Just diagnosed with invasive ductal ca of right breast

angeleyes12

I was recently diagnosed with right breast IDC, what a shock, but not really too much of a shock.. Had a biopsy of the same breast about a year ago with stereotype biopsy due to atypical cluster of calcified thingy's in my boob, turned up benign, so been doing 6month mamm's up until this past time.  It had been nearly a year since they gave me the green flag to do annual mamms for here on out.  I was in the shower a couple weeks back and felt a lump, which was kinda of a shock...since my boobs are fibrous anyway, but non the less it was there right at 11 o'clock...  I wanted to make sure I had not jump to a conclusion so I got my boyfriend to do a random boobie check (he didn't mind of course).  And bingo..he felt it also.  I called my primary the next day and went in the day after to see her, she sent me for a mamm and then in a day or two later I was having a ultrasound guilded biopsy...I had a gut feeling what the results would be the momment I found the lump in the shower..       They called me with the result before my follow up appt and said I had IDC and was sending me to see a surgeon, everyone was so nice but sounded like I had a death sentence and was dying..ugh.  Saw a surgeon asap, had mri, bone scan, now getting a PET SCAN due to them seeing some hot spots. we have talked some about surgery options..which sound like they are narrowing and treatments radiation and chemo are a definite at this point.  Pet is scheduled for Wed, surgeon asked the radiologist to call him with results so he can call me asap, same day.....ugh

chrissyb

Hi Angeleyes and welcome to BCO.  So sorry to hesar that you have joined our club......you know, the club no one wants to belong to?........

Sure hope those 'hot spots' are nothing to worry about so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.  Please let us know how you get on.

This part of your journey is always the hardest, the waiting around for results after testing but believe me it will be over very soon and you will have some answers about what your treatment options will be.

Please don't take other peoples reactions to heart and don't take their negativity as the truth in regards to your life span.......no one has a crystal ball so they cannot tell you with any acuracy when the date of your demise will be. Just live a day at a time.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy 

angeleyes12

Thank you Crissyb, even as a nurse and some expectations that my odds were high anyway...just the reality of actually being diagnosed made me take a step back and go WOW! WHAT NOW....  I know I have a terrific surgeon, thank heavens for that..but yes the waiting game is always the hardest.  Things do seem to be moving fast right now with these, comfirmations and more test..  surgical decisions for the optimal results and cure rate and of course treatment which no beans have been made regarding radiation and chemo, and hormonal therapy.  Words of wisdom are always appreciated.

chrissyb

Being dx'd with BC can be pretty hard to get your head around and to begin with everything moves fast and seems to not give you any time to breath and take it all in.  If you feel that you are loosing control just stop and take a step back so you can catch up mentally........a few days will not matter in the scheme of things and I'm sure your doc will agree.

Chemo is hard but doable and as the saying goes, you don't have to like it just turn up.  Having said that, it will depend on the type of chemo and also your system.  Some people seem to have a fairly easy time with it and others dont.  Rads are easier in a weird sort of way but again some find it more difficult because of the skin damage and lasting effects on the chest structure.  Depending on the anti-hormone tab you are given they again have their own set of se's and each one is different.  

It will be a bit easier to ask pertinent questions once you have your full treatment laid out and ready to go but I guess that won't be finalised until you get the results of the PET.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy 

sherry67

Sorry to hear you had to join the forum..I to am a nurse and sometimes I think it can be a good thing or it can be a bad thing..good luck with everything and I hope the hot spots are nothing..

angeleyes12

Thank you, yes I think being a nurse is a good thing and also a curse....so use to researching and stats it makes you dizzy. Having a PET SCAN on wed so keeping my fingers crossed.  I have no idea how to choose my surgical option, the surgeon gave me the low-down pro's and con's for each...but now thinks I have more spots in the same breast. Was hoping for a lumpectomy but doesn't look promising.  The whole reconstructive surgery option thing is mind-bending but i cant seems to wrap my head around the mastectomy part and losing the breast sensations, I know it sounds petty but I never hear anyone talk about how this has affected their relationships or sex life, its scary to me.

angeleyes12

Thanks CrissyB, yeah waiting for the PET Scan, doc doesn't seem as encouraging for a lumpectomy now since it seems to be more involved or invasive...so feeling really confused and not wanting to deal with the topic, but know in my heart i have no choice but deal with it and move forward.  Got to choices 1) do nothing and surely die, or 2) accept and take care of myself and move forward thru it and enjoy my life....I do know I want the 2nd choice as hard as it is to accept.