Newly diagnosed this week. IDC, stage 2

TXWildflower55

Hello everyone!

I just found this forum and am hoping to learn about what to expect and how to deal and cope with it all. I am 64, married for 47 years, have 4 children, 17 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Never been so scared of what's to come. Just don't have any one I can talk to about my cancer.

ruthbru

Hi TX, you are in the very worst part right now. Once you get a treatment plan in place, then you can get going and get it over with. Hang in there!!

TXWildflower55

Nice to meet you, Ruth. I'm waiting to hear from the oncologist for an appointment. I haven't got to see my pathology report yet. My biopsy was on Monday, and my PCP gave me the news over the phone on Wednesday. My mind has been going crazy ever since.

I hope I will be able to handle everything in front of me. I'm just really scared! How do ya'll handle things? I need help to get my head around all of it!

SoulShine1969

Wildflower-

You’ve come to the right place. You will find support and very useful information here. As you find out more from your doctors and pathology report you will be able to go to the specific threads as they relate to you for additional information.

Ruth is right, you are in the worst part now. It’s so hard to shut down the fear and racing thoughts in the beginning. It really does get better. We’re all here for you. Sending positive healing thoughts your way.

Hugs,

Rebecca

Rebalilly

Hello Wildflower,

Sorry to meet you under these circumstances. I was recently diagnosed IDC Stage 1, grade 2,

The first news is a shocker and dark thoughts are hard to keep at bay. As you move forward, you will learn more about your specific condition and gain more control. My advice is to stay away from reading about breast cancer unless it is a reputable site and only if you are reading about your type. I overloaded myself and went into a dark hole the first few weeks which I now realize was based on false information and facts that did not and would not pertain to me.

There is a slow process, lots of waiting on tests. Lots of new terms to learn. Gather your support system and try to stay out of your head by staying busy. So much has changed. People panic when they hear “chemotherapy" and it is not what we grew up with or saw our grandparents and relatives go through. It's all manageable.

I gained solace from this board when I found women who were diagnosed with Stage IV and thriving after eight or nine or ten years. Breast cancer does not have to be a death sentence anymore.

Almost two months out from lumpectomy, just completed four weeks of radiation and meeting with oncologist this week for the next step in treatment plan. I can say I have gone from sleepless nights in the beginning, panic and anxiety to now, very optimistic and happy. Took one day at a time but I am there.

While searching for local women's stories, in my area, I came across a very brave woman battling a rare type of breast cancer that gave her a small chance of survival and a huge change of recurrence. I read her story and was amazed. She was 8 years out, was successful, had a beautiful family, is a spokesperson for breast cancer and has an incredible outlook. Her motto is “I am Not Dying Today”. That put it in perspective me for. I was worrying about the future and what might happen instead of living today. I am fine now and I am not dying. I will worry about that day if and when it arrives.

Funny addition this, after admiring this woman and reading her story several times, I realized she was someone I had known when I was a teenager. She is younger than me and I admired her back then!

Stay strong and know you will smile again and you will feel peace again. Promise.

Ingerp

Are you sure it's Stage 2? Have you had surgery? It might have been Grade 2, which is very different. I like research, so read a lot on sites like this one. It's a great group of people, and you can find threads with people with a similar diagnosis, similar treatment, similar timing of treatment. It all really really helps. Try to divert yourself (maybe with those grandkids!) until you have a treatment plan in place.

Salamandra

I bet there are more people around you with experience with this than you realize, and more who will be very glad to talk with you and support you through it! Not everyone wants to talk about it, but for those who do, just opening the conversation with your community (I did it on Facebook, of all things) can be so helpful and supportive.

Also seconding that the stage cannot be known at this point in diagnosis. You could still be stage 1, depending on information coming later.

And seconding that this is the hardest part, and I (and many others) found great relief after our first appointment with our oncologist and the formulation of an actual plan. Hang in there!

keepthefaith

TX, sorry you found yourself here, but it's a good place to be, considering what brought you here. There are many here who will lend support, advice, a shoulder, a laugh. You are truly in the hardest place right now with little information and no real plan in place. Try to take one day at a time, spend time with loved ones as much as you can. Do whatever you need to, to stay busy. It feels like a roller coaster ride for a while, but once you get more information, you will start feeling like you have some control and can start making decisions regarding treatment I recommend you take a trusted person with you to consulting appts that can help listen and take notes, if needed. Get all of your medical reports in one place as you go, in case you need second opinions at some point. Wishing you the best moving forward. Pm anytime. I am a fellow Texan, near Austin. ((HUGS))

quinnie

Wildflower: im sorry you are going through this. There is no way to describe the anxiety one feels while waiitng or a plan. I was thrilled once I met with the doctors to discuss my treatment plan. I was ready to go forward. I am also 64 but only have 3 grandkids and one on the way. They keep me going. Breast cancer is very treatable. I have a cousin stage 4 that is doing great. I am only stage one and have no issues. :My Mom is 20 year survivor. 3 other cousins are 10-20 year survivors. There are probably more gals here that are survivors who could tell you their success story. Take care and let us know what is going on. Remember we are here to support you.