HI, I really dont know what to say, 2 weeks been diagnosed with bc in my rb and have really not talked to anyone. its all happened way so fast. I feel fine....even my gp did not know when i had to go get a referral to the oncologist surgeon. the doctor said i had a chose either full mastectomy or lumpectomy. I have for decided on lumpectomy in my rb. Really dont know what im in for? I just want it to all go away. The doctor did say I would have radiation after but didnt say anything about chemo. I would like to make sure its all gone. Sorry this sounds confusing but I am just not sure about anything. I go for surgery this friday. xxxx

Hi Sherynsorry you have joined us but we are all here to support you I was diagnosed November and also right breast I have had surgery in dec and am now 3 weeks in to radiation the waiting is so hard but you will have answers soon and you will find a way to be strong plaease keep coming on here for support pam xx

Hi Sheryn.It is such a shock at the beginning with everything happening so fast ...and yes most if us are well when diagnosed as the cancer is picked up early.Have you a pathology result yet from biopsy?A lumpectomy usually includes radiotherapy as this then gives results much the same as a mastectomy if margins are clear Chemotherapy decisions are based on your pathology. So what type of cancer you have. How fast it is growing. If in lymph nodes and it's size all have bearings on the decision. Sometimes this isn't fully known until after surgery.You will most likely have a sentinal node biopsy. A dye or radioactive substance will be injected day of surgery near the tumor and the closest nodes to it will be removed for testing for cancer cells. Sometimes the surgeon takes more as they can sometimes tell if nodes have cancer cells by their appearance.Have you a breast care nurse? If through a public hospital their should be one assigned, ring the reception if where you were seen. If through private I am sure the staff from the practice would have contact details. The breast care nurse can give you some support and advice especially before and after.Failing that there is this link to find one.https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspxAnything else you want to know about please just ask. Have you got the My journey kit? You can order a hardcopy on here. It's free. But you can read some of it online until it arrives.The link to order it and read about things is below.https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/my-journey-kit/Have you told family or friends. This is a tough journey and it is easier with support from others. It's hard to tell them but such a relief when you do. We are here for you.Kath x

Hi Sheryn, It's so overwhelming when you are first diagnosed and so incredibly scary. I'm sure we have all cried rivers of fear in the lead up to surgery. It does get soooooo much better though. After your surgery you will have to wait between 7-10 days for the pathology to come back and once that has then that is when your treatment plan will be finalised. Those 7 - 10 days will feel like forever but you will get there. Wishing you all the best for Friday. Let us know how you are going. Xx Cath

Thank you for all the information and support, Yes I was called in after my mammogram and on the same day I had a biopsy and yes pathology results this was all done in 3 hours of arrival. Very overwhelmed with the visit. The nurse did say it was cancer but thats all she said. 2 days later is when I seen the doctor and where we decided on a lumpectomy. Yes he did discuss the SNB to. I just feel I should have asked more questions but don't know what! Yes Pam I was diagnosed on my birthday.. well that was an interesting day! xxxx

Hi, all the other ladies have given great advice. Even though it's alot to deal with but you will get through it we have all unfortunately been there. I had lumpectomy a year and a half ago and i am going great you will too. Thinking of you xo

newly diganosed | BCNA Online Network

27 Replies

Jane-Altona
Member
9 years ago
Hi Sheryn, I lost my hair. I was warned it would happen very early and they were right. I lost all the hair on my body, and I do mean ALL, within the first month and didn't get any growth until about 3 months after the last round. Yes I was getting worried. But it has grown back thick and curly on my head, I now have a very nice pixie style and had my first hair cut last week, I was very excited :) I decided right from the beginning not to try cold caps as it added to the length of time in the chemo chair and didn't think I could cope with the pain etc plus the chemo. I was actually more upset about losing my eyebrows & eyelashes. Make sure you book into the Look Good Feel Better workshops, they give you info about wigs, scarfs, drawing eyebrows etc. it was a lot of fun with ladies like us. I got a wig and used it a lot, it made me feel a bit normal. Xx
sheryn
Member
9 years ago
Thank you Jane its nice to have an idea of what I may be infor until my medical oncology appointment. Can I ask when you said with hair do that mean you didn't loose it or it has brown back?
I have to say Im neither here nor there about loosing my hair as long, I have a plan to get rid of the BC I dont care.
xxxx
Jane-Altona
Member
9 years ago
Hi Sheryn, you are similar to me: stage 2, grade 2, lumpectomy, hormone positive, Her 2 negative, 3 sentinel nodes removed but 1 positive for cancer. I did chemo (3 rounds of FEC & 3 rounds of Docetaxel) for 5 months followed by 4 weeks of radiation. As I am post menopause I am now on Letrozole, a hormone, inhibitor for 5-10 years. I am now 10 months post chemo and I am fit and well with hair! It was a hard slog but I tried to just take it a day at a time & I used all the resources offered by my team. So hang on tight we are stronger than we think. Feel free to ask me questions. Best wishes, Jane
Glemmis
Member
9 years ago
I had 12 lymph nodes removed & 3 positive. I had 16 rounds of chemo which I finished 3 weeks ago & worked & exercised all way through. Started hormone therapy last Monday (no side affects yet) & radiotherapy starting on Monday. Best of luck, it all seems really scary at first, but just take a day at a time.
sheryn
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Glemmis,
Yes I had 3 lymph nodes out and yes there was cancer in the sentinel node.
Glemmis
Member
9 years ago
Hi Sheryn, Similar results to mine, i was stage 2b, grade 2, Oestrogen & progesterone positive & Her 2 negative. There are 3 grades so you are in the middle. Also you are hormone positive so you will be put on hormone drugs for 5 years or so. Her2 negative which means you won't be put on Herceptin. Don't worry about the "staining", that is just pathology talk. Did you have any lymph nodes involved, if not you might just have radiotherapy. Pathology reports can be scary but these are good results so try not to worry too much, you will get a plan of treatment soon xx
sheryn
Member
9 years ago
Finally have a copy of my results. Its taken a while. Dont what it means though.
grade 2, stage 2a,

Hormone Receptors:
Oestrogen receptor: Positive Percentage nuclei staining: approximately 80%
Predominant staining intensity: 2+

Progesterone receptor:
Positive Percentage nuclei staining: approximately 90%
Predominant staining intensity: 3+
Her-2 staining on block 1.10 Internal control score: 0
Her-2 carcinoma score: 1+
Her-2 interpretation: Negative

This might should silly to ask, just wondering what it all means does anyone one know...? Trying to settle my anxiety a bit. while waiting for my drs appointment.
primek
Member
9 years ago
It's always a shock when you get that final confirmation of chemo. I remember sobbing in the nuclear scan dept awaiting my heart scan, I knew from the beginning I would have chemo due to my pathology of Es+Her2+ stage 1 grade 3, but it still upset me that it was definetly happening. Just take each day at a time and don't fight the tears.
sheryn
Member
9 years ago
Seen the doctor

today finally have my diagnosis its stage 2. so chemo and radiation here I come. Doctor said there will be no more surgery at this stage. with having cancer in 1 of my nodes they are hoping they have it all. Dont know what im in for I have to wait and hear from them next week. Bit in shock today !
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Hi Sheryn, Excellent that you are home. Hoping for you that you have gotten rid of your drain by now. If not if you are experiencing any pain from the drain site it may be because your drain is swinging slightly so you can put a bit of extra tape (Micropore from 3M from the chemist) onto the drain to hold it more firmly in place. Does wonders. Hope your doing brilliantly. Xx Cath