Just Diagnosed? Start Here

I have had a lump in my right breast since March of this year. I did not say anything because I was mourning the death of my mother (who died at the end of February), on top of still mourning my niece (who died 6 weeks earlier).

A couple of weeks ago, I finally had a mammogram. Or I tried to. Once I told the nurse that I had a lump and have had some minor pain on the other side of the same breast, I was immediately scheduled for a mammogram and ultrasound…

But once I had them done, the doctor noticed something funny under my arm and asked for a biopsy of the right breast and another for my right under arm to check a swollen lymph node.

The biopsy was last Thursday and after this – things moved VERY QUICKLY… The results were supposed to be ready the following week – 5 to 7 days or so. But to my surprise, My PCP called with the results on Monday. His nurse confirmed that I had cancer… It blew my mind, and I cried like a baby. He asked if we could meet on Tuesday – an appointment in which he scheduled me for an appointment with a breast surgeon, oncology and a check with my cardiologist since I have congestive heart failure and an implanted defibrillator.

On Wednesday, I met with the breast surgeon, who officially diagnosed it as stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. He explained to me about the options and scheduled more tests and surgery for a lumpectomy.

In the next two weeks, I have blood work to have done, a follow up with my cardiologist so that he can clear me for surgery; more imaging, and then surgery on Friday, 21 November…

Things have gone quite fast and I am still trying to wrap my head around it. I have a lot of support, but it is a bit stifling as I am trying to focus on my classes since we are close to finishing this semester. This is my new normal…

Hi everyone,

I was just diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. As you can imagine, i feel like i was gut punched and it doesn't seem real. I have my first appointment with my breast surgeon on Tuesday January 20th. I just received the pathology report and I am even more freaked out. My ER and PR Biomarkers came back negative and the HER2 came back weak to moderate. From what i have read this is not good, and is the type of cancer that is hard to treat and can spread fast. Has anyone had similar experiences?

Looks like my 3rd go-round with breast cancer. I'm 75. My first time was 25 years ago. The second 13 years ago. And here I am again. Chemo is a no-go. My last oncologist said that my body couldn't tolerate more chemo. I agree. Some would say, "But you don't know yet! You're waiting for your biopsy results!" Believe me, I know. The radiologist never once said to me, "It might be benign." She and I both knew it wasn't. So they'll chop another chunk off of me. I wish I'd had a double mastectomy 25 years ago with the first occurence, but I just did what was recommended at the time. I'd have a double mastectomy now if I thought my body could take such extensive surgery, but I doubt it could. I went pretty quickly through the stages of grief, jumping right over denial, but with a lot of anger (Can this really be happening to me again????), some depression, didn't bother with bargaining (with whom about what?) and went straight to acceptance. In one week. Now I just want to get to the best surgeon I can as soon as possible, but I will have to jump through whatever administrative hoops are required. Today I feel like my body and brain are shutting down. Anybody else out there over 70 dealing with cancer treatments? I'm pretty darn sure it will be estrogen positive HER2-. I'm unable to take hormone suppressing drugs because of devastating side effects. I guess it now comes down to quality of life versus quantity. I think I'm going back into the anger phase of grief. I'm also feeling brain dead.

I really would like to hear from older women dealing with breast cancer.

I was diagnosed with the BRCA2 gene in February and have already had the “risk reducing” surgery to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes. In preparing for the risk reducing mastectomy, stage 2 Invasive Lobular carcinoma was discovered in my right breast. We’re waiting for the results of the MammaPrint test to judge my risk of recurrence elsewhere before meeting with oncology to determine a treatment plan. I am completely overwhelmed!

I went in for a routine mammogram last month, and within a week my life was flipped upside down. I'm still in the initial stages of treatment and just trying to keep my head above water. Diagnosed IDC, ER+/PR+, HER2-. It sounds like they caught it early, but I just went in for my genetics testing appointment today, and it sounds like chemotherapy is hinging on how that testing comes back. I don't "feel" bad, just exhausted for a few months and thought it was because I was pushing myself too hard at work. I'm finding it difficult dealing with day to day life without knowing what the future holds. I was really looking forward to gardening and working outside this summer, but now everything is on hold. I've always been the one to take care of everyone else, and it's difficult navigating being the one who needs taken care of. A few of the family members I've told either act like its no big deal, or ignore me altogether because they aren't sure what to say. I feel like a stranger in my own life. I'm happy I came across this site, however. Thank you to whoever keeps this organization going.

Hi, I am age 60 and recently diagnosed with both invasive ductal and lobular breast cancer. I do not have a family history of breast cancer. I am shocked by this diagnosis. Next week, I am scheduled for a bilateral breast MRI and also have a surgical consult. I live in a rural area by myself. All of my family lives in another state. My youngest son, who is autistic and age 19, has been arrested for a crime he was not aware he committed. He is in jail awaiting a psychological evaluation. If he is charged, he is looking at many years in prison. He does not have the mentality to understand what is going on. I am completely overwhelmed and hoping to continue to work to avoid losing my home and car. I really do not know what to expect.

I did get my genetic testing results back, which revealed a pathogenic BRIP1 gene. I had a partial mastectomy / lumpectomy and 3 sentinel nodes biopsied on June 15th, but the good news is I don't have to go through chemo. I'm meeting with my radiation oncologist on July 13th to do a run through and get my schedule, then I'm starting Femara immediately after I'm done with radiation. I've also been referred to a gynecologic oncologist for the BRIP1 mutation. My main oncology doctor is recommending that I have my ovaries and fallopian tubes out as a risk reduction procedure, but I won't know more until August when I meet with my gyn oncologist.

I'm healing fairly well and came back to work full time this week, but I'm still exhausted at the end of the day, and I have headaches and nausea. I'm hoping everything settles down over the next couple of weeks. This wasn't how I had planned on spending my summer.

Hiya, All. Like @canijustbemary I went in for my routine annual mammo when an abnormality -calcifications - was found. Biopsy of the site revealed DCIS grade 2, ER+ on 6/22/26. I know that "if you're gonna get breast cancer (CA)" this is the best possible kind to have. It's still really unsettling, though. I do not have any symptoms whatsoever. I do not have any family history predisposing me. All genetic testing is negative. After going through menopause early (postmenopausal at age 43, currently 47 y/o), I have been on HRT for the last 2-3 years. And, while not excessive, I do drink alcohol regularly. And I don't get any exercise. Those are my only risk factors. So did I do this to myself?? I just had an MRI which, thankfully, revealed nothing new/additional. I met with my surgeon 7/8 and I really like her. I realize that with my type of CA the treatment should seem obvious (lumpectomy), but my breasts are rather small and the amount of tissue that will be excised will definitely leave my breast malformed. So, I'm feeling confused about which type of surgery to have (mastectomy is on the table) and afraid that I will make the wrong decision. I meet with the oncoplastic surgeon next week 7/21 and I'm really hoping that visit will give me the missing info I need to make the right/best decision for me. I do have other worries (getting my exceedingly messy home ready prior to surgery; making sure I have what I will need to help post-op recovery as smooth as possible; my job …), but I'm trying to take things one worry at a time. Anyway, so, yeah … that's me. Thanks for creating this space for us BCO.

@moderators Thank you for the welcome. And thank you even more for your wors of wisdom and care. I promise that I am trying not to blame myself. I've gotten as far as trying not to talk or think about the "cause" at all, because if I do, I inevitably end up back at blaming me. Baby steps. I'll get there, to the healthier mindset, eventually ;)

Thanks, again — Erinn

Hi @bmatthews, I'm sorry for the reason that brings you here but it's a good place to get advice to guide you. I was surprised to find out that there are many different types of breast cancer. The treatment you will have depends on many different things including your tumor markers, the lesion size and options that you choose. There is no way to answer your questions until you meet with the doctor and get more information on your personal situation. It would be a good idea to bring a relative or friend to the appointment to take notes since you are bombarded by so much information and new abbreviations. The learning curve is steep but doable since you only have to worry about information that applies to you. You probably want to delay calling a surgeon until after that first appointment.

It is scary to get a vague diagnosis that has you imagining the worst possible scenario but usually the situation is not so dire. Things really do get better when you have a treatment plan and you can follow the threads that apply to you. Come back with any questions when you find out more about your diagnosis. All the best.

Hello everyone. Nice to meet you.

Two days ago, I had a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am still waiting for the biopsy results, which will provide more details about the type of cancer and my treatment options.

The lump is noticeable even from the outside, so I feel that the results may not be favorable. However, I am still trying to process this reality, and I have not fully understood how to feel about it yet.

I also do not have anyone close to me whom I can talk to or share my feelings with.

Before receiving the diagnosis, I had already been thinking about many things, including medical expenses and my future. I started preparing the necessary paperwork and taking care of various things because there was so much to do. Perhaps because I was focused on taking action, I was able to stay positive during the first two days after my diagnosis.

However, as I have continued researching, I have become more anxious. I realized that I need people who can understand what I am going through and someone I can talk to honestly.

The biopsy results, which will reveal more about my cancer type, are expected in about 10 days.

I would be grateful to connect with others who have experienced or are currently experiencing breast cancer.

Thank you so much for welcoming me into this community.

Thank you so much for your prompt reply, moderator. I'd like to participate in the Zoom meeting as well.

I'm scheduled to undergo several additional tests over the next two weeks and hear the results, but I'm scared. 😨 —momo

Thank you. I'm having a CT scan next week, and the results are expected in two weeks. Once I get the results, should I let you know which Zoom group I'd like to join?

momo

Thank you!!! 😊