Further diagnosis details following surgeon meeting - gd 2-3 DCIS/IDC

Well it's great there is targeted therapy for your cancer and I believe a new trial also for a tablet version after the 12 months is available for some so do ask about that it's called lapatinib.

It's standard for her2 cancers to do that  workup. I had mine pre surgery. Hope its over quickly and your on your way to treatment phase very soon. Kath x

Hi there @"Prime time". Make sure you stay engaged with us if you want too. Get your head around things and keep us posted. We are all here for you. Big hug. Margie.  Xx

Hi @"Prime time" - hoping that your appointment went well yesterday and that your breast surgeon was able to answer all your questions. xx

Thanks all

@"Prime time" 

I do hope your appointment yesterday gave more clarity.  

When you're up to researching try this link
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/

It will also give you the opportunity to look around the BCNA website as there is a wealth of information

As to your surgery date this link and list of what to pack for hospital may help you

https://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/preparing-for-surgery-and-recovery.html

https://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/information-sheets.html


There's always someone on the forum any time of day or night if you need to come on and natter or vent or seek information

Take care and wishing you all the best

All the best with your scans etc, @"Prime time"

You now have a pretty good idea of what is ahead now - It is all still very confronting and a tad scary and spooky ..... is there any chance you can have a Breast Care nurse with you in any of your meetings as well as a family member - so that you can also contact them with the slightest query that you may have?  

One step at a time, deep breaths, try & keep busy in the meantime and all the best xxx

It is too much to take in and as @Eastmum said, take a list of questions and if you can, someone with you who is calm and good at picking up on things.  Also ask if you can contact the surgeon by email (or other) if there is something you have forgotten or are unclear about.

Hi @"Prime time" - it’s such a whirlwind of information at those first appointments and it’s so hard to take it all in, especially if what they’re telling you isn’t exactly what you were hoping to hear. 

The most important thing is to have faith in your medical team - then, it’s absolutely essential that you feel well informed and confident that you know exactly what your diagnosis is, what they’ve recommended, and why. 

Make sure you arm yourself with a long list of all your questions when you go back on Thursday. Include absolutely everything you want to know - there is no stupid or useless question - and the surgeons are used to being asked lists of questions. Take someone with you if you can, or record it all on your phone or take notes. Just make sure that when you leave, you feel 100% well informed. 

I was so worried before my staging scans! I convinced myself that my persistant cough, my aching knee and my headaches were all signs that my breast cancer had spread. Ultimately everything came back clear - I was lucky - but the scan-xiety drove me nuts! It’s so hard not to dwell on it - but a very wise friend once advised me ‘not to write the story before it happens’ and I’ve tried to just take one step at a time and go with the flow. 

No matter what your results will reveal, the anticipation is always the worst part. Once you have a plan, you feel much more in control and can move forward. 

My breast cancer was bilateral invasive lobular carcinoma and very big - 10cm in one side, 16cm in the other. I had a full acillary clearance on one side with 2 nodes involved. I wasn't able to have an immediate recon after my double mastectomy because I was always gong to need radiation, and my plastic surgeon didn’t want the recon to be compromised, so I’ve been given air expanders for exchange or DIEP surgery down the track, after I finish chemo and radio. 

Best of luck for all your results! Please keep us updated xxx