u/Exciting_Sense_1513

Hi all! My first post here since my diagnosis this past Thursday.

For context: 34yo Stage 3c Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with likely lymph node involvement and inflammatory properties. Brain and organ involvement has been ruled out just waiting on results for bone. Either way I start 6mo of chemo on 8/28 (Keynote 522)

I have been trying to take everything in stride and minus this I have felt (mentally, emotionally and physically) more like myself than I have in years.

I have been easily able to wrap my mind around and accept that I will at least be losing 1 breast to surgery if not both (decision to be made later also waiting on genetic testing results) and my hair. These were truly easy for me to come to terms with for some reason.

What I’m really grappling with is the possible weight gain through chemo. I have spent the last year and a half working on getting my weight down and my eating habits to a much healthier level. I have lost 30lbs during my weight loss journey and am really struggling with the idea of losing all the progress I’ve made. I know mindful eating and staying active will be helpful through treatment but I still fear the gain.

It seems like such a superficial thing for me to worry about when my health comes first and right now cancer is at the forefront. I have read a lot of anecdotes on this thread about weight gain but I would love to hear more of both sides (if they exist). Please be gentle in your sharing as I WANT to hear both but am really struggling with this.

Hi all, I am sharing my experience for a little light in what I’m sure is a dark time for many of us.

I went in for my biopsy yesterday (3 samples from the breast lump and 2 from my lymph node). I was finally feeling some peace the 2 days leading up since I knew I was getting once step closer to answers. However, on the drive there the anxiety started coming back and some tears were shed.

The entire experience from start to finish was not what I expected but in the best way possible. It all started while I was waiting for them to call me back to the room, the mammo tech I was with last time saw me and stopped to check on me and ask how I was doing and expressed she had been thinking of me and wished me luck. For the procedure, I was assigned a radiologist, nurse and imaging tech. The 3 of them worked flawlessly together. They asked/chatted with me about my life and joked with me the whole way through the procedure which truly took my anxiety away. They were so caring yet extremely efficient. The entire procedure from getting changed into the cape to walking out to the front desk took less than an hour. On the way out the imaging tech even jokingly told me to tell my fiance I had a TERRIBLE time and he HAD to take me for ice cream after. Needless to say, we listened to her recommendation of ice cream. For what is a scary time for both of us, my fiance said it was nice to see me walk out of the doors with a smile on my face vs the last time I was there and we left in tears with the BIRADs 5 categorization. I now have to wait until sometime Friday when the nurse who was with me through the procedure will call me with results.

My dad worked his entire career (and has been a patient) in our neighboring hospital network, which would probably be considered care-wise akin to where I am going. He has been nothing but impressed every step of the way in my journey, which means a lot coming from someone who is familiar with the healthcare and hospital systems in our area.

All of this to say, that regardless of what my diagnosis will be, I have been further reminded and am beyond grateful for the urgency, efficiency and quality of care of I have received so far. I know I am in great hands if I get a diagnosis with the worst.

I hope that all of you going through this are able to find peace in this time with your care team the way I have.

I’m currently preparing for the worst while still searching for glimmers of hope. I guess I’m really here to share my journey so far and see if anyone has had similar experiences. EDIT: felt I should add I am 34yo.

So I’ve been on this journey since early April. I first noticed a approx 1in lump that seemingly appeared out of nowhere where. Due to some overseas family emergencies I was not able to make an appt with an OB until 8/17 (which was several months out at the time). Since then it has at least doubled in size and I have developed a rash on the underside of my breast, nearest the lump. I ended up going to urgent care because I developed chest pain while breathing and they expedited everything for me.

Here is my current timeline over the past few weeks:

7/21: Urgent care visit- chest pain attributed to the weight and rash is due to rapid swelling and stretching of the skin. They ordered my mammogram and called the OB practice i am seeing and got my appt moved up

7/24: Visit with OBGYN- obviously cause for concern but the lump is very movable so was hoping for a fibroadenoma. Said most likely I would get referred to breast surgery due to size

7/28: Diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. They also found 4 lymph nodes in the armpit that are slightly enlarged. Radiologist spoke to me immediately after and said I need to prepare for a cancer diagnosis. The BIRADS 5 was not noted to me until I check MyChart for my test results.

7/29: Received a call from my OB checking in and saying obviously the imaging isn’t 100% showing what we hoped for but that in addition to any referrals I get, they are also there for me to call or message with any questions/concerns.

Following are my mammogram results:

Density: The breasts) are extremely dense, which lowers the sensitivity of mammography.
Mammographic findings:

LEFT breast: A radiopaque marker overlies the lower central/lower inner breast, denoting the palpable area of concern. Beneath the marker, there is a dense mass with obscured margins measuring 6.3 cm. The skin of the medial and lower LEFT breast is thickened.

RIGHT breast: There is no suspicious mass, pleomorphic microcalcifications, or unexplained architectural distortion.

Ultrasound findings:
A targeted ultrasound of the LEFT breast was performed, as directed by the patient to the palpable area of concern. At 6:00, 8 cm the nipple, there is a vascular mass with a central cystic component measuring at least 4.2 x 4.7 × 3.4 cm.
A targeted ultrasound of the LEFT axilla demonstrates at least 4 lymph nodes with abnormal morphology.

I have an ultrasound guided double core needle biopsy scheduled for 8/6. One in the breast and the other to sample a lymph node. I am currently really anxious about this but luckily the radiologist told me I will get a call with my results in 48 hours.

I am certainly scared for what the future holds for me but am trying to remain hopeful and super grateful for the care team I have supporting me as well.