Breast Cancer Community

Sherib,
Hello,so sorry you are going through all of this and dealing with the anxiety of it all. But please know your feelings are normal and it isn't a bad thing because you had to take meds to help to calm down and deal with it all that is ok. A lot of us ladies on here have taken meds to do the same thing to help us deal with all the stress of tests, and results you name it we need help also sometimes. I have taken medicine to help me many a times I can not have MRI 's without them no way, I had to take them for about a month to calm my nerves a few months back due to some issues with my implant having to be replaced and then believe it or not I couldn't deal with being told I was cancer free and healthy lol. so that is why I was on them I lost it and was a pile of nerves. So if you need to take them for a while so be it take them if they help you sleep and be able to deal better it will not be forever just for a while. You will come to a day when you will just say ok I have this under control now and I will be fine without them.
Now about the results I am sending my best wishes crossing my fingers and sending my prayers your way with lots of angel hugs for strength and comfort. But please know even if it does turn out the way you are feeling in your gut it doesn't mean it is over for you. Cancer is very treatable and doable you can fight it and live a very long life after cancer. I had stage 3 breast cancer I am 4 years cancer free I know a women that was also stage 3 and she is 35 years cancer free. So it is not the end of the world it is just a bump in the road that you can get over it or around it but you will get to the other side believe me. We will all be here for you no matter what the results are so please come back and let us know how you are and what you find out we all care and now you are part of our family no matter what. I am praying for you and sending those angel hugs may you get great results Roberta,
If you are scared my arms are around you and I am beside you wispering in your ear everything will be alright I am here with you in spirit my friend be calm and breath nice and slow in and out just keep breathing.

Thank you so much for your kind words and support. It is so appreciated. Well, the call came in just about 20 minutes ago. I have ductal carcinoma. I haven't got the results if it is HER2 or not yet, they are still working on it. I have, however, gotten an appointment for this Thursday with a surgeon. The Oncologist my friend who is a cancer survivor recommendeds office is closed today and tomorrow, so I called the surgeon and scheduled that today since I was able to. Now I know I have to go through the staging process, but I think I caught it early. I know I will get through this. It's the journey I'm not looking forward to. I live in a rural area of Utah and must travel 100 miles to go up to Provo, south of Salt Lake City, in order to get the care I would like. I want a personal team. I don't want the local doctors who must confer with those up North. I want it all right there. I want to know them all and them know me. I will keep you posted. I am relieved to know you are now cancer free and I pray that you stay that way! Thanks for responding so quickly. I have not been able to sleep much. I'm looking forward to sleeping well tonight knowing that I have started moving toward beating this disease!

God Bless you and all those here that support each other and offer much advice. At first you really are lost and not sure what to do, but I will have a plan shortly and will attack it with the same zealousness I live my life. I will survive, I will be cancer free!

Sincerely,

Sheri

Update:

At approx. 10:30 am MST today I received the results. It is ductal carcinoma. I don't know if it is DCIS yet or invasive. I have already contact a surgeon and will go on Thursday am. The oncologist's office is closed today and tomorrow, but I will call them also on Wednesday morning to get that going too. The team I have chosen helped a young woman friend of mine diagnosed just a little over a year ago and she is cancer free now. She spoke so highly of her team and I knew that's what I wanted. A team that knows me and cares about ME. Sorry, this is a selfish disease and this is all about ME. I'm not normally like that, but I want the best personal attention I can get. I don't want to be a number. I plan on being a cancer survivor and want a loving caring team to get me there! I will keep everyone posted as I continue my journey....

Sincerely,

Sheri

Sheri,
So sorry that your diagnosis is cancer - but it does sound like it was caught early. And you do now sound like you have a positive attitude and are ready for the treatment journey!
Please know that I had stage 1 IDC with lumpectomy, chemo and rads. and do absolutely agree with you choosing the best medical team - even if you have to travel. You will be dealing with these doctors for the rest of your life - so you must feel that you have the best medical care coupled with a positive working relationship with all your doctors. So even if you have to travel it's only for the active treatment part which will be over in a few months and then you can spread out your MD appointments.
I chose to travel to get the radiation facility that would do it in the prone position - and it was worth the time it took.
So - take a deep breath - and take it one step at a time - find an experienced surgeon and then decide with him on what type of surgery is best for you. Then based on the pathology report and the onco test you can make the chemo decisions.
Ask any and all questions and remember there are no RIGHT or WRONG decisions - only the decisions that give YOU PEACE OF MIND!
Let us know how you are doing - we all wish you well as you travel and master this cancer journey.
Much good luck,
Judy

Sheri, I am so sorry about your diagnosis, but it seems you have found a very good medical team...That is a vital part of the journey!

However, your attitude ("...I will have a plan shortly and will attack it with the same zealousness I live my life.") is the real key!! Gal, you certainly sound like a true Warrior!!

Please come here often, and we will do all we can to help along the way!

Many Blessings.
Rachael

Sherbi,You NEVER need to apologize or feel selfish cuz this is abou YOU. And believe me, many fasmily and friends will give you advice, but it's not their body. I also had idc and the cancer turned out to be small, but for me i decided to get em both off. I hsve heard of too many recurrences and i'm an anxious and athletic person to begin with. This being idle has driven me nuts. I still take xanax to sleep, i;m trying to slack off of it, but now the hot flashes are horrible. I'm 50 and post menopausal. You need to breathe, do your homework and make a decision that you can live with. We are all here to support you and tell you healing tricks, but it's your decision. I'm happy to listen toyou cry, vent or whatever it is you need. I'm still pissed at what cancer took from me, and honestly that will NEVER change. But I'm slowly learning to love the new me and slowly gaining confidence. My ears are always open to your fears, thoughts, and concerns. Hang in there sweetie and don't back down!
Love, hugs, abd lucky shamrocks,
Sandy

I am a warrior. Been married three times and still believe in love and marriage. Most people wouldn't. It is imperative that I keep a positive attitude, I have a 12 year old son that is watching me. He will watch to see if I really am as confident as I say. Which, I really am. I just keep telling him that I will beat it. It's not going to be the funnest of times watching what Mom will have to go through, but he needs to know that LIFE IS NOT EASY! There are always difficult times and we have to roll with them. Change is the only constant, don't fight it, just go with it (I tell him that all the time.) It is the best advice I can give to him. Embracing change ensures growth, don't you think?

Thanks for your courage, I will be on every few days with updates. I'm sure I will be transitioning to the venting stage soon! Right now I'm too focused on just getting the full diagnosis and finding my treatment plan. I feel like I'm on a roller coaster and I'm on the first climb up before it lets go, so we'll see if it's a scream or not. HEHEHEHEHEHE!

I have just NEVER one to put myself first, ever. I am prepared, however to do it this one time! I will still care for other people and help them anyway I can, but if I need a break, I will not be afraid of hurting feelings right now. This is allot to deal with as all you ladies already know. I am only at the very beginning.

I haven't had to take any Xanax since the first call. I have calmed down quite a bit. But if it ends up being aggressive or invasive I can GUARANTEE that will change. I refuse to be a ball of nerves. You know what's interesting, I'm only 44, but the girls at work always complain I want it too cold in the office. If it gets 76 in there, I'm roasting! My mom started going through menopause when she was in her early 40's. The reason I looked for some women to talk to is I lost my Mom last July and my Grandmother, who was more like a mom to me because Mom was mentally ill, in October last year. Bad year, I know. So all I have left is my son and my Dad. What do they know about all this girl stuff?? I'm so thankful to have found this site and all you ladies out there. It will make this MUCH easier to get through knowing I can turn to you guys for support.

Love and hugs right back,

Sheri

Judy how long ago was your diagnosis? I'm just curious. Also, with it being IDC did they not suggest Mastectomy? I'm just curious because if it was invasive do they only do lumpectomies? I'm just curious because I'm kind of preparing myself. I can accept giving them up if necessary. My great aunt had to. It's nice to hear that isn't a for sure.

Thanks for the advice and support. I look forward to any tips and tricks you ladies can give me. It's really interesting but the major news station in Salt Lake City's news anchor Mary Nicholes went for a Mammo for a news story and they found a lump and she is actually undergoing all her treatment and blogging and still working! She is sharing things everyday. She is now my inspiration that I can maintain somewhat of my life through this. I am very thankful to have a 12 year old son and my father to help me through this, I am divorced. I'm trying to be an example to my son that you can deal even with cancer if you have the right mind set. This is my goal!

Thanks so much,

Sheri

Sheri,
My diagnosis was exactly 2 years ago 2/24/10. My tumor was on the right breast in the 8 o'clock position and not very large. Since there was one mass concentrated inone area my BS felt mastectomy was not needed since my breast would not be compromised cosmetically with a lumpectomy. Personally I would always opt to keep my own body parts.
When choosing a surgeon for a lumoectomy - his experience is very very important. Ask him how many lumpectomies he has done and what is his % record of having to do re-excisions. I did not need re-excision as he got clean margins the first time, and my cosmetic result is excellent.
Good luck,
Judy

Kiddo, not only have you the entire sites support and hands to hold, but hearing of what a dreadful time you had last year, you have brought out all our maternal feelings and caring as well!

Many blessings.
Rachael

Sheri,
Mine was invasive and my breast surgeon laid all the options on the table for me, lumpectomy vs mastectomy. He explained that the outcome whatever choice, is the same. I hope you do your own research and find some peace with whatever decision you make. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm here for the next step....venting...We all are. This is a group of wonderful sheroes!!
Love, hugs, strength and lucky shamrocks
Sandy
I will be celebrating 1 year cancer free on St. Patty's Day. That is why i send lucky shamrocks!!

sheri,
sorry to hear that the dx is cancer but please know I will be here for you in any ay I can. Your positive attitude is great and will help you a lot it is very important when fighting the beast. Hopefully now you will get things answered and be on your way to getting a plan of action in order. It sounds like you already have it started and just need to get to the docotor and get them on board. That is great and stay starong and postive it will get you a long way in this fight. I am so very proud of you already I can only imagine how you are going to be with the team that works with you. You go girl this is all your time now runwith it and never look back!! Good luck with the new doctors and my thoughts and prayers are with you angel hugs Roberta,

Sheri,
I like the way you told your son and how it was going to be not so easy but you will beat it. You didn't sugar coat it for him but you also let him know you are going to fight it with all your might. He will see the good and bad of it for sure it is scary for al of us. I love the part you tell him change is the only constant don't fight it just go with it. That is great advice and so very true for any one younge or old. Yes change does ensure growth.
You are oh so right about this being a roller coaster ride it changes from day to day and sometimes second to second. The emotions can go all over the place in no time flat lol.lol You can have a lot of fun with it though if you really want to I did. Oh and venting feel free we all do it around here in many different ways you will see that after a while on the boards. VENT AWAY!!! You can yell, cry or just talk away we are here for you any time opened 24/7 no charge either !!!!
I vent a lot but I have a very fun way of doing it even with my doctors I pull pranks Like putting battery operated lights in my bra aftr having both breast removed and getting my drains out. I went to get my drains out put the lights in my bra and waited for the doctor to come in the room I had them on he came in and put his hands up and said ok turn the high beams off and lay down. We all laughed and got on with removing the drain with more joking going on during the whole thing.
I have asked him why I milked mt drains and didn't get any milk because I answered a ad for a wet nurse he laughed and siad I was to much and needed to get a job in comedy.
There is a lot of humor in this if we just look for it I am the type of person that alway finds a pos for every neg so I will always find something also to make a person laugh. So if you need to smile or laugh please let me know I will try my best to help you out. Please try and have a great day and best of luck to you with everything. I hope you get that team of doctors you want they sound great. Angel hugs Roberta,