so scared

[sonyarizzo1]

Hello,
I just got diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. I have never been so scares in my entire life. I'm only 35. I'm in such shock right now. My lump was discovered almost two months ago during a breast exam. My Dr said it was not cancer. I went for my mamo and sono and that dr said this isn't cancer its a fibroadenoma which is a benign tumor. He suggested a needle biopsy I went to see a breast sergeon who also told me it was a fibroadenoma and nothing to worry about. I decided to have it removed. I had it removed last Thursday. The sergion said everything went great. It looked like a small fibroadenoma and she would call on monday with the results. Monday(yesterday) was not good news. Invasive cancer. And the tumor was 2.5 cm. Which I guess is big for a tumor. She says because of my age and the size of the tumor that I will need chemotherapy. I'm so scared of the affects of chemotherapy. How horrible is it? What are the side affects? Should I do a lumpectomy or a mastectomy? How bad is radiation? Help!

[sanibelblueyezz]

Sonya, I'm sorry for what you're going through but you found a wonderful group of supoorters to be in. First, BREATHE! There will be lots of questions for your dr. to answer. Right them all down; whatever is on your mind.  I just had my first round of chemo and was very scared as well but came out ok.  I have a long way to go but can only take one day at a time.  I can't tell you what kind of surgery to have.  They will give you all that information for you to make up your own mind.  Good luck though your new life journey.  God bless you. 

[jenny001]

OK Sonya - take a deep breathe.  It is ok to be scared and you will find a lot of that here but you will also find lots of love, support and knowledge here.  There are indeed a lot of  decisions that need to be made and unfortunately only you can make them.  Weigh out your options.  My tumor was the same size as yours and because it was invasive cancer, I opted for a mastectomy.  Invasive was all I need to hear and my decision was made.   But only YOU can decide what is best for you! 

What type of cancer do you have.... meaning are you estrogen positive/negative, progesteron positive/negative and HER2 positive/negative?  This will tell the doctors how you will be treated.  Different chemo gives different side effects.  Radiation - that depends on whether lymph nodes are involved and a sentinel node test answers that question.

Do you have a good support system (family and friends)?  Rely on them.  When you go to your doctor appointments, take someone along who can write things down.  It is so over-whelming and hard to remember everything.  Don't worry about how bad chemo and/or radiation is right now.  Gather all the information you can and make your decisions.  Take one day at a time.  It is a big turning point in your life and a bit of bumpy road.  We are all here for you and we are many!

One Day at a Time!

[deesam]

 its alright to be scared we all were. get a good support system. pick a medical support team that you feel good with. Call a breast cancer support group in your area and find who they recommend. This will give you a chance to meet and have more of a support system to.

[sonyarizzo1]

Hello and thank you for your support. I'm not sure what kind of cancer it is yet because I just found out on Monday and I guess it takes some time to get those results. I do have the patholigy report. I'm not sure is any of you would be able to better explain anybody it to me. I have invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features. Nottingham scare was a 7. Nuclear grade is 2. And almost all margins were involved. I understand maybe half if that. I go to the oncoligist tomorrow to get more answers. I'm going to do the body and bone scan still trying to decide if I should do the mri. Any thoughts on that? I would love any advice anyone has. I'm so glad to have a place like this. I do need to find a local support group.

[Specialk3190]

Hi Sonya, so sorry to hear about your news. I was diagnosed in September. Invasive Ductal grade one / stage two. My cancer was detected during a routine Mammogram and confirmed by stereotactic biopsy. I know how you feel and it is a difficult place to be. I was completely blindsided by my diagnosis. I never felt like I would be someone who got breast cancer. It was a complete shock.

You have officially been enrolled into Breast Cancer 101. There is a lot of information to process. I would suggest you buy a book Dr. Susan Love's Breast book is a good one. It will hit on all the basics that you need to know. There is good information on the Internet as well.

Next you will need to start figuring out what type of surgery you want. Lumpectomy versus Mastectomy. In my opinion I did not want to do either, but that was not an option. In my personal case Lumpectomy meant CHEMO and radiation plus my tumor was 2.4cm, so it would be a fairly significant amount of breast tissue removed.

I opted for double MASTECTOMY with reconstruction. This was difficult, but I did not want to constantly worry about follow up Mammograms, and psychologically it was better because I would always be waiting and wondering if and when the cancer would come back. By choosing Mastectomy I did not need radiation, and because I detected the cancer early enough, and I had no lymph node involvement I opted not to do Chemo. I feel confident with that decision for me.

Bottom line is that each person has to make the right choice for themselves. The trend seems to be in the direction of breast conserving surgeries. If you can handle the idea that you might have to walk the path again then lumpectomy might be the choice for you.

Mastectomy is not an easy choice either. I opted for a diep flap resection and unfortunately the flap failed on one side. I wound up with a flap on the left and an implant on the right, and I am currently having a lot of problems with the implant. My results were not optimal, and that makes me feel sad. I am grateful that I had no lymph node involvement, but recovery would have been easier if I had gotten the best results from my reconstruction. If you do opt for mastectomy make sure you see two plastic surgeons, and research who the best surgeons are in your area. It is really important to have a skilled plastic surgeon.

I hope this response helps in some way. My heart goes out to you as you start this journey. It is not easy, but it is doable. There will be challenges and setbacks, but there will also be special people and small miracles along the way. I wish you all the best in terms of outcomes.

Kim

[LindaBRooks]

So sorry you're having to go through this.

Chemo affects everyone in different ways. Some people breeze through and others can tell you nightmarish tales. I pray you have an easy time.

I start my 2nd round of  (IV) chemo the 27th...tried an oral chemo and injections after first IV chemo. I've come full circle! I'm calmer about it having gone through it already, but you're always apprehensive and scared.

Stay in touch with us here. We're all here for you.

[Scorpiogirl00]

Sorry to hear that. I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in May, at age 40. I
had a mastectomy and just completed my 9th chemo session ( I still have more chemo to complete and radiation to go through) but so far I have no side effects except for a bit of constipation. Just make sure to eat right and stay active and maintain a healthy weight. I know this sounds impossible but keeping a positive attitude is also critical. My doctor even told me that. You can PM me if you'd like.

[jenny001]

 invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features. Nottingham scare was a 7. Nuclear grade is 2. And almost all margins were involved.

Yes, I do understand what all that means but I am going to leave this to your oncologist and/or surgeon to explain..  Again, have someone with you to write all this down.  It is important in making your decisions.

I also had the bone scan, CT of the body and MRI - all looking to be sure there was no cancer anywhere else, before my surgery.  I did not need radiation since only one lymph node (the one right along the breast) was involved and it was removed, with 20 others under my arm which all tested negative.  But I did have the chemo.

Many, as Specialk 3190 did, have the diep flap reconstruction.  I had an implant put in.  My daughter is a nurse and has seen too many of the flap surgery problems... but that was my decision.  Its not a perfect breast but its good enough.  I'm alive and I'll deal with my "bump" as I call it!  lol

The two most important things that I can tell you at this stage:  Get information, ask questions.  Have the doctor explain your results and what that means for your situation.  Ask about treatment options and the odds of recurrences with or without the treatment.  (Example - I was told that if I stopped with the mastectomy only, I would have a 1 in 3 chance of cancer returning.  If I went through with the chemo - I would have a 1 in 10 chance of the cancer returning.  I am E+, P+, Her2 - . Since my cancer was 100% estrogen positive - I ended this with a preventative hysterectomy (to lower my estrogen levels by removing the ovaries) and now take Arimidex, so I lower my cancer chances even more.  I now also follow an all natural diet - no chemicals, processed foods and no hormone foods like eggs from free roaming chickens only. I'm cancer free for 2 years so far.       Wow, a lot of info right there but this is what you learn through all of this.            

Secondly,  have a good support group.  Have Friends and /or family to help you and be there for you. 

This is YOU time and you need to know that it is ok to ask for help, it is ok to be scared, it is ok to cry.  But also know that this battle can be and will be WON!  We are strong and we are survivors.  This is not a death sentence and don't let anyone tell you that the stage and grade of your cancer means anything other than to the doctors. 

I'm sorry you have to join us but know that we are all SISTERS IN PINK and we SURVIVE!  Your life will be changed and you will have a new normal.  You are at a beginning of your new life so just take one day at a time.

We are here for you!  And we are MANY!

After you see your doctor - if you have questions, don't be afraid to ask.  There is MUCH information here and Love and Support as well.

Have a Merry Christmas!  Look to God for strength - all you need to do is ask.  Remember that God gave us his Son through Love and he will give you the Power to get you through this. 

[Sonya42]

Hello Sonya - My name is Sonya too and I also have breast cancer.  I see that you posted in December, so I hope things are going a little bit better for you.  Let me know how you are doing.  I have been through the whole gamut (chemo, surgery, radiation, reconstruction and maintenance drugs).  Let me know how you are doing and if I can answer any questions for you. 

Good luck in your battle.

[dmagnon]

Sonya, I too was diagnosed in Sept. 2010 at 43. Like others have said, you have to do what makes you feel right! I had DCIS on my right breast first off but when I opted for a double mastectomy they discovered a 3mm spot of invasive cancer. After going through the oncotype test which show a high score of recurrence, my drs. Suggested I do chemo as a preventive and followed by radiation 36 rounds which blistered me. And I also am doing a year is herceptin . I will be finishing up my reconstruction on the 23 of feb to remove the expanders and get my real fake boobies!!!! And by the way chemo was hard on me because of losing my hair but let me tell you short hair is EASY and I won't be going back to long! Just get you a bunch of bandanas and cute hats!!' sorry this is so long!!!! But I'm more than willing to talk if you need.... danette.magnon@yahoo