Just diagnosed, with tons of questions

EllieJV
EllieJV Member Posts: 16
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I just got the news on Weds., that I have "invasive ductal with some pre-invasive cells". My tumor is 1 cm. That's it. That's all I know. I am reading everything I can find. I am beyond scared, because of course, a little knowledge CAN be a dangerous thing, especially if you don't have the full story. I am sitting here, waiting patiently to hear back about my follow-up appt with a surgeon. That's how "new" I am. :-) I do go to MD Anderson, so I am not worried about the hospital, or the MD's, it is just the waiting that is starting to take it's toll. And, I know I have a LOT of waiting ahead of me.

I just wanted to say "HI" and to let you know, I will be picking your brains, once I know what to be picking at. And hopefully, you will bring some smiles into my life, and I can bring some to you. Because I feel strongly, if you can't find at least ONE thing every day to laugh about, even if only to yourself, you are in serious trouble. ;-)

So, hello. And know, your discussions here help a LOT of people who lurk, until the get the courage enough to come in outta' the dark, and say "HI"! Thanks for everything you have already put in print. It helps.

Ellie

Comments

  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #2
    WelcomeEllie!!
    You have come to the right place for answers and support from many courageous and supportive sisters in pink.your diagnosis i'm sure is scary when you don't have facts..the more you learn the less frightning it becomes. Keep smiling and laughing!! you will fight and you will win!

    God bless,
    Jackie
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    Welcome to our family!
    Although the reason for the welcome (your tangle with cancer) is not welcome.

    We are one of the best 'been there/done that' groups around...ask anything, share anything. Many of us have walked the path before you...don't hesitate to share.

    MD Anderson is great. Half the battle is believing in your treatment team, and in yourself!

    I, too, found something to laugh about every day...even wrote a book about it (blush...self-publishing...target shelf date is April). In short, I had stage III rectal cancer 10 months before my stage II breast cancer dx. I was given 6 months to live, 4 years ago, and am now released from my oncologist with No Evidence of Disease (NED...handsome chap...).
    Hugs, Kathi
  • EllieJV
    EllieJV Member Posts: 16
    #4
    KathiM said:

    Welcome to our family!
    Although the reason for the welcome (your tangle with cancer) is not welcome.

    We are one of the best 'been there/done that' groups around...ask anything, share anything. Many of us have walked the path before you...don't hesitate to share.

    MD Anderson is great. Half the battle is believing in your treatment team, and in yourself!

    I, too, found something to laugh about every day...even wrote a book about it (blush...self-publishing...target shelf date is April). In short, I had stage III rectal cancer 10 months before my stage II breast cancer dx. I was given 6 months to live, 4 years ago, and am now released from my oncologist with No Evidence of Disease (NED...handsome chap...).
    Hugs, Kathi

    Thank you both, for your
    Thank you both, for your comments.

    I did find out a little more info this morning. They have me scheduled to meet with the surgeon two weeks from today, with the actual surgery probably taking place, that same week.

    My cancer is +estrogen receptor, with low+progesterone recptor, and HER2neu being "equivacal" whatever that means. Probably neither + or -, but I could be wrong. Just thought I would add that, so you have a bit more information on me.

    BTW, I am 56, married for 35+ years, with a DD who is married and has given me the "love of my life" in the form of a 4 yr old GS, and a DS who is in Pharmacy College as I type. Now, how's that for "Providence"? ;-)

    Ellie
  • Derbygirl
    Derbygirl Member Posts: 198
    #5
    Hi Ellie! I'm in Central
    Hi Ellie! I'm in Central Texas at Scott & White - not too far from MD Anderson. You're in good hands at MDA. I finished treatment in December 2008 following a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in June 2008 and it was less than 1cm. Read all that you can and ask questions because in the end it is your decision on treatment. There is lots of information on the internet, but be sure to visit reliable sources like MD Anderson, Mayo Clinic and this network because we've been there. Hope to hear from you often. Good Luck!
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #6
    Welcome Ellie to the club
    Welcome Ellie to the club none of us wanted to join, but alas here we are. You've come to the right place. We are a wonderful group of survivors here that can probably answer most of your questions from experience. You will find a very supportive group of women and some men that are battling this disease. I was also diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in June, 2007. My tumor was a Grade 3 which makes it very aggressive and luckily I had clean lymph nodes. I went through 8 rounds of adriamycin, cytoxan, 5FU and did not have to have radiation because I opted for a mastectomy. Keep us posted and know we are here to offer support and help. Hugs, Lili
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #7
    EllieJV said:

    Thank you both, for your
    Thank you both, for your comments.

    I did find out a little more info this morning. They have me scheduled to meet with the surgeon two weeks from today, with the actual surgery probably taking place, that same week.

    My cancer is +estrogen receptor, with low+progesterone recptor, and HER2neu being "equivacal" whatever that means. Probably neither + or -, but I could be wrong. Just thought I would add that, so you have a bit more information on me.

    BTW, I am 56, married for 35+ years, with a DD who is married and has given me the "love of my life" in the form of a 4 yr old GS, and a DS who is in Pharmacy College as I type. Now, how's that for "Providence"? ;-)

    Ellie

    Welcome Ellie!
    Welcome to a board you hoped you never had to read! The folks here are very supportive and they will be glad to answer all your questions with a wealth of information that comes from experience. I have read tons of great things about Anderson and I'm sure you will get state of the art care. +Estrogen receptor cancer is the kind I have too. It is more common than some of the other varieties and often responds well to stuff like Tamoxifen or the Aromatase inhibitors. Cancer stresses everybody. So if you feel like you're living in a hurricane right now with all the phone calls, decisions to be made, and stuff coming at you, you are perfectly normal! Hang on and ask all the questions you want. Good luck on your journey!

    C. Abbott
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #8
    EllieJV said:

    Thank you both, for your
    Thank you both, for your comments.

    I did find out a little more info this morning. They have me scheduled to meet with the surgeon two weeks from today, with the actual surgery probably taking place, that same week.

    My cancer is +estrogen receptor, with low+progesterone recptor, and HER2neu being "equivacal" whatever that means. Probably neither + or -, but I could be wrong. Just thought I would add that, so you have a bit more information on me.

    BTW, I am 56, married for 35+ years, with a DD who is married and has given me the "love of my life" in the form of a 4 yr old GS, and a DS who is in Pharmacy College as I type. Now, how's that for "Providence"? ;-)

    Ellie

    Hi!
    I can relate--I got the
    Hi!

    I can relate--I got the report last Thursday of ductal carcinoma in situ. I don't know anything more and I see the surgeon this afternoon.

    Welcome even if *none* of us wanted to be here.

    Maureen
  • Chellebug
    Chellebug Member Posts: 133
    #9
    EllieJV said:

    Thank you both, for your
    Thank you both, for your comments.

    I did find out a little more info this morning. They have me scheduled to meet with the surgeon two weeks from today, with the actual surgery probably taking place, that same week.

    My cancer is +estrogen receptor, with low+progesterone recptor, and HER2neu being "equivacal" whatever that means. Probably neither + or -, but I could be wrong. Just thought I would add that, so you have a bit more information on me.

    BTW, I am 56, married for 35+ years, with a DD who is married and has given me the "love of my life" in the form of a 4 yr old GS, and a DS who is in Pharmacy College as I type. Now, how's that for "Providence"? ;-)

    Ellie

    Godsend
    Hi Ellie,
    Glad you found this site. It's been a Godsend to me, but I didn't find it until the end of my treatment.

    My invasive tumor in my left breast was also just at 1 cm, estrogen/progestrone positive, and HER2 positive (They had to do the FISH test to confirm that). They also found a second primary site in one of my right lymph nodes. I've not heard of equivocal?? I'm sure you're surgeon will fill you in on those details.

    I'm about to turn 38, married for 13 years, with 4 rowdy yet wonderful boys (ages 11,9,7,5). It's been a very rough year for me, but regardless, I am still blessed.

    The joy of the Lord is my strength!

    Chelle
  • dlr102369
    dlr102369 Member Posts: 15
    #10
    EllieJV said:

    Thank you both, for your
    Thank you both, for your comments.

    I did find out a little more info this morning. They have me scheduled to meet with the surgeon two weeks from today, with the actual surgery probably taking place, that same week.

    My cancer is +estrogen receptor, with low+progesterone recptor, and HER2neu being "equivacal" whatever that means. Probably neither + or -, but I could be wrong. Just thought I would add that, so you have a bit more information on me.

    BTW, I am 56, married for 35+ years, with a DD who is married and has given me the "love of my life" in the form of a 4 yr old GS, and a DS who is in Pharmacy College as I type. Now, how's that for "Providence"? ;-)

    Ellie

    Hi Ellie
    I have also been
    Hi Ellie
    I have also been diagnosed with DCIS invasive. I am in Cary, NC and will be going to UNC Chapel Hill but my surgeon is from MD Anderson which is so comforting. I am 39 years old, been married 20 years this year and have two teenage girls (16 and 13). Even though I am an oncology nurse for 15 years this was still such a shock to me! I read everything there is to read as did my mom but in the end you have to do what you feel is right for your life and your family! I am ER/PR +. I have decided to have a bilateral mastectomy. The option was lumpectomy which was difficult in my case because I have small breasts and the surgeon did not know if he would be able to get clean margins and there was a 40% chance they would have to go back in. I would also have to have radiation therapy for six weeks. I have multiple sclerosis as well so that was a determining factor for me as well. So this is why I say you have to look within yourself and see what is best for you and your family! My very dear friend whom is an oncologist that specializes in breast cancer said "make your decision and dont look back." So this is what I did.

    You will be amazed how you will grow through this experience! The folks on this website are inspiring and have real life experience! They are great and positive and a Godsend!

    I am going for my pre op on Wednesday and my surgery is the 30th of Jan. I have some idea of what to expect but we shall see!

    I pray you have piece in your heart whatever you decide!

    Kindly,
    Debbie
  • EllieJV
    EllieJV Member Posts: 16
    #11
    dlr102369 said:

    Hi Ellie
    I have also been
    Hi Ellie
    I have also been diagnosed with DCIS invasive. I am in Cary, NC and will be going to UNC Chapel Hill but my surgeon is from MD Anderson which is so comforting. I am 39 years old, been married 20 years this year and have two teenage girls (16 and 13). Even though I am an oncology nurse for 15 years this was still such a shock to me! I read everything there is to read as did my mom but in the end you have to do what you feel is right for your life and your family! I am ER/PR +. I have decided to have a bilateral mastectomy. The option was lumpectomy which was difficult in my case because I have small breasts and the surgeon did not know if he would be able to get clean margins and there was a 40% chance they would have to go back in. I would also have to have radiation therapy for six weeks. I have multiple sclerosis as well so that was a determining factor for me as well. So this is why I say you have to look within yourself and see what is best for you and your family! My very dear friend whom is an oncologist that specializes in breast cancer said "make your decision and dont look back." So this is what I did.

    You will be amazed how you will grow through this experience! The folks on this website are inspiring and have real life experience! They are great and positive and a Godsend!

    I am going for my pre op on Wednesday and my surgery is the 30th of Jan. I have some idea of what to expect but we shall see!

    I pray you have piece in your heart whatever you decide!

    Kindly,
    Debbie

    Debbie, I used to live in
    Debbie, I used to live in Cary, and worked as an Ophth. Tech with a retina specialist in Raleigh, so I know where you are!

    I know they will take good care of you at the hospital! And, I agree with the advice they have given you...make your decision, and then stay with it. Somehow, it is easier for me to see why you are making the decision you made, than it is for me to make one. Of course, I am jumping the gun a bit, in that I haven't even spoken with anyone other than the PA.

    Thanks to EVERYONE for all your input. I am inspired by all of you. I am so thankful that I found this website, because you are certainly giving me a great education...not that I wanted this kind of education, mind you.

    Also want to let you know, I found out that equivocal means "of uncertain significance, ambiguous, dubious, questionable" so that really doesn't tell me a heck of a whole lot, for the HER. Oh well, I'll have answers soon enough.

    Again, thanks to ALL for your comments and support. I plan to be there for all of you, when you reach out. You are all answers to my prayers! Ellie
  • EllieJV
    EllieJV Member Posts: 16
    #12
    EveningStar2 said:

    Hi!
    I can relate--I got the
    Hi!

    I can relate--I got the report last Thursday of ductal carcinoma in situ. I don't know anything more and I see the surgeon this afternoon.

    Welcome even if *none* of us wanted to be here.

    Maureen

    Maureen, so sorry we have to
    Maureen, so sorry we have to meet like this, too. But, I am finding that the support here, is wonderful. It helps to be able to speak to people going thru the same experience.
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #13
    EllieJV said:

    Maureen, so sorry we have to
    Maureen, so sorry we have to meet like this, too. But, I am finding that the support here, is wonderful. It helps to be able to speak to people going thru the same experience.

    Agreed. I saw the surgeon
    Agreed. I saw the surgeon today and we are doing a lumpectomy with radiation. I want the internal radiation but she thinks the area is too close to the nipple but we will see. Surgery is probably friday but they will let me know tomorrow.

    I think finding this board is the only thing keeping me sane in the middle of this whirlwind.

    Maureen

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