I just recently found out I have breast cancer...

I was diagnosed in November, day after Thanksgiving. It has been a whirlwind of information, emotions, doc appointments, etc. I have read every google article there is on breast cancer and I'm nervous of everything especially recurrence. I was diagnosed IDC stage 1A grade 2, ER/PR +, Her2-, clear margins and lymph node negative. I had 4 lymph nodes removed, Lumpectomy. Recovery from surgery was hard, I had a Seroma and had to have another surgery because the incision was not healing properly.

My Oncotype score is 15, so doc does not recommend Chemo. Distant recurrence 4% with AI therapy. I'm scheduled to start 23 sessions of radiation on Monday. My grandmother was a 30 year survivor of cancer, only to get uterine cancer, she was on Tamoxifen forever it seemed. She passed away in 2015. I did the genetic test too and all clear. I thought I was going to take Tamoxifen because I am pre-menopausal, however my new oncologist(the old one left) told me that there are too many side effects that are concerning. So I'm taking Zoladex for ovary suppression and will start Arimidex after radiation. There is so much information out there. This website seems to be the place to go for support and I'm grateful for that.

I'm not too far in my journey, but I pray everyday day for peace and I pray for my doctors that they are giving me good guidance for my situation. I hope you have the same.

Yes, very similar! Have you done the Oncotype test? My doc said because I had the lumpectomy I should do radiation, I'm a bit nervous about the side effects though.

Wow, you have a team! That's wonderful!

I seem to have a ragtag assemblage of squabbling individuals. I was diagnosed in January and at first things seemed to be cooking right along toward a quick lumpectomy until a pre-surgery MRI showed a second lesion that isn't visible on anything but MRI and can't be biopsied via MRI because of its position close to the chest wall. It has taken 5 weeks to get to this point, what with delays in scheduling MRI tests and the surgeon and radiologist going back and forth on the feasibility of an MRI biopsy (score one for the radiologist who said it couldn't be done on February 6th and zero for the surgeon who insisted he try anyway, needlessly adding another 2 weeks to the discovery process) and I'm still at a standstill with no surgery in sight. I had a tentative stage 1 designation for my small (5mm) ER+/PR-, Her2- IDC plus DCIS tumor, but now it looks like that will change as this second (also small) hidden lesion is suspicious for multi focal/multicentric malignancy and the MRI showed signs the original lesion had spread further along the duct than any previous test had indicated. So far no sign of lymph invasion, but of course they can't tell about that until they get some actual nodes to look at, right?

I've only just recently heard of Oncotype scoring on these threads and know nothing about it. No medical professional has mentioned it to me yet, but maybe that's something that happens after surgery with the Oncologist? I don't have an Oncologist yet, that was to be determined after surgery.

Well, after that very disappointing failed attempt at an MRI-guided biopsy yesterday, I'm headed back to the original doctor who ordered the screening mammogram I had in early December that showed the original lesion and see if he has any wisdom to impart about where to go next.

This process isn't easy even when it proceeds smoothly from diagnosis through treatment but when there are continuing rude surprises beyond the original news, it's devastating. All the best to those just embarking on the journey and many thanks to those who weigh in to say they've made it though and encourage us with their stories. Every story of survival is a lifeline of hope.

In addition to your crew on the ground with you in person you know you will have people here rooting for you too on Thursday! We will be wishing for the best possible outcome and there are plenty of people on this board who have had good outcomes and are leading the way. Check in when you can. All the best.

Hi CFSunny,

I am 58 year old (post menopausal) female with T1aN0M0, grade 3, ER positive, PR negative, HER2 positive invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast. In November, I was told I had DCIS and there was extensive high-grade DCIS spanning 8 cm.  In December, I had a mastectomy of my left breast. Early January, I met with my surgeon and she indicated the pathology showed grade 3 invasive breast carcinoma measuring 4 mm and a second microinvasive focus measuring 0.2 mm, my 1 lymph node that was removed was benign. I was referred to an oncologist and she recommended 12 weekly treatments of paclitaxel and trastuzumab followed by 13 treatments (3 week intervals) of trastuzumab (thus a year of treatments). I will also start a hormone blocker after chemo (week 14) and will be on that for at least 5 years. So far I have received 3 of the 12 treatments. I am doing ok. It seams as though day 3-4 are the most difficult.

I have always been known as being "very active and healthy". To say this journey has been a complete surprise is an understatement. However, I have a strong faith and incredible support of family and friends (I call my prayer warriors). I feel there is a reason for this journey I am on, I will trust in the Lord to not only lead me through it but make me stronger on the back end. I wish you the best in this journey and encourage you to seek help from spiritual sources and loved ones.

KellyAnn-

I know exactly how you feel! My cancer was confirmed on November 3rd but I did not have surgery until December 14th! I was hard to wait that long! I wish you the best with your surgery on the 4th and will say a prayer for you that the surgeons do a good job to get it all, that it is not in the nodes, and you recover quickly.