This just can't be happening

MAC68

I was just diagnosed with IDC. It's the size of a "pearl", 7 mm . I have an appointment with a surgeon on Wed to decide between lumpectomy and mastectomy, and of course to schedule surgery which I hope will be very soon.

I am full of questions and worry. I haven't told my kids yet...I want to know more from the surgeon and my next steps.

I am scared to death

I would appreciate any advice on how to handle the next few days and weeks.

Tpralph

breath, meditate, relaxation exercises, distraction and see your primary care provider for anti anxiety medications. That is what I did. you can do one or all of them or do what others will suggest. I found the meditation and lorazepam the best as well as talking to others on this forum and my friends and family.  This is the hardest time, it gets easier as you know more and after you see your surgeon

ChiSandy

Stay here on BCO. Go to the “diagnosis” sections (written by actual breast cancer specialists) besides the discussion forums. If you must, venture no further afield than Komen and the American Cancer Society sites. Also, buy (either in physical form or download) Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book (latest edition) and perhaps Dr. Elisa Port’s book too. You will get accurate information without worst case scenarios (which are almost always relatively unlikely).

For now, know that 7 mm is very small (“tiny,” even). And IDC despite the scary words “invasive” and “carcinoma” is the most common form of breast cancer. Survival statistics for lumpectomy + radiation are exactly the same as for mastectomy (which doesn’t always guarantee freedom from radiation). Also know that IDC does not grow like wildfire, so don’t panic if a couple of weeks elapse before you can see your surgeon and even a month or more before your surgery. That 7mm tumor was years in the making.

Don’t be afraid to get several opinions on how to proceed—and change doctors if their attitude is objectionable to you. Find out if your hospital/breast center/cancer center has a “nurse navigator”—if so, one has probably been assigned to you. Take full advantage of her (or him) as to next steps, arranging appointments, etc. If your hospital system has an online patient portal, join it if you haven’t already. It will give you a quick messaging system, ability to get test results and schedule appointments online, and links to handouts and perhaps even videos about each aspect of your diagnosis & treatment.

DON’T PANIC!!! You can do this. Every patient has her or his story that is unique to some extent, but know that my tumor was nearly twice the size of yours. I had lumpectomy & radiation. And my 2-year followup shows no evidence of disease. It may seem to you as if your world has stopped turning, but it hasn’t—and you’re still in it and will be for a good, long time.

Anonymous

I really wish I had asked my primary care doc for anti anxiety meds or sleeping meds for those first few weeks. There's also a great anxiety thread pinned.. I think it is in the "not diagnosed but worried" section. Some good advice there.

Sorry you are here with us but 7mm might be a very good sign (that'ssmall)

Artista928

In addition to what's been said I recommend keeping busy. Get more into a hobby you enjoy. It's summer, get out more. Keeping occupied helps. And it was found early/small so at least that part is good. GL

MinusTwo

I would not tell the kids until you have a plan in place. You don't know answers & are still confused so it would be very hard to explain to them.

ChiSandy

Yup, once you know what you’re dealing with and have a plan in place it will feel as if a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. Things will fall into place, they will make sense, and you will be able to “see down the road.” Regardless of when you choose to tell the kids (and what and how to tell them), plan ahead for the rest of your life, because it will go on. Postpone, if necessary, but don’t cancel vacations. Book one if you don’t have one coming up. It’ll be a big shining reward, a beacon in the distance to remind you that though for awhile you will probably view the events in your life as having happened on either side of a “break in time,” that break will mend. There will come a time when you stop thinking wistfully, “that was before I had cancer."