Was recently diagnosed....need some insight on what to expect!

chelle0617 said:

So many questions...
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma stage 2 but now with the lymphnode being cancerous I am not sure if it is still stage 2 or 3. My questions are what is it like after a double masectomy, how bad is chemo, how bad is reconstruction. I would really like insights into all of these because this is what I am going to be facing. I know it will be easier if I can hear from ladies that have already experienced these things.

welcome
to the boards, although sorry for the reason. I was dx with DCIS non invasive but due to the location a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction is what I chose, this is a very personal decision so make sure all of your questions are answered and you feel comfortable with everything. I am 2 days out of surgery and feeling pretty good taking it easy and taking my pain meds. I cant help with the chemo but I am sure someone will come along and comment of how chemo is.
Take care and keep your head held high & a sense of humor it will help you through
((hugs))
TT

Dawne.Hope said:

I'm 39 too and was just
I'm 39 too and was just diagnosed 4 weeks ago.

The biospy showed ductal carcinoma in situ. But I have a strong history of breast cancer on my mother's side. I'll go in for an MRI on Monday to see if there is anything else that wasn't detected on a mammogram because of dense breast tissue. I may opt for a bi-lateral masectomy depends on what the tests show.

I know that sick feeling in your stomach. I know the anger and the fear. I can't comment on the chemo because I haven't been there myself, but I've watched my mom go through it and it wasn't as bad as we feared.

You're not alone. There are veterans on here that will come on and give you advice ... but know that you're not alone.

Young in the fight with you,
d.h.

I'm 38 and was just
I'm 38 and was just diagnosed with Stage I invasive ductal carcinoma. We are all going through this together. I'm finding I am becoming less nervous the more stories I hear from others on this site. I just found out yesterday that my lymph node biopsy shows no cancer. My understanding is that I would have become Stage II if it had so I believe because of the size of the tumor and the fact it spread to a lymph node makes you Stage II. (I'm not a dr. though.) I just met the oncologist yesterday and learned the statistics for women our age and how to make treatment decisions for long-term success. This is manageable and you can do this. Someone else said it to me, "You have cancer; cancer doesn't have you." I'm still waiting for the BRAC test results and a CT scan to see if there are other cancers in my body. If not I will do 12 weeks of chemo, 5 weeks radiation, and 5 years tamoxifen. I hope this helps to start figuring things out. Knowledge is power!

Hi Chelle
Welcome to the Board although I'm sorry for your reason! You have come to the right place for hope,support,advice,and plenty of shoulders to cry on! Finding out you have breast cancer is definetely a shocker to say the least! You are right-your life is not the same! Nor will it be for awhile.Things seem to stop at first,then everything goes so fast.It's confusing, frustrating, and yes very scary! I'm extremely angry too! But,right now I need to channel that into positive "happy" thoughts!
It's an emotional roller coaster ride.I was diagnosed 8/11 with IDC. I've had Mammo,US,Biopsy,Ct& Bone scan. I have a Bone Density&Muga scan next week.I'm about to have a port put in soon for the chemo.I decided I wanted to try to shrink the tumor b/4 the Lumpectomy.(I'm small, but I want to keep it if possible.However I've learned that no matter what I decide to do, things can change once in surgery.)I was freaking out, but these wonderful women on here helped ease my fears and made me look at the more positive side of it. Find out as much info as you can, read the stories on here, ask ?'s, there is always someone to help. It's great that you have so much support there at home as this will help you fight the beast and it sounds like you are ready for the battle! Keep us posted!
Prayers & Hugz
Cathy

chelle0617 said:

Thank You All So Much
Boy you were not kidding when you say there is support and hope. I now feel like I am not alone. I appreciate any comments or answers. I feel welcomed and to that I say thank you. By the way hugs right back along with some positive energy. Laughter has always been my best medicine and it will continue to be.
Thanks so Much

Hi Chelle
I am glad you found us here. I was diagnosed about 11 months ago, stage 3 and 6 pos. lymph nodes. It was a roller-coaster of tests, surgery, chemo and radiation. At first I went through most in a blur. But I have finished all but Herceptin (I will he had this for a year in a few more months) It is scary, but you can do it.It will all be worth it when it's over and they tell you there is no evidence of desease (NED) any longer.

It sounds like you are positive and upbeat, which is such a plus. Also laughter IS the best medicine! check out Margo's joke's on here and you will get a smile or a laugh each day.
lotsa luck and hugs,
Jackie

Welcome to sisterhood!
My mother was 39 when she was diagnosed, had a bilateral mastectomy and went on to survive for 40 years - a real feat for the late 60's. This is a wonderful site. My journey started similar to yours by visually noticing the lump. I had my bilateral mastectomy yesterday and am waiting for the final pathology reports from the tumor and the tissue removed. Visit us often. I have been and it has been saving my sanity. Even though I always knew that this time would probably come, it was strange to look at the flat chest that looked like my mom's. I am not choosing any reconstruction. The prosthetics nowadays are so much better than what my mom dealt with. If I have half her grace and dignity, I'll be one fine looking lady. Take care and you are among friends. Lola

Wolfi said:

I know how you feel
Chelle0617,

Be scared, be angry, be in shock and overwhelmed. You will go through these emotions and many others before this is all over.

I had a bilateral mastectomy (with no reconstruction) two and a half weeks ago. I hasn't been a picnic, but I am doing pretty well. Mentally I have accepted my body as it has changed and have no regrets with my decision. I still have to go through radiation treatments and medication so I'm not done yet(stage III, no lymph node involvement).

There are a few tips I would like to share with you that helped me through all of this:

1. Check back here often. Even if you don't post anything it is very informative to read stories of how people have dealt with their particular situations. I have spent hours on this site researching, seeking answers, laughing and crying. (The jokes are always good, too.)

2. Listen to your gut. I'm glad you like your surgeon, I think that it is very important to feel comfortable with those who are taking care of your life.

3. Ask questions and keep asking them until you are satisfied with the answers. Don't let doctors, nurses or technicians talk over your head - have them explain what they are doing (and why) until you are comfortable. YOU are the most important person who will look out for you.

4. Realize you are not alone. There are (unfortunately) MANY other women who are/have been in your shoes.

5. You can do this. A lot goes on in a (seemingly) short amount of time. It has just been three months since my initial diagnosis and the amount of tests, appointments, surgeries and treatments has been mind boggling, to say the least.

6. Rest. Don't try to do too much. Your life has changed and you must focus more now on what your body needs (rest, exercise, healthy foods) than you ever had before. Take time for YOU - you deserve it.

I hope some of these tips can help you. Good luck in your journey.

Wolfi
Very well said! Some people here just have a way of flowing the words. Glad to hear you are doing well!
Cathy

Hi Chelle
Hi and I know you'll find lots of encouragement here. I don't have much to offer, because I very new to all of this. I get a port put in tomorrow and then meet with the onc later in the week to understand the treatment ahead. I just wanted to say hi I have found so much comfort reading everyones advise and responses- I hope you do as well. Good luck.

always
bec

pinkkari09 said:

Welcome Chelle
Hi Chelle, I'm 37, diagnosed 8-18-09 with invasive ductal carcinoma triple negative stage IIIC, 3 of 16 chemo treatments down, I'm not too far ahead of you so I don't have a lot of experience with this whole thing but I'm here for support/friendship/shoulder or an ear anytime. Welcome aboard and may you find everything you need here.
Hugs and Blessings,
Kari

A warm sisterly welcome to you Chelle
Yes, being dx with cancer is the toughest battle I have ever had to fight. But, I fought it with all I had and I am still fighting. Everyone on this board is fighting, or is fighting alongside a loved one. We are all survivors, as you are the moment you were given the news, because you have chosen to stand and fight, or you wouldn't be here now.

Here you will have someone, many someones, to lean on, to ask about their experiences (though we are all unique), to cry with, and, believe it or not, to laugh with, too. I came to the boards in May, I was at my lowest ebb and the women here lifted my spirits and gave me hope. That is something they are good at doing-giving hope.

Yes, Chelle, you can expect to find hope here,too.

What can you expect: you can expect to have thousands of questions that your team of doctors will be there to answer for you, Many a time I left the office thinking that all of my questions were answered, only to think of many more. I would call and those questions were answered, only to sprout many more questions. You can expect to ask yourself,"Why me?" But, that is a question that will never have an answer and will lead to even more questions. Those questions my friend, cannot be answered by a team of doctors, but that's when you will come to the boards, any time day or night, and ask us. We will not be able to answer you either, but we will understand.

That, too, is what you will find here-understanding. We are not a support group of doctors and nurses, but survivors from the frontline. We are not victims, but warriors. You can expect to feel triumph with every benchmark that you meet. You will want to tell the world, but you will probably come to us and we will shout with joy and even in this cyber world, you will hear us.

Chelle, this journey is not one that you, or any of us, expected to take. It is the one journey that we wish we never had to take, but we were not given the choice to decline.

You can expect to have many emotions that you never thought you would ever experiece and you can expect to have fear of the unknown and times of possible illness from the drugs that you will be prescribed. But, you will know that there is there is life after cancer because you have a sisterhood of hundreds who are brought together here on this board to walk alongside you.

Chelle, you can expect to find love, understanding, hope, and a life-time of friendship from people you may never see, and that is something you cannot expect to find anywhere else-- except right here.

Welcome Chelle.
dmc