Just Diagnosed

bernr1309

Hello Everyone,

I was just diagnosed with early stage BC on 2/23/2016.

ER Positive / IDC. My appointment with the doctors are on 3/10 and I am very conflicted on if I should get a lumpectomy or mastectomy. I am 46 and really don't care about having breast. I just want it completly out. Is having the ovaries removed and option as well being that this cancer is hormone driven.

BC does not run in my family. I do however have NF (neurofibromatosis) as well.

I am a bit scared so glad to have a place where I can converse with others.

Moderators

Hi Bern,

Welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry for the reason you are here, but really happy you found us. Our community is an incredibly supportive one and you'll find lots of answers here.

We're sure you'll learn a lot more about your diagnosis and treatment options once you meet with your doctors tomorrow. In the meantime, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's section about IDC, as well as the Your Diagnosis section, which explains ER status.

There's even some great info on Questions to Ask Your Doctor.

We hope this helps. Please keep coming back, asking questions, and let us know how you're doing. We're all here for you!

--The Mods

bcendurer

Hi, I was just diagnosed, also. IDC, stage 2, ER+. PR+, HER2+. I have had initial consult with surgeon, some pre-op tests. I am scheduled for surgery 3-21-16. But, I am reluctant to go ahead with it, as I have asked for lidocaine to be injected with the radioactive tracer used to find the sentinel nodes. I have been told that it is no big deal and to take a xanax. While the xanax will relax me, it will do nothing for the pain. He doesn't even want to prescribe EMLA cream. What does anyone view as my alternatives? I know I could try another surgeon but, really don't want to start the process all over.

I wish all Nuclear Medicine Departments would have a standard protocol used for pain when administering the dye. I have read so many horror stories about the procedure. I tried to advocate for myself but they just act like I am being a wimp. This has already tainted my view of them as my caretakers.

I would greatly appreciate any advice as to your experiences in a similar situation. I enjoy reading all your wonderful posts.

ChiSandy

The Nuke Med Dept. at Evanston Hospital injected lidocaine for both the radioactive seed implantation and the radioactive sentinel-node tracer injection. The former didn’t hurt at all (it was not a very sensitive area of my breast) but the latter felt like a bad bee sting since the injections were in the areola. But once the needles were out they didn’t hurt. You should insist on getting lidocaine or another local anesthetic. Interestingly, before my core-needle biopsy, I took a Valium to relax me, and when I mentioned that to the radiology nurse she nearly had a cow and had to call Legal to get me to swear on a stack of PDRs that I was consenting to the procedure of my own free will, fully informed, and would not sue them afterward should I have had buyer’s remorse. Sheesh--guess every hospital is different.

bcendurer

Thank you so much for your reply! I feel so alone in this journey so, that is why I'm here. I read for a long time before I had the courage to post. Still learning the ropes as what to post and where, so please bear with me. God speed to all who must travel down this road.

ceanna

bernr, I hope your app't went well with the doctors this week. I don't know if you've made a decision yet on lump vs mast but ruthbru has posted a good summary and information links for that question several times. It guides you through questions you may have and reaching a decision. Here's a link to a thread that contains her comprehensive posting https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5/topics/828703?post_id=4310917

Personally, I chose a lumpectomy. I, too, was ER positive (I was also PR positive) with no family history of BC. I almost 1 1/2 years since diagnosis and have been very happy with my decision.

Let us know how you're doing and if you have questions.

Best wishes.

LisaAlissa

just to clarify, ruthbru was quoting a post from Beesie, and said so.

LisaAlissa

VioletKali

My surgeon performed my sentinel node biopsy during my bilateral MX. I did have an MRI prior to surgery.

Perhaps they can perform that during surgery? I am unaware how different medical centers handle these. Around here, they do the nodes during surgery. An MRI prior helps to determine extra involvement as well.

bernr1309

Hello Friends.

So I met with the tumor board on 3/10.

This is the course of action I am going to take.

I am having a mastectomy w/ breast reconstruction.

The reason why they did not opt for a lumpectomy because it entails radiation. I was born with a nerve condition called Neurofibromatosis or simply NF1 (some people called it the elephant man's disease) but its not a disease, it is a disorder that causes tumors to grow on the nerve ending and on the skin. And thy don't know if the radiation will cause any issues. Anyway, my surgery is on 4/6 and I will be on Tamoxifen. Still not sure if I will need chemo, I will find this out after 3/26

I have IDC / ER positive btw

ceanna

Bern, thanks for the update. Best wishes for your surgery and recovery with the added complication of NF1. Let us know how you're doing.

msphil

sweetie i know ur anxiety i had it also but it does calm down once all is in place n treatment plan i am a 22yr Survivor this yr Praise God hang in there. Msphil idc stage2 Lmast chemo rads n 5yrs on tamoxifen

TLB140

I was advised by my doctor to have both removed or he would probably be seeing me again #'probably. IDC is serious. I went through chemo and radiation and I never want to have to endure that chemo again. I have a 14% chance of recurrence and the 5 year pill is now the 10 year pill. Studies showed women were getting BC after completing the 5 year pill. So my doctor told me I would be taking it for a full 10 years. I will gladly swallow that pill for 10 years. I want to see my grandkids for a long time and I want to talk to my husband each day, I want to love on my dogs and talk to my children. Good luck to you.

OrlandoSurgeons

I was diagnosed with DCIS in September 2016. I opted for skin sparing bi-lateral mastectomy because beast cancer runs on both sides of my famy. Because the cancer was microscopic, I did not have radiation or chemotherapy. However, the surgeons did take both nipples. I then had DIEP reconstruction in December 2016. Do your research and write down your questions for your physicians. I have a binder that holds all the information physicians have given me. I take it with me to every appointment so that I can defer to it.

Moderators

TLB140 and OrlandoSurgeons, we warmly welcome you here, and appreciate your thoughtful posts sharing your experience! We are glad you found us here.

Warmly,

The Mods

bernr1309

My surgery is on the 6th. Is it normal to feel a little discomfort where the tumor is? I am not in any pain, just feel a twinge of discomfort. My Docs told me the tumor is slow growing and it won't go from one stage to another in a matter of weeks.