Hi All,
I'm Tammie and am happy to have found this site.  I'm from Western PA.  I have 2 kids at home, one of whom (my son) is not doing so well with the news. I found a lump in January, after going through the chain of appointments to get an ultrasound, failed core biopsy, FNA, and then finally an excisional biopsy on 3/26/12, I was diagnosed with 2 spots of IDC on 3/29/12.  Each step of the way, I was told it appeared to be only a fibroadnoma. They had even been watching the second spot with ultrasound every 6 months, assuring me each time it was nothing and did not need biopsied.  Fortunately, the surgeon took it out to check when she took out the new spot. She said after the surgery it did not appear cancerous to her based on looks alone, but I got the dreaded and unexpected phone call 3 days later. I had an MRI with contrast on Tuesday and will get the results tomorrow when I meet the surgeon again to discuss whether she will remove one or both breasts (I've already decided I want them both removed regardless).  My pathology report shows no lymphovacular invasion, but i'm not sure how much that means as far as lymph nodes being involved.  She plans to do at least a sentinal biopsy during the mastectomy.  I also have connective tissue disease and am interested to see how others have done during treatment with this.  Thanks for listening!

Tammie
Diagnosed IDC 3/29/12. EBB 3/26: 2 x 9mm tumors, Nottingham Grade 2, ER/PR +. 
Pending bi-lateral mastectomy on 5/11/12.

Hi Tammie and welcome,
 
I'm so sorry you have to face this disease but very glad you found us and there are lots of very supportive and loving ladies here happy to help you through this and answer any questions you may have or simply to listen while you vent!    I know the early weeks are a nightmare but do know it does get easier so hold that thought!

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

Hi Tammie and welcome to the club we really didn't join.  We were drafted!!  The waiting is the toughest part.  I'm sorry but I don't know of the connective tissue disease.

I just wanted to let you know that I echo Tricia that we are here for you.

Tina    
dx 2/1/11 DCIS
Lumpectomy 2/27 results DCIS/LCIS Stage 0 ER+ PR+
Bi-lateral Mastectomy 4/26 with expanders 
6/3 Surgery to remove contaminated expander due to infection.
7/22/11 Surgery to reinsert the expander. 
10/11/2011 Surgery to replace tissue expanders with implants. 
 

Thank you Tricia and Tina,
The old posts have been full of good information.  I managed to get a few hours of sleep last night, so I'm ready to get to the appointment and get on with getting better!
Tammie

Tammie
Diagnosed IDC 3/29/12. EBB 3/26: 2 x 9mm tumors, Nottingham Grade 2, ER/PR +. 
Pending bi-lateral mastectomy on 5/11/12.

Welcome Tammie!

dx ILC/dcis excisional biopsy 5/30/08
r segmental mast (partial) snb 6/4
node neg stage1 gr ll
er+/pr- Her2 - Oncotype Dx 11
R mast 9/22/08 w DIEP
tamox,now AI 
BRCA 1 & 2 NEG
davinci hyst/bso,  

Hi Tammie and welcome. I hope your appt. today goes well. Let us know what you find out. I don't know anyone with connective tissue disease, but if you post on the other forums, which get more traffic, you might find someone. Best wishes!

Rena age 63 California Central Coast
26-year survivor
BRCA2-positive
Dx 1986 IDC ER/PR negative 22 positive lymph nodes
CMFVP chemo weekly for one year, 7 weeks radiation
October 2007: New chassis and spark plugs!

Hi Tammie,

Sorry you had to join our club, but happy you found this site!  Please come back and let us know how it's going.  

Hug
Elaine

 A person's greatness is the power to stand alone;to be able to make her own choice; in action,to write anew her own law; to choose her own sacrifices; run her own dangers; win her own freedom; venture her own destruction; to choose her own happiness 
 

Tammie,
 
You have come to the right place for information and support. If by connective tissure disease you mean
Rheumatoid Arthritis, I was diagnosed with that years before my breast cancer. I have a mild form of it but was taking methotrexate for it. My doctor said that "prepared" my body to accept the chemo, which I had a rather easy time with.
 
What disease are you referring to - lupus, Shogren's or something else? I know there are many such diseases. In any case, I had no ill effects from my RA. I did need shots to boost my white and red blood cells counts throught chemo.
 
Send me a Private Message if you want more info.
 
Good luck.

Lumpectomy 4/14/05 at age 69
Stage 1, 2cm, Node Negative
Grade 3, Triple Negative
AC/Taxol, Radiation,
BRCA2 positive (It's always something!)
No Family History

Hello Tammy, I am so very sorry you are traveling this road. Unfortunately, there are many of us on this journey. This forum is so wonderful because the people on it are loving, caring women who reach out to others through their own fear or suffering. We all have been where you are, confused, frightened, but you are not alone. We are all here for you. This was one of the first sites I found when I was diagnosed Aug. 24, 2010. I still come here almost daily. I found such good information and support and I want to pay it forward. I am not familiar with connective tissue disease so I don't have a clue how your treatment will affect it. I hope all goes well for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please visit this site if you need information or support. Of course your doctors are your first line for medical questions, but we can maybe help fill in the gaps. I found that they don't always give enough information and getting first hand information from women who have been there is very comforting. God bless you.

Biop left breast 8-19-10; Diag IDC & DCIS 8-24-10 at age 55; Bilateral Mast with expanders 9-22-10; 2.2 cm grade 2 tumor; SNB 2/2 neg; Stage IIa; Oncotype score 22; Began AC x 4 followed by Taxol x 4 Dose Dense (at 2 week intervals) on 11-10-10; Completed Chemo on 2-23-11; Began taking Tamoxifen on 3-16-11; Silicone implants 5-18-11; Infection in right implant 6-19-11. Implant revision surgery 3-7-12. Grandmother of 2 precious children who are my inspiration to survive!

It sure was nice to get home and find everyone's messages! I guess I got mixed news in my appointment, but overall I'll take it as positive.  The MRI showed an area of suspicion in the right breast as well, though it was not a strong reading.  I didn't even care to entertain any option other than the bi-lateral MX at that point.  The good news was that the lymph nodes visually appear to be OK.  Of course they won't know for sure until they biopsy them as well, but I'll take it as good news at this point.  As for the right side, they do still want to biopsy it to make a decision on whether to biopsy the lymph nodes on the new side in addition to the ones they will already do on the left.  My first response was to just do both sides, but my doctor wanted to try to avoid taking lymph nodes on both sides if it could be avoided....so another biopsy it will be on Monday, followed by an appointment to meet my plastic surgeon. I proposed taking the ovaries (ER+) at the same time, but they weren't willing to leave me under anesthesia that long at one time.  They have referred me for the BRCA testing first to see how that turns out (I don't have sisters, but have 2 aunts with BC, one at age 40).  My FISH results also came back negative.  They anticipate it being at least 3 weeks until they can find a date for surgery that works for both surgeons and that an OR is open.  As for the connective tissue disease, I have Sjogrens and mild lupus....inflamation and circulation are among my bigger issues with that, but I've been given no limitations on my treatment, including radiation if needed.  Anyway, that's the short version.  They gave me a lot of materials, and my pathology report, so I will be digesting that next week and checking out the advice for the upcoming surgery.  Thanks so much again for being here.

Tammie
Diagnosed IDC 3/29/12. EBB 3/26: 2 x 9mm tumors, Nottingham Grade 2, ER/PR +. 
Pending bi-lateral mastectomy on 5/11/12.