first appt

CarrieP
CarrieP Member Posts: 39
edited December 2020 in Newly diagnosed

Hi everyone, well I had my first appt at the hospital today with the breast surgeon, was very anxious as did not know what to expect, was really under the impression that surgery would be my first point and then radiation or chemo.

Surgeon had reviewed my pathology results from when I had a core biopsy and they have said I have triple negative breast cancer, stage 1 as the tumor is still less than 2cm (well it was when I had my ultrasound 2 weeks ago) really don't know how fast these things grow.

they have advised due to my age (40) and it being TNBC that chemo is the first stage and then surgery, but it is my call - would really love some advice on this as was fully preparing myself to have surgery.

still anxious as reading online that TNBC is quite aggressive and higher chance of recurrence.

I am trying to stay positive and now waiting for my bone scan in a week and should be seeing the oncologist to plan out my chemo plan, sorry if I am missing up in the terminology or abbreviations still trying to get my head around all the different types x

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Comments

  • CarrieP
    CarrieP Member Posts: 39

    Thanks so much AllyJay, that was my first thought aswell, I just want this gone.
    your story has set my mind at ease a little x
  • CarrieP
    CarrieP Member Posts: 39
    Thanks so much @Mazbeth. X
  • Sharla
    Sharla Member Posts: 2
    Hi CarrieP

    I also have TNBC (invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2) with possible satellite cancers and had a mastectomy last week. I’m 45 and surgery was recommended first in my case by two surgeons. I understand my treatment following depends on the pathology report which I get next week, at which point I am also ‘staged.’

    I think there are numerous factors as to surgery or treatment first that are considered and it varies. I have moments of extreme anxiety and fear thinking and waiting for the results. I had lost 5-10kgs leading up to the diagnosis, am getting asthma for no reason and tire easily. It’s all so scary. I need to recover from surgery for 4-6 weeks prior to commencing any treatment. 

    I probably haven’t helped much except there’s pros and cons of both depending on many variables. 
    All the best!!
  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,540
    And one more link

    https://www.bcna.org.au/resource/fact-sheet-breast-cancer-pathology/

    Hope the information helps!  
    There's a lot to take in and terminology to learn 

    Take care and best wishes 
  • arpie
    arpie Member Posts: 7,521
    Hi @Sharla - so sorry to read of your own diagnosis ... I hope you are recovering ok from the surgery.  Make haste slowly .... and all the best for your pathology reports next week.  The waiting really sucks .... trying to keep busy really helps pass the time xxx

    @CarrieP - so sorry to read of your diagnosis and the obvious shock that you are in .... Your whole world is turned upside down in a millisecond, as you navigate unknown areas of our health system! It is almost a conveyor belt! First you do this, then this, then go there and do that, then come back here and do this .... and it may take a year or two for your life to settle down.

    It is totally 100% ok to skip between anger, denial, sadness - but if your find the sadness is overwhelming you, please seek professional help! Your GP may be able to refer you ... or your local Breast Cancer Centre May have help there .... where you are more likely to find a bc specific psychologist.  Just talking about it openly and sharing it with a professional should be able to give you coping mechanisms ... 

    You will make new friends who will support you (specially on this forum) and may even lose some old ones, who just do not understand what you are going thru. Most of us here, have found wonderful friends within the group and have even met up with them in ‘real life’ before this Covid thing! 

    Personally I found that it mucked with my BRAIN more than anything else!  And sometimes that is very hard to control, as it has a mind of its own! Keeping BUSY, doing things is the secret .... get back into your hobbies or take up a new one - even more so now since Covid!

    @iserbrown has put up some terrific links to help explain all the terminology so I’ll whack up some of the ‘funny ones’ to help while away the waiting times ...

    Try & keep your sense of humour 'up there' - we have a really good 'funnies page' (called Friday Funnies, but we add them every day!!)  Just click on the link to add pics and posts ... 
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19116/friday-funnies#latest

    and some ‘wise words’ to give you a lift now and then ...
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/20854/wise-words#latest

    If you are into arts & crafts, we have a 'Creative Corner' 
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latest

     and if into your garden, a Gardening post as well!! 
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/186078#Comment_186078

    Try not to use Dr Google as there is just so much conflicting information out there, and every BC case is 'unique' and it will only scare the pants off you!

    All the best with your ongoing appointments.   We have some posts here on what to take with you too, to make it 'easier' on you.  
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/16442/prep-for-surgery/p1

    and for your annual checkups, some ‘tick sheets’ to help you put your questions together for your medical team.
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21973/questions-to-ask-post-surgery-of-yourself-to-your-specialists-tick-sheets-self-assessment#latest

    take care both of you, and all the best for your ongoing appointments xx
  • SoldierCrab
    SoldierCrab Member Posts: 3,445
    hi CarrieP

    there is a great support group  on facebook .... https://www.facebook.com/groups/1166665270079659
    I am on way to appointments and will reread this post when I get back home. 

    Breathe...... 
  • CarrieP
    CarrieP Member Posts: 39
    thanks @SoldierCrab x
  • CarrieP
    CarrieP Member Posts: 39
    Hi SoldierCrab, that's great news x