Scared and Confused

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


I was just diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma-High Grade on November 1. My routine mammogram showed a calcification that the doctor didn't like. I had an EVIVA Vacuum Assisted Biopsy and an MRI so far. My surgery is scheduled for December 5th. I am having a lumpectomy and a node removed. It seems on this blog many with triple positive diagnosis have a mascetomey. Am I making a wrong decision about having a lumpectomy and not a mascetomey. My doctor really didn't talk about a mascetomey, so I didn't think I needed one. After being on this web site I am thinking I have made the wrong decision. This is my first time posting on here, but I have been reading the blogs constantly. Lots of info to take in and I am so scared for the future. I am a 40 year old mother of 2.

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  • ReneeinOH
    ReneeinOH Member Posts: 511
    edited November 2013


    Hi KarateBelt. Sorry you have to be here, but glad you have reached out. You may find this thread helpful, particularly Beesie's post: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/806452?page=1#post_3598134 -especially the her link to the first study she listed.


    This is all new and it is scary. Decisions should not be based on fear, and we all have different treatment plans. I think most of us have second-guessed ourselves; it's a normal thing to do. You may also have seen people say that where you are at is the worst part of all of this--the not knowing. It gets better once it's clear what you are dealing with, what your overall treatment plan is going to be. I will keep my fingers crossed that you have clear nodes.


    Also know there is a thread for those who have been dx with IDC that you might want to join for support and have questions asked: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/96/topic/798679?page=48#idx_1421

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  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited November 2013


    Hi KarateBelt,


    I was dx in April of this year-with a triple positive 3.1 cm tumor. I asked the surgeon to just take both of my breasts off. He calmed me down and said that he could do that but it would not be necessary. He said the most recent studies may show a slight advantage for lumpectomy over BMX in the long run. He also said the emotional impact was much greater with a BMX, and that local reoccurrence could still happen after a mastectomy. In the end I decided on the lumpectomy. The surgery was not difficult and I healed well and quickly. I finished chemo in August and radiation at the end of October. I'll continue doing Herceptin until next May and then anti-hormonals for 10 years. For me, the process was no walk in the park but not horrible either. My bc breast is slightly smaller than the other one now but I'll have then "evened up" sometime next year. I honestly am happy that I didn't have to deal with the loss of my breasts on top of everything else. I feel fortunate to have had that choice.


    It's easy to let fear overwhelm you in the beginning- just make sure you research your options and decide what is best for you. Either way you won't be making the wrong choice. Good luck! It will all get easier once you've got a treatment plan in place.


    Love the name by the way, my daughter has a black belt in TKD!


    Annie

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  • Oncearunneralwaysarunner
    Oncearunneralwaysarunner Member Posts: 252
    edited November 2013


    Hi KarateBelt,


    I'm sorry you have found yourself here, however these boards have great information. That being said it is very andectodal (sp?) and while it may appear that there is a higher number of women who are triple positive are going the mastectomy route, that may not reflect the true numbers. I don't know what the actual stats are. As others have said, doing your research is important. Bessie's post linked above is great and the research provided is scientifically based. Once you are comfortable with the research you have done, you can make the best decision for you. What ever that decision is, it's what is right for you and your family.


    I'm 31 and was diagnosed in June. I'm triple positive and I have opted for a lumpectomy. I'm very comfortable with this decision. I unfortunately have node involvement, this was picked up during my ultrasound and therefore biopsied at the same time as my lump. Given that fact, and in order to shrink my tumour, I had chemo first and I'm scheduled for surgery next week where I will have the lumpectomy and have all of my nodes in my armpit removed. The plan is to do radiation afterwards. If all goes well I won't need any further surgery. Keeping my breast, or the shape of it, is important to me. The survival rate are very similar, I also wanted to reduce the number of surgeries I have, hence the lumpectomy. I'm not trying to sell you on one way or a other, just wanted to give you some insight as to why I'm comfortable with my decision.


    I had a lot of questions for my surgeon when we were finalizing the surgery details. I left one appointment with more questions than answers and as a result booked another appointment when I had time to absorb things. That helped me a lot in knowing that I have made the right decision for me. My advice would be to get answers to all your questions. I don't know how it will all turn out, I guess we will see.


    Sorry for the rambling, I found it helpful to hear why others had made the decisions they have. Keep in mind that some women may not have had the choice but to go with a mastectomy, we each have our own treatment plan.


    Hope that helps.

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited December 2013


    hello honey, I was 42 when diagnosed and planning our wedding, so I wanted to do the lumpectomy so I wouldn,t have to go into a marriage deformed, BUT I went for mastectomy, and reconstruction, , chemo and rads and 5 yr on tamoxifen, and now 19 yrs SURVIVOR(Praise GOD), so you and all of us are in my prayers daily. msphil(idc,stage2,0/3 nodes, L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen) msphil

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  • Jayaytea
    Jayaytea Member Posts: 63
    edited December 2013

    Almost exactly one year ago, I got my DX of IDC and started this whirlwind with BC.  The tumor was less than 2 cm, and after first opting for LUMP, as I hadn't even imagined a MX, I changed my mind on the hour long drive home from my BS.  I really wanted to avoid radiation, I am very small breasted, and I didn't want to be afraid every time I have my next mammogram.  When they offered the MX with immediate reconstruction I thought "Great!  Who wouldn't do this!"  However, I really didn't consider that immediate reconstruction only saves a person one trip to the OR. I have had four surgeries now, and not sure I'm done yet.  I'm okay with my decision, as I would have been disfigured either way - I still would have lost my nipple with a LUMP.  It's been hard though.  I went through a difficult emotional time.  Now that I've found this site, I've found so many - TOO MANY - women who've been through similar experiences.  Thanks ladies,

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  • maltomlin
    maltomlin Member Posts: 343
    edited December 2013

    Hi

    I was dx over 5 years ago............\idc 3cms. and 3 lymph nodes involved.

    I had the full treatment.............surgery.........chemo...........rads............... but now ? I'm great. Life is good.

    Yours will be too

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  • positivenegative
    positivenegative Member Posts: 106
    edited December 2013

    welcome to the best club there is...so much hope and wisdom.  it is a process from dx through tx and beyond.  we are all here for you as we hhave been there.  peace.

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