Diagnosed yesterday, small calcifications in my left breast.

I was called back because of calcifications with a suspicious cluster following my annual mammogram. The needle biopsy was done on 11/15. I got the results the following Monday. Saw the surgeon 10 days later. I had signed the paperwork for a lumpectomy with radiation treatments. Over the coarse of the weekend l learned of some of the side effects of the radiation treatments and was very concerned because of unrelated family history. Meeting with my surgeon and pulmonologist and eventually my radiation, my fears were eased after learning just how the treatments are administered, I had my lumpectomy on 12/20. The pathology revealed IDC in my left breast. Estrogen and Progesterone + HER2- 4mm tumor with 8mm clear margins and no node involvement. I completed 15 radiation treatments with deep inhalation breath hold which moved my lungs out of the targeted area. I meet, for a 2nd time, with my medical oncologist on 3/16. I also had genetic testing done. I don't have the markers for breast cancer but am the 3 out 4 girls in my family that have been diagnosed with breast cancer (30 year survivor, 4 year survivor). The meeting with your surgeon should equip you with some reliable websites. Write your questions down on a pad and if possible have someone that you are comfortable with go with you. Remember the friends and family that have been treated for breast cancer have different journey than yours will be. So filter their experiences carefully.

Thank you so much. I have my first meeting in a couple hrs. I am trying to remain open-minded and see what happens. I so appreciate your response .

I am crossing my fingers and my toes for you. @crteelect had some great ideas. Please come back and tell me how it went.🤞💕

When I started this journey I took someone with me to my initial meeting (because I knew I wouldn't hear everything they would say), I also took a note book with me to any meeting related to my dx and if they weren't able to answer my question they were able to direct me to who could. I also have a folder that has all reports from all the scans and tests that I've had that I also carry with me - so should someone ask, I can provide them that information right then and there. It maybe overkill on my part, I just don't want there to be a delay in them getting the information they may need from someone where they have to request the information.

Please know that whatever you hear you have a sounding board here where others have experienced what you may need to experience and all our experiences are unique but our experiences can give you a range of what your experience might be like. Please let us know what you hear and stay strong.

Your head must be spinning with all the info you received from both docs! I know I felt that way.

My breast surgeon recommended a book which I found very useful: “Breasts, An Owner’s Manual” by Dr. Kristi Funk. I was able to get it from my library but later bought a used copy. I’ve referred back to it many times.

I concur with the advice to bring someone with you to doc visits if you can. It’s too much info to absorb, especially as it’s normal to be in a panic about this.

I’ve had a lumpectomy for left breast DCIS, completed radiation and am not going to take the AIs. My radiation plan also used the deep inhalation (assisted by a machine, the “ABC” method) in order to keep the radiation as far as possible from my heart.

Take deep breaths and try to keep calmer. You will get through this! I found it took some time to go through the steps of the process—more detailed imaging after the first calcification sighting, a biopsy, an MRI…and then finally surgery, a few weeks of healing and then radiation. We are so fortunate to have all these things available to us, including this forum. Wishing you a successful journey through all of it—like many here have had!

Cluster of calcifications picked up from screening appt in December. Imaging, ultrasound, biopsy confirmed DCIS left breast. MRI before I met with surgeon identified more areas for investigation both breasts. Further imaging, ultrasound, biopsy confirmed all benign. I have a lumpectomy planned next week with decisions on radiation, once pathology results known. Everyone’s path seems different and I do find the information here helpful.

Thank you so much and sending you good energy for your healing. I'm overwhelmed by the community and support here.

That is what I'm doing! I have a cancer folder, I have started to track appointments, test results, etc. It helps me stay in the facts.

I had the same thing and had a choice of whole masectomy or partial. I chose partial and all has gone well. It's a lot of choices to be made. Mine was contained in the milk duct with the possibility of spread. Chemo. was taken off the table and radiation was suggested but the dr. and I agreed that chemo pills daily would be a good choice, So that's it. I am monitered all the time and am comfortable. There is so much that can be done today so chin up. It does take a long time for all tests to come back and all desicions to be made but don't worry. Good luck. I am a little concerned because I have suddenly been gaining weight and my stomach is getting bigger. I have always been thin but I think this might be normal???

jeanr3, what are your chemo pills? Just curious if these are Aromatase Inhibitors?