Recently Diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade 2

anagrzzzz

Hello Everyone,

I have been recently diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade 2 ER and PR positive. I saw the oncologist yesterday, had a genetic test done, and I am now waiting on an MRI of both of my breast and the surgery consult to follow. Honestly, I don't know exactly what questions to ask. At times I feel very overwhelmed, I try not to overthink everything and wait until my surgery, the biopsy, and then to see what my treatment plan will be. I am 33 years old, single mom, have 4 kiddos, and work and go to school full time. I am trying to take things a day at a time, but I feel that I have not fully processed what is happening to me. This started on 1/12/2021 when I went to see my doctor for a small bump I had on my breast, never did I expect all of this to be happening. I had my mammo and ultrasound done on 1/18 and was classified as birad-5. My biposy was on 1/22 and received the call from the breast cancer nurse navigator on Friday 1/29 confirming that indeed I have breast cancer. I saw the oncologist yesterday and I am trying to process all the information. Any tips as to what questions I should ask? What should help ease my nerves? Thank you all for reading my post!

ctmbsikia

Hi there. You are so young. My daughter is around your age. I'm sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. The beginning is a whirlwind. By reading your post, you are doing great!!! The one day at a time is good, with everything else you have going on in your life. Just keep doing it! The MO has ordered the MRI? I see you will also have a consult after with a surgeon. USE the nurse navigator if needed. Did the oncologist give you any info? Some places will give you a book, binder, anything like that? Do you have a copy of your pathology from biopsy? I don't see if they gave you a HER2 result yet. Sometimes that result comes in a few days later. You will need to know if that's positive, or negative, as that will help dictate the next steps. Don't want to overwhelm you, and surely the other ladies will chime in as well, but I feel knowing your Her2 status is needed next.

Redcanoe

I'm so sorry! I was diagnosed stage 2 as well. I'm 34 years old and also have 4 kids, ages 3, 5 ,8 and 11. My ex and I separated a year ago so I am also a single mom and full time student. I was diagnosed in November so I have had some time to process. It's been a roller coaster. Are you waiting to hear what your receptor statuses are?

anagrzzzz

Hi ctmbsikia,

Thank you for replying to my post! Indeed it has been a whirlwind of emotions. The oncologist ordered my MRI and I am waiting for radiology to call me with appointment. The oncologist was very sweet and very informative, I am very thankful for that. I was ER and PR positive and HER negative. He did give me a copy of my pathology report and a handbook with more information. I guess for now I am just going to wait until I get more information. He did mention that if the genetic testing comes back positive the treatment plan will have to be different. I just feel so many emotions and I am trying to remain positive. I am trying to focus on school and work to remain busy.

anagrzzzz

Hi Redcanoe,

We have so much in common, I also separated about a year ago. Thank you for replying to my post! I was ER and PR positive and HER negative, but don't really know what this all means just yet. What has helped you cope with all of this? I now feel that I have a different perception of things. As I have mentioned I still feel that I have not completely processed everything.

ctmbsikia

OK, ER+ and Her2- is good, if there's anything good about being told you have cancer! Keep busy, and be kind to yourself. None of this is your fault! Please let us know how you make out with the surgeon. Hopefully you will have your genetic results by then which will help in your decisions. A step at a time. Not everyone gets an MRI, so I think this will just be a baseline and nothing else will be seen.

I'm flagging this topic and will try and help. Being positive is good, but it is a lot to process. Just know you don't have to know it all. I didn't get educated until well after. Mainly because it went so fast, I was like what just happened? That's when I began to process things. Stay strong!

Spookiesmom

If possible, with covid, ask if you can bring someone with you, as an extra set of ears. If no, ask if you can record on your phone. There is a lot of information come and it’s sooooo hard to remember it all.

Try to stay busy, and away from Dr Google. He’s not very good. Best wishes.

Moderators

Hi anagrzzzz, and welcome to Breastcancer.org.

We're so very sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but we're really glad you've found us. As you can already see, our Community is full of amazing members who are always willing to offer information, advice, encouragement, and support -- we're all here for you!

You've received some super responses so far, but if you'd like some more practical advice on questions to ask your doctor, there's a couple pages on the main Breastcancer.org site that can help:

• Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Diagnosis
• Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

We hope this helps get you started. Come back often, ask lots of questions, and get the support you need. We're looking forward to seeing you around!

--The Mods

LivinLife

Hi ana! You certainly have much to process and likely still in some shock - esp. being a mom and of 4 kids - I'm sure that adds to your concerns as well. At some point if you go into your profile and fill in the info you know now - such as ER+, HER-, size if you know it - you know IDC, etc. and then allow it to be public... that will help others' ability to respond more directly knowing important specifics. At some point you will want to check out and follow the Surgery thread for whichever month you are scheduled (or near about) - it will be very helpful in support and information that will really be helpful to you, pre-surgery and upon being back home... There's an IDC forum and related threads too. Just gather info as you can deal with it...

Redcanoe

What helped me cope was getting through the initial testing and staging and settled into treatment. I swear the first 6 or so were both the fastest and slowest weeks of my life. It was a Rollercoaster of emotions. I did end up going on an antidepressant and for me it was the best decision ever.

I am also ER+ and PR+ but I was positive for HER2, which meant chemo was an absolute must and I have to have IV targeted therapy for a year. You may or may not need chemo. Your doctor should be looking at what your oncotype score is. I suspect you are more likely to need chemo because of your young age but that is not always the case. How large is your tumour estimated to be and is there suspected lymph node involvement? I will warn you that the only way to confirm actual size and lymph node status is surgery. I ended up being surprised by worse after surgery but now that is behind me and im focused only on treatment.

SSInUK

you have so much on your plate. Just wanted to send you live and support. I was a single mum of a four year old at DX and my stats were awful - I was stage 3c. Still here, no evidence of disease 7 years later, with my kid aged 11. You CAN do this

Rah2464

Ana just echoing what Spookiesmom said, ask if you can bring someone to your consult appointments. There is so much information to process right now and an extra set of ears will help you so much. If in person is not allowed, ask for permission to have someone listen in on the phone. Since you know your receptor status, the next big hurdle is to decide how to surgically treat the cancer. You didn't mention estimated size, that can impact treatment options. But definitely have a discussion with the Oncologist about ordering the Oncotype test.

My very best to you sorry you find yourself going through this.

anagrzzzz

I want to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to reply to my post. All your insight and sweet words are every appreciated. I apologize in advanced if I don't know what to say or what to ask. I have two different masses the larger one is 2 cm. I did ask the doctor of my lymph nodes but I will have to wait to see if they will know with the MRI and the surgery. I'm just trying to stay busy, I do have my moments of anxiety and start crying, but I don't want my kids to be worried. They are 16, 14, 12, and 8. I will keep you all updated as I find more information.

Thank you all!

sjlewis73

Good morning,

I was recently diagnosed with DCIS, cribriform type, nuclear grade 3 of the left breast. ER and PR receptor studies are pending. After already having IDC on the same side in 1999 at the age of 26, and having chemo/radiation therapy back then, this came as quite a shock. I am happy to have so much information at my fingertips this time around as I had no idea what was happening to me back then. I am nervous, I am scared, I am exhausted with emotion. From what I understand, this is very curable so I am going to hold on to that thought as best I can.

My next adventure is to the surgical oncologist on Tuesday the 9th. I have no idea what to expect at this appointment. Are they going to discuss surgery? Will I get the actual pathology report? Are they going to discuss treatment? I know that every situation is different but I was wondering if someone out there has had to deal with this twice with so many years in between? I called the Dr's office this morning and was told that my husband was able to come in with me this time. That made my day since he has had to wait in the car on my last few appointments due to covid rules.

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give! ;0)

AB45

Hi

I am also a single mother and diagnosed with IDC grade 2, as the other ladies have mentioned you really will not have the real story until after surgery. The MRI should show lymph node involvement and if the cancer is in the other breast. For me, my scans did not show I had positive lymph nodes and only found out at surgery. My best advice is cancer is so unpredictable, it can change at any moment. I wish I had better prepared for the changes. Waiting is the worst, in the beginning there are so many tests and scans/ results, find things to keep you busy. If you have any questions, I will be glad to answer. I am getting ready to start my chemo journey but would be glad to answer, to my experiences thus far

Best Wishes