Mommy just dx w/ IDC ER+ PR+ cribiform stage 1 grade 3

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LoveMyMommy
LoveMyMommy Member Posts: 5

Hi everyone! My 56 yo mom was just diagnosed with IDC stage 1 grade 3 BC. I know that it is cribiform luminal b, about 2 cm. she is my absolute best friend so this is incredibly hard. She will visit the oncologist Tuesday 7/2, so we will know more then. She is also seeing a geneticist at northwestern hospital because she is high risk due to our family history. I am so uplifted by the posts I have read on here... It is awesome to have a place to refer to where women have experienced/are experiencing the same thing. She is planning on getting a double mastectomy even though the dr said a lumpectomy and rad would be fine, just to get it done with. Any tips, recommendations, anything would be soo appreciated. We are from the suburbs of Chicago; tips on drs would also be awesome.

Thanks so much

Monika

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  • Tiggerroo
    Tiggerroo Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2013

    Hello Monika - hope everything went well with the Drs appt today for your Mom. I am just diagnosed with a very similiar diagnosis too. Best wishes, Steffanie

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2013

    Monika, welcome to Breastcancer.org. You might want to read in the Surgery - Before, During and After forum to learn more about members' tips and recommendations around double mastectomy (and surgery in general).

    Also, the forum For Caregivers, Family, Friends and Supporters has a wealth of information for those, like you, who are there for their loved ones.

    The Recommend Your Resources forum would be a good place to ask about doctors in your area - put Chicago in your title. And using the Search feature here on the boards, with the word Chicago as your keyword, will help identify those who have used that word in their posts.

    Steffanie, welcome to BCO! We're sorry that you've had to join us, but you have found a wonderful community for support and companionship as you proceed!

  • LoveMyMommy
    LoveMyMommy Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2013

    Hi everyone! Thanks so much for the support and information. Sorry I have waited so long to post a reply; I just started a full time job and so have been pretty busy with that.



    My mom just had a genetics test done at Northwestern hospital. We should know the results from that in about to weeks. That test looked at her brca risk as well as her risk for cancer in other parts of her body.



    This past Friday she had an appointment with dr. Bethke at northwestern where she was re diagnosed with stage 2 grade 3 IDC. Although they didnt see any lymph node involvement, they won't know until surgery to see if the cancer has metastasized.



    Especially after talking with women at the cancer center that had recurrent cancer, she is set on getting a double mastectomy... To my dads dismay (he wants her to get a lumpectomy, due to the dr saying that she is a perfect candidate for one). That has been stressful on her and me both, because her heart is pretty much set on the DXM (double mastectomy). The chance of the cancer coming back in the same breast or in the other breast scares the bejesus out of her.



    She has had continuous strength, but has been getting a little overwhelmed from the process of finding a doctor, making trips down to the city and taking time out of her day, and not coming upon a congruent decision that is just easy and will get this taken care of ASAP.



    Continued prayers and love for all of you... You all are amazing; there is such a strength that his disease demands from the fighter that is commendable.



    Best

    Monika

  • LaceyS
    LaceyS Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2013

    Dear Monika, 

    It is so hard to watch someone you love go through this. My mom is also my best friend in the whole world and i couldn't imagine life without her. The decision should definitely be your mom's about the BMX. There are benefits to both surgeries. My mom also chose a BMX even though she could have had a lumpectomy. She is very happy with the decision and actually didn't mind the reconstruction process. She got to skip radiation which was very important to her.The surgery itself was just a one night stay in the hospital (and then two smaller ones 1 hr.surgery- no hospital stay- for reconstruction) and she had some mild pain, but didn't even take pain killers after the first day in the hospital. I would just say if your mom decides to do a BMX, she should do a little shopping for the hospital and some comfortable clothes because it is hard to raise the arms in the beginning. It does get better and my mom even has feeling back in a lot of areas. Also, if your mom tests positive for BRCA or has a family history, that is definitely a consideration in getting a BMX. Anyway, I just wanted to give you the best of luck and will pray that your mom's surgery goes smoothly. 

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