newly diagnosed with lots of questions

sgishelly

[color=indigo][/color]Hello to MuttsMom and thank you for recommending this board. Smile

I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma recently and since then I've had all the normal tests...mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI, CT scan and I'm going for a bone scan on Friday. I found this problem when I noticed a swollen lymph node under my right arm and went to my local doctor. That was about 1 month ago. I'm going for a bone scan on Friday and then to Moffitt Cancer Center on Monday. I'm hoping they will do SOMETHING quick!!

Now here's my question....and I know I'm sounding paranoid here....my upper right arm has been bothering me. At first I thought it was a muscle problem now I'm not sure. When my doctor scheduled me for a bone scan, it really started to bother me. I'm wondering if it's all psychological. Now I'm freaked out thinking the cancer has spread to my bones. In my head, I know I'm overreacting but I just can't help it. ANyone ever have this problem?

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Thanks for posting. Seems like you are getting good care. Even though I have not been through the experience of being diagnosed with cancer, I can only imagine how anxiety-provoking it can be. The only advice I have for you is to try to find ways to relax and be assured that your doctors are working with you in your best interest. I know it is hard, but that's all you can do for now. You can always talk to other women here about what you are going through, there are so many good people around...

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

MuttsMom · Guest

Hi Shelly,
I'm glad you came and posted here. I really like it, the help is great and no cat fights.....lol
I think we'll always have worries when something hurts that never did before and in reality, it probably always hurt on and off but never thought anything of it and now, we think BC right off. This is all so new to you and I will say that after time, when you hurt, even though your 1st thought is BC, you don't panic like in the beginning. I think I told you that I had pain in my right hip and when I went for my regular check up, I told my onco about it. He felt it was the Arimidex but since I was Stage III and I hadn't had a bone scan in over a year, he ordered one. Everything was fine, not even degenerative (sp) changes showed up on my hip. Last week, my left hip started hurting and the only thing that saved me was knowing I had a bone scan last month. In about 2 weeks, it went away. Please let me/us know how your scan goes. I had a bone density test and it showed osteoporsis (I should learn how to spell it since I have it... lol) in my right hip and other places. I'm now on Actonel to strengthen my bones.
Always listen to your body and if the anxiety gets bad, make an appt. for peace of mind. When my mammogram showed "normal" my gut told me that something wasn't right because of the large lump I found and I listened to my gut thank God. Now, it's harder to know if your gut is right or the fear of BC again, but when in doubt, get things checked. It's alway such a HUGE relief to hear, everything looks good Smile

You're in my prayers and I'm sure others will respond to your post as well as our wonderful Dr Leo. E-mail me anytime, I'm here
Hugs
Nancy

Guest

Hi Shelly,

Sorry to hear about your dx. Dr. Leo is a real sweetie, isn't he. He's right, you are getting all the normal tests for starters. The very best advice I can give you is "Don't worry until you have something to worry about." Easy to say, a little more difficult to do, I know.

Take this time between appointments, scans and tests to get yourself organized. I recommend getting yourself a binder or an expanding file and setting your medical 'stuff' up like a business. If you look at the process of getting your body back to health as a business it becomes much easier to handle all the details. Your binder/file should have a calendar for appointments, sections for results (I get copies of everything from bloodwork to surgical to oncology and pathology reports); medical insurance info, research you do, and notes from doctors appointments. On more than one occasion I walked into 'the next appointment' for a test they needed other results that they hadn't yet received and were about to reschedule when I went into my file and handed them what they needed.

Hearing someone tell you "You have breast cancer" is a heart stopping, all-your-breath-sucked-out-of-you experience. It is normal to go through a myriad of reactions from numb to sobbing (sometimes in the blink of an eye). We all have our own unique ways of handling it and you'll find yours as you go along. I choose to laugh wherever and whenever possible.

If you have questions, ask away. I'm pretty new here but this seems to be a really nice group of people.

Cheers,
Bree

Pastor Rich

Hi Shelly;

I had a melanoma about 10 years ago and for the 1st five years I went for checkups every 3, then every 6 months. Each time, about a month before, I started to feel tingling under my arms. My family doctor had to send me for a cardiac stress test, it was so bad.

It was all in my head. Strange thing, our minds.

Now, my wife has lobular, and when I reminded her of this she admitted her underarms were bothering her as well.

BTW, lobular is different than ductal in many ways. Because it doesn't show up well on mamograms, it is usually found when it is at a later stage. My wife's "first-blush" diagnosis was a 1cm tumor. It turned out to be 2.1cm and eventually stage III. 10 of 14 lymph nodes were positive.

This would normally be bad news, but the good news is that recent studies show that in spite of being found at a later stage, lobular long term statistics are better than ductal.

Try not to be anxious. This is terribly difficult to do, but the best advice I have is to take the anxious thought as it pops into your mind and replace it with something lovely. It works but requires practice to intercept the thought before it takes root and grows.

Blessings,
Pastor Rich
_________________
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

sgishelly

[color=darkblue][/color]Thanks to everyone!! I know in mind that I'm over reacting. It's just so hard not to. I go for a bone scan tomorrow. How long does it take to get results?? I know the techs aren't supposed to say anything about the results and the waiting is going to drive me nuts.

I'm going to visit my daughter in college this weekend and going to a football game...that should give me something else to think about.

MNlady13 · Guest

Hi, Shelly, I know just how you feel. It seems like after diagnosis we worry about every ache and pain. Bree's advice about trying not to worry until you know you have something to worry about, is good. It is advice I and friends of mine (also BC survivors) pass on to others we meet. I don't think the axiety ever goes away completely. Even after 8 years I still worry about my annual mammogram and blood tests that the onc orders done. I don't relax until I hear that everything is normal. Smile

So, good luck with that bone scan. Here's hoping it shows nothing more serious than a little arthritis. Hugs, Lauri (8 yrs and 7 months)

MuttsMom · Guest

Hi Lauri,
How wonderful, over 8 years NED. I want to be just like you Smile

I always find encourgment when I read ladies like you are so far out of this disease. Do you mind me asking what stage you were? I was dx stage III and I know of a few that are 4-6 years out, which is wonderful but I can always hear more news like that Smile

Nancy

MNlady13 · Guest

Hi Nancy, I was dxed at StageI with a 6 mm tumor, yes 6 mm. That's about the size of a tender, tiny pea. Neg. nodes. Had lumpectomy, 33 rad treatments and 5 yrs of Tamoxifen. My health continues to be all right except for an underactive thyroid, a bit of depression, thinning bones, and slightly elevated cholesterol and blood pressure. That adds up to Synthroid, Wellbutrin, Fosomax, Lipitor and HCTZ for meds. Smile

Not too bad though, compared to what others live with. Wishing you many years of good health. Hugs, Lauri (8 and 7)

Guest

[color=blue][/color] Laughing

Just wanted to let everyone know that I went and had my bone scan this morning. My doctor received the results from the bone scan and the CT scan this afternoon and called to let me know the results. It's all good!!!! Nothing else showed up on either one. I'm so relieved....I don't know whether to dance around the room or sit down for a good cry. I feel like I have had the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders. YIPPEE!!!

Shelly

Pastor Rich

Tremendous news!!!

Praise God!

Pastor Rich
(who knows how you feel 1st hand on this one)
_________________
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

MNlady13 · Guest

Happy dancing for you, Shelly. I can hear just how relieved you are right now. Happy Thanksgiving. What a time to count your blessings. Hugs, Lauri

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

This is great news indeed. We will be around if you need our support !

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

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