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Post by elaine on Mar 20, 2018 10:35:50 GMT
Some of you were following my posts on my “mammogram - gotta be a better way” thread and have messaged me to ask if I heard anything.
I finally got the official word on my biopsy results yesterday: I have invasive ductal carcinoma. I have an appointment with our Breast Care team doctor tomorrow- weather be willing - to discuss treatment plan. The mass is on the larger side - 2 cm. The lymph nodes didn’t look enlarged on the ultrasound, so here’s hoping it hasn’t made it there yet.
I, for some stupid reason, thought “not me” when it came to cancer, because we have no family history of it. So, I don’t/didn’t have much specific knowledge about cancers, testing procedures, and treatments. It has been quite a week of learning some of the nuts and bolts so that I can make informed decisions.
I wanted to update y’all and thank you all for all the support you’ve shown me so far. I promise to continue to use this board for support, as one of my goals for beating cancer is to make myself accept regular help and support from others, rather than facing things mostly solo, which is my typical mode of coping. It just isn’t going to work in this case. So, thank you in advance for letting me lean on you.
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Update - 3/24
First, THANK YOU ALL for all your love and support. I am a little stunned by how much each and every post, no matter how brief, impacts me in a positive way.
Second, after consulting with a cousin who lives in the area and is a MD, I switched my care from Ft. Belvoir to Walter Reed. It is a farther drive, but worth it for the peace of mind and all my other docs are there. I have a 5 hour meeting on Thursday, where I will meet all the doctors on the team and the social worker. I also have a Nurse Navigator who has been watching for my pathology results and called me with the updates as new test data comes in. She will help schedule everything for me.
The test results that have come in are good - the cells are estrogen and progesterone positive, so there are a number of hormone-targeted drugs available to help.
After reeling for a few days, I am feeling much better. I so have this and am going to beat it. The more I read and learn, the more certain I am. Knowledge is power. And, the support of the Peas is powerful. Cancer doesn’t stand a chance.
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michellegb
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,915
Location: New England and loving it!
Jun 26, 2014 0:04:59 GMT
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Post by michellegb on Mar 20, 2018 10:38:35 GMT
I am so sorry elaine. Cancer sucks. Hard. But you can do this and the peas will be here with you every step of this journey. Big, big hugs. |
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smcast
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,344 
Location: MN
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Post by smcast on Mar 20, 2018 10:39:16 GMT
I'm so sorry! I'll pray you caught it early and treatment goes well for you.😣
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Post by gailoh on Mar 20, 2018 10:43:38 GMT
My sis had breast cancer,at the time she was 73...she is now 77...you can do this...hugs
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Mar 20, 2018 10:46:36 GMT
Fuck. That sucks. As if you don't have enough to deal with.
I'm sorry, I lack anything helpful or useful to say at the moment, I just typed out my thoughts when I read the title.
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Post by Merge on Mar 20, 2018 10:48:08 GMT
Oh, I'm so sorry to read this. My best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery, and strength along the way.
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Post by mollycoddle on Mar 20, 2018 10:48:08 GMT
That sucks, Elaine. I am sorry. Sending good thoughts your way.
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Post by tommygirl on Mar 20, 2018 10:49:13 GMT
Hugs to you Elaine! Know that the peas will be cheering you on as you fight this!
Praying for you!
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Post by dewryce on Mar 20, 2018 10:51:13 GMT
*insert lots of cuss words here*
Glad to see that you are open to accepting help, there is no need to go it alone. We're here for you.
You got this.
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Post by papersilly on Mar 20, 2018 10:51:19 GMT
Hugs to you! You will beat this and we will be here for you!
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,812
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Mar 20, 2018 10:54:13 GMT
Well that's just shit. I'm so sorry. You know the peas are here for you.
Back in the 80s my grandmother had a breast removed, followed a number of years later, having the second breast removed, she lived to just shy of 90. Tech, process, treatments are so much better today. You are so strong, you will fight this.
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Post by Patter on Mar 20, 2018 10:54:44 GMT
Oh my word, I am SO sorry to read this. Praying for wisdom for the doctors, peace for you and your family, and an effective treatment plan!!!! Hugs and prayers!
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lisaknits
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,377
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Post by lisaknits on Mar 20, 2018 10:55:23 GMT
Cancer sucks. I'm sending hugs and healing love your way. Lean on the peas - we're here cheering you on every step of your journey.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Mar 20, 2018 10:55:53 GMT
Well. That sucks. I’m so sorry. They say there is strenght in numbers and this board is full of some of the best and strongest women from around the world.
Sending positive thoughts for a successful treatment regime and a speedy and full recovery.
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Post by gar on Mar 20, 2018 10:56:56 GMT
Ugh, I’m sorry 😕
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Mar 20, 2018 10:59:07 GMT
Well, crap. I'm so sorry. I was hoping your radiologist would be wrong.
We're all here for you, whenever you need us. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Sending love your way.
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Post by baslp on Mar 20, 2018 11:02:29 GMT
So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Sending positive thoughts your way.
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 20, 2018 11:02:51 GMT
 Dang, join the club that you never wanted to be in!  Going on 18 years for me, same type although mine was a bit smaller. I had surgery (lumpectomy), chemo, and radiation. It was all bearable because of the good anti-nausea drugs they've developed. And that was 18 years ago so just think what they've come up with since then.... I did my chemo at Georgetown Hospital, and the radiation with Fairfax Radiology which is/was somewhere out west in your direction from where I live. Excellent treatment from both, great staff, etc. Are you going to be here enough to keep up with our Instant Pot thread? Do you want me to take that over for awhile? I was just planning to look for the latest one so I could post my recent creations.  Damn cancer. 
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Post by pierkiss on Mar 20, 2018 11:04:08 GMT
Damnit!!! I’m so sorry to read this. We are here for you when you need us. Continuing to think positively for you.
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Post by christine58 on Mar 20, 2018 11:08:02 GMT
elaine Sorry you got fucky news. Let's hope you caught it early and we're here for you for whatever whenever.
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,479
Location: Fergus, Ontario
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Post by cakediva on Mar 20, 2018 11:10:27 GMT
I'm sorry Elaine - cancer sucks.
Sending healing thoughts to you and your family...
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Mar 20, 2018 11:10:46 GMT
I think of breast cancer now as imminently beatable. I now have so many close friends and family who have done just that. It's just that you have to get through all the shit to get there. And for that, I'm sorry, friend.
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Post by melanell on Mar 20, 2018 11:10:56 GMT
Oh, Elaine, I'm sorry you're facing this. Cancer sucks. We're all here for you in any way that we can be.
I have 2 relatives and a friend facing breast cancer right now as well. It's a crappy list to see getting longer. I'm so glad you're willing to accept help & support. The women I know on this journey right now seem to draw a lot of positivity from being able to talk to others about what they are facing on their journey so I help that will be helpful for you as well.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,761
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Mar 20, 2018 11:11:27 GMT
Bugger. I'm sorry. Lean away - that's what we're for, and what we do.  |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 14, 2024 1:39:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 11:12:20 GMT
I'm so sorry Elaine, that really sucks. Hoping your appointment tomorrow will reveal an effective and positive treatment plan for you. ((((hugs))))
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YooHoot
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,418
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Post by YooHoot on Mar 20, 2018 11:14:41 GMT
Shit.
Hugs.
I'm sorry.
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Post by GamGam on Mar 20, 2018 11:16:41 GMT
I join the chorus of Peas who are very sorry to hear of your diagnosis. We will support and encourage you every step of the way to your complete and total healing. Big hugs and prayers for you and those you love.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 14, 2024 1:39:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 11:23:16 GMT
I'm so sorry, Elaine.  |
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Post by mammajamma on Mar 20, 2018 11:26:43 GMT
So sorry to hear this. I was diagnosed a little over a year ago at age 40 with no concerning family history. I was breastfeeding my 15 month old when i noticed my lump. I didn’t post much about it here. At the time, so many political threads. Anyway, I did a double mastectomy, they removed 5 lymph nodes on the cancer side ( ALND). I had 8 rounds of dose dense chemo. 28 radiation and now on Tamoxifen. I cold capped to save my hair. That is one thing that helped give me hope but it wasn’t without significant hair loss. I ended up loosing about 75% by the end but if you look at me in photos I was able to masquerade the baldness with the hair I did have. I have lots of tips and tricks for that. So please look into it if something you are interested in. If you are considering it, don’t color or highlight your hair for 4-6 weeks before chemo starts which could be the period you are in now. Only light trims. You have to baby your hair. It’s a whole process to cold cap. Some women seem to accept the hair loss better but to me that was the worst part of everything.
Hugs. There are some great private Facebook groups for breast cancer support too.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 14, 2024 1:39:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 11:27:06 GMT
I am so sorry! I can only imagine how you must feel, how uncertain and scared, praying for you! They have made such strides in treatment and I do know that your attitude can make a really big difference. So fight, fight, fight and know that you have lots of support from the crafty world for sure!
Big Hugs!!!
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