Just diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma - Stage 2.

amyazing

Hello, I was just diagnosed last Wed. My Husband & I met with the surgeon on Thurs and she has recommended a Mastetomy with reconstruction. I am meeting with the Plastic Surgeon on Tues. I am in such shock! I keep thinking this can't be but I know it's true, My thoughts are constantly racing, I cry all the time, I'm mad at myself. I'm sad, scared and overwhelmed. I joined this site but I don't even know what to say, my mind is too jumbled. Anyway, Thanks for reading if you do.

Melrosemelrose

amyazing- Take a few deep breaths and know that you are not alone here. Yes, you may feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster right now.... one moment feeling okay and then another moment feeling overwhelmed, angry, tearful and just plain scared. Please try to be easy on yourself and not be angry at yourself. Do yourself a big favor and do not consult with Dr. Google. There is a lot of information out there on the internet that may be out of date or inaccurate or not applicable to your situation. Try to stick to the facts about you and your situation. Once you have a treatment plan, things will start to fall into place and hopefully help you find the calm and peace that you need right now. Do not hesitate to ask your doctors for anti-anxiety medications. If you feel you need them, ask for them. Give yourself breaks from the situation by distracting yourself. Read a magazine, watch tv, go to the movies, go shopping----anything that allows you moments of calm.

Remember that you are not alone. You have the support of your husband and those here. Sending you hugs and encouragement. If you want to private message me, please feel free to do so.

Kicks

Your optiminal TX (treatment) plan is not necessarily surgery first. Today, it is becoming more usual to do neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) chemo for the best outcome/prognosis. No matter what your DX (DCIS/IDC/ILC/IBC) or your Stage, Grade, ER/PR and HER2 +/- are, it is a Team effort between Surgeon, Chemo and Rads Drs all working together - not just one of them. Donot be surprised if other tests are ordered.

Get a notepad and write down all your questionss so none are,forgotten to be asked at appts. Make a copy of all questions to hand to the Dr as he/she may be able to combine several in one answeer. If you don't understand the answer - don't be afraid to keep asking til the Dr uses words you understand. Use your smart phone to record what you ar told so if needed, you can review the answers later.

If you would fill out your Profile with what you know so far, it would help others who have similar DXs to reply.

Kathy21

Sorry to hear your news. I was diagnosed last week with IDC also - Stage 1 they think. Why do you think it is stage two? Did they see lymp nodes on a scan or size?

amyazing

The size of the tumor. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis too.

Kathy21

Thanks

Lisey

not everyone has chemo or rads. Many Stage 1A and some Stage 2A ER+. HER2-, dont do any of that at all. It really depends on what the test results are for your tumor and how aggressive it is. Chemo has such a set of it's own problems, they are really trying to use it more sparingly than they use to. Studies show many women are over treated with chemo - and that is where the genetic Oncotype or Mammaprint tests help.

Once you know the hormone status of your tumor, you'll have more to go off of.

Best of luck.

Bright55

hi amazying

life turns crazy at times .....

It is early days

And too much to take in

take time to research the bcorg info and treatment options provided

ulltimately it is your decision to have a total removal or lumpectomy

Second opinions can be an option

The IDC diagnosis and location of are perhaps the reason for the TM surgery option

Testing of lymph nodes can be the ultimate decider

Kicks info is spot on with options etc

To destress try ssome mindfulness apps ...these relax both the mind and body

Here are two .. relax life or smiling mind

bratmobile

Hi,

also recently diagnosed (by my primary care physician) and still feeling shocked just to say it. I see my BS tomorrow for the first time. Just from feeling the size of the mass I wonder if I am stage 2 or beyond. I do not yet have advice or wisdom for you but a boatload of empathy. I wish we all weren't here but thank goodness there is this space to not feel so alone. Sending you love.