Diagnosed today with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma - Very nervous

MarieNJ

Went for my screening yesterday. EKG came back abnormal. Went for an echo stress test and thankfully passed with flying colors.  Picked up my breast profile screening.  Noticed from the biopsy that I am ER & PR negative but positive for the HER2.  The nurse just called me and said they would have a better breast screening after the surgery.  Does anyone here have a ER & PR negative with HER2 positive and are clean many years?  She said the drug Hecepton works very well with HER2.  Is it better to be triple negative or be positive in one of these factors?  Thank you for all your help.

RMlulu

Mary - Breathe!  Congrats on completing your preop tests. The waiting for all the data to come in is the hardest, but your BC team is getting all the data so they can prepare a complete plan.

There are others on these threads that will step up and join you as the specifics of your path are revealed.  So update your profile and share...join threads that match your newly found data.  

Don't overthink this...breathe...don't get ahead of yourself...stay in the present...today!

Sending calm confident thoughts:)

(((Hugs)))

Cindy

SpecialK

Mary - generally the most common and desired arrangement of hormonal receptor and Her2 status is ER+/PR+/Her2-, you have the opposite.  Negative hormonal receptors mean that you are not a candidate for any hormonal therapy after surgery, as it will not provide any benefit since your mass was not fueled by hormones.  Being positive for Her2 and grade 3 indicates a certain level of aggressiveness, but due to its small size you may need no further systemic therapy.  Herceptin is given for Her2 tumors, but it is given with chemotherapy the vast majority of the time.  It is the exception to the rule to be given Herceptin without accompanying chemo, but some oncologists will do it with exceptionally small masses, or if the patient has co-morbidities and cannot tolerate chemotherapeutic agents.  You need to speak with an oncologist for some further guidance.

MarieNJ

I spoke with the nurse in the doctors office on Friday. She did say after the surgery there will be a better knowledge of the positives and negatives because it is a larger area that they are removing.  I am keeping the faith and and trying to take one step at a time.  I keep remembering what she said - if anyone is to get a breast cancer, this would be the one to get.  I think it was because I go for mammos each year and it was 5mm.  We'll have a clear picture of this after surgery.  Tomorrow I have to go and get radioactive seeds put in.  Is this a new procedure?  She said they they can see the cancer cells - hmmm.   Hugs to you all. 

Cammychris

Hello,

I also just found out that I have IDC and also DCIS.  I have been on a roller coaster for the last three weeks and I tell you what, this site has gotten me through a lot of bad days.  I go and see plastic surgeon Wednesday and hopefully will start my journey to recovery.  I am hoping that when the surgery comes I will feel this positive but I have been surrounded by supportive people.  I will keep you in my prayers.

MarieNJ

Cammychris,

I am so sorry to hear you received this dreaded news too. Yes, it is a roller coaster ride!  I too hope after my surgery, I will feel better than I feel now.  The BS made me feel positive, but after that my mind was all over the place.  All the "what ifs" were clouding my thoughts.  We have to keep strong.  I will keep you in my prayers as well.  Hugs

Dancermom1999

Hi Mary:

My tumor was very small as well and they removed the whole thing at biopsy.  So odds are that happened to you as well.   I had my bilateral on Jan. 3rd of this year.  Had my implant exchange on March 29th and am having the nipple reconstruction on May 23rd.  As the tumor was so small no chemo was recommended - 5 years of tamoxifen.    Wishing you the very best with your surgery.

Kathy

mjm1

Hi Mary, because it's small you may be on the borderline for whether you need chemo+herceptin or not. 

Her2+ used to be considered a very bad diagnosis, but as your nurse said, now there's really effective treatments like Herceptin it's more or less in line with the hormone receptor positive ones.

Good luck xo

MarieNJ

I'm back! Went for my seed implantation on Monday 4/28. That was a breeze.  The radiologist was very nice. I was happy to hear from a second radiologist that the area is very small. The BS and 2 radiologist gave me a good jolt of confidence.  

On Tuesday, I had the lumpectomy.  I was very eager to get this beastly thing that was invading my poor breast out of there! Went well.  I had my husband and son with me - my rocks.  After the surgery, my BS said she got it all and the margins.  She removed 2 sentinel nodes. She said they didn't look suspicious, but will know more once it goes to pathology. 

Will keep you all posted as I move forward.

I'm a newbe on here so I must update my profile.

Hugs to all!

RMlulu

Mary - Ooo who congrats the beastie is gone!  Rest relax and recoup...it's healing time.  Be careful nt to overdo and let your body mind and spirit recover:)

Fingers&toes crossed for clear margins&nodes and a great plan moving forward.

Enjoy your rocks...xoxo you did it!

MarieNJ

RMlulu, thank you so much for all your encouragement and support!  

Hugs!

Mary 

MarieNJ

My first selfie!  

So far, after treatment #3 last Monday, my hair is short but still there. This may be a different story next week at this time! As you can see, my gray is growing in.  I don't want to dye it anymore.   

My husband and I are off to a Health Fair at Gilda's Club.

Have a great weekend everyone!

(((Hugs)))

Mary

Susug

Hi Everyone, I have posted on another topic on this web site but I found this one on ductal carcinoma. I found the lump myself nothing showed up on mamo or u/s. Was sent to a surgen  who was vey positive that it was not cancer BUT it came back positive. The lump I found wasn't cancer path found a very small area within the tissue they removed during lumpectomy. Had an MRI on Friday. Having centinal node surgery tomorrow. I'm wondering is this going to be painful after surgery.  We live on a lake and the 4 th of July is big. Having out of town people in ( this was planed last yr ) we get in our boat and watch the fireworks. Does anyone think I will feel like having company 3 days after surgery. I'm a stage 1 will find out the rest this we

Sunshineinky

Susug I didn't feel horrible after mine but everyone is different.  My arm use from my sentinal node biopsy was limited.  Just let your guest help do the work! You'll be tired for sure just due to the anesthesia.  

Good luck with your surgery!

bluepearl

Mary1234: Beautiful! Glad you are going ahead with treatment and get this thing behind you!!!

RMlulu

Mary - great 1st selfie...your smile&eye twinkle are . Soon you will have your plan breathe you got this!

Susug - everyone is different...but I felt having family around helps.  Set boundaries on what you are able to fo...nothing...even though you will like you can and most likely can...don't want to overtire or over use that arm.  SND is at an awkward spot and so clothing and movements on that side should be babied.  Enjoy the 4th as planned, but you be the Queen and have all those loving family&friends care for you.  Ooo ah!   

Susug

I had sentinel  node surgery July 1. Went well a little painful but overall wasn't bad. I had a lumpectomy 2 weeks ago it has been healing very well until this morning there is a yellowish liquid (not pus) coming out . Is this normal. It's Sunday and I'm wondering if waiting until Monday morning to call my doctor. Will be ok I never had drain tubes really didn't have very much swelling. Has anyone experienced this ? Thank for any input Susu

RMlulu

Susug - I would call your BS.  Are you running a tempature? Is the area red or hot?  Swelling? 

If you have a urgent care you could go there...but call your BS....should have someone on call to answer your question or if you can email BS pic...I would do so.  Fingers&toes crossed.

Susug

RM lulu- thank you for all your encouragement. I was queen for a couple of days Lol my friends did everything it was fun. Went to the doctor yesterday he put a couple of stitches in the incision from my lumpectomy from 12 days ago. Also got my results back from my centinal node surgery it is NEGATIVE!!!! Here's a run down on what I have   Stage 1 ductal cancer size 4mm extremely small. MRI negative. All I have to have is radiation.thaat process will start with a consult next week. From what the doctor says I will have 7 weeks of radiation and be done Woo Hoo!!! I never thought in a million years I would be celebrating about having radiation. My twin sister had breast cancer 12 years ago she went through mastectomy ,recon and chemo I was with her every step of the way. She passed away a yr ago ( not from BC ) I miss her soooo much it's like a part of me is missing. I think being there with her through all that has prepared me.she was so strong and positve through it all. I think I will take a page out of her book and try to stay as positive as she was. I really expected to be having a double mastectomy like she did I was surprised  when I was told only radiation. I have one other thing I would like to ask if anyone out there had a heart dease and then got breast cance. I have cardiomyopathy I'm wondering how radiation will effect my heart. Does anyone know if there is a topic on this site about heart disease and breast cancer.  Thanks everyone for listening Susu

Debster

Susug so glad that you got good news.. I understand missing a sister because I too lost a sister but she had lukemia and we lost her pretty quick once she was diagnosed. I don't have heart disease but I have been under the care of a cardiologist for 7 yrs  and I am on two meds to keep it straight. My RO told me I don't have to worry about my heart because of where my BC is and they will not come near my heart. I have not researched any thing about radiation and heart disease so I can't help you there hopefully one of the ladies will be able to direct you to a site. Have a good evening and a great day tomorrow.

RMlulu

Susug - Happy Dancing!  Ooo who . Wonderful news on path!  Breathe, and take a no c break until rads.  Seriously, tell everyone to ask now and then make c off limits.  It helps you recoup, feel normal.  You will do great in rads...it doesn't hurt, it takes more time to take off your clothes and out them back on.  It is very mental showing up and jumping on the that table, but it's over fast...your rad team will get you setup leave the room and you will hear the machine get into position and then see the light come on and zip zap 15-30 seconds on each field...you will know when each one is done light off machine rotates and there's time I between...the first time is the hardest because you don't know what to expect,...but you got this...make it fun...I took stickers...fun questions...does radiation make my butt look bigger...helped my head.  Moisturize your skin, prepare not to shave under your arm ha ha...and get a soft cami or t shirt ...emu oil and hydrocortisone  worked well for me...ask your RO...oh, and free boobing after 15 zaps...it's nice to not have anything rub her the wrong way!

Again Congrats!

So sorry about your sister...so hard to lose a sibling...just no words.

Cjs47

i was just diagnosed last night over the phone that i have the same thing. Im 51 and feel like my life is over. My husband works out of town so im all alone and terrified. Waiting for appt with surgeon. 

Moderators

Dear CJs, Welcome to BCO. We are so sorry to learn of your diagnosis and being alone can be very upsetting. We are glad that you reached out here as there is so much support and information to be gained here from others who may be slightly ahead of you on this journey. It looks like this thread has not been active for a couple of months. You may want to start a new topic with any concerns, questions that you have. If you need help let us know. The MOds

kamm

Cjs47- I know it's difficult in the beginning. Especially before a plan has been put in place but let me assure you of two things...Your not alone and your life is far from over. In fact in some respects it's just beginning again. When you see the surgeon and establish your treatment plan you will feel a bit better. It's a one day at a time kind of thing.Use this site as much as you need to. Look around it and you'll see a ton of women in all different stages living very long and healthy lives. I turned 51 today and was diagnosed at the beginning of the year at 50.Thankfully I am through all active treatment and it was a long year and life is back to normal, implants and all! Just try to take it day by day. Take somebody with you to the surgeon and bring a pen and paper because there will be alot of info given to you. It can feel overwhelming at first and it helps if someone else can talk over with you what was presented after. Lot's of decisions to make in a short amount of time but you'll do it and be fine! Come back and tell us how your doing and update us! I'm giving you a virtual hug!