Newbie here and to cancer

[jane dio]

Thanks for your reply's.
I had my appointment with my breast surgeon this morning. I have surgery book for 30 March - lump and lymph nodes.
Surgeon said at this point he wants to get surgery done and get results so we know what we are really dealing with. He isn't sending me for CT or MRI or staging at this point. Says I will definitely need radiation but depending on results wether chemo is warranted or not. I'm sorry for venting and I know my GP was doing what she felt was right. Anyways, paperwork is in and I was taken to the cancer care wing of the hospital where I was given books and stuff to read. Talked thru the process and given a lovely hand made ring pillow and lavender fill baggy. Such a lovely gesture. The staff I came in contact with on the ward were all great. Traralgon has a really great ward. I am somewhat calmer now. I have reading material to help me tell the kids. I will tell them tomorrow so they have time to understand and think of questions.. I can't do it tonight right before bedtime.. So I am OK at the moment. I'll crash into a million pieces tomorrow.
Thankyou for the support

[Janette]

I completely understand your frustration but I must say that your Dr did one of the hardest things a Dr has to do in telling you the results.

An awful thing to absorb and hopefully you can concentrate better on the surgery and treatment choices knowing the results before your appointment with the surgeon. None of this is easy and the not knowing is the worst. Please keep in touch and vent your frustration here as much as you like. We do understand and would like to know how you go.

[ruth1]

my dx was 5 years ago and I remember that day so clearly. It isn't an easy thing which ever way its delivered. You haven't had a easy time of it already with biopsy issues and pain. The next step is to decide what to do about it - from my experience only - you will see breast surgeon for a lumpectomy to remove lump only or mastectomy depending on stage and grade of lump and node removal if there is evidence of disease in your lymph nodes. Its a very scary time for everyone and I cant say anything to alleviate that except to say that the surgery isn't too bad even if its mastectomy.

I hope you get to see the surgical specialist soon so you can be informed and make plans for treatment.

[jane dio]

Hi, I'm Jane. I'm 46 from Melbourne. Married for 25 yrs. this yr. and have 2 amazing kids. I have no history of breast cancer in my family. Actually, I have no history of any cancer in our family.
8 weeks ago, I was showering and I found a lump. Took 3 days to get a doctor appoint and she said yes, yes there are 3 lumps. Over the next few weeks I had a mammogram and 2 ultra sounds done. I got in to see the specialist in 10 days which I thought was fabulous. He was nice. Told me the area I felt the lump was clear... however a lump was detected in the left side stated to be a cat 3/4 nodule and core biopsy was recommended. Right side was a cluster of lymph nodes and FNA was recommended. 2 weeks later l had the procedures done. FNA was a breeze... I didn't even realise the Dr had done it... no pain, sting nothing.
So, we move to the left side and a core biopsy was started. He told me the local hurt like a b%#ch!!!! for a minute but then should be all good. Again, I felt nothing, didn't know the needle was in until I caught site of the screen. Anyways he did the 1st sample and all was good. When he put the needle in to do the next sample, he knocked the ultrasound probe off course and lost the image. Needless to say, when they bought the image back, he lost his track marks so the 2nd and 3rd samples were done with no local and OMG the pain was worse than anything I've felt. Anyways, a week on and I have my specialist appoint on 17th... My GP rings me on the 16th and asks if I had the procedure done. I told her yes and that I had a specialist appointment tomorrow to find out results. I laughed at her and told her she knew I did because she had the results right... She said yes and can you come see me... please bring your hubby or someone and drive slowly. I told her it's ok... I know the results... So I go see my GP and she beats around the brush... no eye contact... I tell her just to be honest with me and tell me.
Results - Invasive ductal carcinoma NOS.
I asked her what it meant and she told me I have breast cancer. I told her that I get that, but what does this mean.. what happens from here? do I have it removed? all the normal questions. She says, well you'll have to discuss that with the specialist tomorrow. Far Out. Why did she do that to me. When I told her I had specialist appointment tomorrow she should have left it at that... I Left the clinic and came home to tell hubby I have cancer but have no idea about anything else. She couldn't give me any info now I have to stew all night about what may or may not happen now.
Sorry for venting, I’m just really angry.. mad.. sad.. scared.. exhausted.. all of the above.