Just diagnosed

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redninrah
redninrah Member Posts: 773
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Im 35, and I found a lump and from there, things happened so fast, from mammogram, to biopsy to last monday I had my breast removed. The option was there for me to have a lumpectomy or masectomy, but given my age, and the fact it was invasive, the masectomy was the better choice.

I am waiting for results now as they removed 5 of my sentinel nodes to see if they are affected. Im confused about everything about whats going to happen next. Im just going with the flow. Im sick and tired of reading up on it over the internet as it goes too much into the deep end. I dont really know anyone who has this and have not told many ppl yet, but those close to me only. I was hoping Id use this site to get information and share this horrible hurdle in my life with others who are going through it. 

Is chemo always the case in situations like this, my surgeon told me radiaton is not likely with the masectomy. My tumour was 13mm by 9mm. It has not spread anywhere else. However its a grade 3 interms of how invasive it is. I just want to be reassured that I will be around to see my two girls grow up and have a normal life ahead of me. :(

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2010

    Ahh..red..you are in a bad place right now...but this is a "good" place to be...Thinking of you and supporting you the whole way through...yes...cancer sucks, yes surgery and chemo and rads suck..but you will make it through...YOU WILL...my tumor was grade 3 also..plus I'm TN..so I had very aggressive chemo...but you are young and you will make it through...The time really does go by quickly..hopefully you will have family and friends to support you through this....

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2010

    Ahh..red..you are in a bad place right now...but this is a "good" place to be...Thinking of you and supporting you the whole way through...yes...cancer sucks, yes surgery and chemo and rads suck..but you will make it through...YOU WILL...my tumor was grade 3 also..plus I'm TN..so I had very aggressive chemo...but you are young and you will make it through...The time really does go by quickly..hopefully you will have family and friends to support you through this....

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited July 2010

    Whats TN? im still new to all this, so im not used to this termonolgy. My bandage comes off tomorrow, Thank god, its itchy!!

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  • tryn2staycalm
    tryn2staycalm Member Posts: 763
    edited July 2010

    Hi red: TN means triple negitive hormone receptors thus unable to treat with hormones.  I've just been dx also.  Had my Lumpectomy and still waiting for more results and more node surgery.  I don't know my hormone status yet as it didn't come in from path yet.  I was told in the beginning that from my core biopsy I had DCIS but my Lumpectomy showed IDC and larger 5 cm than the 1.4 that showed up on the US (ultra sound).  I'm not sure if Rad will now be the path for me as they thought at first.  Waiting on the details and my next visit to my BS (breast surgeon) Aug. 10. I'm also itchy but not from a mas, just Lumpectomy but itchy I'm told means its healing.  I think it is a good thing to share and talk about it and the more I have the less scary and alone I feel.  Good luck.

    Cathy

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited July 2010

    Hi Cathy

    Is Radiation just as effective as chemo? Do you ever get a choice in this matter, I spoke to my recep today at the breast cancer dpt and asked her if my results are out. Are there good results and bad, why am i eagerly waiting, is there ever good news in a pathology case, or is it just to help with pos treatment. So bloody confusing! My stretching is feeling much better but i have fluid that needs to be drained on my next follow up. 

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited July 2010

    Red:  Radiation has a different purpose from chemo.  It is used to achieve local control (that is, to try and eliminate any lingering cancer cells in the tumour bed or nodes).  Chemo is used for systemic control: to disable and kill any cancer cells that mzay be floating around in distant parts of the body. What treatment you need will depend on your pathology report, age, medical history, etc. Your BS should explain your path report to you, and an oncologist should outline treatment options.  Click on some of the links (they're in small type) at the very top of this page to learn more about diagnosis and treatment options.

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited July 2010

    Thanks Luah- did you have chemo

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  • tryn2staycalm
    tryn2staycalm Member Posts: 763
    edited July 2010

    red:  Luah explained the differences well,  and yes you do get to choose what treatments you want.  Your oncologist will help you figure out what is best for you.  I have been reading lots and sharing lots here.  I have a much better understanding of what is happening but I'm still learning.  I am waiting for a call from my oncologist first appointment, just got a referral in to the local cancer center yesterday.

    Cathy

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited July 2010

    Red: Yes I had chemo and radiation, following 2 surgeries.  I am done with treatment now and feeling great. Chemo was definitely not as bad as I feared.  If you need it, you will get through it - trust me!

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  • maxl
    maxl Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2010

    Thank-you for sharing your story and for your encouraging words.

    i'm a newly diagnosed triple negative breast cancer patient and have been struggling with making decision re: treatment.

    I am waiting to speak with my medical oncologist re: when he would start my treatments if I choose to go ahead.

    I have made significant life style changes which will compliment my chemo.

    I thank God for all the support.

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited July 2010

    Im not too familar with triple negative, im waiting for my results also after masectomy.

    Now with Triple negative, what options are there?

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  • tryn2staycalm
    tryn2staycalm Member Posts: 763
    edited July 2010

    maxl - First of all welcome.  Yes you are not alone.  I'm also newly dx and just got the call today from the cancer center with my first visit to the Rad oncologist next Friday.  Then in Sept. another oncologist. Ladies is it the norm to have 2 different oncologists if you are having Radiation?  Just wondering if things are the same here in Canada.  Not sure if I will manage w/o a prescription for something to help me relax and I feel I'm in and out of being "depressed".  I'll see in a day or so. 

    Cathy

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited July 2010

    Cathy, your cancer team usually consists of your surgeon, your rad onc and your onc. The rad onc does the rads and the onc does the chemo/hormone drug part. I would ask your surgeon for an Rx for Xanax or Ativan. You can't wait unti next Friday. It really does help.

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  • tryn2staycalm
    tryn2staycalm Member Posts: 763
    edited July 2010

    Thanks BarbaraA

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  • porcelain619
    porcelain619 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2010

    i was diagnosed on july 1 2010 2 weeks beore my 29 birth day. I feel like im not reacting to this how i shoulod or im in deniel every one tells me im so strong and that is making it worse i feel like this cant be trully real to me till i break down but so many people constantly say how brave and strong willed i am. i want to just scream but i dont want to scare my friends and family so i play the tough role ohh it is what it is ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh

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  • KeepingtheFaith
    KeepingtheFaith Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2010

    porcelain619   I know what you're saying. I also try to put up the brave front to make things easier for loved ones. I am a strong woman, but I don't really feel like I am Courageous. I say courage is someone who acts without regard for their own safety to help someone else. I am not courageous, I just have no choice. What  good would it do for me to whine and complain, it wouldn't change anything. When the dr gave me my diagnosis after my biopsy he repeated himself a couple of times. I think he thought I wasn't getting it because I maintained my composure, but I got it alright, I just wanted to keep it together because I wanted to make it easier on my husband who was there.

    It could only be more difficult for you because you are so young. We all react in our own way and later you may or may not break down, but either way its okay. You aren't required to take the news in any certain way.

    Good luck in your journey. Deb

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  • tryn2staycalm
    tryn2staycalm Member Posts: 763
    edited August 2010

    porcelain61 - first of all welcome - I'm glad you have found a place to vent all your feelings without worrying about how anyone else will take it.  My good friend Deb just gave you great advice.  You will break down when you are ready.  I didn't break down when told the news either, but I've had my moments.  We are all different and handle/process this at different levels.  Please remember that your friends and loved ones are at a total loss of what to say now.  Some don't say anything and will avoid you just because they don't know how to deal with it, others will tell you what your hearing because what else can they say?  I believe we learn to deal with what we must.  Yes what it is = is what it is.  But that said I once had a poem of sorts which basically said " Its not so much of what happens to you in life - but how you deal with that counts".  We somehow somewhere gain the strength we must to get thru all this- we have no choice.  One day at a time hon.  I think it has helped me to look at all the members here that have been around for years and listen to the success stories.  There is a light at the end of this tunnel of H***.  Join hands and we'll walk with you.

    Cathy

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  • porcelain619
    porcelain619 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2010

    Keeping the faith and tryn2staycalm -

    Thank you for your c alming words this just seems so much in the begging i was so ok with it but as the days go on waiting for that date they remove my left breast is so hard,. i ve done all the test and more that they wanted but still no date on when they want to start i would be better if i just knew. I just feel that i cant see the a ending to this till i have a start .........

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited August 2010

    So- I just got back from my followup after my masectomy. The pathology results are not all back, but they removed 8 nodes, and from those only one was infected with the cancerous cells. The Surgeon is deciding and asking me for my opinion also on whether we should go back and remove more nodes. The chances of lymphedema is higher with more nodes removed, and also I use my hands/arms for my job. If I had chemo wouldnt that kill all cancerous cells if any were left in any other nodes? Do I really need to have the other nodes removed????? Does anyone have any ideas- or similar incidents..please msg me :)

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  • tryn2staycalm
    tryn2staycalm Member Posts: 763
    edited August 2010
    • porcelain61 - I think it really takes time to "sink in".  The surgery/treatment goes so slow and the waiting is so long and hard.  There is a long road ahead of us for sure.  Your right it is hard to see the end, but many of our sisters here have done it and made it thru it.  We must follow them.  They will be our mentors.  We must do whatever we can to make it thru these days.  Keeping busy helps.  Taking som thing to help us sleep at night helps.  Family and friends help.  I've always been the type of person who wants to get my ducks in a row so to speak so this is hard - not having the controll.  Your not alone and you will get thru it.  Hugs
    • Red - This is a topic in question here, some of the latest reports have said it usually does not increase our long term survival rate by much.  Then again you can't always go with the odds so I've found out.  Keep reading (other forums - have links reguarding this topic) and maybe some of the other gals can help you more with your choices.  Good Luck!
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  • jennylyn
    jennylyn Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2010

    Hey Red,

     I know how scared you are - I was there, 11 years ago at age 29. I've been cancer free ever since and I even had a baby a few years ago.

     Chemo's a drag, but you can get through it (I got a long red wig that made me look like  country singer!) And then you'll be amazed that life can go back to normal. 

    Hang in there. Gather as much info as you can.  And check in here often - this is a great place to find strength.

     

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  • Teklya
    Teklya Member Posts: 435
    edited August 2010

    I am from Canada as well.  In Manitoba there is only 1 Radiation oncolocgist with the patient, though there is a team working with him/her.  Some gals need to have a mould/form made to assist with their radiation; maybe that is who you are meeting with first.  I will require radiation after I complete my Chemo.  I was told that lumpectomy and radiation go hand in hand as the breast still remains and therefore, so does the potential for any further cancer cells.  Radiation addresses that.  It seems so daunting at times, but I find if I only focus on the very issue at hand, for example, surgery and healing from that, I am able to manage fine.  When I look at it all, it is w-a-y too overwhelming.  You are not alone.

    take good care and just breathe. . .

    Teklya

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited August 2010

    Ya- im meeting the oncologist soon, so I can figure everything out, but why do i have to wait to have reconstuction. I want it now! aghhhh!

    I was at a dinner yestedy and the hosts mother had breast cancer twice. My heart sank, im like you gotta be kidding me!!! TWICE? jeez

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  • imatthew
    imatthew Member Posts: 206
    edited August 2010

    we just got my wife's pathology report from her biopsies (stereotactic and guided ultrasound)

    4 sites of micro-calcification: 

    site 1: poorly differentiated IDC, .2 CM, high nuclear, with necrosis and calcifications with papillary features,

    site 2 & 4: DCIS, high nuclear, with necrosis and calcifications displaying a solid pattern

    site 3: DCIS intermediate nuclear, solid pattern

    site 2 is posterior lat, the rest are med.  (I assume this means central?)

    ER/PR are 0, HER-2 is 3+,, ER, PR clone and Ventana Pathway all say DAB detection. 

    We have our surgical consultation tomorrow, my wife is hoping for lumpectomy/radiation and herceptin as a follow-on, but we're also thinking the worst case is masectomy, herceptin and chemo?  Are we correct in our thinking?  Is there anything else in our diagnosis that we should ask about? 

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited August 2010

    Are they not going to base their findings on how many nodes if any had cancer in them?

    I thought that if nodes were affected then chemo is always considered.

    I had a choice of both lumpectomy and masectomy. I chose the masectomy, as according to the surgeon, he said im quite young and he doesnt want to see me back in a few yrs because it has spread, so he thought be aggressive with it from the beginning.

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited August 2010

    imatthew: Tumour grade, node involvement, hormone receptivity (none), your wife's age and medical history may all play a role in the decision for chemo. 

    As for lumpectomy versus mastectomy there are many thoughtful threads on this and other boards; there are pros and cons to each, and sometimes -- in the absence of a compelling medical argument -- it comes down to a personal preference.  Ask plenty of questions of your BS and oncologist and get the answers you need to make a decision.  Good luck.

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited August 2010

    my pathology report mentions lymphatic/vascular involvement, what does this mean? I forgot to ask my surgeon........ does it mean its gone in my blood system?

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  • tkcmom
    tkcmom Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2010

    I fully understand where you are coming from.  I was diagnosed last week.  I really don't know much from the path report and everything seems to be coming apart at the seams...yet i'm holding together much better than the rest of my family.  I guess you just know that you have to, so you do.  I'm so happy that there is a place like this to truly let your emotions out.  I don't ever do discussion boards or chats but I feel like this is a safe place to let my hair down ( at least while I have some :)

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