My Journey Begins - Diagnosed 11/13/12

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tmcd1988
tmcd1988 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I've been reading all types of posts and I'm very thankful that God led me to this website!  I just found out that I have IDC with no special type of areas with tubular features, it's a Grade 1, well differentiated.  I had an MRI today and was called with the results saying the cancer cells appear to be only in one area in the Right Breast and the Left Breast is CLEAR!!  The lymph nodes appear to be clear as well!  I have an appt. with the Dr.'s and Surgeon on Monday (11/19) to discuss "the plan"!

By reading the different discussions I've learned that my grade 1 means that I have a very slow moving cancer, and after the cancer is removed I will receive a "Stage".

This is also a VERY COMMON type of Breast Cancer - so again I'm blessed!


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  • cowpower
    cowpower Member Posts: 293
    edited November 2012

    Welcome TMCD - Sorry you have to be here, but you have come to the right place. Soon you will have an action plan, and while things may still seem to be moving too fast around you, you will be taking action. My journey began last January and I would like to reassure you that it has not all been bad- I have found friends I never knew I had, met challenges I would never have dreamed I could handle, and learned how to find something good in every day. This site helped loads. Sounds like you have good care and hopefully this will just be a bump in the road for you. We are all with you.

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited November 2012

    I just wanted to welcome you on the boards.  I know none of us want to be here, but it's a good place to hang out if you have BC.  Good luck on your journey...it is full of ups and downs, but you will get through it and a year from now most of this will be behind you.  Hugs!

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited November 2012

    i am 2 wks into this journey.  at first you will feel like you are in information overload.  Gathering all the data and planning is the worst part.  we'll be here for you!

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited November 2012

    Welcome, tmcd1988 -

    A year ago, I was where you are now.

    I was dx'd with multifocal DCIS with a multifocal microinvasion of IDC in my left breast in September 2011. Because my radiologist was never comfortable telling me the right breast was clear, I made the decision to have a BMX with immediate reconstruction. (Mom was a 27 year BC survivor.)

    I had my surgery in December 2011, and was grateful to God that no other cancer was found, that all the margins were clear, and that the lymph nodes were clear as well. Because of that, I didn't need chemo or radiation.

    I had tissue expanders in preparation for saline implants.

    Because my cancer was 100% ER+, I decided to lose weight before my exchange surgery. I lost 60 pounds, and had my exchange to implants this past August. I have just been cleared to exercise again.

    It sounds very strange, but that cancer diagnosis saved my life in so many ways. I have changed my diet and eating habits, have started living a active lifestyle, and have realized that I can become the strong healthy person I always wanted to be. (I'll be 62 soon.)

    So I am wishing you all the best with your surgery and treatment....remember, this is the best place on earth to come for support and encouragement. Glad you found us!

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  • tmcd1988
    tmcd1988 Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2012

    I am so tired!!  Is it just brain overload?  I haven't begun anything yet just all the initial appointments.  I meet with Plastic Surgery tomorrow to discuss reconstruction and then I'm off to Disney World with my daughter's cheer team to compete in the PopWarner National Cheer and Dance Competition!!  The next week - it's off to surgery.  Getting anxious!

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  • JenLex
    JenLex Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2012

    Hi, tmcd1988 & jenjenl:

    I'm sorry that you have to be on this board with the rest of us, but hopefully you will find it as supportive and informative as I do.  Yes, tmcd1988, it could be brain overload!  I remember my head spinning with all the information that my biopsy surgeon threw at me on 1/12/12, the day of my diagnosis.  And it just snowballed from there!  It is so much information to process in such a short time.  Now here I am 10 months later having had surgery, 16 rounds of chemo and 33 radiation treatments.  I found strength and courage on my journey.  But I also found that I was able to live my life the way I always had with a few exceptions (diet changes and unfortunately, not as much exercise as before bc--but I'm getting back into a routine now). 

    We're all here with prayers and positive thoughts for you.

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  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited December 2012

    I am new to this site and newly diagnosed with BC. Stage 1, grade 2-3, ER+. My surgeon said the tumor has probably been there for awhile as it was recently found on my latest mammogram. He had been monitoring changes for awhile (never felt anything) and decided to do a biopsy. That of course led to my diagnosis. My oncologist ordered an MRI which I am scheduled to have this week. She wants to see if anything else is going on before she recommends which surgical option is best for me. I am open to either option but I would like to hear from others who have had a similar experience. I am strong in faith and have a great support system of family and friends. As I educate myself, I am feeling more in control. Thank you in advance to whatever advice you can give me!

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  • tmcd1988
    tmcd1988 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2012

    Exactly one month later I will have a mastectomy 12/13/2012. We are still unsure if chemotherapy and radiation will be needed (pretty certain chemotherapy will be needed). Once the surgeon get in and can tell the exact size and if the lymph nodes are clear a more defined plan can be set in place. Due to the uncertainty I've decided to hold off on reconstruction until after all treatments are finished.



    Thank you all for your posts, they are appreciated!

    God Bless!!

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  • Hollycat
    Hollycat Member Posts: 98
    edited December 2012

    Hi friend and welcome. I was diagnosed in Sept. and had a BMX with TEs placed on Halloween. I would love to share ALL I have learned with you. You may want to read thru the thread on November surgeries..there were many of us all together going thru the same things. You will learn SO much from this site! It was very helpful to me. I am now 6 weeks post op..and looking forward to getting my forever boobies (forever 21..ha ha!! implants) on Feb. 7th.

    Please PM me if you need anything. I was scared to death and found it most helpful to PM folks with similar concerns....

    Hollycat (aka Jill Wesnor)

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2012

    tmcd1988, we hope everything went well for you today, and you'll soon be back with updates. You might also want to check in with the December 2012 Surgeries thread to connect with others who are at the same stage of treatment with you.

    • The Mods

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  • Mirmirpanda
    Mirmirpanda Member Posts: 89
    edited December 2012

    I read your post and it gave me hope. Thank goodness for clean MRI results. I am hoping for the same outcome. I guess it will feel like a little victory in itself :)

    One more test ( I hope) and one more specialist to meet before Christmas. I have an MRI booked on Monday and then I meet my oncologist on Tuesday. I'm am hoping and praying for a clean MRI, not mets!!! I'm petrified of bone mets or uterus/ovary mets. My lower back and lower abdomen have been so achey, hopefully it's nothing. Fingers crossed.



    Gonna try my best to put this out of my mind for the rest of the holidays. It's my beautiful daughter Hazels first Christmas and the first I've hosted as my fiance and I have our parents and siblings coming.



    I'm booked for surgery on January 8th. Masectomy with immediate reconstruction. I'm more afraid of the MRI finding anything than having surgery. I guess it's just nerves. All the waiting really takes a toll on ones mind and body. Still, fingers crossed.



    I am so very thankful for finding this site. All the info and stories have really given me hope. I wish you all the merriest of Christmases, the best the season has to offer and of course a healthy and amazing cancer free new year!!!

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  • tmcd1988
    tmcd1988 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2013

    Well, surgery went well it wasn't all that bad. With the holidays the biopsy results have been slowly coming in. My lymph nodes were clear, all 3 that were removed! And my surgeon got clean margins all the way around the tumor!! Yeahhhh!!! Still waiting on the actual size of the tumor before we know the "stage". I had the drain for almost 2 weeks! It was a pain in the butt but it fit in the pocket of my jeans so it was fine when I was out and about.



    Now, my stomach is nauseous most of the time? Could that be from the fluid that is not being removed since the drain was taken out?



    Thursday January 3rd I have an appt to learn about the next phase, chemo port and when the treatments will begin.



    You all are and will continue to be in my prayers!

    Tina

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