Trying to learn as much as possible before treatment meeting

Lmc1310
Lmc1310 Member Posts: 120
edited December 2016 in Newly diagnosed
I was diagnosed 15/11 and lumpectomy and axilliary dissection 5/12. My reading of the pathology report. 1/16 nodes cancer. 1/1intramammory node cancer. Tumour 2cm infiltrating ductal cancer. Also 2cm dcis in and around tumour plus lcis in some tissue. Er+/Pr-/Her2+++. I really want to be prepared with at least a very basic understanding of my diagnosis so that I can make decisions and start treatment as soon as possible. I am very grateful for this site as I am learning so much. 

Comments

  • adean
    adean Member Posts: 1,036
    Hi sorry this is not a great xmas gift but you do get through it lm 4 years post and going good. listen to your medical team they are your best guidance with their wealth of wisdom. being confident and happy with your team is so important. best wishes adean x
  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,540
    Hi sorry you"ve had to join us. Reading your own reports prior to discussing treatment options does you in.
    We all have the diagnosis of breast cancer but treatment is so different; tailored to the individual. 
    If you can take someone with you for appointment and in the meantime write down questions. 
    Take care and wishing you well 

  • primek
    primek Member Posts: 5,392
    edited December 2016
    Hiya. I had a 1.9 cm IDC Es+Pg-Her2+++, no nodes. I had chosen  a skin sparing mastectomy and clear margins to the  skin. I had no dcis. I was treated with ACT-H . ..which is chemotherapy ACT over about 5 months and Herceptin for 12 months. I didn't  require radiotherapy as no nodes. There are however a number of different chemo regimes and how they choose I haven't been able to figure out...but their knowledge on stage/grade and type of cancer is what determines the treatment choice. You'll feel better once you have your treatment plan. Kath x
  • Lmc1310
    Lmc1310 Member Posts: 120
    Thank you for your kind responses and I will stay away from reports. Obviously lesson 1 is to enjoy the present moment. Beautiful day here. 
  • melclarity
    melclarity Member Posts: 3,502
    @Lmc1310

    Hey! I know it can be incredibly overwhelming, especially having your diagnosis but not quite knowing what that means in terms of treatment. I had DCIS in 2011 and a recurrence in 2015, IDC ER+ only, no node involvement tumor approx 2.5cm. In 2011 I underwent lumpectomy radiation and tamoxifen for 4yrs. 2015 couldnt have radiation treatment, so had Chemo and now on Arimidex. Kath is right, every treatment plan is very individual to the diagnosis. So definitely wait until you see your Specialist for more explanation and their recommendation of treatment plan. Grade and Stage is important, I was Grade 2, Stage 3 aggressive and my Oncologist said he usually recommends Chemo for Stage 3. But you'll have a much better idea after that appointment, so deep breath and get your questions ready, but know you'll be OK. Hugs Melinda xo
  • Lmc1310
    Lmc1310 Member Posts: 120
    Thank you for taking time to share and I am feeling less anxious 
  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,540
    Pleased to read that!
    Yes it is a beautiful summer day here. I was put with a Counsellor on the day of diagnosis.  Her advice was if you are getting ahead of yourself and feeling anxious pat yourself down. Pat your legs and then your arms saying yes it's me I am here; it brings you into now. I also had my husband with me and she told him he had to be the gatekeeper so you don't become overwhelmed by well meaning friends and family if you're not up to it.
    It's a whole new experience that we're all here to support. 
    Take care from Christine 
  • socoda
    socoda Member Posts: 1,767
    Hi Lmc1310, Welcome to the site, wishing you all the best. Let us know what your treatment plan ends up being . Xx
  • Ann-Marie
    Ann-Marie Member Posts: 1,142
    Hello @Lmc1310 it's never an easy thing to welcome someone new to the online network however as you have already seen the members are here to support you. If you need help finding information on the forum or the website please just let me know.