so 2 weeks ago routine mammogram and ultrasound, 1 week ago core biopsy on 3 lumps and the call came today. Invasive ducal carcinoma, probable stage 1…I’m seeing the specialist next Friday to figure out the next steps. My mom fought this 20 years ago but my goodness I’m still in shock and feeling overwhelmed and a tad scared! Need to hear from my fellow Cothers who’ve dealt with this!
My sister had this exact cancer, diagnosed about 2 years ago. She’s doing GREAT!
Due to extensive family history, I’m on the every 6 month screening program, and ended up getting a biopsy earlier this year. It was benign, but even that was stressful enough that I can only imagine how you’re feeling now. Sounds like they caught it early, which is good. Even the best-case scenario isn’t that easy as you’re going through treatment, but I have my fingers crossed that before too long it will be behind you.
{Hugs}
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Can’t imagine all you are feeling. Seems we just ramble through life worrying about stupid little things, when smack! something blindsides us out of nowhere and changes our course. I am glad you are stage 1 as obviously that has the best chance for full recovery. I have no doubt you will beat this, but it’s all the wondering along the way of what you will go through and what ifs. I would say reach out to support groups of breast cancer survivors that know what you will go through and can help prepare and educate you. Surround yourself with lots of support and positive people and reach out the Big Guy up above. It’s never too late and He’s always there with his hand out waiting for us to take hold of it.
Blessings and Hugs to you!
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Thanks I’m very lucky that in Calgary we have a good cancer center, and apparently I’ll be offered all the support, nutrition, wellness center, yoga, groups etc I’ll need. I also found out from my friends brother (also an oncologist) that my dr has me in with the top breast cancer specialist in Calgary so I’m lucky. I’m feeling ok right now and just got back from riding my horse, which I plan to do for as long as possible. I’ll keep everyone updated on the journey…I’ve decided that my new signature will be “I have cancer but cancer doesn’t have me”
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No personal experience, but hoping for the best. Hang in there. :yes:
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{{OP}}
Yes, a scary diagnosis but sounds like a fairly early catch which is good.
Cancer can certainly be beaten!
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Good signature!
Jingles now and for those good doctors, lucky you.
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Sending jingles, prayers and good thoughts to you. Fortunately you caught it early and its one of the more treatable cancers.
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So glad it has been caught early and you have such fantastic medical care! Best wishes and positive thoughts for the absolute best outcome of this for you.
I have a mammogram requisition that has been sitting on my desk for 6 months, I have a lot of other doctor appointments to get through and then I’m scheduling mine.
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Wishing you the best
So glad to hear you got it early and have great care lined up. You need to get yourself a “Buck Off, Cancer!” Saddle pad!
hang in there - sending hugs and positive thoughts your way —
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No personal experience but lots of friends diagnosed with BC, some as long ago as 1981 and still doing great. One of my friends continued riding throughout her treatment, even on chemo days and that must be about 12 years ago now. It sounds as though it was caught early and that you have access to excellent medical care which is great. Good luck and keep us posted.
Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion. My mother had a small, early, breast cancer. The first oncologist told her to have surgery, radiation and chemo. The breast surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering advised a lumpectomy and no further treatment. She got a third opinion, from another university oncologist, which was no chemo, no radiation, but maybe take hormonal therapy (Arimidex) after the lumpectomy. She chose the third opinion, had the lumpectomy as an outpatient, and had no further problems with breast cancer. In contrast, my sister in law, had an aggressive, genetic, tumor in her 40’s. She had a lot of chemo and radiation, but has been fine for almost 20 years.
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Get another opinion before you get any treatment. This is a controversial diagnosis. Make sure you see a specialist .
14 years ago, I was diagnosed with idc and dcis. Grade 2 stage 3. Er-, pr-, her2neu+++. I had a mastectomy, diep flap reconstruction, a year of chemo. It was scary since when I was diagnosed, 33 percent of those with my type of cancer died within 5 years. Herceptin doubled the survival rates and lucky for me came on the landscape exactly when I was due to start chemo.
At the time, I had yearly mammograms. When I had called to schedule, they had a cancellation and I was seen at 11 months. That grew inside me in 11 months.
Personally, I wanted it OUT!NOW! and I opted for the mastectomy.
im sure that the science has progressed that much further in 15 years. I was never sick, though was very tired. I rode a little once my surgery was healed. I continued to judge - do rag and all. My only request was that show management put me in a ring close to the portapotties just in case.
Good luck! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Take someone to with you to take notes. Make informed decisions. Get a second opinion.
Stage refers to size and spread while grade refers to cell quality or agressiveness
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Thanks everyone…my emotions are all over right now and the wait to get things started is the hardest, even though a week is a very short time to see my specialist it seems like an eternity! I’ve talked to a few ladies who’ve gone tthis, and when they’ve asked who I’m seeing, EVERY single one of them have said they wish they’d had who I have (most ended up with him after a 2nd opinion)…I feel like I have been sent to the best person possible. He has people from around the world coming to him and is very very highly respected in the breast cancer community…I feel hopeful! I am forever grateful that I live where world class treatment is available to everyone!
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I’m glad it was found in the early stage and I’m wishing you all the best!
OP the fact that your cancer was discovered during routine testing is a good reminder to everyone not to ignore regular testing such as mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopies and even body scans for skin cancer (something my doctor recently recommended). Just because you feel good doesn’t mean you don’t need these diagnostic tests, they can save your life. I hope everyone who has puts any of these tests off will make an appointment now!
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11 year survivor. The waiting is the hardest. Get help if you need it. I took Xanax for a bit. Tell yourself that the treatment and getting better is your current job. Ride your pony. Best of luck to you and reach out anytime.
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No personal experience, just best wishes for a favorable outcome.
