Just diagnosed waiting for surgery

Hamhock

I was just diagnosed 4 days before my 45th birthday with invasive ductal carcinoma. I was so hurt and questioned why this, why not diabetes. My husband gave me the courage by saying you can't just lay down and let it get the best of you. So I pulled my self together after a few days and had a talk with GOD. I come to terms with it and I'm gonna fight. GOD will never give us more than we can handle. I have 6kids a husband and a mother in law that depends on me. With God and them I know I will be just fine.

Kayla250

sorry for your diagnosis...I too, am a woman of the Lord. Yes this is very doable. There is much support here. It does get rough at times, try to get some help from your family, it amazing how they can rise to the occasion, when you let them

Hamhock

Thank you for your support I will keep my family close through it all.

buffyjc

Hi Hamhock! I'm so sorry you have to be here but please know we're all here to support you! I'm a fairly new member, too. I really like your spirit! You're right...ANYTHING is possible with God! I'm also believeing everything will be fine! Hang in there and please keep us updated!

Phillkri

I was just diagnosed as well. I am having surgery on 3/22/2017. IDC...I am having a lumpectomy, lift, reduction, node biopsy...then, in June BMX with implants (mom and sister have both had it, both alive)providing I heal from first surgery in timely manner and don't get a virus before my first scheduled surgery.

Hamhock

Its good that you've have someone around that has already been where you are now. I don't have that but I do have good support and I have God. Just believe and he will pull you through just as he did for your mom and sister.

Phillkri

Thank you. This whole process is so difficult. I have a supportive family, husband....everyone has lives to live. I feel overwhelmed and lonely....and anxious.

Lindacim31

I completely understand how scared you are. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in January. Had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on Tuesday waiting anxiously to get the results. All I know so far is that the tumor is her2 pos. I will need chemo, radiation and herceptin. I still cry almost every day and feel like this can't be really happening. So scared..

kae_md99

Hamhock,

By His stripes, we will be healed!

Moderators

Linda-

We want to welcome you to the community here at BCO. We're sorry you find yourself here, but we're do glad you've joined us, and hope you find this place to be a source of support as you continue down this road.

The Mods

Bree2

Hello Linda

I was just diagnosed last Tuesday and I am having lumpectomy and sentinel biopsy tomorrow morning. I am also scared to death. I have IDC grade 3, that's all I know right now. I have so many questions and have been given so many different answers. It's so nice to have these forums as I have been reading them every night. We are not alone. Can I ask about the recovery time of lumpectomy? I wish you well

Hamhock

Hi Bree2 my surgery is tomorrow also. I'm scared but ready to get this over so I can be on my way to winning this battle. Keep your head up and keep praying and it will be okay. As you can see we are not alone. We have a whole world of new friends just sorry it's under these circumstances. Hang in there.

MagicalBean

Hello, ladies. To answer your question about recovery time for a lumpectomy, mine was real quick. The biggest issue was the anesthesia. That took almost three days to get out of my system. I never took the pain pills they gave me. Ibuprofen worked better. I was back to normal in less than a week except for exercising.

ChiSandy

I am retired from my law career (though I do still write & perform and sometimes travel to do so). So I didn’t have to take time off from work per se. My sister flew in from VA the day after my surgery expecting to have to take care of me for 3 days. Instead, all she had to do was keep me company and do the driving when we went to dinner. By the second day she was here we were able to walk to the grocery (and I could carry a shopping bag in my “good” hand) and by her last day we walked to & from brunch & to the beach before she had to leave for her flight home. The next night I drove. By 2 weeks post-op, I drove 90 mi. each way for a gig (though I had others carry my instruments to & from the car). A month out, I drove >4 hrs each way for a long weekend music conference and concert.

Post-op, all I needed (other than the initial bolus of Fentanyl in my I.V. in the recovery room) for pain was OTC plain Tylenol. Didn’t even get an Rx to fill. I did have stiffness & soreness from the waist up for a couple of days due to the muscle relaxant they give you while “under,” because before the muscles relax, they contract so violently that you feel like you’ve started at the gym as a newbie using the heaviest settings on the weight machines—but that passes quickly.

Ruby3813

Hamhock and other newbies,

I'm fairly new here too, but I've learned a lot from everyone on these boards. For me, lumpectomy recovery was easier than SNB surgery. Had that done on 2\20 and still have some pain. Nothing debilitating, but not pleasant either.

Yes, God is our healer. I've put a prayer in my signature line that I read everyday I come here. We have to have faith that He's working behind the scenes to heal us. :-)

Good luck and God Bless!

Hamhock

Love your prayer at the end of your post. I to refuse to have self-pity. I thank God everyday and will continue to do so for by his stripes we are healed. Thanks Ruby3818

Hamhock

Hope I continue to do as good as you, so far I'm doing just fine. Thanks for the encouragement Mrs ChiSandy.

Lindacim31

Hi Bree it's been about 10 days since lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. I feel well physically except for tenderness under my arm. I really did not need pain pills after the first 2 days and I felt kinda crappy from anesthesia . They removed 6 nodes and 1 was positive for isolated tumor cells. So crazy since the tumor was less than 1 cm. I was told I may need to have additional radiation now to axilla area . I am anxiously waiting to see the oncologist and get a plan for my treatment. I am really trying hard to keep a good attitude. Sending a hug and prayers

cliff

" why not diabetes" diabetes isn't a picnic either. in fact, the diabetic neuropathy caused me to miss the lump growing till it was found at stage 4. don't worry, you will make it with God's help. he"s helped me through diabetes, congestive heart failure, and now breast cancer. at the moment, all show improvement. If you have as good a surgeon as I had, no pain afterwords, and minimal scaring.

Hamhock

Hi cliff wow you really have a lot going on but thank God  for God. I did have a wonderful surgeon and I wasn't in any pain. I'm doing well so far waiting for my pathology report and go from there.

Mquara

I had a partial mastectomy and removal of 3 nodes on 02/24. My tumor was large at 4.5 x 4.0 x 3.5. My breast is still very tender although I am not taking any pain meds now, not even advil etc. For me the incision for the nodes is the worst of the two. That is still very tender, I think part of it is the location as it rubs against whatever I wear. I go back and forth between the large compression thing and a soft post lumpectomy/mastctomy bra. Both rub on the no incision, Plus it's my right side and I am right handed so...

I was diagnosed on 02/02 I turned 47 on 02/20. DH and I were at CTCA in Chicago from 02/13 - 02/24 so we spent Valentines Day and My Birthday there. Hoping next year will be a year to celebrate!

Hamhock

You are so right about the limp node area. I never really had any pain but it is so irritating with everything under my right arm. That's the only thing that bothers me the most. I won't know my pathology report until tomorrow. Will let you know how it goes.

CeliaC

After lumpectomy on 12/21/16 - took prescribed pain relief for 2 days, then Tylenol PM instead, then Tylenol during the day & the PM before bed. Surgeon filled out "return to work" for 12/28, only 1 week post surgery! Worked from home for a couple days and actually went back on 1/3/17. Incision for sentinel node biopsy was more bothersome than incision for tumor removal, which I was told was normal, to be expected. When diagnosed at Breast Care Center, along with lots of info, received a small pillow to place under arm & under seat belt when in car. Still using through Radiation treatment. Underarm area for me felt like "razor burn" & Nurse Navigator advised using OTC cortisone cream, which relieved it.
Hope some of this info helps fellow BC Sisters. Good wishes and healing thoughts to all.

CeliaC

After lumpectomy on 12/21/16 - took prescribed pain relief for 2 days, then Tylenol PM instead, then Tylenol during the day & the PM before bed. Surgeon filled out "return to work" for 12/28, only 1 week post surgery! Worked from home for a couple days and actually went back on 1/3/17. Incision for sentinel node biopsy was more bothersome than incision for tumor removal, which I was told was normal, to be expected. When diagnosed at Breast Care Center, along with lots of info, received a small pillow to place under arm & under seat belt when in car. Still using through Radiation treatment. Underarm area for me felt like "razor burn" & Nurse Navigator advised using OTC cortisone cream, which relieved it.

Hope some of this info helps fellow BC Sisters. Good wishes and healing thoughts to all.

Hamhock

You are so right the underarm area is the worst. If it were not for that I wouldn't have any pain.  Haven't started my radiation yet but will make sure I have some kind of cream before I do. Thanks for the info. Hope all is well with you.