    Glo

GlowMore

GlowMore said:

When is Your Appointment?

We will all be sending prayers and good vibrations your way for that day JenBee....You seem to have found a very good doctor who is moving in positive direction to be sure that you receive a quick diagnosis.  Fear can cloud your thinking so my advice is to try your best not to look too far ahead and to take this one step at a time. I know what it is to move to a new location & not have any family or friends ....but we are all here to help you and if you give the American Cancer Society a call they also have resources.  Breast Cancer treatment has vastly improved over the last 20 years....when I found my lump & it turned out to be BC....I saw a surgeon within days also and at that time I decided on a lumpectomy....and after that I had to do chemo and radiation because it had spread to my lymph nodes....it also turned out to be Triple Negative IDC Stage 3B....but Jen...that was in 2002/2003 *** AND I AM STILL HERE.   You can do this ......if you are a religious person I would advise that you find a new church and a pastor to talk with also...it was a great help to me...because I was a Widow and my sons both lived across the country from me....my Faith helped me tremendously and gave me and gives me great Peace of Mind.  Prayers for Strength and Courage....please keep posting.    Glo

OH WOW

Looks like I was asking your Apptmt Date at the same time that you were posting it.

I take that as a very positive sign