I was just diagnosed with breast cancer
Comments
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So sorry to hear of your
So sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I am 33 and found out I had BC Dec 30, 2008. I had a double mastectomy, chemo and will be doing radiation.
I found the first week to be the most difficult, still trying to grasp what you have heard "cancer" and then going to test after test. I felt like I was living someone else's life. After meeting with the surgeon and oncologist and having a plan I felt much better. To be honest I still don't know what stage, grade cancer I had. I don't think that will help. Anyway as you think of questions I suggest writing them down and bringing them with you to the appointments. If you need or choose to have a mastectomy it helps to know if you want reconstruction because you can meet with a plastic surgeon and they can all plan together what is best for you. I know people who have waited on the reconstruction part so don't srtess about it. Also if you can bring someone to your appointments to help you hear what they are saying, for me I felt like the walls were closing in and not much sunk in. Take it one step at a time. If they say surgery, deal with that. If chemo then deal with that when it is time. One step at a time and you can get through it, try to stay positive. I feel laughter is the best medicine, it works for me but I know laughing probably seems hard right now.
Hope all works out with your insurance, one more thing you don't need to be worried abut right now.
Keep us posted.
KIm0 -
HI Aurora, Sorry about your
HI Aurora, Sorry about your diagnosis, There is a lot of questions you should ask. Make sure you write them down. It is also helpfull to bring someone with you when you meet with your doctor. I think if you look here on the CSN web site, they have a list of Questions that you could ask. You will not get all the answers right away. Waiting is the hardest. I was diagnosis in April, had surgery last week and I am still waiting for answers. Welcome to the club here, I am sure some of your questions can be answered here.0 -
Hi Aurora, I too did not
Hi Aurora, I too did not know where to start, did not know there was different types of breast cancer. I started with calling my dr. and asking what kind then went to cancer.org site.
My needle core biopsy gave me the type, size, hormone positive, and her2 negative.
First surgery - lumpectomy with some sentinel lymph node removal confirmed Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, 2.5cm, negative lymph notes, grade II, stage IIA, and that the margins were not clean (still cancer left behind).
Second surgery - lumpectomy to get the rest, results this week came back clean.
I insisted on getting a copy of all reports and received a book on how to read a pathology report and treatment guidelines for patients.
This was my savior!
I hope this helps and good luck!!
K0 -
AuroraKayla1 said:Hi Aurora, I too did not
Hi Aurora, I too did not know where to start, did not know there was different types of breast cancer. I started with calling my dr. and asking what kind then went to cancer.org site.
My needle core biopsy gave me the type, size, hormone positive, and her2 negative.
First surgery - lumpectomy with some sentinel lymph node removal confirmed Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, 2.5cm, negative lymph notes, grade II, stage IIA, and that the margins were not clean (still cancer left behind).
Second surgery - lumpectomy to get the rest, results this week came back clean.
I insisted on getting a copy of all reports and received a book on how to read a pathology report and treatment guidelines for patients.
This was my savior!
I hope this helps and good luck!!
K
I am one year out of diagnosis, and I still don't know what I had or what it means....Thank you for asking this
Jxxxxxxxxx0 -
Aurora, I am sorry that youKayla1 said:Hi Aurora, I too did not
Hi Aurora, I too did not know where to start, did not know there was different types of breast cancer. I started with calling my dr. and asking what kind then went to cancer.org site.
My needle core biopsy gave me the type, size, hormone positive, and her2 negative.
First surgery - lumpectomy with some sentinel lymph node removal confirmed Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, 2.5cm, negative lymph notes, grade II, stage IIA, and that the margins were not clean (still cancer left behind).
Second surgery - lumpectomy to get the rest, results this week came back clean.
I insisted on getting a copy of all reports and received a book on how to read a pathology report and treatment guidelines for patients.
This was my savior!
I hope this helps and good luck!!
K
Aurora, I am sorry that you found this site because of your having bc. You don't find out all of the information about your cancer until after your surgery and the pathology report is in. With the core biopsy, they can tell you some, but, not all. On this site, there are a list of questions to ask your doctor. And, take someone with you to listen. After you have surgery, and, your pathology report is done, your oncologist will speak with you about furthere treatment. And, it is important to know this information to make sure you are getting the proper treatment. Be educated! Don't panic, just take it one step at a time.0 -
Hi- I am so sorry about your
Hi- I am so sorry about your diagnosis. I was 35 when I was diagnosed in 2002. I was completely shocked and didn't know what to do. Someone suggested bringing a tape recorder with me to see my surgeon and oncologist...great advice. When we are first hit with this news there is no way that we can possibly digest all that we are told. You will want to know what stage, if you are ER+ or -, PR + or -, HER2Neu + or -, these will all factor into what treatment you will go through. I know that today it must feel like you can't possibly deal with all of this, but some how some way you will get the strength. Knowlege is power and the more you ask the better off you will be. I went through a year of chemo, a year of Herceptin, a mastectomy and radiation and am currently taking Aromasin. I had reconstruction in January. I hope this will help you in some small way, if you would like to talk more please e-mail me at karen75@cox.net. Best of luck to you.0 -
Hey Aurora. So sorry aboutkaren0423 said:Hi- I am so sorry about your
Hi- I am so sorry about your diagnosis. I was 35 when I was diagnosed in 2002. I was completely shocked and didn't know what to do. Someone suggested bringing a tape recorder with me to see my surgeon and oncologist...great advice. When we are first hit with this news there is no way that we can possibly digest all that we are told. You will want to know what stage, if you are ER+ or -, PR + or -, HER2Neu + or -, these will all factor into what treatment you will go through. I know that today it must feel like you can't possibly deal with all of this, but some how some way you will get the strength. Knowlege is power and the more you ask the better off you will be. I went through a year of chemo, a year of Herceptin, a mastectomy and radiation and am currently taking Aromasin. I had reconstruction in January. I hope this will help you in some small way, if you would like to talk more please e-mail me at karen75@cox.net. Best of luck to you.
Hey Aurora. So sorry about your diagnosis too. This is a very confusing time for you but
this is a great place to find. You will find lots of support and help here. I wish you
good luck!0 -
Thank you ... all of you forjnl said:Aurora, I am sorry that you
Aurora, I am sorry that you found this site because of your having bc. You don't find out all of the information about your cancer until after your surgery and the pathology report is in. With the core biopsy, they can tell you some, but, not all. On this site, there are a list of questions to ask your doctor. And, take someone with you to listen. After you have surgery, and, your pathology report is done, your oncologist will speak with you about furthere treatment. And, it is important to know this information to make sure you are getting the proper treatment. Be educated! Don't panic, just take it one step at a time.
Thank you ... all of you for responding. For the most part I am calm, probably in stock. I've never really been the kind to cry alot over anything. But I feel the tears creeping up on me every so often. It's really early (only hours actually) but from the second I felt the lump I knew it would come back cancer. Over all the process has been really fast. I discovered the lump on May 13th, was able to see a doctor at the clinic on the 15th, and by the 28th I was having a mamography and ultra sound done. Imediately I was referred to a biopsy and had that done June 10th. They told me that I wouldn't know anything for at least 72 hours, but the results were back in 24 hours and I was in the office less than 48 hours after the biopsy for the results today. Already I have an appt, with the surgeon for this coming Wednesday the 17th. So for now I guess I just have to trust the process.
The part that worries me the most is explaining all this to my 6 year old son, He's really smart and has picked up on the fact that I have cancer, for now I just told him that there is nothing to worry about. And that we would talk about this more later. I also have 2 other children, one who is 25 with two kids of her own and who can help me out with him and is pretty strong and level headed so she'll be a great support for me. My other daughter is 17 and much more emotional so I'll have to becareful with leaning on her to much. She's already scared, I guess we all are.
Any way thanks for the support, I was able to find the list of question to ask, so I'll be printing those and asking question!!!!! And thanks for the advice. It feels good just to talk (or type) as I'm sure all of you know.
Aurora1 -
Just want to say I am sorryAlexis F said:Hey Aurora. So sorry about
Hey Aurora. So sorry about your diagnosis too. This is a very confusing time for you but
this is a great place to find. You will find lots of support and help here. I wish you
good luck!
Just want to say I am sorry Aurora that you are here because of bc. But, welcome and hope that all of us can help you. This is a strong support group. Hugs, Noel1 -
WelcomeNoel said:Just want to say I am sorry
Just want to say I am sorry Aurora that you are here because of bc. But, welcome and hope that all of us can help you. This is a strong support group. Hugs, Noel
Aurora,
First welcome to this wonderful site--awesome people who can help out or who you can vent to. I also have a son who will be 6 at the end of July. I had a double mastectomy on my 45th birthday(2/2/09) and am now in chemo treatment. I found that you need to be honest and I explained everything to Jake because he is also very smart--don't hide things from them because they know when something isn't right. He has been my biggest support besides my twin sister and mother and the friends on this site.
If your path report comes back stating that special stains will be done at the request of the doctor then make sure your doctor requests those special stains because that will give them a better idea of the type and what your treatment plan should be.
Always bring someone with you when you are going to the doctor to help write things down for you--you may not hear everything--some start to tune things out because you are overwhelmed with all the information. Keep on top of things and don't let things slide. Know what your treatment plan is from start to finish and keep track of this each and every time.
Hugs,
Margo0 -
Aurora,tommaseena said:Welcome
Aurora,
First welcome to this wonderful site--awesome people who can help out or who you can vent to. I also have a son who will be 6 at the end of July. I had a double mastectomy on my 45th birthday(2/2/09) and am now in chemo treatment. I found that you need to be honest and I explained everything to Jake because he is also very smart--don't hide things from them because they know when something isn't right. He has been my biggest support besides my twin sister and mother and the friends on this site.
If your path report comes back stating that special stains will be done at the request of the doctor then make sure your doctor requests those special stains because that will give them a better idea of the type and what your treatment plan should be.
Always bring someone with you when you are going to the doctor to help write things down for you--you may not hear everything--some start to tune things out because you are overwhelmed with all the information. Keep on top of things and don't let things slide. Know what your treatment plan is from start to finish and keep track of this each and every time.
Hugs,
Margo
Welcome, This site
Aurora,
Welcome, This site is helping me so much. I'm glad you discovered it early in you bc journey. I wish I had. I was 38 last year when I was diagnosed. It's difficult. You won't no for sure which stage you are in until your surgery. You will find out from your path report what type of cancer receptors you have (estrogen progestrone positive or negative). Your treatment depends on many factors.
I would recommend bringing someone with you on your first visit to the oncologist and surgeon.
There is so much information being thrown at you that you have no idea what is going on. (It's like Charlie Brown's teacher noise wha wha).
If there is something you are not sure of Ask!!!!! I met so many women on my journey who were afraid of asking questions. Things do get better. It's scary because of the unknown.
Best wishes,
Trish0 -
Hi Aurora.. I'm am so sorry
Hi Aurora.. I'm am so sorry for the reason you are here, but so glad you found this amazing group of people... I too didn't even know where to start at first.. it took the breath from my lungs just hearing the doctors voice on the other end of the telephone... but it didn't take me long for my mind to kick into gear.
The very next day I called the doctors office and asked them to fax me a copy of the pathology report. On it it told me what type of cancer it was, (Invasive ductal carcinoma). It told me the speciman size 3 cm... and the actual cancer size 1.25 cm.. hormone receptors pos or neg.. mine pos.. just this information alone allowed me to begin my learning process.
I do suggest getting a copy of your path report.. It allowed me to be able to meet with my surgon and tell him what I had and what my options were... (I had done all the research) and found these amazing people to help me gain the information!
Best wishes.. hugs & prayers
~T0 -
Just want to say that I am
Sorry that you found us because you have bc. But, this is an amazing site. It has been very helful to me. You will get most of those answers in your pathology report, which is after your surgery, from your doctor. You get some of them with a presurgery biopsy, but, not all for certain. Write your questions down and take someone with you. Luck!0 -
Welcome, aurora2009
Glad you found us, though sorry for the reason. We're all here to support and encourage each other.
Best wishes for your upcoming appointment with a surgeon. The journey can only be travelled one step at a time, always moving forward. Please keep us posted along the way, visit often.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
Hey Auroraaurora2009 said:Thank you ... all of you for
Thank you ... all of you for responding. For the most part I am calm, probably in stock. I've never really been the kind to cry alot over anything. But I feel the tears creeping up on me every so often. It's really early (only hours actually) but from the second I felt the lump I knew it would come back cancer. Over all the process has been really fast. I discovered the lump on May 13th, was able to see a doctor at the clinic on the 15th, and by the 28th I was having a mamography and ultra sound done. Imediately I was referred to a biopsy and had that done June 10th. They told me that I wouldn't know anything for at least 72 hours, but the results were back in 24 hours and I was in the office less than 48 hours after the biopsy for the results today. Already I have an appt, with the surgeon for this coming Wednesday the 17th. So for now I guess I just have to trust the process.
The part that worries me the most is explaining all this to my 6 year old son, He's really smart and has picked up on the fact that I have cancer, for now I just told him that there is nothing to worry about. And that we would talk about this more later. I also have 2 other children, one who is 25 with two kids of her own and who can help me out with him and is pretty strong and level headed so she'll be a great support for me. My other daughter is 17 and much more emotional so I'll have to becareful with leaning on her to much. She's already scared, I guess we all are.
Any way thanks for the support, I was able to find the list of question to ask, so I'll be printing those and asking question!!!!! And thanks for the advice. It feels good just to talk (or type) as I'm sure all of you know.
Aurora
Of course you're
Hey Aurora
Of course you're terrified. We all were. When you go to your appt. with your surgeon he should go over all the pathology that they know so far from the biopsy. They'll have a pretty good idea of the size of the tumor and they'll give it a number 1-4, whether it is in sito(hasn't spread to surrrounding tissue) or invasive (has spread) and whether you are er positive or negative, pr positive or negative, or HER2 pos. or neg.... these last three things are important because they'll determine what type of treatment you'll get.ER means estrogen receptor which means too much estrogen is making the cancer cells grow, progesteron receptor ditto, and HER2 indicates a more aggressive kind of cancer cell growth . So ask the doc. about the tumor size, whether it seems to be in sito or invasive(most of us have invasive so don't freak about that), and whether you are ER/PR/HER2 positive...and make him explain it thourghly. The size of the lump will determine if you can have a lumpectomy or need a mastectomy. If it is 1.5 to 2 they will try to do the lumpetomy to save the breast if at all possible. Of course your's may be tiny, it may be in sito, and all you'll need is a little radition....so good luck and let us know your dx.
Dee0 -
Aurora, Welcomeaurora2009 said:Thank you ... all of you for
Thank you ... all of you for responding. For the most part I am calm, probably in stock. I've never really been the kind to cry alot over anything. But I feel the tears creeping up on me every so often. It's really early (only hours actually) but from the second I felt the lump I knew it would come back cancer. Over all the process has been really fast. I discovered the lump on May 13th, was able to see a doctor at the clinic on the 15th, and by the 28th I was having a mamography and ultra sound done. Imediately I was referred to a biopsy and had that done June 10th. They told me that I wouldn't know anything for at least 72 hours, but the results were back in 24 hours and I was in the office less than 48 hours after the biopsy for the results today. Already I have an appt, with the surgeon for this coming Wednesday the 17th. So for now I guess I just have to trust the process.
The part that worries me the most is explaining all this to my 6 year old son, He's really smart and has picked up on the fact that I have cancer, for now I just told him that there is nothing to worry about. And that we would talk about this more later. I also have 2 other children, one who is 25 with two kids of her own and who can help me out with him and is pretty strong and level headed so she'll be a great support for me. My other daughter is 17 and much more emotional so I'll have to becareful with leaning on her to much. She's already scared, I guess we all are.
Any way thanks for the support, I was able to find the list of question to ask, so I'll be printing those and asking question!!!!! And thanks for the advice. It feels good just to talk (or type) as I'm sure all of you know.
Aurora
Welcome, but sorry you're here because of bc.
My daughter was 18 when I was diagnosed with bc. Now, at 21, there are still some things I have not told her. I may be wrong, but I know my daugher and I feel that I know what will benefit her to know and what will only hurt her. I am divorced and re-married, and both my ex and current husband know everything.
My parents are elderly (mid-80s and 90) and I don't tell them anything related to my cancer unless they ask. I figure that if they ask, they deserve an honest (but carefully spoken) answer and that is what I give them. My two brothers know everything.
I remember a quote, from long ago, that reads (paraphrasing): 'A doctor tells the patient what he needs to know, but not what will harm him by knowing.' This is the motto I follow when it comes to what I say to my loved ones. Sometimes, it's a tough call and you may not always get it right, but know that you are making the best decision you know how to make at the time. You know your son and daughter and, because you love them, whatever you decide to tell them will be spoken with tenderness. Even a young child can understand when someone speaks from the heart.
dmc0 -
Welcome Aurora
You have found a wonderful site with so many experienced & caring people to help you along in your new journey. I'm 47 years old and was diagnosed last month. I just had my surgery this past Wednesday (you can follow my story titled Chapter 1, etc.). I wrote down every question I had in blue ink, all the suggestions here in black ink, and my Doctor's answers in red ink. And I made sure every question I had, no matter how ridiculous it seemed, was answered. And you will have a million of them. So write them down for the next time you see your Dr. and try to take it step by step and one day at a time (tomorrow has not come yet!).
Pammy 0 -
Hi Auror, I was diagnosed
Hi Auror, I was diagnosed November 2008. and like you I had a lot of questions. My recommendation would be, get a tablet and write down all your questions as they come to mind. Then when you met with the doctors, you will have it. I also recommend finding out who your Patient Navigator is for the county you live in. you can find this out by contacting the American Cancer Soceity in your area. Once you find out who it is, they will give you a nice vinyl folder to place all your information in, as well as a place to right all your appointments on. a place for your test results, etc... just type in National cancer society for the question and answer they recommend you ask your oncologist.
Julie0 -
Wishing you well confused!confused123 said:So sorry to hear of your
So sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I am 33 and found out I had BC Dec 30, 2008. I had a double mastectomy, chemo and will be doing radiation.
I found the first week to be the most difficult, still trying to grasp what you have heard "cancer" and then going to test after test. I felt like I was living someone else's life. After meeting with the surgeon and oncologist and having a plan I felt much better. To be honest I still don't know what stage, grade cancer I had. I don't think that will help. Anyway as you think of questions I suggest writing them down and bringing them with you to the appointments. If you need or choose to have a mastectomy it helps to know if you want reconstruction because you can meet with a plastic surgeon and they can all plan together what is best for you. I know people who have waited on the reconstruction part so don't srtess about it. Also if you can bring someone to your appointments to help you hear what they are saying, for me I felt like the walls were closing in and not much sunk in. Take it one step at a time. If they say surgery, deal with that. If chemo then deal with that when it is time. One step at a time and you can get through it, try to stay positive. I feel laughter is the best medicine, it works for me but I know laughing probably seems hard right now.
Hope all works out with your insurance, one more thing you don't need to be worried abut right now.
Keep us posted.
KIm
Wishing you well confused!0
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