Recently diagnosed and can't believe this is my life

Shoppingmommy24

I'm a 37 year old mom of four, employed full time, and recently diagnosed with IDC. I still can't wrap my brain around this. No family hx, no risk factors, and according to ACS questionnaire, my risk of breast cancer was .3%! 99.7% chance in my favor and I managed to beat those odds. The plan is to start me on chemo first and have surgery after six cycles of chemo. Mastectomy in unavoidable due to size and shape of tumor. I still can't believe this is my life.

Kicks

Neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) is good.  It is SOP for some types of BC.  It shrinks the area, gets it to form better margins for the surgeon to deal with.

What chemo is being recommended?

Moderators

Welcome
to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us!

It is a big shock to find out this type of news, it isn't fair.

Besides sharing your experiences and learning from other members here at the boards, you may also want to take a look at the Breast Cancer 101 section from the main site, which is designed to help you sort through all of the information on our site to find what is more relevant to you right now.

Also reliable information on IDC — Invasive Ductal Carcinoma where you'll learn about symptoms,
diagnosis, treatment, etc.

We wish you the best with chemo and surgery.

The
Mods

mdg

I felt the same way when I was dx at 45 with a 4 year old child.  I am a fitness professional too and have always been very healthy with no family history.  That sneaky BC!  It is very overwhelming - especially at the beginning.   I am sorry you find yourself in our club.....it is no fun.  You did come to the right place now though...there are so many amazing women here to support you through this.  Take a deep breath...........  take it one step at a time.  Best of luck! 

msphil

I know sweetie, I too as most of us here can idenrify with youy, I was planning my 2nd wedding when I found my lump in the shower, I too had no history of breast cancer in my family basically healthy. Some cells just go crazy I believe with no real reason, just happens. I had 3 months of chemo before and after mastectomy. We got married and then I had rads for 7 wks, 5 days a week, I was 42 yrs old. I am now a 20 yr Survivor(Praise GOD) and continue to be here to Inspire others goin thru. So keep HOPE and try to stay Positive, wants plans of action starts things will ease up.  msphil(idc,stage2, 0/3 nodes, L mast. chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen)

lynnetteb75

shopping mommy...I also have 4 kids and work full time 38 . and I have no history of bc in my family...I think the hardest part for me was I cant  believe I have bc before 40 and then I thank god I found that lump cause otherwise I could have had it for years before I knew as we are so young and with no bc history we would have never known till we were in are 40...so thats what i think of to help me threw the days..it still hasn't set in that I also have to have a mastectomy . I took a bracs test yesterday and it takes about 3 weeks to get the results back from thAt..but that will determine weather or not I have a double mastectomy or not.being as I have no history of bc my surgeon and I felt it was a good test for me because I do have a history of other cancers....but you came to the right place cause as I was having my pity party for myself because I was overwhelmed I found there are so many other women fighting this fight with us....so when you feel sad and alone and why me remember we are all here for  you and have all been or are in your shoes and know how your feeling to an extent....we all handle it in our own way but we are here for you nevertheless..I first thought my fatigue was from stress I was recently married in april and the day of  my wedding 3 hrs before my sister had a stroke brain aneurysm...at 46..never in a million yrs did I know my body was fighting bc...but I have  plan and I got something for sleep and to take the endge off and now im ready to take off my heals and figgt some bc butt!!!! right along the side of you..with you!!

Sjacobs146

Shoppingmommy, I am a bit older than you, but only just turned 48.  I work FT and I have two teenage boys.  No history of breast cancer in my family either.  I believe that I have read that 80% of women with bc do *not* have a family history of the disease.  I cannot believe that this is happening to me either.  You are not alone.  I wish we could get together for a few glasses of wine and a big hug.  I think that is what I am missing most right now, a bug hug from someone who has been there, or is in this right now.  The ladies on these discussion boards are amazing, supportive, and very helpful. 

lynnetteb75

sjacobs....yesssss that is it!!! :-) I feel like when I speaking to my friends and family dontget me wrong I love them all but I feel like I hear im sorry and ur strong alot...but even though I know that they are there for me  they dont understand what im feeling..

bobogirl

Shopping mommy, we are with you!  We are 'in the bag' with you as you go to your appointments.  You are not alone.

I was 38 and a mother of two, working full-time, when I found my lump.  It took ages to get someone to give me an Rx for a mammogram.  I am a natural sort, vegetarian, do a lot of yoga.  You are going to rock your treatment plan!  These other sisters of ours are giving you excellent advice.  Focus on the step in front of you if you can.  Women are natural planners, so this is hard.  I must say I don't always practice this item of advice I am preaching!

And give yourself little treats.  You are Shopping mommy, after all.  Favorite tea which is usually too expensive.  Lip gloss.  Aromatherapy pedicure (doctor permitting).  Favorite Starbucks treat.  Magazines!  I swear, whenever a new round of surgery starts for me, I order up about a thousand magazine subscriptions.  And then I take them either to a friend who just had treatments, or I take them to the breast center at my hospital.  And so... the magazines are actually a charitable thing, right?  I can have as many as I want.  

In the bag!  You are going to do a great job. XXXXX

keepthefaith

My heart goes out to you all. I am almost a year from my DX and just now wrapping my head around it. Give yourself the time you need and try to take each day as it comes. You'll get some great advice and support here. Wishing you the best!

Shoppingmommy24

thank you for all of your kind words and advice. This is all happening so fast. I had the PET scan yesterday and a consult with a plastic surgeon. They called me today to say the results of the scan were in and it does not appear the cancer has spread anywhere outside the breast, which was awesome to hear as each prior phone call seemed to bring bad news. So they scheduled me to have a port put in on Tuesday, and would like me to start chemo next week. I am still so in shock and wish I had more time.  My children are taking this very hard, especially the 10 and 12 year old. Any advice to make his any easier on them? 

Shoppingmommy24

kicks, they want me to have the chemo first so that I can have herceptin with Perjeta. Apparently, the Perjeta is only approved for use before surgery, so if I have surgery first, the Perjeta is off the table.

VioletKali

Hello Shoppingmommy24!

I was diagnosed with "triple positive" IDC on June 19th. I discovered my lump through a self breast exam. I turned 32 July 9th, as I was waiting for genetic test results. My maternal Aunt had breast cancer at age 58, but she was ER+PR+ and not her2+. My genetic tests were clear, nothing unusual.

I opted for a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. I am 3 weeks post op, and I begin chemo on Monday. I am having my port placed tomorrow.