Online Social Network for Breast Cancer Survivors
I'm not a survivor yet
I was diagnosed on Tuesday and don't have any information yet except one area is "invasive". I have my first surgeon appt tomorrow. I've chosen to disseminate my diagnosis widely among my many friends because it helps me to feel surrounded by love and good wishes. I'm still really scared, though. Mostly about the treatments.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth Elzinga on -
I too was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer this summer. It has been a roller coaster of emotions for a couple of months. I have had two surgeries...the first one with all margins clean except the bottom two so exactly a week later a second surgery which there was no cancer in those tissue samples. I do have the results...stage one ~ grade 2 ~ hormone receptive positive ~ HER2 negative ~ lymph node negative. So very early stage, for this I am thankful. Now I have to decide whether to have Chemo or not as the differences are very little on the reocuurance of the disease...so not they want to send the sample off to get another test to help me decide. Let me know how yours is...I am glad for this group as I have done the same as you on letting friends and family know...the support and prayers I have received is amazing and it has helped me get through all the discouraging moments that I have had.
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Permalink Reply by Victoria Tashman on -
Letting family and friends in on your cancer is so important! One of my good friends set up a dinner tree during my chemo treatments so my family would be able to eat the day of and for two days after each treatment! It was so important! I know you're scared, Sally, and that's normal. Just concentrate on one step at a time, first the surgery, then the treatment options. Good luck and keep us informed about what's going on! VickiT
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Permalink Reply by Victoria Tashman on
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And, I forgot to add, that you're a survivor the minute you're diagnosed! So, call yourself a survivor because you definitely want to survive and beat this disease!
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Permalink Reply by Sally Reynolds on -
Thanks, Victoria. I will adjust my language! I really appreciate your support.
Victoria Tashman said:And, I forgot to add, that you're a survivor the minute you're diagnosed! So, call yourself a survivor because you definitely want to survive and beat this disease!
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Permalink Reply by Sally Reynolds on
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Wow, Beth. I can't imagine doing it again after a week. I still have to see the oncologist about further treatment, so haven't had to think about chemo yet. Glad your supports have been as effective as mine!
Beth Elzinga said:I too was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer this summer. It has been a roller coaster of emotions for a couple of months. I have had two surgeries...the first one with all margins clean except the bottom two so exactly a week later a second surgery which there was no cancer in those tissue samples. I do have the results...stage one ~ grade 2 ~ hormone receptive positive ~ HER2 negative ~ lymph node negative. So very early stage, for this I am thankful. Now I have to decide whether to have Chemo or not as the differences are very little on the reocuurance of the disease...so not they want to send the sample off to get another test to help me decide. Let me know how yours is...I am glad for this group as I have done the same as you on letting friends and family know...the support and prayers I have received is amazing and it has helped me get through all the discouraging moments that I have had.
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Permalink Reply by Beth Elzinga on
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Yes...it was really hard...a week apart...I remember when the surgeon called me...it was very upsetting and I could not sleep at all that night and for the 2 1/2 hour ride to the hospital (yes we live that far from our doctors). I did not do too well with it as by the time we got home that night I was really sick. I had my meeting with the Medical Oncologist and I felt more confused than anything as she is a doctor who has only been practicing for 2 1/2 months and my husband and I could sense it. So when we went to our meeting with the Radiation Oncologist we were a little leery, but this went much smoother and we felt a little more at peace about it. They started the whole process of Radiation that day and am leaning more towards the radiation/hormone therapy, but the results from the oncotype dx is not back yet. One thing that was encouraging to me was that same day after my meeting with the Radiation Ocologist I had my annual checkup (we schedule a lot of appointments on the same day because of our distance) and I went early to do the lab work which checks everything and how my body and immune system is working. She came in with my results at my appointment and said that she had never had it in all her years of practicing...perfect numbers on EVERYTHING! So if the cancer had spread anywhere else in the blood system then the white blood counts would be off for sure! God is good!
Sally Reynolds said:Wow, Beth. I can't imagine doing it again after a week. I still have to see the oncologist about further treatment, so haven't had to think about chemo yet. Glad your supports have been as effective as mine!
Beth Elzinga said:I too was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer this summer. It has been a roller coaster of emotions for a couple of months. I have had two surgeries...the first one with all margins clean except the bottom two so exactly a week later a second surgery which there was no cancer in those tissue samples. I do have the results...stage one ~ grade 2 ~ hormone receptive positive ~ HER2 negative ~ lymph node negative. So very early stage, for this I am thankful. Now I have to decide whether to have Chemo or not as the differences are very little on the reocuurance of the disease...so not they want to send the sample off to get another test to help me decide. Let me know how yours is...I am glad for this group as I have done the same as you on letting friends and family know...the support and prayers I have received is amazing and it has helped me get through all the discouraging moments that I have had.
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Permalink Reply by Sally Reynolds on
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Well, my experience has certainly been much easier than your, Beth. Thank goodness you're getting good news about your overall health though! I still haven't seen my oncologist, and I suspect that I won't need chemo or radiation but will definitely keep the appt. I hope all you need is radiation. I'll be thinking of you!
Beth Elzinga said:Yes...it was really hard...a week apart...I remember when the surgeon called me...it was very upsetting and I could not sleep at all that night and for the 2 1/2 hour ride to the hospital (yes we live that far from our doctors). I did not do too well with it as by the time we got home that night I was really sick. I had my meeting with the Medical Oncologist and I felt more confused than anything as she is a doctor who has only been practicing for 2 1/2 months and my husband and I could sense it. So when we went to our meeting with the Radiation Oncologist we were a little leery, but this went much smoother and we felt a little more at peace about it. They started the whole process of Radiation that day and am leaning more towards the radiation/hormone therapy, but the results from the oncotype dx is not back yet. One thing that was encouraging to me was that same day after my meeting with the Radiation Ocologist I had my annual checkup (we schedule a lot of appointments on the same day because of our distance) and I went early to do the lab work which checks everything and how my body and immune system is working. She came in with my results at my appointment and said that she had never had it in all her years of practicing...perfect numbers on EVERYTHING! So if the cancer had spread anywhere else in the blood system then the white blood counts would be off for sure! God is good!
Sally Reynolds said:Wow, Beth. I can't imagine doing it again after a week. I still have to see the oncologist about further treatment, so haven't had to think about chemo yet. Glad your supports have been as effective as mine!
Beth Elzinga said:I too was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer this summer. It has been a roller coaster of emotions for a couple of months. I have had two surgeries...the first one with all margins clean except the bottom two so exactly a week later a second surgery which there was no cancer in those tissue samples. I do have the results...stage one ~ grade 2 ~ hormone receptive positive ~ HER2 negative ~ lymph node negative. So very early stage, for this I am thankful. Now I have to decide whether to have Chemo or not as the differences are very little on the reocuurance of the disease...so not they want to send the sample off to get another test to help me decide. Let me know how yours is...I am glad for this group as I have done the same as you on letting friends and family know...the support and prayers I have received is amazing and it has helped me get through all the discouraging moments that I have had.
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Permalink Reply by Beth Elzinga on
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My Medical Oncologist called yesterday....the Oncotype DX score was 8 out of 100...so no Chemo...going for the Radiation and Hormone Therapy...next week I will do the mock run and start the following week...living there during the week and home on the weekends if weather permits...one mountain pass in between so never know what it is!
Beth Elzinga said:Yes...it was really hard...a week apart...I remember when the surgeon called me...it was very upsetting and I could not sleep at all that night and for the 2 1/2 hour ride to the hospital (yes we live that far from our doctors). I did not do too well with it as by the time we got home that night I was really sick. I had my meeting with the Medical Oncologist and I felt more confused than anything as she is a doctor who has only been practicing for 2 1/2 months and my husband and I could sense it. So when we went to our meeting with the Radiation Oncologist we were a little leery, but this went much smoother and we felt a little more at peace about it. They started the whole process of Radiation that day and am leaning more towards the radiation/hormone therapy, but the results from the oncotype dx is not back yet. One thing that was encouraging to me was that same day after my meeting with the Radiation Ocologist I had my annual checkup (we schedule a lot of appointments on the same day because of our distance) and I went early to do the lab work which checks everything and how my body and immune system is working. She came in with my results at my appointment and said that she had never had it in all her years of practicing...perfect numbers on EVERYTHING! So if the cancer had spread anywhere else in the blood system then the white blood counts would be off for sure! God is good!
Sally Reynolds said:Wow, Beth. I can't imagine doing it again after a week. I still have to see the oncologist about further treatment, so haven't had to think about chemo yet. Glad your supports have been as effective as mine!
Beth Elzinga said:I too was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer this summer. It has been a roller coaster of emotions for a couple of months. I have had two surgeries...the first one with all margins clean except the bottom two so exactly a week later a second surgery which there was no cancer in those tissue samples. I do have the results...stage one ~ grade 2 ~ hormone receptive positive ~ HER2 negative ~ lymph node negative. So very early stage, for this I am thankful. Now I have to decide whether to have Chemo or not as the differences are very little on the reocuurance of the disease...so not they want to send the sample off to get another test to help me decide. Let me know how yours is...I am glad for this group as I have done the same as you on letting friends and family know...the support and prayers I have received is amazing and it has helped me get through all the discouraging moments that I have had.
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