Starting my Journey
I an a 59 year old married mother of 3 adult sons.
Mammogram 22/3, biopsy 23/3 , results (shit) 26/3,next apt at
Breast Clinic 4/4 hopefully to find out the plan! GP thinks lumpectomy,
radiation ,...
Forum Discussion
Hi @tigerbeth. Sorry that you find yourself here, but having said that, it's a great place to be. So much knowledge, care and compassion. And the occasional bad pun!
After a routine mammogram I was diagnosed in early December. Upon removal the tumour was found to be 1.6cm. This is good. Less than 2cm is 'small'. I didn't have clear margins so had a re-excision a week later which turned up 4cm of DCIS. There was no spread to the lymph nodes thank goodness. This was explored in what's called a sentinel node biopsy.
At that point I could have proceeded to radiation. But some of my markers were in a grey area, and given my terrible family history, and in consultation with my oncologist, I did a genomic test to see whether chemotherapy would have a curative effect. In case some of those cancer cells were roaming around looking for somewhere else to roost. It came back a definite yes.
So given my small tumour and no lymph node spread I had a type of chemo called TC, which I'm just finishing now. This is given as four doses at three weekly intervals so takes three months.
So that is the sort of thing you might expect with a less than 2cm tumour with no lymph node involvement. But as the ladies above say, your treatment will very much depend on what is found in the pathology. Take your time, do your research, listen to your team and your gut. Use the search function on this forum but remember we're all different and bring our differences to the experience.
It is all so overwhelming at the start. Breathe, and try not to cross the bridges until you come to them. It gets easier once there's a plan. I was a complete mess at the beginning, furious anger for several weeks (read my bio), and then floods of tears for several weeks more. Now, not so much crying but still good days and bad days. I'm four months into this event (I will not use the j word!), and have a way to go yet. Hang in there, and let us know how you get on. K xox
After a routine mammogram I was diagnosed in early December. Upon removal the tumour was found to be 1.6cm. This is good. Less than 2cm is 'small'. I didn't have clear margins so had a re-excision a week later which turned up 4cm of DCIS. There was no spread to the lymph nodes thank goodness. This was explored in what's called a sentinel node biopsy.
At that point I could have proceeded to radiation. But some of my markers were in a grey area, and given my terrible family history, and in consultation with my oncologist, I did a genomic test to see whether chemotherapy would have a curative effect. In case some of those cancer cells were roaming around looking for somewhere else to roost. It came back a definite yes.
So given my small tumour and no lymph node spread I had a type of chemo called TC, which I'm just finishing now. This is given as four doses at three weekly intervals so takes three months.
So that is the sort of thing you might expect with a less than 2cm tumour with no lymph node involvement. But as the ladies above say, your treatment will very much depend on what is found in the pathology. Take your time, do your research, listen to your team and your gut. Use the search function on this forum but remember we're all different and bring our differences to the experience.
It is all so overwhelming at the start. Breathe, and try not to cross the bridges until you come to them. It gets easier once there's a plan. I was a complete mess at the beginning, furious anger for several weeks (read my bio), and then floods of tears for several weeks more. Now, not so much crying but still good days and bad days. I'm four months into this event (I will not use the j word!), and have a way to go yet. Hang in there, and let us know how you get on. K xox