was just diagnosed with idc

Hi Jmevans,

We're so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but happy you found us. You'll find Breastcancer.org and these discussion boards a very helpful source of knowledge, inspiration, support and advice.

While you wait for other members to weigh in, you may be interested in checking out the wealth of information on the main Breastcancer.org site's section on IDC, including information on tests to diagnose, stage, and gather more info, types treatments for IDC and follow-up care.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

JmEvans -- One step at a time. And you will quickly learn that each cancer is different. IDC can mean lots of different things. Your surgeon and oncologist will give you lots of tests, and then help you develop your stratedgy.

Often the docs will prescribe a lumpectomy, to remove the tumor, and provide more tumor tissue on which to do more tests and give you more information to work with. Your tumor will be "staged and graded" (telling you how much it has progressed and how fast it is growing). You may have tests to see if you have the BRACA gene -- which means you are more likely to develop cancer... and that information can help you decide not only your plan of attack, but alert other women in your immediate family to potential health risks. After your lumpectomy you may find you need a mastectomy -- (that is what happened for me -- but MANY women only have the lumpectomy and chemo/rad and then are fine). They probably will have you do an MRI and possibly CT-scans or PETscan. 

You may -- or may not-- need chemo and radiation, depending on your grade/stage/type of cancer.

You probably will have an oncotype test performed (as part of the pathology of the lumpectomy) which helps decide if chemo/radiation will be a benefit in your case. (low numbers mean slow-growing tumors which often don't respond very well to chemo/rads... high numbers mean chemo/rads will help).

You also will have (may already have from the biopsy) information about whether your tumor has estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER+/PR+) or not (ER-/PR-) which tells the oncologist whether hormone treatments like Femara will be helpful.

One thing I can tell you for certain -- is that if you can go-with-the-flow and try to focus on the positives (like you found this now rather than a year from now -- and that you are dealing with this just the way it needs to be done) you will have a much easiest experience.

Another thing that reassured me was to realize that cancer isn't some foriegn "disease" that we catch - it is simply our OWN cells that become over-achievers and forget to die. They keep growing and multiplying ... but they are just our own cells. Our immune systems have checks and measures in place to deal with this sort of mutant cell -- like our lymph nodes -- which exist to filter out cells like these (and viruses and bacteria) so they can be trapped and disposed of. This is why one or more of your lymph nodes MAY be affected, too. But it is GOOD that they trapped the cells, and kept them from spreading to other parts of your body. 

One step at a time. 

Breathe in and breathe out. Sit in the sun and close your eyes and feel the breeze on your face. Life is really REALLY good. Cancer reminds us to appreciate our bodies and our lives. This is the opportunity to dispose of the trivial and irritating things in your life, and focus on loving life and loving your body. 

This is a great place to find support. 

I am now 3 months post-double-mastectomy (with immediate DIEP reconstruction). I can tell you that EVERYTHING was manageable. The lumpectomy was a piece of cake. I was bummed to find I had to have mastectomy afterwards ... but even that was NOT horrible. 

I now feel almost completely-normal again -- in only 3 months post having both breasts removed. Sex is still great. I am back to hiking 4-5 miles every day. It is different for every woman -- but this DOES NOT HAVE TO BE TERRIBLE.

All my best -- Linda

I just received my diagnosis. Your post gives me hope!