Help

1. Ask for a copy of your pathology report if they have done a biopsy.

2. What kind of breast cancer do you have?

3. What kind of options do you have? Lumpectomy, mastectomy...surgery first or possibly chemo first?

These are just a few questions that popped in my head. I know there are many more ladies out there with better thoughts.

~Mtmom

Welcome to the group that no one wants to join. I was just diagnosed in May, had a lumpectomy and chemo this summer and currently am having radiation. I remember well that overwhelming feeling of everything happening so fast and so many decisions to make. The ladies above have given you excellent advice, and yes, do remember that each of us is different and travels our own journey. Knowledge is power, and ultimately it's what you feel is right for you to do for you.

My first suggestion is to not only bring someone with you to appointments but to also ask each doctor if it's OK for you to record the appt to listen to later. I found Lew just couldn't keep up taking notes with what the Dr was saying, we have to remember it's overwhelming for our family too. A smart phone or iPod is perfect. Have it open to your Voice Messages and as soon as Dr says OK hit record and just set it aside. All 3 of my docs were OK with it when I approached it that way, and I've recorded every session since. It was 4 months between the time I first spoke with the radiologist about having radiation and when we met again, and it really helped to be able to review that first appointment.

There is lots of scary stuff out there on the internet about breast cancer and not everything is accurate. My oncologoist recommended breastcancer.org as a reliable source of info and I have found it invaluable, along with this one. Be sure and check it out. They also have Discussion Forums according to topic. For now, look for the ones for those newly diagnosed and read what others have to say. Be sure and mark any you find that you like as Favorites so it's easy to find them again, also when you check in the next time, it will say if there's been any new posts to your Favorites. Keep checking the forums as you move along in your journey. I chose to have a lumpectomy with radiation (my surgeon told me percentage of reoccurrence was the same between mastectomy and lumpectomy/radiation - I'm 63, that could be different for someone that's 27) so I joined a Lumpectomy forum, then when I needed chemo I joined the July 2014 Chemo forum, then the Fall Rads forum, and now that I'll be starting hormone therapy in Nov I joined the Arimidex forum, which has been helpful in making my list of questions for Friday's meeting with my oncologist.

Try not to look too far down the road at a time, the present is enough to handle. Make sure you have confidence in your medical team and your cancer center, if you don't, get a second opinion elsewhere.

Your surgeon may want to do more tests, mine had me do an MRI to make sure there wasn't anything else going on in my breasts that mammagram and ultrasound didn't show, which would affect my decision. Ask if he/she will be doing a sentinel node biopsy as part of the surgery. This is where they inject some dye the day of surgery into your breast, it shows the doctor where the first lymph nodes are, they take a couple of those first ones out and test them while you're still in surgery to see if they're clean.

Good luck today, and let us know what the surgeon has to say. We're all here to help you through this.

disneyfan2008 said:

sorry to hear..but great you 

sorry to hear..but great you  found this site. I didnt' come across this until years after the fact for me. YOU will get so much great advice here from others-from experience.

 

Denise

So sorry to hear of your diagnosis

You're so young but we all know cancer doesn't discriminate.  

Totally agree with the others.  Have someone with you at your appointments to be your extra set of ears.   It's a lot to take in.  Don't be afraid to have pen & paper in hand and ask the Dr or nurse to repeat something if you didn't catch it or to explain if you don't understand.

Make sure you are comfortable with your Dr.  If you're not - seek out another.  A 2nd opinion is never a bad thing.

Remember you are in control of your treatment.  It may not feel that way now - but ultimately the decisions are yours to make.  Don't be rushed or pushed.

Please keep us posted

according to your post, your meeting with the oncologist is tomorrow. Let us know what the surgeon and oncologist have come up with for a plan. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

taysho said:

Hey everyone, thanks so much

Hey everyone, thanks so much for all the information and support! The appointment with the surgeon went well. We basically just discussed what my options are and I have an MRI and ultrasound Tuesday. I see the Oncologist tomorrow, and I'm excited to she how her plan is in agreeance with the surgeons. 

You know the saying, "when it rains it pours...." Well that's totally me, I was on my way to a breast cancer 5k that some coworkers made a team for and I was rear ended, hard!! So between my trying to break the news to my students , and trying to set out lessons for the afternoon, I get to deal with the insurance company and try and get me a rental, so I can make alll my appts! I feel like I'm due for some good luck, so hopefully tomorrow I will get some good news! My family is in from out of town so I will have some support! 

I also made a Facebook page ( Team Tayla ) this weekend if you would like to also stay up to date on there feel free! It was very humbling and exciting to be at the walk today and receive a survivor shirt, eventhoigh I'm just beginning my journey, I know I've got this!!!

 

Thanks for posting an update - we worry about people who post and then disappear!

I had an MRI too before my surgery, having that come back clear was helpful in making my surgical decisions.

Keep up the positive attitude, and let us know what the oncologist says.

taysho said:

getting closer

Most of the things I heard today I already knew. Except now it seems we are leaning closer to stage 3, based on the size of the tumor, I am still just so thankful that I found this on my own, if I would have waited until I actually had symptoms my situation would be way worse!! Anyway.... We will hopefully have something going next week not sure if I'm having surgery first or chemo, it all depends on the MRI results. The oncologist said we may have to do chemo first to shrink the tumor so they can have clear margins or whateve. It's called. At times I feel like time is flying, then I stop and realize I've only known I have had cancer for a week... When did they add more hours to the week?! 

I will let you all know what the plan is, once I know! I'm just ready to get started fighting so I can put this behind me!!

Your MRI will give them the answers they need.

I had chemo prior to my surgery - 8 rounds - to shrink the tumor.  The Dr told me it would go 1 of 3 ways.  It wouldn't affect it (highly unlikely); It would shrink the tumor or it would break the tumor up (sort of like you put a cookie in your hand and hit it in the middle.     #3 is how mine went.   The Dr was pleased and they were able to get clean margins.   I followed up with 33 rounds of radiation.

You are already fighting - you're gaining knowledge and getting ready for treatment.  Take a few deep breaths.   Your last line reminded me so much of myself from the day I was diagnosed.  My Dr's said to me - this isn't a sprint it's a marathon.  I wasn't "hearing" that part.   This won't be over in a matter of weeks or even months.  Prepare yoursslf to be in this for the long haul.  Diagnosed 1/8/13 - final surgery on 7/1/14.

Please keep us up to date!

taysho said:

getting closer

Most of the things I heard today I already knew. Except now it seems we are leaning closer to stage 3, based on the size of the tumor, I am still just so thankful that I found this on my own, if I would have waited until I actually had symptoms my situation would be way worse!! Anyway.... We will hopefully have something going next week not sure if I'm having surgery first or chemo, it all depends on the MRI results. The oncologist said we may have to do chemo first to shrink the tumor so they can have clear margins or whateve. It's called. At times I feel like time is flying, then I stop and realize I've only known I have had cancer for a week... When did they add more hours to the week?! 

I will let you all know what the plan is, once I know! I'm just ready to get started fighting so I can put this behind me!!

I did 5 rounds of chemo prior to surgery as I had a 5cm tumor and some other smaller ones. It worked well and was able to get good surgery. That was followed by 5 more rounds of an easier chemo and then target therapy and radiation which were both easy. My surgery was in Sept 2012 and I'm doing great. Just ran the Race for the Cure 5K at 29 minutes last month!! I've never felt this great in my life. My hair is past my shoulders now. I can't believe I've got this far and I wish I had known then, when my world was falling apart. You'll do great too, I can tell with your positive attitude!!! Keep on posting and I hope waiting for the MRI isn't too agonizing. Hugs, Anna