Terrified over new diagnosis of breast cancer

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.

I love your goal and expectation! You have some great longevity in your family!!!

Hi,

I love your spirit! It is fantastic! And such great advice too.

My biopsy results just came back and it is invasive ductal carcinoma. I spoke with a surgeon today. I am scheduled for a lumpectomy 7/24 which will be followed by radiation. Lymph nodes will be removed during the surgery and sent to pathology. The HER test results are not back yet but will be in a few days. Depending on the results, that could change the treatment, but it is easier to cancel a surgery than to get on the schedule, so I am scheduled in. Since the mass is close to the surface, there should be minimal disfiguration but that is the least of my worries. This will all be done locally and I am not 100% confident of the local medical care. But from what I have read, this sounds like the standard of care for my situation. I plan to have the surgery as stated to get it out asap, but then request a follow up consultation with Mayo. I want to be sure the treatment is/was aggressive enough. Does this sound like a reasonable plan of care?

I am no expert by any means as I am going down this road just a tad ahead of you.

I looked into Mayo and MD Anderson, based on “my diagnosis”. I have the standard of care that seems to be the tried and true that works. My team was pretty steadfast that the sooner you start treatment the better your chances are with a fast growing cancer. The longer you wait the lower your percentage of a 99% survival rate becomes.
I will say I begged, prayed, called in favors from family above that my HER2 was negative. That being said, mine was positive and because of that and being estrogen/progesterone positive I am stage 2 with one mass and clean lymph nodes.

I had my surgery planned also, but a positive HER2 diagnosis changes the order. I totally get it and I was told with the “cocktail” I have there is a 99% chance of beating this and it not coming back! HER2 is faster growing so it is more receptive to chemo.

I say bring it on!!! I can deal with just about anything for a short period of time. Heck I birthed two babies and raised them. This is gonna be a cake walk!

It is all about attitude. Or that’s my stance. I don’t like the alternative!!!

You’ve GOT THIS!!!

Watch Living Proof, have a box of tissues!!! It helps to understand a bit about those who paved the road for us!!!

Tits UP, be a warrior!!!

justabumbintheroad and all
I love your post too. Can you imagine the conversations we would have if we were in a room together. I wanted to add that I did not just have a bone marrow biopsy, but a bone marrow transplant too.
I funny thing I remember was on my surgery day as I sat on the bed being drawn on by my doctor. Left side and left breast. He did not want the surgical team to take off the wrong side. As he was drawing, through the curtain I saw a male nurse walk by and glance my way. I said God, really, this is the last non doctor male who will see me as I was born. I realized I was in acceptance that this surgery was necessary.
I guess it was better than me running down the hall topless. The whole experience of surgery requires trust in your doctor, faith in their skills and hope that like thousands before you, the procedure will be done with few or no complications. I have most often asked my test takers, doctors and the NPs doing my bone marrow biopsies if they have done this before. Every time they giggle and say once at least. To me, I could not and would not try to do any of the infusions, or procedures I have had so far. I am not trained. No experience. Reading up on my surgeon and doctors after I met them gave me confidence in their experience.
As to chemo side effects, I was told I need ice and cold items for my chemo. To ward off those side effects. My first infusion was on a Saturday, and I literally felt nothing on that first day. I was cold, so I was given a heated blanket that kept me cozy and warm. My nurse was not overrun with a busy department, so he was able to answer questions I had, give me experience he knew of and made me feel calm. He was one of the first to say stay off search engines online. You may not have the side effects others have. I did not. I still have a bit of neuropathy, but all that went into play after my 4 months of active chemo treatment.
I loved what you said about snacks. I was offered a sandwich and snack every time I had a chemo infusion. 13 rounds. At 1st I declined, then I looked forward to it. I also brought snacks and some chocolate every time in my bag. We are given a nausea med and Benadryl along with a few other items, and a Tylenol pill to start. Food therefore did not cause nausea for me.
Your wig story. Love it!!! I was told I would lose my hair about 2 weeks after my chemo infusions began. So, after I week I had my long hair cut to my shoulders at the hospitals positive image center. about 5 days later, I had my sister cut it to 3 inches all over. Within a few weeks it was all gone. I was actually very sad to know my hir would be gone. I had told myself, after friends I knew cut their hair at 60yrs old, that I would keep mine long forever. Ha! That sister and I went wig shopping. One wig I never wore. The other my sister said I looked like my aunt!! I laughed. That one I wore to a convention and dozens of people told me they loved me new haircut. I good wig fools many. This time I lost my hair I realized I am not getting a wig. I had about 2 suitcases of "Halloween wigs", that i am going to sort through. At this moment I figure new beanies and small caps will work as my hair grows. I have not had long hair in nearly 3 years.
This journey we are all on is about acceptance and possibilities. We may not have the exact life we once had, but every day we can look out and see the life we have every day we wake up and make a choice. To live with hope.

First..calm down. Stress will make things worst. Get a mammo. Ultra sound and mri. Get an excellent surgeononcologist. Pet scan. Get a second opinion. Be your best advocate. Meditate. Take care of yourself first. Hope this helps.

I just re read your post and love it. You are so right. I walked nearly the very same road. Chemo only shrunk my tumor one half, so after Covid I had the tumor and breast removed. Estrogen +/progesterone - Her 2 positive before surgery, but tumor was Her2 positive. It grew fast and did not want to die. 18 Herceptin/Perjeta infusions every 3 weeks. Lynparza pill daily for 1 year. A research cancer hospital or the closest to it have the best doctors and research studies. Except, finding information on treatments here in May Connects gives you info to bring to your medical team. Once we know our cancers inner workings, so often there is treatment plan that has worked.

Hi Therese,

I am so glad that your visit with your brother went fairly well. I hope he relents and lets your mom see him too, but at least the other siblings is progress. So many wasted years that you could have all been spending time together. It is great he has some named beneficiaries already. I am so sorry you are having to go through all this. Planning his funeral is so difficult, no doubt. And feeling so helpless to help him with his illness must be so excruciating. But a gift nevertheless to have him let you and your siblings into his life for at least some time.

I switched my care to Mayo rather than the local medical care system and feel good about it. My contact at Mayo got in touch with his classmate, the breast surgeon. She is picking up my file and will hold an appointment for me and also a surgery date, sooner than what I would normally be able to get. She has reviewed my file and has said this mass is a slow-growing type, thankfully, so I feel ok with waiting a minute. I am scheduled with some other doc for July 30, in the breast clinic.

I am back to work this week, but not much to do, so I am collecting more continuing education credits. I can usually knit while I listen to the materials, so I have been able to finish sleeve #1 on my sweater.

I plan to go kayaking tomorrow. That will be the first time I have been in/on the water this summer. It will be a nice break, as I have been pushing hard to get lots of yard work done. I even edged my entire driveway. It is about 300' long with a center island, so probably about 1000'. I don't think it has ever been done, (not in the 6 years I have been here!) so it was a major undertaking.

How's that brioche scarf coming along?

Take care of yourself!