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Tammy2014
Tammy2014 Member Posts: 9
edited May 2014 in Breast Cancer #1

Hi every one, I  have recived confirmation that i do indeed have breast cancer in my right breast. the pathology report is all i have since it is recent, and to be honest im not sure exactly what it means, as i am waiting t see the specialist to see how bad my condition is. the report is breast mass suggestive of ductal carcinoma, (that does not sound to good to me) the lymph node biopsy is positive for metastis. doctor did confirm for me it is indeed Cancer, so am coming to terms with it best I can, my appointemt with the specialist is not till the 8th which to me seems like an awfully long time, which means either they are very busy which is not good or maybe it is not that bad which I highly doubt.  so in the mean time i just been doing my own research and seeking support from others that are going through the same thing or have gone through this and come out the other side.

Nights are very bad for me, as that seems when my head gets going and wont stop and let me sleep. any way I am grateful that there is hope and support for me too. 

Comments

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #2
    Hi Tammy

    Welcome to the board. I am sorry that your cancer diagnosis has been confirmed, especially that your lymph nodes are involved as well. 

    8 th is coming next week it will be not too long until you are going to see another doctor. What specialist are you going to see? You probably need to meet with both breast surgeon and medical oncologist as well.  I am sure reading does not make you feel very good, however you can prepare your list of questions and be a little edicated for your pcoming appointments. 

    I was diagnosed 6 years ago and also have has several lymph nodes involes, the biggest was a size candy. There is hope, please ask your primary care doc for medications to help sleeping and less ovewhelmed.

    Hugs

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #3
    I am so very sorry to hear of

    I am so very sorry to hear of your news.  You are in shock!  Give yourself some time and, even though the 8th sounds like a long time, the cancer has been growing for awhile and that is very soon.  Waiting is the worst!   Take a deep breath....

    Nights are bad for me too.  I call the gremlins that bother me night demons.  I have learned to cope with them by reading or the occasional sleep med.

    Please know that you have come to the right place and you are not alone.  Your story sounds similar to mine.  I was diagnosed at age 33, Stage 3 A: large intraductal tumor with 4 nodes.  The first months were such a blur: mastectomy, chemo, radiation and tamoxifen. 

    But don't give up.  I am now 61 - that is 27 years since my initial diagnosis.  I can't say that my journey has always been easy, but I have done my best to adhere to therapy and I am still here. 

    Hang in there!  Big hugs and prayers.  I am sorry that you had to find us, but know that you are very welcome and everyone will try and help. 

     

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #4
    Hi Tammy, welcome.

    It is never good to hear you have cancer, however, just because it has metastasized to thé lymphnodes may only mean that it is in the nodes closest to the breast.  The onco will most likely run more diagnostic tests like pet scans, etc.  As long as it is confined to the breast and nodes, there is à good chance that it is in the early stages.

    I wish you didnt have to wait so long to see someone.  You will learn that the waiting is the hardest part whenever you have tests, etc.  You will see.from all thé Pinks  here on this board.  Wé were dignosed from stage 0- 4 and will support you thru it.  

    I wish you the best.  Hoping, you can find things to keep busy until the 8th.

    Bush,

    Carol

  • Tammy2014
    Tammy2014 Member Posts: 9
    #5
    thank you

    thank you every one for the words of encouragement, supprt and above else hope. I am thinking positive for the most part and am waiting to see what the specialist and the others say about what is the next step. The waiting is hard as it seems like a very long time to wait, but as i do wait i continue to read the boards and do what i normaly do durng the day and early evening. I find that I don't do well with unwanted or unneeded stress. I have been doing research on various relatd topics, and my sister who is a RN is also doing her research, i guess a blessing in disguise that my sister is a RN. i find the family reaction varys from shock and distress to silence. I try to be as gentle with them as i am myself as i am sure this is taking a toll on them too. It is probably hardest on the three girls, as the youngest just hit 40, the second is 43 and im 45 so it must be a terrible shock and scary for them as well, as we don't know out faily history on the womens side very well as most of the women in our family for what ever reason died young. so we do not even know if there is a history of this in our family, which is probably stressing out the girls.

    My husband is being amazing though, I am grateful for that. Just counting the days till my apointment which i consider my beggining of treatment appointment. The appointment were I got the news i consider my diagnosis appointment. Will keep you all posted =)

     

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #6
    Tammy2014 said:

    thank you

    thank you every one for the words of encouragement, supprt and above else hope. I am thinking positive for the most part and am waiting to see what the specialist and the others say about what is the next step. The waiting is hard as it seems like a very long time to wait, but as i do wait i continue to read the boards and do what i normaly do durng the day and early evening. I find that I don't do well with unwanted or unneeded stress. I have been doing research on various relatd topics, and my sister who is a RN is also doing her research, i guess a blessing in disguise that my sister is a RN. i find the family reaction varys from shock and distress to silence. I try to be as gentle with them as i am myself as i am sure this is taking a toll on them too. It is probably hardest on the three girls, as the youngest just hit 40, the second is 43 and im 45 so it must be a terrible shock and scary for them as well, as we don't know out faily history on the womens side very well as most of the women in our family for what ever reason died young. so we do not even know if there is a history of this in our family, which is probably stressing out the girls.

    My husband is being amazing though, I am grateful for that. Just counting the days till my apointment which i consider my beggining of treatment appointment. The appointment were I got the news i consider my diagnosis appointment. Will keep you all posted =)

     

    You are truly blessed to have

    You are truly blessed to have a supportive husband. That will be such a comfort. My hubby is an engineer and was not that interested in medical issues, but he stepped up to the plate and has been a rock. 

    I am coincidentally a nurse practitioner (neonatal),  my mother was an RN,  my father a physician, my daughter a Physician's Assistant,  my sister a physician. All of this knowledge has good points and bad. The good points are that I have been able to locate excellent physicians and, very important, I understand enough to adhere to difficult therapies.  Adherence to therapy remains an enormous problem with breast cancer. There are side effects, and some are affected more than others, but I have always looked at these side effects as challenges to be managed (when possible). 

    Anyway, I credit much of my longevity to making up my mind to get through these therapies. 

    I digress as usual... Lol.  I did also want to mention that, if you are having problems coping, mention it to your oncologist. Cancer survivors are at higher risk for anxiety and depression. 

    All of this is probably tmi and overwhelming, but you will get through it -  and having a strong support system around you will really, really help you in this difficult journey. Sending warmest hugs and prayers! 

     

     

  • Tammy2014
    Tammy2014 Member Posts: 9
    #7
    CypressCynthia said:

    You are truly blessed to have

    You are truly blessed to have a supportive husband. That will be such a comfort. My hubby is an engineer and was not that interested in medical issues, but he stepped up to the plate and has been a rock. 

    I am coincidentally a nurse practitioner (neonatal),  my mother was an RN,  my father a physician, my daughter a Physician's Assistant,  my sister a physician. All of this knowledge has good points and bad. The good points are that I have been able to locate excellent physicians and, very important, I understand enough to adhere to difficult therapies.  Adherence to therapy remains an enormous problem with breast cancer. There are side effects, and some are affected more than others, but I have always looked at these side effects as challenges to be managed (when possible). 

    Anyway, I credit much of my longevity to making up my mind to get through these therapies. 

    I digress as usual... Lol.  I did also want to mention that, if you are having problems coping, mention it to your oncologist. Cancer survivors are at higher risk for anxiety and depression. 

    All of this is probably tmi and overwhelming, but you will get through it -  and having a strong support system around you will really, really help you in this difficult journey. Sending warmest hugs and prayers! 

     

     

    thank you

    thank you it helps to talk with others and hear about their journeys. sorry for the such short reply but i am extramley tired today, and it not making me happy.

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #8
    welcome...I wish I found this

    welcome...I wish I found this board at the start...it's a great place , great people, good resources, info and support.

     

    Denise

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #9
    Tammy2014 said:

    thank you

    thank you it helps to talk with others and hear about their journeys. sorry for the such short reply but i am extramley tired today, and it not making me happy.

    Welcome to our Sisterhood - Tammy, 
    Things are confusing, and tuff right now ...  Take your time -- and if you can, get more than 1 opinion.

    Once you have a treatment plan in place, things will start to go a lot faster. 
    We on this board know about the waiting and the myriad of emotions one goes 
    through -- so let us wait with you. Post whenever you feel the urge and we'll 
    keep you company. I think at this point it is easy to get overwhelmed with all 
    the new things happening in your life. It might help to take things one step and 
    one day (sometimes even one hour) at a time. Get your results, talk to your 
    doctor, give yourself some time to digest, etc. Please let us know later today 
    if you feel up to it. We are here to support you. 

    Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

    Vicki Sam
  • Tammy2014
    Tammy2014 Member Posts: 9
    #10
    Thank you

    Thank you every one for your words of encouragement and support. Not feeling to tired right now, sleepy, but not that tired lol. It is my feverent hope that it is only in the breast and adjacent lymph nodes, will find out more on the 8th, I keep holding onto that hope though. Will be heading to the city on the 7th already told hubby we are going to make the 7th a fun day and we will deal with the 8th on the 8th lol. There is a lot of knowledge from personal experiences that really help me, to prepare my self the best I can for possibilites and outcomes. The strength and bravery of women who are going through this or have gone through this, is helping me get through each day, and for  that I thank all of you.

     

  • Tammy2014
    Tammy2014 Member Posts: 9
    #11
    double posted

    Uhg double posted sorry about that.

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