u/Glittering-Bell8008

I just had my first oncology visit today after being confirmed with breast cancer on June 25. I still need my breast MRI and PET so I have a bit of time to think about how to handle this.

I’ll be doing 4 rounds of Adrianycin and Cytocan together, the cycle will be every 2 weeks. After it will be Taxol, 4 rounds every 2 weeks. 8 rounds total for 16 weeks (if my math is correct)

My oncologist was clear this is likely to cause total hair loss. She said cold capping doesn’t really work; but if I wanted to I could do it and always stop if I wanted to. I know it is at my expense bc of my insurance. I have money saved I could use, esp since i likely won’t be traveling anytime soon.

My hair is long and thick, I love it and it is part of my identity. Even at 38 family would make comments about cutting it shorter as I age but, I just love it long. So this is so hard for me. I think I’m ok with trying to save eggs and choosing a double mastectomy, but I don’t know what to do about my hair. And honestly my eyelashes, bc they are long too which I love and make my eyes stand out. Sorry for that more of a heart dump I guess. At worst I know I’d like to donate it before starting chemo and keep it short incase i don’t need to shave it.

But, can anyone offer insight if you’ve had a similar treatment and how the hair part went?

I’ve been lurking here since my mammogram. I
know many of us are all in similar situations, so I appreciate the support and guidance in advance.

In early May I noticed my skin retracting, I found a lump and had my annual on May 27. I was freaked out so much that my blood pressure was really high. My doctor was calm but didn’t seem to feel it, I was able to get a diagnostic mammogram on June 3 fortunately. It was great, it was my first one and they did an ultrasound; I could tell it was going to be ok. Needless to say they came in and said i need 3-4 biopsies and they set me up with a breast surgeon and they will inform my treatment plan. I had tried to prepare mentally but still was upset. (Impression is below)

My biopsies are June 24. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions but generally I think I’m keeping it together decently. I haven’t told anyone though and I’m scared of having to do that. My parents have their own health issues so I don’t want to worry them at this point or my family and friends. I’m single and about to turn 39, I’m just a bit heartbroken already. I know I’m later for it but I was hoping to have a family etc. I’ve been looking into things to try to mentally prepare bc I don’t want to be blind sided. I’m learning a lot but it’s also a lot to digest.

Anyway, I guess I just needed to share this somehow since i am being private about it for now. And June 24 feels so far away still.

Right
The breast is extremely dense, which lowers the sensitivity of mammography.
There is a BB marker overlying the area of palpable abnormality with an underlying 2.1 cm irregular mass with spiculated margins in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. There is mild associated skin retraction.
There are coarse heterogeneous and fine linear or fine-linear branching calcifications in the upper-outer right breast in a segmental distribution, slightly medial and inferior to the dominant irregular mass, spanning 3.4 x 2.2 x 3.6 cm, noting that due to posterior location evaluation on CC views is limited. Second group of coarse heterogeneous calcifications in the central upper left breast spanning 0.8 x 0.5 cm, favored to represent same disease process as the segmental calcifications. This is suspicious.
 
Limited ultrasound of the right breast was performed over the area of palpable abnormality at 10:00, 8 cm from the nipple. There is an irregular hypoechoic mass with spiculated margins measuring 2.8 x 2.4 x 2.9 cm with internal vascularity and corresponding to the irregular mass seen on mammogram. This is highly suspicious.
Targeted ultrasound of the of the right axilla was performed. There are mildly prominent right axillary lymph nodes. For example, there is a 0.9 x 0.4 cm right axillary lymph node with a cortical bulge measuring up to 3 mm. In the setting of a highly suspicious right breast mass, this is suspicious.
 
Left
The breast is extremely dense, which lowers the sensitivity of mammography. There is no evidence of suspicious masses, calcifications, or other abnormal findings in the left breast.
** **
IMPRESSION:
Right breast assessment: Highly Suggestive of Malignancy. Biopsy is recommended of the right breast mass, right axillary lymph node and right breast calcifications.
 
The results of this examination and the recommendation for a ultrasound guided breast biopsy and stereotactic biopsy were discussed with the patient at the time of the study. The patient was given written pre-procedural information as well as instructions on how to schedule the procedure recommendation.
 
Left breast assessment: Negative. Clinically appropriate management is recommended.
 
Overall BI-RADS category: 5 - Highly Suggestive of Malignancy