Just diagnosed IDC Scared!!

Angiem12

Hello,

I am 39 years old, mom of 3 wonderful boys! I was diagnosed last Friday with IDC 1.6cm Grade 3. I felt it while my little one jumped on me and bumped me right on my breast. I was not due for a mammogram for another year! I know I am look to have found it, yet I am so scared. The doctor said prognosis is good even if they found lymph nodes where involved, my mammogram did show no abnormality on my lymph nodes yet I am so scared! I am having bi-lateral mastectomy and worried of my results, they did check my other breast with u/s and mammogram but you never know. Also about 2 months ago I woke up with a stiff neck (sleeping with no pillow) which ended up getting inflamed and pinched my nerve all the to my arm ( same side as lump). The inflammation went down after a couple of weeks and now I found this. I am so scared the cancer has spread and that was a sign! My doctor was very reassuring, but not after a couple of days I am worried. I eat super healthy,
have been for the last 5 years and I just am dumbfounded. I am also glad I found it and can start to fight this! I have 3 boys, great husband and I want to enjoy many years with them. Also I work, I will need to take off some time. Not sure how much chemo I will need, doc said if lymph nodes are involved or not I should probably get it. I have been reading all your stories and I do have HOPE and I will do everything to kick this in the butt. Just so worried about everything.....


I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me. Phillipines 4:13



Angelica

Hopeful82014

Dear Angelica - I'm so very sorry you've found yourself in this situation. It's a real shock and of course you're scared.

Please try to take some deep breaths and then go read some of the material on this board outlining treatment options, etc. There's a wealth of very useful material here that may help you.

You mention that you will be having a bilateral mastectomy. Since you were only diagnosed on Friday, the decision to go that route seems a little bit rushed to me. Please take time to talk that through very thoroughly with both your surgeon and your husband. There is also a thread somewhere in here about points to consider when deciding between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy that you may find helpful. Of course, if there are medical indications for the bilateral mastectomy, that's one thing. If it's simply a sense of wanting to get rid of all of it, you may want to slow down and do a bit more research and soul-searching.

Take care of yourself; this is a terribly difficult time. It honestly will get better, but right now you''re in shock - rightfully so. Give yourself some time to think, pray, talk with your husband and to do your research. I wish you the best.

Angiem12

thank your your kind words! My doctor is sending me to 3 other doctors to make sure I still want to do that and I make an informed decision. I just have a grade 3 tumor and I don't want to go thru this again.

WinningSoFar

Dear Angie,

So sorry about your diagnosis. Now you cross the line that so many of us has crossed--into cancer land. If you want my advice, take a deep breath and slow down. Try to keep a really open mind as you'll find that most of what you think you know about breast cancer isn't particularly true. I'd ask every one of my doctors the same questions--so you will get all their perspectives, some of which might be slightly different coming from a surgeon, oncologist and radiation oncologist. You don't have to make split second decisions, even though it feels that way. That is just anxiety, which I'm sorry to say, you probably will have a lot of.

Get some meds for anxiety if you want to make it easier on yourself and your family.

Believe this: you will be happy and relaxed again.

juneaubugg

Angie;

(((BIG HUGS)) My best advice is to find a thread on hear and stay connected to it. I was diagnosed in 2012. I found this website and joined the 2012 sisters forum (which has since quieted down). we all shared everything through our whole journey there. we cried, we laughed, we commiserated, we shared medical informatin and asked questions, and most of all we understood each other in a way our friends and family could not. Today we are on a new forum called 2013 survivors (both are in IDC). You can always ask questions there, and we will share any experience we may have.

hang on, it will be bumpy ride... but you can get through it.

MaxineO

Angelica- This is the worst time. You will feel a lot more confident once you have your treatment plan. It sounds like you are in good hands if your doctor is encouraging you to get several opinions. Try to relax, knowing that many many of us have walked the road your are now facing. And we are doing okay! I was 38 at diagnosis with two young kids. Here I am 4 years later and doing great. Post any questions you have. Read ONLY as much as you want (some people like all the information they can get, others aren't ready to read too much). And don't underestimate your hope...it will carry you through.

Angiem12

thank you ladies for all your support and encouagmen

msphil

sweetie, we know your feelings trust me we,ve been where u are,just take a breath and once u get treatment plan things will ease up, I am a 20 yr Survivor(Praise GOD) and my Faith and family and friends kept me with HOPE, I talked to myself , saying "cancer u must leave my body" every day, stayed Positive, let all that Positive energy flow. Hugs goin out to you, HUGS!!!!!!!!!msphil(idc,stage2, 3 nodes involved, L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)  

Robinmich9

Angelica - I was diagnosed with IDC on 11/13/14. I too am scared but I trust my doctors completely. I have lymph node involvement, however My docs believe that I will not need chemo. I too am having a bilateral mastectomy. It is scheduled for 12/16. I am very nervous about the procedure but feel it is the best thing for me due to my family history and because I have very dense breast tissue that makes it hard for the docs to see anything on mammogram or ultrasound. Actually, nothing showed up on the first ultrasound or mammogram that I had done. Then I had an MRI and that is where they saw three masses , one in each breast and in my lymph node.

I believe that once your plan of action is set in motion, you will feel a little better and things won't feel so out of control.

I wish all the best to you and to all ladies on this site. We are warrior sisters ready for the battle of our lives!

Robin