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bbell3
bbell3 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
Scared
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  • bbell3
    bbell3 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2010

     I was diagnosed with IDC- class 1, Estrogen fed- on Feb.1 one day after turning 51- thinking yea life is great! Now this!

    I had the MRI- radiologist said the results are good- nothing showing up anywhere else.

    I am having surgery in a couple of weeks- a lumpectomy with the removal of my nipple area- then a node biopsy. As of this point the plan of treatment is radiation followed by homone therapy.

    I have been trying to really pretend this is no big deal it is like having a tooth pulled, but today I decided to go on this website and now I am feeling sad, angry, scared ect..

    What is a HER+ /HER-  When I met with the surgeon- She did not use any of those terms- do I get this inormation from her or the radiologist? What about the hormone therapy meds any advice on them and side effects?

    Any words of advice from anyone would be helpful in helping me to sort out my feelings. hanksT

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited February 2010

    Hi Bbell3 and welcome to the club, like all of us here...we never thought we'd belong to.  It's normal to be scared and really freaked out initially...so take a deep breath and consider a few things: 

    - Breast Cancer research has come a long way and there are more surviors now who are diagnosed with BC than any other time in history. 

    -You live in an age where information is available to you.

    - You have stumbled across a site where you are going to find support, information and understanding.

    These are all good things, right?  So, start to read some of the posts.  Probably a good idea to just stick to what you have for now.  I see you've got IDC....that is the same as me.  Once you have your surgery, you will know more about the full story of your personal tumor.  Find the right place for dialogue (as your fellow pink sisters who have a similar diagnosis will probably have information/discussions which may help you the most).

    Everyone talks about their stage/grade/Her-2 and other things such as PR and ER receptors.  You may not know this yet about your situation.  We all recommend that you get copies of your information/reports so you can stay on top of everyting.  Information is power...and that is what you need right now.  (I see that your tumor is ER postiive...this is great because your cancer is fed by estrogen.  Now you can starve it...by blocking estrogen!  That is what many of the drugs will do...starve the cancer with drugs such as tamoxifen.  You won't start to get drugs or treatment until they examine your tumor more).

    Put on your armour...and join the good fight.  I can tell you from personal experience, that since my diagnosis (Christmas) and surgery (Jan 8th) I've come a long way from being that deer in the headlight kind of person...probably how you are feeling right now?  Tagging in with this site and other fellow warriors has really helped me.  Keep your husband informed as you may not realize it but he's probably as freaked out as you are right now.  In fact, some husbands or partners even feel threatened by this web site as they feel their wives are turning to someone other than them for support.

    What we all need is information.  This is the begining of your journey...gather up all the information you can...write down questions for your surgeon.  Ask your fellow pink sisters here anything you want.  You and I are still "newbies" but the experience and wealth of information you will find here from others is life saving.

    Welcome aboard...and don't worry too much...it really isn't going to help you much anyway...right?  Take good care and remember...there are thousands of women just like you...and they are alive and doing well.  Keep in touch, ask anything you like and God bless.

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  • Ezscriiibe
    Ezscriiibe Member Posts: 598
    edited February 2010

    bbell:

    So much depends on the exact details of your biopsy. I had a lumpectomy. I went into it with what they THOUGHT was a 1.5 centimeter tumor, Estrogen-fed (ER+), grade 3 (which describes how aggressive it is, 1 being the least and 3 being the most).

    Prior to the lumpectomy, we all thought radiation therapy only after the lumpectomy and sentinel node (the first node that "takes up" from your breast, which is where the cancer cells will migrate to first before spreading through your body) biopsy.

    My sentinel node was clear (good thing), and so were my "margins" (the breast tissue removed with the tumor), but my tumor size ended up being around 2.5 centimeters instead of the 1.5 they initially thought.

    I moved into the "chemotherapy" treatment category at that point. 

    As Linda said, the more you know the easier you can process what is happening and the more in control you feel.

    That's why waiting for test results is one of the hardest parts of all this.

    Do not be afraid to ask for copies of all your pathology reports. I have copies of my initial biopsy (tne needle core biopsy the ultrasound radiologist did) as well as the post-surgery biopsy.

    Each report adds another piece to the puzzle. 

    The best thing about this site is that it's a great place to go when you need to be "talked down" from near hysteria over one more piece of information!

    We are here for you!

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  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited February 2010

    I was diagnosed with IDC on Feb. 1st last year.  I have had a lumpectomy - 6 weeks radiations- and am taking tamoxifen.  I must tell you that the worst part of all of it was the beginning- the learning and questioning- and WAITING.  I feel a kinship to you since we were both diagnosed on Feb. 1st...  Ask questions.. read , and then I think you will find it not so scary.   Wishing you peace and health.   Tami

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  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 345
    edited February 2010

    bbell3

    I was dx Nov.08.  I went through a lumpectomy, 4- chemo, 33- radiation and now Tamoxifen. ( Chemo was my choice, giving my age) I worked , full-time ALMOST everyday through chemo. ( treatment day I was off) I listened to my body, if I were tired, I went to bed early.  Cancer is scary .  Just listen to your Doctors,and YOURSELF!  Come here often.  This board and all the caring people here helped me get through a lot and continue too help me. 

    Sending you healing vibes and calming thought.  

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited February 2010

    Bbell - After my biopsy I was given the ER/PR status of my cancer but didn't learn the HER2 status until after my lumpectomy.   You should get a full pathology report after your surgery which will determine the course of your treatment.   If you go to the home page of this website and click "Your Pathology Report" there is some great information on understanding the various things contained in your report.   Your doctor can also go it through it with you.

    Sorry you are dealing with this!   In the beginning it is all very scary and confusing.   But it does become more clear and this site is great place to learn!

    Patty

    P.S. - I also lost my nipple during the lumpectomy.  This really worried me but as it turned out I am able to wear regular bras with a little padding (the molded cups work best) and you can't tell anything is missing.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Do you have a BC survivor nearby who can help you interpret things? Very honestly, I have a strong medical background but once I hear the word Cancer, my brain goes into the ozone. i have wonderful women who tell me things like, take a tape recorder to my doctor visits. Get copies of my entire file from everyone. Important if I need it and/or info from next clinican and important to help others interpret stuff for me while my brain is jello. And after first chemo, I had chemo brain and it is like I am demented. Honestly, I have had my path report interpreted by three diff ONC's and I still have to look at it and read comments as I am so freaked out still!  I simply cannot retain info. from much of anything at any given time. hang in there hon, it does get different. Glad you found the gang! ((((BIG HUGS)))) SV

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  • bbell3
    bbell3 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2010

      Thanks for the words of encouragement- I quess yesterday was my day of realization that I have this "C"  in my body- so it needless to say was an emotional freak out day!

    Today is better- I quess I will know far more after I have surgery and get the results of the node biopsy- so I m quite sure that will ensue another freak out day.

    This is difficult as I am sure fore anybody with any type of the ugly ass monster! I am a control freak(not that that is a good thing it just is who I am) I teach seventh grade, I have a  1/1/2 year old grand daughter I have to take care of part time, a herion addicted son- who creates so much stress and I being who I am keep all of this in control- well at least in my mind I do. So for me being told I have cancer -well lets just say the control factor is shot to hell!

    I have a supporting husband and 2 daughters 22, and 23- (they cry a lot)- so I try to make light of this thing,but that is getting harder to do as my denial is slipping away.

    At this time the unknow is unnerving, but all of the emotions that are rolling around are even more unnerving( see for us control people emotions are always in check) I fell like once the emotional gate is opened I will never get it shut again and for me that is SCARY! I am not really a person who asks others for help so that in itself is a problem. I have great friends, but I feel like Jesus, everybody is dealing with their own life problems so do not burden them with yours- I am sure I can not be the only person like this or therapists would be out of work! So Thanks for the responses I appreciate it- feeling much more in control today.Smileha .ha I get my pre-op blood work and chest xray on thursday and should have surgery at the end of Feb. Peace Brenda

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  • ktmimi2
    ktmimi2 Member Posts: 46
    edited February 2010

    bbell3,

     I just sent you a private message. My diagnosis is so similar to yours and I had so much to say that I thought it would be easier to write to you directly.

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