Starting my Journey

Ditto to all the above and 

@tigerbeth Try to breathe evenly, take it one step at a time, and don't Dr Google (it's tempting but there be dragons). Come here whenever you need to - it's a sanity saver. @Zoffiel s advice is good. Turn your organisational skills to sorting what you can with things like leave and income protection.

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

Reading some of the experiences on here I can see the stupid goal posts moving @Zoffiel thanks for  your advice and you picked me in one , usually very organized ! LOL Plenty of sick leave thank heavens .

Hi @tigerbeth
If you are used to being an organised person BC can be the pits. Finding out you are on the bus is stressful and first response can be to try and get a grip on the whole situation. Unfortunately, it isn't that simple.

 The bloody goal posts keep moving; no one has a crystal ball so treat any opinions as speculation until there is evidence to prove it. Until you know exactly what you are dealing with, it's all guess work which wastes a great deal of energy. My advice is quietly have a look at your sick leave and your income insurance through your super. Don't say too much until you have a better view of the big picture.
Good luck. Mxx

Thanks @steplightly so glad to have found this forum . Imagined that dealing with my elderly father & turning 60 were going to be my biggest challenges this year ! Wrong ! Hope your journey is going well. Lots of teary moments ! Learning the meaning of words I didn't know existed !! thanks for the hugs x

Hi @tigerbeth Glad you have found this forum It is a great place for support and information  I was diagnosed idc in May last year from ultrasound. 11mm of idc with some dcis  Lumpectomy Mid June and radiation 3 weeks starting mid August  Such an emotional time through diagnosis and treatment but each step gives you more info and hopefully your plan will be formulated quickly by your team. The fuller diagnosis comes after surgery when pathology results come in I also had sentinal nodes removed that came back clear I am mid 50's with 2 adult sons  I will pm you later Take a deep breath and we are here for you  hugs xo