Seeking Help

Kim71

Hi

My wife and I have just had our first child via IVF in November 2017. My wife has been suffering from Anemia and last week was diagnosed with IDC in both breasts - multi centric. 2cm one breast (left) one cm (right).

She had a bilateral mastectomy three days ago and has been unable to get out of bed. Her Hemoglobin is only 90. Surgeon said surgery went quite well , however I am deeply worried. We get the pathology results on the 29 th March.

Our world has been tipped up side down. Does anyone have any experience with multi centric cancer and low hemoglobin levels? Or had BC post IVF?

Worried sick

Thank you

Michael and Kim

Meow13

I had multicentric on left side 2 tumors one idc one ilc. Mine were each 1cm, I had a mastectomy and stayed one night in the hospital. I was pretty wiped out from the medication. I could walk but I slept alot. My oncologist didn't seem at all concerned that I had 2 tumors not one, being multicentric just helped decide on the mastectomy.

Hope she starts to feel better soon.

Kim71

Hi

Thank you so much for your reply, hopefully she feels better soon. She has been quite dizzy and nauseous today unfortunately

Thank you again

M

DATNY

I did have multiple tumors, in one breast only, with node involvement. The anemia might be unrelated, or could be due to periods being unregulated after delivery. Studies show there is little correlation between iv treatment and breast cancer. However, there is a stronger correlation between many other factors and cancer, including child birth itself, which temporarily increases the risk for breast cancer.

This is a really tough time, but one of the critical steps in the treatment is over, which is not a small feat. Pathology will determine if there is a need for chemo and rads. Hope there isn't, but if there is, be assured it can be done and that your wife will be fine. There are other ladies with small babies on this site, I think they have a thread which capture this in the title. While treatment is rough, millions of women had it and moved on.

One important thing is that your wife should make sure her doctor follows up asap with bone scan and CT scan (or PET scan) to rule out the cancer had spread. And once you know the type of cancer would be a good idea to come back on this site and check with others having the same one to compare the treatment regime and potential side effects. Best wishes and God bless your family!

Kim71

Hi

Thanks so much for your reply and kind words

M

Anonymous

Call your doctor--whoever you began this journey with (primary care, surgeon, gynecologist, etc.)--and let them know right away how your wife is feeling. They may have some simple ways to help her feel better right away.

No need to suffer in silence; your doctors are only as helpful as they can be, if you don't let them know you need help. We have to be proactive about protecting our health here. No one cares more about our health and recovery than we do, so make the calls, and don't take no for an answer. Insist on speaking to a professional and demand some assistance.

If she needs further treatment, she will need to be in good health before she goes down that road, so getting her feeling better is critical, and the sooner the better.

Hugs,

Claire in AZ