28 years old diagnosed today with IDC

kstars

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed today with IDC. I have an MRI next week to see if it has spread. I will then decide on my treatment options. Please any insight would be helpful. My mother passed away back in 2000 of breast cancer at age 41.

Thank You,

Kelly

Moderators

Hi Kelly,

We're so sorry to see you here at such a young age, but really happy you found us! You'll find our community a wonderful source of knowledge and support!

While you wait for the advice of the other helpful members here, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on IDC, for information about diagnoses, treatment and follow-up care.

We hope this helps and continue to let us know how you're doing!

--The Mods

MsPharoah

Kstars {{{{{Hugs}}}}}}  I am so sorry that you have received this bad news and that it has conjured up so many horrible memories for you of your mother and her passing. This is so very unfair!!! 

You are getting more information about your breast cancer, selecting your doctors so you can make good decisions about your care.  It's a tough time, but you can do it and we will be with you the whole way.  (If you are having problems with anxiety or sleeping, let your PCP know)  It is so important that you take good care of yourself and let your loved ones comfort and help you.  I'll be thinking about you, hon!

Love, MsP

LovebeingNana

Hi Kelly,

I am s sorry for your news today. The first few days are the most difficult and can be the most scary. I am also so sorry about your Mom. I know that must make it even more difficult. Just know you are not alone and you really will find a lot of support here. Take care.

farmerlucy

Hi Kstars - I am so sorry about the devastating news. No one should have to face this, especially at your age. The ladies have given you great advice. Right now IS the scariest time. You might want to join a surgery thread for the month you'll be having surgery. It helps so much to have other women who are going through something similar walk along side you. There is also a forum towards the bottom called "Young with BC", and that may be of some help to you. Take things a step at a time and try not to let your mind get too far ahead. My mother passed from BC, so I know how stunned and scared you are. Sorry again. Gentle hug.

eloqui

Hi Kelly,

I am your age as well and was diagnosed with IDC last month. It is super overwhelming - someone told me to just take things one step at a time, which has helped me. And don't feel guilty getting a second opinion from doctors so that you consider all your options.

I know there must be a ton going on right now in terms of doctors appointments and dealing with getting time off work. Wishing you the very best!!!!

elimar86861

I just wanted to add that, although it is quite natural for your mind to go there, do not draw the comparison that your experience with this dread disease will be the same as your mom's.  Even in the same family, the diagnoses and treatment can be quite different.  Individual response can be different too.

You have found a great source of info. and support.  Welcome to BCO.  Wishing a nice, clean MRI for you next week.

kstars

Eloqui,

What options are you considering? Have you had surgery yet? I am so scared I am also a nurse and half way through a masters program to be a nurse practitioner. I have a wedding scheduled for next March. I'm so afraid that all of this is going to have to be put on hold. I also do not have children yet and am afraid this will effect any chance of me having a child anytime soon. 

Thank you all for your support. This is so scary and not something I ever expected to go through at 28. 

kstars

I am currently seeing a general surgeon who also treats breast cancer. Should I get a second opinion from a breast surgeon? I am afraid to keep waiting and seeing different doctors.

Infobabe

I suggest you start looking now even if you end up not wanting one.  There is no Board Certified Breast Surgeon in my city.  I would have to drive about 70 miles to get one.  

Where do you live?  If in a big city you should be OK.   What kind of surgery are you anticipating?  That would determine what type of surgeon you will need.

kstars

I am not sure of my options yet my general surgeon would like me to have An MRI first to check for lymph node involvement. I had a negative mammo and ultrasound six months ago so I hope I caught this early. The ultrasound says the mass is about 1.5 cm. 

keepthefaith

kstars, sorry you found yourself here. I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. My Mom and half-sister both had BC and they are doing well. My half-sister was DX'd at 27 yrs old.  Remember, we are all different. Even since my sister and Mom were treated 15 and 20 yrs ago, there have been so many new treatments, tests, etc. to beat this! Wishing you well.

Youngwithbc

Hi Kelly - I was diagnosed at 28 as well. Feel free to PM me if you ever want to chat or have any questions. I know it can feel like a lonely place... but you're not alone! Take care.

MJHJAN1014

I would recommend a breast specialist. I had an amazing surgeon and I think it really streamlined treatment. She is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. 

eloqui

Hi Kelly,

I had been considering breast conserving therapy (lumpectomy + radiation) vs mastectomy vs a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. It was important for me to determine what I'd need in terms of radiation / chemo / hormonal therapy before making that decision. I had a lumpectomy and a sentinel node biopsy very recently. I think I am planning on a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction.

I am also in the healthcare field - I know it must be super tough right now for you! There is a lot of pressure to be working / training at 100% and be strong for your patients, no matter what is going on in your life health-wise. I was under a lot of stress worrying about work, but I realized that I needed to prioritize. I would talk to the dean or somebody similar in your masters program to consider getting some time off or finding out how they can make your schedule more flexible. This is not your fault and they should be accommodating. You need time to deal with what's going in your life right now and make the best decisions for your health!

I would definitely recommend making an appointment with a medical oncologist who is experienced with breast cancer patients, as well as a breast surgeon. The medical oncologist can help tie everything together for you, talk you through what's going on, and start to address concerns about children / fertility / whether chemo etc is needed. It's so tough going through this at a young age before children - fertility was also a big concern for me. They do have fertility doctors who specialize in working with cancer patients- I actually have an appointment with one coming up to address some of those concerns.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just want to talk. Hoping for the best for you!!

Anonymous

Hi Kelly, I'm 28 as well and I was diagnosed at the end of last year and I'm halfway through neoadjuvant chemo. I'm sorry about your mom and I kind of understand, although in a different way...my own mom was diagnosed just a few weeks after me. I don't have any advice on finishing school, since I am not doing anything right now (had to abandon the job I loved to move in with my parents) but I did get married a few weeks ago, right in the middle of chemo, and it was fine. As far as fertility concerns, I won't lie, it's a concern for me. But us ladies going through treatment before 30 have a very good chance of regaining our fertility. Check out the "Going off tamoxifen early to have a baby" thread in the "Young w/BC" subforum for happy stories and also the fertility boards on the Young Survivor's Coalition website. Freezing embryos or eggs are options, so make sure your oncologist understands that you want to look into it. And please PM me if you ever want to talk - that goes for ANYONE in this thread.

car2tenn

Dear KStars,

      I am much older than you but with similar diagnosis.  I am also a nurse practitioner and remember from 20 years  ago the tremendous pressure you are under.  As horrific as it is to have your mother on your mind and her passing, remember that therapies have changed so much  since that time and you have the advantage  of much research.  Blessings to you and remember to pray for strength.  You will find it if you look .  Carolyn from Tn/Fl

momof2kn2p

Hi Kelly

I was diagnosed when I was 26, that was 8 years ago!!!!!! Everyone is so right the worst time is waiting for the word on what treatment course you will take....This forum is so helpful when I was going through treatment, unfotunetly I was off for a few years. 

If you want to PM me... I am here!

msphil

i,m sorry you had to join us here BUT you have come to the right place for support, for we have been where you are now, I was diagnosed while planning our wedding, but with early detection we do have HOPE, and I am now a 20 yr Survivor(Praise GOD) I found my lump in the shower. msphil(idc,stage 2,,0/3 nodes, chemo:adiamycin, cytoxin, and 5fu,L mast, radiation and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

FL_sunshine

I was diagnosed on 4/14 one week before my 32nd birthday.  It's a whirlwind!!!!!  I never wanted to get thrown into the medical world like this, but here I am.  Message me any time

lakegenevagirl

Hey Kelly!

I am 25 and was diagnosed 6 months ago with IDC.  I finished chemo in February and had a bilateral mastectomy three weeks ago. Like you my mother had breast cancer (in her late 30's and then again in her early 40's...and then AGAIN a month before my diagnosis), so I know how scary it can be to have that family history hanging over your head.  I also happened to be diagnosed the same year my father suddenly died--I mention this only because I think having a family that feels fractured (being young and having lost a parent), made the stress of the whole thing greater.  In fact now, with my cancer *gone*, dealing with the loss of my dad feels like my greatest challenge (greater than dealing with reconstructive surgery or my weakened body or the 20 pounds I've gained or my lack of sex drive or work or medical bills).

I know I just wrote a lot that seems scary.  But when it all seems like a lot, I think of something a friend said to me early on...an old cliche that has come up again and again on this journey:  "How do you eat an elephant?"  "One bite at a time."

When I feel overwhelmed, (and I did in the beginning...all the time) I breathe and I remind myself: one bite at a time.  You can only handle one bite at a time.  Don't bite off more than you can chew... just focus on the task right ahead of you.  Breathe and don't ask what if, don't stress about that which you cannot control, just take one bite at a time. 

And if feel free to private message me if you have questions or want support.  I mean, I'm still sort of in it, but I'm happy to help if I can.