Waiting for core biopsy results and worried

[PamEV]

I am expecting my results this week and am so frightened. Worried about how to tell my sisters who will freak out. I guess I am thinking that I must have cancer since I am 66 and overweight. Hard to believe that a lump like the one that suddenly appeared could be benign. Wondering if there is someone out there my age who got good news instead of bad from the biopsy?

[japdip]

I sent two private messages ... one to each username .. Let me know if you received either one or both.   Thanks

[BryanAve]

I tried to send you a private message, but the site won't allow me to do so. Every time I try to register, it says my nickname is already taken - even though I have tried more than several nicknames. I contacted MedHelp, but no answer as yet. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

I told my sisters yesterday. Quite a shock for them, but they are wonderfully supportive, of course. Now I will tell a few others - extended family and friends.

I so appreciate your prayers and concern. I meet with the surgeon again tomorrow, and the oncologist on Thursday. Surgery may be October 20 - will know exact date tomorrow.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions about how to work with this site to respond to you privately.

Best,

Pam

[japdip]

Just a note to let you know any time you wish you are welcome to contact me by Private Message. To do this just click on my name and then on "send message".  This will come directly to my inbox. I'll be thinking about you and the Sisters tomorrow ....  Regards

[PamEV]

I know that the waiting is absolutely awful. No matter how I tried to distract myself, I couldn't put it out of my mind for long. Since I felt that I knew that cancer was in my future, I spent time reading as much as I could handle about it. I also started researching breast cancer doctors in my area. I DID NOT take the recommendation of my primary care doctor. She ultimately referred me to an "old school" doctor (72 years old) who had "done it a million times." I wanted a woman surgeon and one who specialized in breast surgery - just in case my intuition proved correct. I found a wonderful surgeon and will see her again on Monday. The first time I saw her, she referred me to a female oncologist and a male plastic surgeon, both of whom she works with frequently. I am CONVINCED that finding the right surgeon leads to the best other physicians who will be involved going forward.

All that said, you don't have your results yet so, as they say, "hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." It's really all you can do. Of course, I prayed, too, but I felt like a bit of a hypocrite doing that since it seems I only turn to God when I need Him. I continue to ask for His support and know that what I am going through is all part of life on this earth.

Take some deep breaths, and try to take it hour by hour. That's really all we have anyway when you think about it. Life is beautiful, but fragile.

Please keep in touch. I will keep you in my prayers and hope that your results are cancer-free.

Pam

[PamEV]

Hi again... thanks for the response. I know my sisters will be incredibly supportive. But I also know that they will have hard time dealing with the fact that I have breast cancer, as often it can mean a death sentence. I am going to try to put everything in the most positive light and hope that they have the same hope I do for a positive outcome.

I will let you know how it goes late tomorrow night or on Sunday. Until then, thank you so much for your continued support. It means everything to me.

Pam

[Desertmomnm]

I just read about you "knowing."  When I went for my annual in May, I asked about the cysts and my doctor blew me off.  He said it was from caffeine.  I didn't go right away to get my mammogram because we had big summer plans with my daughter looking at lots of colleges and I knew if I went, and they found something, that it would mess us the summer.  So I waited until August when I got home.  I keep trying to tell myself that each step was so far in between that no one seemed very concerned...that must be a good sign.  It's not helping.  

[Desertmomnm]

I understand the fear. I came on here to try to get some reassurance during the wait, but it hasn't helped.  I have a 17 year old daughter and I want to share so much more of her life.  I'm trying to remind myself that there are many survivors and be isn't always a death sentence.  

[japdip]

I certainly will .... it's good that you will see both your Sisters together .. then you will only have to break the news once. We'll talk later about prosthetics .. it will be some time before you would be allowed to be fitted with a permanent type of breast form ... before that you might be allowed a very light weight type of breast form until your surgical site has completely healed. My recovery was very uneventful and I'm hoping the same for you.
I suppose just take a deep breath Saturday and blurt it out .. then run :) Seriously I'll be thinking about you then ... it might go better than you think and if not you will have to think of it as their problem; you have enough to deal with. Hopefully they will understand that and be your support system through this trying time.   Take care ....

[PamEV]

I was so happy to hear from you.... it was almost karma, since I am leaning heavily toward avoiding reconstruction and wearing a prosthetic. I am at the age where I don't need to show my cleavage or look great in skimpy clothes (lol), so I believe that will be the right decision for me. I will listen to the plastic surgeon tomorrow, but I think I know the path I will take.

I will keep reporting on my progress and hope that you will continue to give me your valuable feedback. I also welcome comments and opinions from others, and it is wonderful knowing that there are caring, supportive women like you to help me through this.

My next big step:  telling my two sisters on Saturday. I am trying to be prepared for their reactions, which I know will be highly emotional. If I could, I would do anything to keep this news from them, but I cannot hide it much longer. Saturday is the first time I will see them in person, and together. If you will keep me in your prayers for that event, I would be incredibly grateful.

Thank you so much for your continued kindness.

Pam

[japdip]

I was about your age when I received my diagnosis ... had a young Surgeon whom I respected very much. I too chose Mastectomy but NO reconstruction. My personal feeling was that the one surgery was enough for me. I have not regretted my decision even for 1 minute since and that was several years ago. I also "knew" and I think we women have that ability to "know" things long before others can prove them. Not sure if that's a good or a bad talent but we have it nevertheless; who knows it may be more of a curse than a talent :) ... I am one who needs to know each and every thing that there is to know .... I make my decisions based on as much information as I can gather but that is probably due to my education and interests. You might look through the comments here in our Community regarding various types of reconstruction ... there have been many posts on the subject over the years. Just remember to take your time, get all the information that you feel comfortable with before making your decisions. If along the way you feel the need of a second opinion don't hesitate to ask for one .... my Surgeon was the type that encouraged  a second opinion but I didn't feel that I needed one. Keep in touch now and take care, we'll be here for you.  

[PamEV]

Thank you for your kind words. I have started the journey and remain scared about the future, although I am in the hands of a great surgeon. I meet the plastic surgeon tomorrow and the oncologist next week, so will make decisions as I go along. I will have a mastectomy, just unsure about the reconstruction. I will take any and all advice I can receive from those who have been through this - or those who are just in my former position of waiting for results. The reality is that I KNEW I had cancer. I don't know how - and I tried to just wait without thinking ahead - but I knew that I would receive this diagnosis. I am so grateful that it is early stage and that I have a chance to become a BC survivor.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me. And also sincere thanks for asking God to bless me. You have helped me so much already. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Pam

[PamEV]

Hi .... just saw your post. Yes, I have Stage 1 and Grade 1 - both good as far as cancer goes, but still very scary. I saw a great surgeon on Tuesday and meeting with plastic surgeon tomorrow (Friday). I have decided on a mastectomy of my left breast, but do not know whether to have reconstructive surgery or wear a prosthesis. The reconstructive surgery can take many hours -- I will have to see what the surgeon tomorrow says.

While the worst part was the waiting, there's still a long way to go. I haven't yet told anyone - will tell my sisters on Saturday, and I am hoping they don't fall apart. I am the oldest sibling, so I know it will be tough for them.

Please let me know what your results are. I would really like to keep in touch and hope that your news is cancer-free!

Pam

[Desertmomnm]

I'm so sorry. My results come in on Tuesday. I'm just as scared. Stage 1 is the best news possible besides benign, right?

[japdip]

Sorry about your diagnosis but you will get a true stage after whatever surgery is done and the specimen is studied in the Path Lab.
I suggest that you write down any and all questions, no matter how simple they may be and take the list with you to the appointment with the Surgeon. If you ask they will listen .... if you don't ask you may leave with unanswered concerns. Don't just sit and listen, take part in the discussion and make yourself heard. Surgeons are not mind readers and each and every person has different concerns when it comes to cancer. You may be given choices as to some of the treatment that will be recommended so don't hesitate to seek a second opinion if you are unsure about any part of the treatment plan. In the meantime I'm holding good thoughts for you and please stay in touch with us here ..... we'll do our best to help you in any way that you need along your journey.  God Bless .....

[PamEV]

Just received my results - Stage 1 BC - meeting with surgeon tomorrow morning at 9. I have breast cancer.

[PamEV]

Thank you for your helpful words. My results will be in today. I will let you know what if anything I am facing. Trying to be positive but feeling sick to my stomach with anxiety.

[japdip]

Being 66 and overweight has nothing to do with whether you might have cancer or not. I'm sure we have all had "that feeling" when something was discovered and a biopsy was done. It's not unusual to be in a position to have gotten good news and bad news from various biopsies. This is why ANY and EVERY little thing that doesn't seem the norm should be investigated ASAP. Try to have some more positive thoughts here ... let us know about your results and remember that we have all been through these trying times and are still here .... hoping to help others as best we can. Regards ....