Just diagnosed with IDC

Snoopy73

I am 37 years old (turning 38 in July 2011); I was just diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma last week; had a biopsy on monday and got the results on weds; had an MRI on friday in both breasts and it came back negative, no other affected areas exept that one lump. I have 3 appts this week with Breast Surgeons and Oncologist. My Doctor said that my treatment will probably be a lumpectomy then radiation then Tamoxfin. I am going through a roller coaster at the moment; I have 2 small kids (both below 5 years old) I am so scared and dont know what to expect. One thing is that I am planning to fight this thing!! I do not smoke or drink and no BC in my family. I am really scared, nervous. Thank God I have a supportive family & friends. Dont know what to expect. Any advise will be appreciated. Thank you.

grneyd5600

Snoopy - I am so sorry you are having to join our journey here but you have come to the right place.  This website is so helpful with information, resources and support.  I would recommend that you spend some time reading the topics on the main section of the board - particularly look at the Symptoms and Treatment sections.  There are a lot of good questions in there to ask both the BS and Onc. 

Also recommend reaching out the American Cancer Society in your area.  See if they can find you a mentor to match you up with that has similar situation to yourself.  Often they have people that are willing to that and it helps so much to have someone that understands your situation.

Please know that staying positive and upbeat will make a big difference in how you feel every day.  I will keep you in my prayers.

dlb823

So sorry you're going through this, but it's good news that you have some treatment direction already, and that hopefully you won't need a mast or chemo.  We can all relate to your rollercoaster of emotions, as well as the shock of not having a family history (I had some, but many women don't), as well as a healthy lifestyle (a very common thread here).  Unfortunately, just being a woman seems to be the biggest risk.

As far as what to expect, lumpectomy is outpatient surgery and not bad at all, and I thought RT was a piece of cake.  Hopefully, you'll sail through both, with little or no down time.

Glad you've found BCO.  You might want to look for a May surgery thread (click on Forum Index above and scroll down to the surgery section) to join.  Let us know when your surgery is scheduled, and good luck!    (((Hugs)))   Deanna

Snoopy73

Thank you for your words of encouragement; my ER & PR are both +ve, my doctor thinks there is ahigh chance my HER 2 will be a negative, thus treatment will be lumpectomy, radiation then tamoxfin. I just want to get this bugger out, I am so glad that the MRI showed no signs of oither affected areas. And I ams o glad I found this group. Thak you all.

voraciousreader

While you wait to see the doctors... Check out the NCCN 2011 guidelines for treatment. Good luck.

mdg

I am so sorry.  I got the same news in December and I am the mom of a 4 year old.  This is really scary but even more so when you have young children and the thought enters your mind that you may not be here to raise them.  I am happy to tell you I have done lumpectomy, bilateral mastectomy and have my final chemo tomorrow and I have done great.  Way better than I thought I could. 

This is a long process...it's emotional, scary, lonely and overwhelming. Take things one step at a time.  Meet with the BS and ask good questions.  Ask about recurrence, survival the differences between lumpectomy/MX.  Completely read and understand everything on your pathology report from the biopsy so you know what you are dealing with and can make good decisions.  You will get through this....

I am blogging my journey if it helps to read about my experience....link below.  Good luck and hugs. 

By the way - my son is doing great.  He does not really know I have cancer.  He knows I had a boo boo that needed surgery and I would need to heal.  I am doing chemo but kept my hair with Penguin Cold Caps so we never explained chemo...he knows I take special medicines at the doctor's office sometimes but that's it.  I still look like me and do everything I did before getting sick so he sees nothing different.  I hope that gives you piece of mind...worrying about my son was the worst.....

SpecialK

snoopy73 - Welcome - but sorry you have to be here.  I know you are in the super scary part right now, being newly diagnosed is the worst.  There are still questions that need to be answered and you are in a state of shock.  I felt better once the waiting was over and the surgery/treatment began.  I felt like things were happening to remedy the situation instead of endless waiting. 

I would echo joining a May surgery group thread - I have enjoyed the ladies from our Feb chemo group.  We support and encourage each other, and we understand what each other is experiencing like nobody else can.  There are also threads for IDC, stage, etc. that can offer great info.

Good luck and keep us posted!  

Snoopy73

Thank you ladies for your encouraging words; I was supposed to meet with a BS that my doc had referred me this morning but she cancelled and I am sooo frustrated!!! But I have an appt with another BS tomorrow (planned to go in for a 2nd opinion after my meeting today) she is the best in the country! and I have an appt on thurs with the oncologist. After that I guess I will know the plan of action to combat this thing. I have tried to read my pathology report over and over and try to understand it, basically my lump is about 2cm, I have no lymphnodes anywhere else; had an MRI last week and it came out negative, no sign of spread anywhere else; I wish I could be able to tell what my stage is:-) but i guess I have to be patient and wait till I see the BS. I know my ER & PR are both positive; dont have the HER results yet. I live in Massachusetts and am told that we have one of the best healthcare system in the country and that i am in good hands:-) I am just trying to take one day at a time, I have my ups and downs; I am praying hard and trying to stay positive for my sake and my kids sake. This is the only site that I have chosen to look at because i feel like the internet has sooo much info that can sometimes scare/overwhelm you.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and advise.

SpecialK

I am going to add one word of caution because being an informed consumer of medical care is always best, BUT I still want you to stay positive!  You will not know your node situation for sure until you have post-op pathology after your surgery.  Even though you have had an MRI it is not conclusive as to your node involvement, nor is the OR path.  If you have a question about this please feel free to PM me if you wish, or ask the question here.

Letlet

SpecialK is right, my nodes looked clean on scans but my surgery turned up 6 positive nodes. I just wanted to chime in at the time of my dx, my daughter was 5 and son was 1....they were forefront in our minds. Fast forward 8 months later, post mastectomy, chemo, exchange, and radiation (last day tomorrow) and they are fine! We had tough spots yes, but we managed and so will you. You will get through this!

Snoopy73

Thanks ladies; I was told that i will probably need to ahvea alumpectomy, then radiation than tamoxifen. What treatments did you have? I am still doing some research on whether to havea lumpectomy or masectomy. My lump is on the upper side of my left breast, they said it'll be easy to remove BUT all i want right now is to get this out of my system and not to deal with it again! I am 37 years going to be 38 in july so i was told that age also may factor on the kind of treatment that i will be advised to take. Can you please advise what treatment you had.   

SpecialK

snoopy - I was 53 at the time of diagnosis and my lump was at the upper-outer right breast toward the armpit.  I was offered a lumpectomy and rads.  I chose a skin-sparing/nipple-sparing BMX with immediate TE placement (and they also put in my port) for which I was a candidate.  My lump was in the right location, away from the nipple and chest wall, small size, small-breasted without much droop.  My rationale was this - I had been followed for 20 years aggressively (sometimes 2 mammos a year with ultrasound) due to fibrocystic masses.  My lump was not found on mammo, only ultrasound.  I could feel as many as 4-5 lumps at any given time in both breasts and I know I would NEVER relax unless I opted for BMX.  I had an MRI before surgery with no evidence of node involvement, but my SN was positive on post-op pathology and I had an AND (separate surgery 5 weeks later) with one additional positive node.  Since I am ER+/PR+/Her2+ and this was known before surgery, I am mid-chemo now with TCH, but rads is not included in my treatment plan.  I have zero regret about the BMX - I would do it again in a heartbeat.

sanbar8771

I was 33 years old when I was diagnosed. You can see my stats below. I orginally had a lumpectomy and SNB but unfortunately 2 nodes were positive. Once I was done with the lumpectomy I had to get chemo for 4 months. Four sessions of AC and 4 of T every 2 weeks...ugh.  I think the chemo was the hardest part of this disease...but don't worry. You will be able to handle everything. After chemo, I started doing research on radiation and then decided it was not for me. I decided to do a BMX. It was the best decision I ever made. I am currently going through reconstruction for my new fake ta ta's. I am 34 years old and now "cancer free."  I feel great, and I am happy.  You will make it and everything will be alright. You have to keep telling yourself that. It is all about POSITIVE ATTITUDE!! There is a group called the "young survivor coalition."  They are a great support group for women in their 30's dealing with breast cancer. I am sure they have a group in your town. Take Care, Julie

Renya

I was where you are this past Feb/2011 - I was a scared puppy, crying, kicking walls and screaming...then finally realized had to search for enlightenment.....I am now cancer free, all margins clear.   I went to NY for Laser Surgery.  This was sooooo easy.  No cutting, no blood, no pain.  Still had to have pre-op/wire localization of breast....but, I still have most of my breast and it was literally pain free.  No chance of cancer cells escaping since there is no cutting to allow drainage/escaped cells loose into the body.  Woke up and thought "They haven't put me under yet"...no pain!  It was over.   I literally walked off surgery bed, had cookies and juice, then back to hotel room for rest.     Worked for me and thousands others, but i'm in dark as to why medical tries to hide this less invasive procedure....think $$$$ has lots to do with it.   I won't need chemo and doubtful as to radiation...I had DCIS/Stg2 - doc wanted to remove entire breast and ALL lymph nodes!   That scared me into research.   I only had 5 lymph nodes removed and that was the worst part, so thankful I did my homework.  There is an easier way.....Laser Surgery.   Also, they are taking patients w/tumors as large as their breast, using insulin injections to shrink the tumor, then able to ablate.  So --- come on girls, we are smarter than slice and dice!

Snoopy73

Thanks Renya; where do you live? I live in MA.

Renya

Hi Snoopy 73- I am living in Georgia.   So funny, I'm originally from Boston, MA...(North End- am I Italian -!) Please research the Laser Breast Surgery Cancer Clinic.   Being so close to you will be a cinch to get there.   I flew up from GA w/my daughter (She was my private nurse, did a great job) and we had time to enjoy trip as I didn't have debilitaitng pain and misery.   I just could not accept the standard treatment.   Now I don't need chemo, which I could never allow, probably won't need radiation.  The 5th lymph node removed was running clear, so think i'm in clear  there.    You can do it, save yourself the pain.....ck it out at least, then call.  They are absolutely marvelous there and have an excellent record.  This is NO scam.  Believe me, I am so thankful I investigated.   I am much older, 67, very youthful, people think my daughter and son are my sister & brother.   Now, didn't say I was a beauty,but I enjoy life, go everywhere and now planning trip to take grandkids to Italy to see town their great/greatgrandparents lived - because i'll be around and not worrying and incubating that horrid C-stuff!  

mommichelle

I was right where you are a year ago.  Diagnosed in early June, mastectomy middle of June, chemo Aug through Dec.  Herceptin for a year.  Tamoxifen for five years.  36 at diagnosis, two small kids, 1 five year old and one 3 year old.  No drinking, no smoking, no history.  It gets better...trust me.  I know how scary and confusing this time is.  Feel free to PM me!

dogsandjogs

Renya: Nobody even told me there was such a thing as laser breast surgery. Wish I had known. I live in California and went to a prestigious breast center and yet---no word about the laser procedure.

Renya

I'm with you on that!   I was soooo scared and shocked at what lay ahead for me; complete breast removal, all lymph nodes. Chemo/radiation.   I just could not accept.  I researched, read Suzanne Sommers book (great info-beats American Cancer Info) and knew I had to find better way.   Laser Breast Cancer Surgery saved me from all that horror.   It was so easy, no pain, no discomfort, no side effects.  We, as women, owe it to let everyone we know there is a better and easier way and just, if not more,  effective.   Sadly, i've discovered the Pharmacy Co's rule the roost, they pay big $$ & grants to medical insititutes and expect full participation from doc's to use surgery and chemo drugs -sadly, many chemo drugs are not effective for many sufferers, only give remission, but if cancer returns, immune system so depleted it cannot protect you and end result is not good.   At least visit the site, see for yourself.  I would be suffering from loss of all lymphnodes and who knows what other miseries had I listened to the 2 oncologists (now fired) treating me.   They looked at me like I was from Mars when I told them I was going for Laser....but I have the last laugh.   I have my pathology reports, even got 2nd independent diagnosis to be sure---and it is gone!   I thank God every day for finding Laser site which led me to an easy cure.  The worst of the whole ordeal:  Having to wear a bra 24 hrs a day for 3 weeks - can you take it?  Well, those lymph nodes were a bother for couple weeks, but now just a memory.     My wishes to all for a healthy and happy life without "C"  (I hate that word).  Don't give up without a fight - it's your life, you decide.

identtwins

I too am so sorry you have to deal with this.  I was diagnosised in October.  I had DCI stage 0.  I too was offered lumpectomy, radiation and tamoxifen.  I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy because I could not face the worry of a recurrence.  You must do what is right for you.  Listen to all options.  Good luck I will be praying. 

Snoopy73

So its monday and the waiting is still on:-( I had appointments with the Breast Surgeon and Medical Oncologist and Radiology oncologist last week; they were all very nice and I got ALOT of information. Basically what I know so far is this: my lump is abt 2cm; its IDC; stage 1, grade 1, I was told that I have the "favorable" one because my hormones (ER & PR) are positive and the HER2 is negative, therefore the most effective treatment would be a lumpectomy, then radiation then tamoxifen for 5 yrs. There is one thing though:-( my sister had DCIS in 2006 when she was 46yrs (she and me are the only ones affected by this disease in our immediate & extended families) so because of this, I was advised to take the genetic test then after the results we'll know whats the best surgery & treatment. The waiting is killing me!!! I am praying for all to go well, so far I am getting positive feedback so I am trying to focus on that. Its very hard at times. Like this weeeknd, I consciously did not want to think about BC or talk about it. Every time I think about it or look at my small kids I just feel a lump on my throat. This is just the beginign of the fight and I pray to God for strength and guidance. Thank you all ladies.

mdg

I am just checking back in with you.  Glad you got to talk with the surgeons.  I would do the BRCA test...sounds like a good plan. It can only give you more information.  Best of luck!  Hugs!

Snoopy73

Thanks Maria; what is the BRCA test?

Snoopy73

Thanks Maria.