"Step One"
Comments
-
One man's opinion
I'm not BTDT, so I'll leave your questions for those who are. They should be here soon.
Still, speaking as one who remembers all to well getting "the phone call" from the Breast Center and passing the message on to his wife's work email, I can tell you that you SHOULD be here. Hopefully you will not be diagnosed. But you will be supported, answered, hugged, and prayed for here.
Best,
Joe0 -
Yes, you belong.......
It's always scary when they "call you to come back in." BUT MAKE SURE YOU GO! The ultrasound is painless.....as you probably already know. I pray they find nothing. I had been called back several times, over the years.....and like most, once my "annual" mammo was over, I forgot about it until the next year, when my card arrived telling me to make my yearly appointment.....about 3 years ago, I thought, "I should be more careful" and started doing monthly self exams......am I glad I did! I had a mammo and ultrasound in December 08....doing my self exam at the end of March 09, I "felt something," just three months later!!!!!!!....as soon as I felt it, I knew it wasn't good......and it wasn't....I was diagnosed with breast cancer after a core needle biopsy. Had a lumpectomy on May 20, and three sentinel lymph nodes removed.....they got good clean margins and the nodes were CLEAN! YEAH! I have started chemotherapy and have my second infusion this coming Monday.....sailed right through the first, not a bit of nausea......the Neulasta shot that is given the next day is another story for another day......I am so off your subject, I'm sorry......
To tell someone to "stay calm and wait and see," is about as helpful as ice cream for a tooth ache......But, I hope you can.......If you have any anxiety medication, take it! Anything to help your state of mind........I wish you well......0 -
Step one
How well I remember that phone call! "It may be nothing, but we'd like to do another mammogram and possibly an ultrasound." I remember the anxiety, even though I am like you a common sense gal.I figured it may be nothing, it may be something, but not to worry about it til the day of the appointment. If it's nothing, great! If it's something, worrying about it beforehand isn't going to make it go away. Hang in! This is a good place to be, if you have worries or concerns, there always seems to be someone with info or encouragement.0 -
crossroads
Hate to ask this,but what is BTDT?
I know what you're talking about. I had mammograms for so many years always followed with the letter-everything's fine,come back next year. That first phone call or letter back is a huge shocker to say the least.Can't remeber if it was the first time or the second time that I had to go back,but they thought they had found something so I had more xrays taken and an ultrasound-and because it was a holiday weekend,I had to wait about a week for the results!And then they say,try not to worry about it and try to have a good time this weekend. Like I'm going to be able to do that!!
You're allowed to be here-of course!!
I hope that you get good results back. Keep us posted.
Patty0 -
and muchAortus said:One man's opinion
I'm not BTDT, so I'll leave your questions for those who are. They should be here soon.
Still, speaking as one who remembers all to well getting "the phone call" from the Breast Center and passing the message on to his wife's work email, I can tell you that you SHOULD be here. Hopefully you will not be diagnosed. But you will be supported, answered, hugged, and prayed for here.
Best,
Joe
appreciated your comment Joe! Though I have had two very close friends diagnosed in the past 5 yrs. and they are survivors. I was their strength and support. Never thinking I'd get a call. I found it peculiar they weighed heavy on my mind that day as I drove to that appointment. Anyway, again thank you, "step two" is Wednesday.0 -
BTDT=outdoorgirl said:crossroads
Hate to ask this,but what is BTDT?
I know what you're talking about. I had mammograms for so many years always followed with the letter-everything's fine,come back next year. That first phone call or letter back is a huge shocker to say the least.Can't remeber if it was the first time or the second time that I had to go back,but they thought they had found something so I had more xrays taken and an ultrasound-and because it was a holiday weekend,I had to wait about a week for the results!And then they say,try not to worry about it and try to have a good time this weekend. Like I'm going to be able to do that!!
You're allowed to be here-of course!!
I hope that you get good results back. Keep us posted.
Patty
Been There, Done That....
and you could add...GTDT=Got The D*** T-shirt! lol0 -
Thanks zahalene!zahalene said:BTDT=
Been There, Done That....
and you could add...GTDT=Got The D*** T-shirt! lol
I'm not a "texter" so those abbreviations get me sometimes! For the longest time I was one of those who thought that lol meant lots of love!! Haha!0 -
I got the 2-fer....
Breast cancer was my second cancer in 6 months...actually, the PET scan to see how far the rectal cancer had gone 'lit up' the 11-year-old lump in my breast that had been mammo'ed faithfully every year. "We won't worry about the breast cancer right now, you need to survive the rectal cancer first...then, we will see about testing for the other". I showed them...lol...6 months after diagnosis on the rectal, the time limit they gave me to survive, not only was I cancer-free from that cancer, but was starting the testing for the breast cancer...I said "I've already beaten the odds...I don't want something to take me by surprise!".
Please keep us posted, it will hopefully be ABSOLUTELY nothing...but you have found one of the best 'been there/done that' groups around...
Hugs, Kathi0 -
Like your styleMAJW said:Yes, you belong.......
It's always scary when they "call you to come back in." BUT MAKE SURE YOU GO! The ultrasound is painless.....as you probably already know. I pray they find nothing. I had been called back several times, over the years.....and like most, once my "annual" mammo was over, I forgot about it until the next year, when my card arrived telling me to make my yearly appointment.....about 3 years ago, I thought, "I should be more careful" and started doing monthly self exams......am I glad I did! I had a mammo and ultrasound in December 08....doing my self exam at the end of March 09, I "felt something," just three months later!!!!!!!....as soon as I felt it, I knew it wasn't good......and it wasn't....I was diagnosed with breast cancer after a core needle biopsy. Had a lumpectomy on May 20, and three sentinel lymph nodes removed.....they got good clean margins and the nodes were CLEAN! YEAH! I have started chemotherapy and have my second infusion this coming Monday.....sailed right through the first, not a bit of nausea......the Neulasta shot that is given the next day is another story for another day......I am so off your subject, I'm sorry......
To tell someone to "stay calm and wait and see," is about as helpful as ice cream for a tooth ache......But, I hope you can.......If you have any anxiety medication, take it! Anything to help your state of mind........I wish you well......
In reference to the "stay calm" and "ice cream", I laughed out loud. I tore up my medicine cabinet looking for the "anxiety med". Thank your for that MAJW.
I'm no stranger to "lifes trauma, but dang nabit, not now! It's an unexpected curve ball I didn't see coming. Oh yes, I'm going, they scheduled me already for the ultra sound Wed. morning. Right around the corner, but then as you anticipate it seems eons away.
No, no, you didn't go off subject, I appreciated you sharing your story, your living it now, and I can only imagine!! How are you coping? What was your initial reaction to finding out?0 -
so trueJenice said:Step one
How well I remember that phone call! "It may be nothing, but we'd like to do another mammogram and possibly an ultrasound." I remember the anxiety, even though I am like you a common sense gal.I figured it may be nothing, it may be something, but not to worry about it til the day of the appointment. If it's nothing, great! If it's something, worrying about it beforehand isn't going to make it go away. Hang in! This is a good place to be, if you have worries or concerns, there always seems to be someone with info or encouragement.
You sure your not me?? That's exactly what I'm doing, back and forth, it may be nothing and yet????? Then of course start searching the internet and ............I think the biggest eye opener is... just how "common" it is. I play that it my mind, the statistics of it's as common as anything else out there. Thanks for your comments, I'll be staying tuned!
P0 -
The other'soutdoorgirl said:crossroads
Hate to ask this,but what is BTDT?
I know what you're talking about. I had mammograms for so many years always followed with the letter-everything's fine,come back next year. That first phone call or letter back is a huge shocker to say the least.Can't remeber if it was the first time or the second time that I had to go back,but they thought they had found something so I had more xrays taken and an ultrasound-and because it was a holiday weekend,I had to wait about a week for the results!And then they say,try not to worry about it and try to have a good time this weekend. Like I'm going to be able to do that!!
You're allowed to be here-of course!!
I hope that you get good results back. Keep us posted.
Patty
Chimed in before I could Patty, but they are correct, the ole' text deal of "been there done that". I too once thought lol was the "lots of love". It's either "lots of laughs" or "laughing out loud". Depending on who you ask. Thank you for your post, what's up with holiday weekends and getting the "new"! Ergh... I'm glad I signed in today, I want to feel like a am "normal". more to come, boy friend on the phone. Thanks again! 0 -
so truecrossroads said:so true
You sure your not me?? That's exactly what I'm doing, back and forth, it may be nothing and yet????? Then of course start searching the internet and ............I think the biggest eye opener is... just how "common" it is. I play that it my mind, the statistics of it's as common as anything else out there. Thanks for your comments, I'll be staying tuned!
P
Oh my goodness, I did the same thing right away, started searching the internet, but decided to wait since all I found kept leading me to more worry, which might not have been necessary. Just so you know, after a needle biopsy, I ended up with ductal carcinoma insitu (DCIS) stage 0. Many calcifications. I had a lumpectomy in March, but the margins weren't clear, so another excision the end of March. Went for radiation, but they sent me for another mammogram with magnification. Still residual calcifications, which I could have ANOTHER excision or needle biopsy to try & get rid of them. I talked with my surgeon to discuss mastectomy, didn't feel like bouncing back & forth. (plus, my mom had a mastectomy 24 years ago). I had my surgery 2 weeks ago, and feel it was absolutely the right thing for me. Having reconstruction at the same time. Sentinal lymph node is clear and so are the margins. So I won't have chemo or radiation. My surgeon and plastic surgeon are wonderful and very supportive ( what doctor gives you his cell phone number if you have a problem?) Hang in there and best of everything for wednesday.0 -
Beating the oddsKathiM said:I got the 2-fer....
Breast cancer was my second cancer in 6 months...actually, the PET scan to see how far the rectal cancer had gone 'lit up' the 11-year-old lump in my breast that had been mammo'ed faithfully every year. "We won't worry about the breast cancer right now, you need to survive the rectal cancer first...then, we will see about testing for the other". I showed them...lol...6 months after diagnosis on the rectal, the time limit they gave me to survive, not only was I cancer-free from that cancer, but was starting the testing for the breast cancer...I said "I've already beaten the odds...I don't want something to take me by surprise!".
Please keep us posted, it will hopefully be ABSOLUTELY nothing...but you have found one of the best 'been there/done that' groups around...
Hugs, Kathi
I am moved, encouraged, hopeful, and positive by you sharing your story Kathi! Thank you, everyone that has responded are amazing!
Do I feel better, yes!! I just wanted validation that my "feelings" are "normal", that the anxiety I have is "normal". "what ever normal is", lol!
I do have close friends that went through this, and I was a tower of strength and support for them. They don't live in my state but I saw them through via the phone. Hours and hours of listening, giving perspectives, hearing their tears, and why me. It was quite a journey. I knew and pondered then what if it were me? A fleeting thought that came and went! Now here I am! Again, thank you I can start my day feeling at least for now, "normal". P 0 -
crossroads.....
Hello and welcome.
I went for a mammogram because it was pretty obvious that I had bc. By the time I got a doc to listen to me, there were "outward" changes. And yes, I had gone for my annual mammogram every year, without fail.
I had the mammogram and then immediately after, had the ultrasound.
The radiologist called me in and told me that I needed an immediate biopsy. So they did that.
I spent six hours at the center, but had had everything done all in one day.
My ob/gyn called three days later and asked me to come in to her office. I went of course, knowing before I even got there.
However, when she actually said the words, I thought I would faint! Even though I knew....
That's my story on dx.
I know that the waiting is hard and your mind races to all kinds of things. I'm not sure how you can stop it from doing that. I guess just try and keep busy, and keep coming here until you know something for sure either way.
I am really hoping for the best for you. Sending positive thoughts.
Hugs,
CR0 -
Glad you have an appointment
Wanted to say welcome and share my story with you as well. Prior to my diagnosis I had 7 lumpectomies done over 15 years which were all benign. So I became somewhat lax about the fact they were calling me back in. (my cancer was seen accidently from an MRI that was done of my arm) To me it had just become routine. So you could imagine my shock when they told me I had Breast Cancer. Now the word "calming" has temorarily left my vocabulary. I have faith it will return, just not too soon I think. But this is how I was the first time or two. Hoping everything turns out to be normal for you. It is very scary but you certainly have found an awesome place to come to for relief!! No one says you can't be here from the very beginning, which I think starts with that first phone call! And if everything turns out to be OK then we will only be happy for you and help you to celebrate! (We look for all kinds of excuses to celebrate!!) So please keep us informed on your progress!! Pammy 0 -
Eye openingCR1954 said:crossroads.....
Hello and welcome.
I went for a mammogram because it was pretty obvious that I had bc. By the time I got a doc to listen to me, there were "outward" changes. And yes, I had gone for my annual mammogram every year, without fail.
I had the mammogram and then immediately after, had the ultrasound.
The radiologist called me in and told me that I needed an immediate biopsy. So they did that.
I spent six hours at the center, but had had everything done all in one day.
My ob/gyn called three days later and asked me to come in to her office. I went of course, knowing before I even got there.
However, when she actually said the words, I thought I would faint! Even though I knew....
That's my story on dx.
I know that the waiting is hard and your mind races to all kinds of things. I'm not sure how you can stop it from doing that. I guess just try and keep busy, and keep coming here until you know something for sure either way.
I am really hoping for the best for you. Sending positive thoughts.
Hugs,
CR
Ahhh CR, thank you for your response. You and Pammy below made me cry when reading these posts. In a good way! I left the sight earlier, showered, put some make up on and started laundry. Just the normal stuff to do on an extra day off. Wandering about the house thinking, how in just one day your world could be rocked. When the call came, it was like ok the tech didn't squish me right and didn't get a good view, so hey come on back. Going for the ultra sound?? It was like.... Hmmmm, not a good sign, something is there that warrants a closer look. They told be I could be there up to 2 hrs. or as little as an hour depending on what the radiologists says. They did say, they would have a pretty good idea that day what if any would be the next step. May I ask how you are doing now dear CR?
Again, thank you for your "beginning" story! Hugs back, P0 -
Like you..Akiss4me said:Glad you have an appointment
Wanted to say welcome and share my story with you as well. Prior to my diagnosis I had 7 lumpectomies done over 15 years which were all benign. So I became somewhat lax about the fact they were calling me back in. (my cancer was seen accidently from an MRI that was done of my arm) To me it had just become routine. So you could imagine my shock when they told me I had Breast Cancer. Now the word "calming" has temorarily left my vocabulary. I have faith it will return, just not too soon I think. But this is how I was the first time or two. Hoping everything turns out to be normal for you. It is very scary but you certainly have found an awesome place to come to for relief!! No one says you can't be here from the very beginning, which I think starts with that first phone call! And if everything turns out to be OK then we will only be happy for you and help you to celebrate! (We look for all kinds of excuses to celebrate!!) So please keep us informed on your progress!! Pammy
initially when I was first diagnosed with skin cancer at 28, the most common one, I was "lax", thinking no big deal, one time thing. But as I've aged, the occurrences became more frequent! And I was like wow, I've got skin cancer and it isn't going away, all I can do is "prevent" further damage. I did limit my exposure but half hazzardly thinking no biggie just another new scar. Until one was significant where I had to have plastic surgery to correct the defect. Now, very minimal exposure, and I have what I call my "carcinoma hat's", and realize I can be quite fashionable when I'm outside to play! No vanity here, ha!
Thank you Pammy for sharing, as I've said in my other responses, that "phone call" at the end of the day at work before a long weekend.......... I'm glad I came here today is all I can say. Everyone has been wonderful!!! I keep ya posted. hugs to you P0 -
P..........crossroads said:Eye opening
Ahhh CR, thank you for your response. You and Pammy below made me cry when reading these posts. In a good way! I left the sight earlier, showered, put some make up on and started laundry. Just the normal stuff to do on an extra day off. Wandering about the house thinking, how in just one day your world could be rocked. When the call came, it was like ok the tech didn't squish me right and didn't get a good view, so hey come on back. Going for the ultra sound?? It was like.... Hmmmm, not a good sign, something is there that warrants a closer look. They told be I could be there up to 2 hrs. or as little as an hour depending on what the radiologists says. They did say, they would have a pretty good idea that day what if any would be the next step. May I ask how you are doing now dear CR?
Again, thank you for your "beginning" story! Hugs back, P
I'm doing well, thank you.
I had right breast mastectomy, and they removed 24 lymph nodes, 9 of which were cancerous.
I had 4 rounds of A/C chemo, and then 4 rounds of Abraxane and Herceptin. I now go for a 90 minute Herceptin infusion every three weeks for a year...which will be late Fall, when I finish that.
I also had 28 radiation treatments.
I know that when I was first dx'd, all I could say was...I can't do this! I can't spend a year doing this!
I ended up breaking it all down day by day, appointment by appointment, treatment by treatment. If I took each thing individually, one at a time, I found it much easier on my psyche!
I got through the hardest parts relatively unscathed. Well, I WAS bald for a time, and I am minus one breast..lol! But you gotta do what you gotta do!
CR0 -
((CR))CR1954 said:P..........
I'm doing well, thank you.
I had right breast mastectomy, and they removed 24 lymph nodes, 9 of which were cancerous.
I had 4 rounds of A/C chemo, and then 4 rounds of Abraxane and Herceptin. I now go for a 90 minute Herceptin infusion every three weeks for a year...which will be late Fall, when I finish that.
I also had 28 radiation treatments.
I know that when I was first dx'd, all I could say was...I can't do this! I can't spend a year doing this!
I ended up breaking it all down day by day, appointment by appointment, treatment by treatment. If I took each thing individually, one at a time, I found it much easier on my psyche!
I got through the hardest parts relatively unscathed. Well, I WAS bald for a time, and I am minus one breast..lol! But you gotta do what you gotta do!
CR
Wow, I don't know what to say other than I'm in "awe" of you and your strength. I think that is a healthy way of looking at it, appoint by appoint. I like that. Initially I'm like I just don't have time in my life for this s***. But know I have to do what I gotta do. It really drops you dead in your tracks, these past 24 hrs. whewwwwwwwwwww. Thank you for sharing your story, I'll add u to my "prayers" tonight along with the rest of these remarkable women! I will want to know more! *P0
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