I am new at this and scared since I was told today I have cancer

TinaGA

I am familiar with chemo and all I am in remission with cardiac amylodosis and multiple myeloma so no stranger here but now cancer of breast I am floored. Dr said it is a filtrating duct carcinoma and I have no idea what that is so I feel so lost. I will find out more on treatment as soon as dr calls about that. Please help me with good vibes I am worried will this take me down.

Bluebird1013

Tina GA,

I'm a newbie also but I want to reach out and give you a big hug. It is a scary place to be for sure. I know in the short month since I was told I was much more scared when I didn't know anything except I had breast cancer. The more I know the less scared I am. There is a lot of knowledge here. Hang in there. Sounds like you have been through a lot already. Just breathe!

Hopeful82014

Tina, I'm so sorry that you've received such shocking news. I know it turns your world upside down to hear that.

What your doctor probably was telling you is that you have invasive (infiltrating) ductal carcinoma - a.k.a. IDC, which is probably the most common type of breast cancer, by the way. You can read up on it, if you want, on the main site here, which is linked at the top of the page.

When you meet with your doctor be sure to ask for copies of your pathology reports and results of any other tests - you probably know already how helpful these will be in the coming months. If you don't already have someone to go with you to appointments, that's very important. I also found it extremely helpful to record my visits (you can do this on your phone usually or with a small recording device). Lots of times it was critical to be able to go back and review a conversation in detail.

But right now I know you're scared and shell-shocked. Please be very gentle with yourself during this time. Come here whenever you need info, encouragement, a place to let it all out - whatever. And know that the many members of this community are supporting you every step of the way. (((Hugs)))

Moderators

Hi Tina, welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're so glad you've found our community, although we hate the reason you had to!

Everything is so strange and new right now, but just know that you are not alone! You may find some helpful info in our section for Members Who've Just Been Diagnosed such as understanding your diagnosis, treatments options for IDC — Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, questions to ask your doctor, and more.

We hope this helps. Please keep us posted on how you're doing!

The Mods

cliff

these days the medical profession is a lot better than a few years ago. and the earlier they diagnose it the better. fortunately, I didn't have a lot of time to worry, from "hey doc, whats this, it kinda hurts" to surgery in two weeks of every kind of scan and test possible. even with stage 4, it is responding to treatment.

msphil

sweetie we feel your pain we can identify with u come here to vent im also sending Hugs!!!!!!!!!#! Hang in there Positive thoughts n Hope thru Faith got me thru. This yr Praise God 23yrs Survivor. msphil idc stage2 0\3 nodes Lmast chemo 6months 3 before surgery n 3 after got married then did rads 5 days a wk for 7 wks. Hugs!!!!!- sending

MummyOneBoob

Hey darling,

What a thing to happen. Feels bad huh?

I read recently a phrase that really resonated with me: 'cancer as a teachable moment'. I love that... and totally agree.

I'm going to be provocative here and say cancer is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Never have I had the chance to get off the life train. To stop. Look around and find out what's not working.

We each have the potential to create our own reality and that is no less true than here.

Cancer is not a single well-trodden route. It's your route. What you have seen on the telly or heard in the media is not the only way.

I'm sorry you will be challenged in new ways but also... Yeay! You'll be challenged in new ways!

An opportunity for you to cocoon and emerge a butterfly. For relationships to improve, life-balance to shift and how you feel about you to sky rocket.

I send you my best healing vibes for your convalescence. Love yourself, nurture you, relax as much as possible. That's when the body heals itself... And work through your fears to see what is actually happening / how you're feeling in your body. That's my best advice chicken. Make it yours xx

Variable

Hi Tina- I can completely relate to your feeling about a second cancer diagnosis. I was diagnosed with BC in August, much to my shock having already survived synovial sarcoma many years ago. I feel my world does not make sense anymore. I was free, I was living, and I was done! Now what!

I too have the feeling that this may "take me down"? I suppose the fear of dying from cancer has been with me all along, but is now more realistic given my new diagnosis. Something will take us down eventually; accepting that disappointing fact, regardless of how it comes, is tough for everyone.

You are here for encouragement and good vibes so here they are...

While the initial shock is devastating, I did get through my surgery and radiation just fine. I have some issues with hormone therapy that I am working through, but so far so good! I see my doctors every couple of months to check on things and continue to live as normally as possible! (Most of the time)

YOU are still here to fight this next battle! You are an experienced patient! You are wise enough to know this is out of your control, so allow others to support you when you need it! You can, and will do this, whatever comes your way!

Good luck with everything! I am sending positive vibes!

djmammo

Tina

Lots of good advice here. I particularly want to emphasize what Hopeful recommended regarding keeping records. We always told our patients to start keeping a journal that includes the dates times and places or all your appointments, and what you were told at each. The dates of all your imaging exams, procedures, consultations, and the results of same. At one time our Nurse Navigators had a supply of journals/diaries to hand out. There is an iPhone app for this. Also as Hopefull said find someone to go to appointments with you, and let them drive. Sometimes what a doc tells you goes in one ear and out the other depending on the impact of the information and it's good to have an extra set of ears with you to help remember what was said. Everyone needs a "Bosom Buddy" while going through all this.

I will go a step further and recommend that in addition to reports, ask for a CD of your imaging exams, mammogram, US, MRI etc. each time you have one. In my experience most places provide them free of charge and many can prepare them for you before you leave the facility. They can then be brought to any other facility, uploaded to their PACS system and be reviewed and compared with your next exam. Its a huge time saver when scheduling. Tell them you have your old studies and will bring them yourself, that way they won't have to have them mailed or FedEx'd which will delay the interpretation. They will love you for that.

Good luck.

MinusTwo

Yes i agree about getting a disc of EVERY study. I have them all in case something comes up down the road.