Anonymous wrote:Angela one of my first pieces of advice (I am 10:22) is that I would HIGHLY recommend you go to Emory instead of the Cancer Center of America. I know you feel like a stastic but you are a person and many people care about you (even strangers like me on DCUM). But that is my first suggestion. Where you go to START the process has a huge impact for continued care... Can you switch to Emory? Also in Atlanta?

HUGS.

Thank you, he is checking if Emory is an option for us. He is thinking it is. I know in my have what you are saying is true, logic has seemed to disappear in the emotions. I am thankful for all of you. I had pretty much no knowledge of this, so the advice I have received has been greatly appreciated. It has helped me to know what it best. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Anonymous wrote:Angela, I'm so sorry you are going through this. I have an early stage BC. It sucks, but you will get through it. I agree that the testing and waiting is the hardest part. I sobbed the whole way through, just not knowing what I would be dealing with. You imagine the worst. It wasn't easy once I started, but at least I knew and had a plan.

I second the recommendation to please please go to a comprehensive cancer center if at all possible. Here is a link from National Cancer Institute that allows you to search by region:
http://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-centers

It may be that you can get some of your care at a closer location if there is not one in your area, but getting your initial diagnostics, surgery, eval, etc. at a cancer center will get you on the best path for you. The beginning is so very important, I can't stress this enough. You need to get the right diagnosis.

Also I second the recommendation to check into the forums at www.breastcancer.org. There are some wonderful people on those message boards and I found the information helpful and the people comforting.

Lots of prayers for you Angela!

Thank you for your advice and I am sorry you are going through this too. So, you mean I have to go through the initial diagnostic tests again? I have a co consult tomorrow morning, to go over the results in depth and discuss options. I have one test for sure I have to do tomorrow as well, a bone scan. My husband is handling all all of the insurance coverages. I am going to follow everyone's advice and see about going somewhere else. I told him to check into Moffit . He said "what is that, and where did you hear about it from?" We laughed, it was much needed. He is on the laptop looking up coverage now, and I think he is looking for reviews. We just celebrated our six year anniversary on 01/02/2016, ( 1+2=3.) We wanted at least one child. I guess tomorrow we will have a clearer understanding. I will end this with a huge thank you to you, and everyone else one here. I feel weird sharing all of this with people I don't know, mainly because my family still doesn't. I am thankful that I can though. So much information has came at us faster than I expected, I keep trying to tell myself it's OK to not know everything, and it's OK to not remember every word I am being told. Easier said than done.

Angela, I'm so sorry you are going through this. I have an early stage BC. It sucks, but you will get through it. I agree that the testing and waiting is the hardest part. I sobbed the whole way through, just not knowing what I would be dealing with. You imagine the worst. It wasn't easy once I started, but at least I knew and had a plan.

I second the recommendation to please please go to a comprehensive cancer center if at all possible. Here is a link from National Cancer Institute that allows you to search by region:
http://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-centers

It may be that you can get some of your care at a closer location if there is not one in your area, but getting your initial diagnostics, surgery, eval, etc. at a cancer center will get you on the best path for you. The beginning is so very important, I can't stress this enough. You need to get the right diagnosis.

Also I second the recommendation to check into the forums at www.breastcancer.org. There are some wonderful people on those message boards and I found the information helpful and the people comforting.

Lots of prayers for you Angela!

Angela one of my first pieces of advice (I am 10:22) is that I would HIGHLY recommend you go to Emory instead of the Cancer Center of America. I know you feel like a stastic but you are a person and many people care about you (even strangers like me on DCUM). But that is my first suggestion. Where you go to START the process has a huge impact for continued care... Can you switch to Emory? Also in Atlanta?

HUGS.

Anonymous wrote:Angela this is 10:22. You ok?

Yes, thank you. I apologize for not getting back sooner. I have a lot of family drama going on. Not about me, my husband and myself decided to not worry everyone yet. I am still not OK with anything, nor is he. I'll do a quick break down for now. Did the bilateral mammogram, unilateral mammogram of right breast, ultrasound , MRI and core needle biopsy. Immediately, he knew, and was up front with me. Anyway I was they believed that it is invasive ductal carcinoma. Cancer center of America in Georgia is where I will go. There are more tests, and not clear yet what each one is for. As well, when results come back, which I know they have I will know staging and whether or not it is indeed invasive. There are three of them and all about millimeter. I go back in the morning. My husband is going to be with me. I doubt that I will sleep tonight, as I have not had much of that latel . So if anyone is a late bug I will come back on tonight. I have a lot of mixed emotions, sad, denial, angry, and yet oddly, strong too. So, there we have it. It a nutshell I am now a statistic.

Angela this is 10:22. You ok?

New poster here. I'm the OP of the stage 4 cancer patient AMA thread in off topic. Like the PP's, I'm happy to help answer any questions you may have.

Take good care, Angela. This is the hardest part. Really.

I'll be sending you good thoughts and strength.

Hi Angela, I'm not the original PP with BC, but I was treated for stage 3 BC 4 years ago (and I'm doing great!) so maybe I can help you out a bit. Also you asked for a recommendation for a website where you can find out info - go to the discussion boards at www.breastcancer.org. I learned so much from reading those boards and the posters there are very generous about sharing their knowledge and answering any questions.

I also agree with the clinical researcher PP who suggests that you go to a specialized cancer center, if your insurance will cover it. I hear great things about Moffitt.

The best to you - please know that this part of the process (all the tests and creating a treatment plan) is the hardest part because there's so much uncertainty. I know it sucks but it really does get better. (((hugs)))

Yes, I am here (clinical research previous poster). Post your questions and I promise to answer as best as I can and/or refer you. One thing I wanted to mention is if you have in fact been diagnosed with breast cancer you would want to go to a cancer center such as moffitt cancer center in FLorida and not a small clinic in Pensacola. Hugs

Anonymous wrote:OP I work in clinical research. I am not the previous poster you are referring to but I would be happy to answer health questions and help you navigate this.

Please post your questions here and I will be happy to answer as best as I can and as quickly as I can.

Thank you so very much . This is amazing! I am so glad that you have tons of knowledge and experience with the situation. You must see this every day. OK, so, give me a few and I will put some of what I feel comfortable with sharing on here. Trust me, I have a lot that I am OK with posting. Please be patient with me as I go through and post. I will put it in an order like : questions: information: ,options: probabilities: . OK?

OP I work in clinical research. I am not the previous poster you are referring to but I would be happy to answer health questions and help you navigate this.

Please post your questions here and I will be happy to answer as best as I can and as quickly as I can.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for all the words of hope and encouragement. There was a poster on here who offered to answer any questions I have, I'd like to speak with you. Not by phone. I wish there was a private way. Although all of the good thoughts and prayers mean the world to me can't imagine how I would continue to post during this trying time in my life. I have already gone through more tests in the past few days than probably my whole life, it feels as though I have anyway. If the poster with breast cancer who offered help reads this, can you please let me know if you are still on here? I have a list that I have been writing down questions, and things the doctors have explained to us, I way rather not list them on her . So, if there is another site that you know of for people like us I am very open to it. For the most part I have a good understanding, but still, it would be nice to communicate with someone in this too. Thank you again everyone. It is nice to know that there are still more good people in this world than bad.

Hugs OP, I'm sure that person will come back. People are checking on you.

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Anonymous wrote:Thank you for all the words of hope and encouragement. There was a poster on here who offered to answer any questions I have, I'd like to speak with you. Not by phone. I wish there was a private way. Although all of the good thoughts and prayers mean the world to me can't imagine how I would continue to post during this trying time in my life. I have already gone through more tests in the past few days than probably my whole life, it feels as though I have anyway. If the poster with breast cancer who offered help reads this, can you please let me know if you are still on here? I have a list that I have been writing down questions, and things the doctors have explained to us, I would rather not list them on her . So, if there is another site that you know of for people like us I am very open to it. For the most part I have a good understanding, but still, it would be nice to communicate with someone in this too. Thank you again everyone. It is nice to know that there are still more good people in this world than bad.

Thank you for all the words of hope and encouragement. There was a poster on here who offered to answer any questions I have, I'd like to speak with you. Not by phone. I wish there was a private way. Although all of the good thoughts and prayers mean the world to me can't imagine how I would continue to post during this trying time in my life. I have already gone through more tests in the past few days than probably my whole life, it feels as though I have anyway. If the poster with breast cancer who offered help reads this, can you please let me know if you are still on here? I have a list that I have been writing down questions, and things the doctors have explained to us, I way rather not list them on her . So, if there is another site that you know of for people like us I am very open to it. For the most part I have a good understanding, but still, it would be nice to communicate with someone in this too. Thank you again everyone. It is nice to know that there are still more good people in this world than bad.

Angela, prayers here for you. Hugs!