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Terrified over new diagnosis of breast cancer

Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jul 19 8:01pm | Replies (38)

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@msthang93307

Hello everyone. I am feeling overwhelmed with this new news I've received. I completed my annual mammogram screening at the top of this year. I received a call from doctor stating they see some white spots (calcification) in my right breast and that they need to do a diagnostic mammogram to take a closer look. Last week I went in and completed the diagnostic mammogram. I was told by my doctor's office that they would be closed for the entire week after Fourth of July, but was thinking everything is fine so I can wait. Something in me today said to call the imaging office for results. I went up to the office to pick up a copy as they won't tell you anything over the phone. The sheet reads BIRADS Category 5. Stereotactic Biopsy recommended. Again, my doctor's office is closed so there is no one I could call and have explain further to me so I googled. With a 95% chance its cancer, I am PANICKING and stressing out which I know is not helping. I think this is worse for me as I had cervical cancer back in 2018 and have been good since then however, I am still traumatized by the experience which left me with a hysterectomy and no chance of having children of my own. Imaging will not schedule the biopsy appointment until my Dr. says so. So right now all this waiting is making matters worse. I really need someone who understands to offer words of comfort right. Besides praying and mustering up some faith, I'm in shock, feeling sad and trying my best not to go into a depression.

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Replies to "Hello everyone. I am feeling overwhelmed with this new news I've received. I completed my annual..."

@msthang93307
First, my heart broke for you to hear you say you lost your chance of bearing children. I could feel your emotional pain. I’m so sorry that happened to you.

Second, the waiting game is soooo hard. Emotionally, the unknown is the worst part. You’ll feel better once you have answers and a treatment plan, if needed. Like @katgob said, treatments have really improved. I have a couple genetic mutations for breast cancer. After feeling so stressed during all the testing and waiting, the morning of my double mastectomy I felt so relaxed because the cancer would finally be removed and the healing would begin. Ahhhh. Even though my cancer recurred in my chest wall 7 years later (4 years ago), that was removed too and I’m on targeted meds indefinitely. I’m also on indefinite treatment for a rare neuroendocrine lung cancer. There are side effects from all the meds, but I’m still enjoying life. So far, so good with both cancers.

Hang in there. I hope you get your biopsy soon. I first waited 4 weeks for mine because the radiologist was going on vacation. The nurse told me to wait for her to return because she doesn’t miss. Then the morning of my biopsy, my mother called me in a panic. She was in horrible pain (a kidney stone) and I was the only one to be with her at the hospital. I hadn’t told my family about the biopsy so I had to cancel it last minute and wait 2 more weeks. It was torture. Once I had my surgery date, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and things improved. Hang in there.

I was in your shoes 4 months ago. My biggest piece of advice to anyone newly diagnosed or with a suspicious mammo result, is just breathe. I still have not had treatment. I met with one breast surgeon who tried to use fear to talk me in to a surgery. My second came from Mayo and they made me feel so much better. Routine mammo that showed calcifications, diagnostic mammo showed BIRADS 4 and calcifications, u/s showed nothing, TWO Stereotactic biopsies, both confirming it is indeed DCIS, a Prelude DCISion test which scored me at 9.2 and would benefitt from radiation. I am in no hurry. It is DCIS (PRE cancer) Grade 0.
I have High Grade (3) HR+ DCIS. I am having an MRI in 3 weeks to get a better look.
I have changed to a plant based diet and starting moving my body. I am reading anything I can get my hands on, Knowledge is power!
Also, you will feel an array of emotions. Let them all out. I have screamed, cried and laughed. You can be at peace one day and breaking down the next. It is ok.

From my own experience, if it is determined that you in fact have BC, since you had a hysterectomy - ask if they could also do a genetic test. I was dx in my 30's with "border-line" ovarian cancer (I think that would now be pre-cancerous), I had an oophorectomy and was able to have my two children, then I had the hysterectomy when my daughter was 6 months old. Fast forward in 2021 (at 68YO) I was dx with TNBC BRCA2+. I actually asked my dr for the genetic testing because, my dad was dx with early colon cancer and I read that Ovarian cancer and BC could be from a genetic mutation and since my dad had a cancer dx I thought it was worth the test to see if my BC was from genetics. Oddly I'm one of 5 children and no one else has had any cancer dx, other than my dad. Fortunately my dad outlived his dx by at about 30 years (dx in his 60's and lived to 95). I'm expecting the same results dx at 68 and I plan to live at least another 25 yrs. My mom is still alive at 97; dad deceased at 95; grandmother and grandfather both lived into their 90's - I don't see why I should be any different.