Confused A Bit

ChaosRains

Everything I am reading on here you get diagnosed with IDC you have surgery then treatment of some type. 

My first instinct when they told me it was IDC basically was like then okay lets cut it out sign me up for surgery but

I was told that I can't have surgery until I go through chemo then most likely radiation therapy...

???

lindacam

I had chemo first, then rads, then surgery

Moderators

ChaosRains, the section Treatment for IDC from the main Breastcancer.org site goes through the two broad categories of treatment, and the factors that your medical team and you will consider in deciding what treatment approach is most appropriate for your unique situation.

Best wishes, whatever you decide. The community is always here to support you!

• The Mods

cateyes

Did they tell you the size of your tumor? If it's large they usually want to reduce the size (chemo and radiation) before surgery.

My story so far:

I am 47 single mom two sons older 17 and 20. I was diagnosed
03/03/14 with IDC. Told it was early a small tumor and most likely stage 1. I
had surgery (lumpectomy and sentinel node removal) on 03/25. Both sentinel
nodes were positive for cancer moving me to stage 2. They wanted more lymph
nodes so I had a second surgery (auxiliary node dissection) and they tool
24 more lymph nodes on 04/11. That one really hurt. Couldn't move my arm for
almost 2 weeks. I am 5 weeks out and doing pretty good. Unfortunately they
found two more positive nodes (microscopic cancer cells). Of course due to
lymph node involvement they want to do an "aggressive" Chemo treatment,
full course radiation (6 1/3 weeks 33 sessions) and because I an ER+ and PR+
the want 5 years of hormone suppression therapy. I did also have a PET scan
done and it said "no evidence for metastatic disease". I am
currently considering declining the chemo treatment.

ChaosRains

Well thinking about it now I think they want to do chemo first because my lump is not exactly in my breast per say  the easiest way to explain it is my lump is between my collar bone and where the top curve of your breast starts (hope that makes sense) and they had said something about it being in the fatty tissue so after reading more I think it has spread from the ducts to the fatty tissue and who knows where else?   I did have a lumpectomy in 2004 they did a biopsy it was just some abnormal cells and they just went in and cut it out... it was a golf ball sized lump so I ended up getting implants to make up for the big divot in my breast and everything was fine for the last 10 years... So when I got this diagnosis it blew my mind because I was like okay no big deal they will go in and cut it out and things will be good again... Wrong! 

They so far have said something about 15 chemo treatments and radiation after!!  Thats what scares me! 

Wow you have been through so much! I am so sorry!  I can't blame you for not wanting to do the chemo I was dead set against it but basically being told right now that is my only option    , it is a decision everyone has to make for themselves ultimately and I wish you all the best! We can beat this!