Hi, new here

hartnsole

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the boards and decided to introduce myself. I am 41 years old, single parent and diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer on 1/24. The cancer has spread to a lymph node under my left arm and is in my left breast. I am not sure of the final and full diagnosis with the "type", because they are still running the remaining labs and I haven't spoken to anyone since the initial doctor called to tell me it was cancer after my biopsy. I do know from reading the pathology report that it appears as though I'm estrogen positive and progesterone negative. I can't tell from the report if I am positive or negative for HER2, but it states "Equivocal for over expression, score 2+" which google says is positive. The report also states confirmatory testing for Her 2 is being performed and the results will be sent in a different repot (which I don't see yet). There have been no tests yet to see if it has spread beyond my lymph node, but I'm praying that it has not. I'm expecting a call today from someone at the hospital since the updated results came in yesterday evening. The lump in my breast is still slightly store after the FNA and it feels slightly bigger. I don't know if this is normal, so I plan on asking today.

How I'm feeling:

Numb partially, but scared and optimistic at the same time. I don't know if I should get a second opinion yet or just go with my current hospital group. I don't know if I have time to get a second opinion or when I should take time off from work. I actually asked for a week off just to process everything. I don't have a strong support system, so I'm concerned about what should happen to my son (13) if I were no longer around. I'm a bit scared about the surgery and chemo and if it's too far gone for me to hope to be cured and live a long healthy life. At the same time I know remaining positive can do wonders for your outcome. I find myself being overly critical of everything in my body now. I came to the boards hoping for some advice and maybe just to vent sometimes. I'm hoping to find a network of people who can provide some peace during and after this process since there are not many I can turn to in person to do so.

I know that was a long intro, but thanks to any of you who read it all. Any tips and guidance would be appreciated!

CancerFreeSunny

The fear is real. The unknown. I was diagnosed recently and have been given a ton of books to read and they have all helped me undersand every single thing that will be done to me. I suggest you get some reading materials but just know there are 15 kinds of breast cancer and you need to know which one applies to you. Good Luck!

CancerFreeSunny

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/324704/hi-new-here

Did you get the Breast MRI? (I did) That one shows a lot. The true extent of the cancer in the breast and (if ) it has spread to the lympth nodes. In your case, you said it did spread into the lymph node. You will get your final report when you go to the breast surgeon (that is how I got my final pathology report) It pretty much tells you what you will need to do.

hartnsole

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1695379#Comment_1695379

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1695379#Comment_1695379

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1695379#Comment_1695379

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1693231#Comment_1693231

Thanks for responding! I’m sorry you’re going through this as well. I hope we both get the support we need. I’m still waiting to hear the final diagnosis from someone. I did a PET scan this week and when I checked my own chart, it looks as though it hasn’t spread beyond my lymph node. I was hoping to have more active communication from someone, but maybe it’s normal for it to take awhile to hear back and talk about results. I’ve been mostly reading what I can online, but getting a few books on the topic isn’t a bad idea.

hartnsole

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1695379#Comment_1695379

Yes, I got the MRI and a PET scan. I ended up being stage 2b-3. I've already started my chemo and I'll be having my 4th round of AC next week. I've just not been back to the site to update. This new format through me off a bit.

hartnsole

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1695372#Comment_1695372

I've already started chemo. They recommended chemo first to shrink the size of my nodes. I'll be getting my 4th AC next week followed by 12 weeks of weekly Taxol.

fightingwithhope

Hi hartnsole. I have a very similar diagnosis to you - and I start 4 rounds of dose dense AC this week to be followed up with 12 rounds of T and then radiation and HT.

It is a lot. I’m searching for some solid ground at certain points of every day.

thankful though for the opportunity to beat this with chemo and radiation. Amen to that. Good luck to you!!! How is it going? Are you using the cold caps?