Just diagnosed

Hi my name is Stacey. I just got the results from my biopsy today. The doctor said it’s invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2 and as of right now it’s between stage 1 and low 2 with clear lymph nodes but that could change after surgery. I did talk to the patient coordinator and she is going to schedule me to see the oncology surgeon at Hopkins. Hopefully soon. Thank you for listening.

Comments

  • ssales13
    ssales13 Member Posts: 16

    oh and my lump is 2.2 cm

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417

    Hello Stacey. Sorry to hear of your diagnosis; I know this is a scary time for you. It sounds like you have an early diagnosis and will likely have a very good outcome. Good luck with your treatment; it's not easy but you can do it.

  • girlnamedmaria
    girlnamedmaria Member Posts: 7

    Hi Stacey, welcome to the forums. I hope you find some support here online, and wherever you are located. I found a lot of support from joining one of the weekly facilitated online meetings through this website. The next few weeks will be a blur! Know that you are in good company and support abounds if you look for it. Take care!

  • ssales13
    ssales13 Member Posts: 16

    iw422 thank you for responding ! I appreciate the kind words.

  • ssales13
    ssales13 Member Posts: 16

    girlnamedmaria thank you. I appreciate your response . Take care!

  • dovesong
    dovesong Member Posts: 3

    I received my diagnosis yesterday. My lump is >10cm (they couldn't measure it on ultrasound because it was too big to fit on the screen to get measurements). It has more than doubled in size from when it was first measured in July and brushed off as fibrocystic changes. I never imagined being diagnosed with cancer with no family history. I was not aware that most people who are diagnosed with cancer, have no family history of cancer. My cancer is on my right side grade 2, ER+, PR-, HER2+. I don't know about staging yet. There is only mets to my lymph nodes presently. I do still need to have a bone scan to ensure there is no metastasis to bones. I'm anxious about the next steps, with the size of my lump, I'm praying for the bone scan is clear. I'm waiting on my appointments, as well.

  • ssales13
    ssales13 Member Posts: 16

    hi dovesong like you I have no family history of breast cancer in my family.I can understand your anxiety and I’m praying for good results for you. I got a consultation with a breast surgeon for next Wednesday. The waiting is the worst. I’ve heard on here many times that once we get a treatment plan that it gets a little better. I just found out yesterday that I’m ER+, PR+, HER2 Negative and grade 2. I have been writing questions down on a note book that I want to ask the surgeon when I see her. I’m told I won’t know the stage or treatment plan until after the mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy.

  • ann5631
    ann5631 Member Posts: 17

    Stacey and Dovesong

    Glad you found this. It has been such a great source of information for me going through this whole journey. I have found out what to expect through each step and how to deal with side effects, etc. from people who have been there. The information has been invaluable.

    The first few weeks after diagnosis are overwhelming. Hang in there.

    I found it helpful to bring a notebook to all my appointments to write down information and to also write down questions for my medical team before each appt.

  • ssales13
    ssales13 Member Posts: 16

    ann5631 thanks for responding! Yes I agree I’ve been looking at older posts and it’s been a huge help.
    If I may ask where are you currently at in your journey? Hopefully done or close.

  • ann5631
    ann5631 Member Posts: 17

    I was diagnosed 8/23. Started with chemo. Had a single mastectomy 1/31/24 with no reconstruction. Then did radiation, which was completed mid-April. Luckily my side effects from chemo were very tolerable and I had no issue with radiation.
    I am taking Anastrazole (an estrogen blocker) for 5 years (or longer) and Verzenio (2 years) -both are used to help prevent a recurrence.

  • ssales13
    ssales13 Member Posts: 16

    ann5631 I’m so glad your treatments were tolerable and I’m glad you are doing well. Is the verzenio a pill that you take? Thank you for answering my questions. I appreciate it.

  • ann5631
    ann5631 Member Posts: 17

    yes the Verzenio is a pill that you take twice a day.

  • ssales13
    ssales13 Member Posts: 16

    ann5631 thank you!