Just recieved phone call!!!!!

Cammychris
Cammychris Member Posts: 99
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed

I am 34 years old a mother of 6 kids.  I was told that I do in fact have "intraductal" cancer not sure what that it is.  I also was told that my age is on my side and that the tumor is grade 2 and 3.  I thought I caught this very early I am having a hard time I keep thinking how I will not be around to see my children grow up.  I am going to meet with a team of doctors on Friday I just want to here that I have hope.  Can anyone help my nerves please!!!!

Comments

  • SaturnRing
    SaturnRing Member Posts: 36
    edited April 2014

    Cammychris, diagnosis is the scariest part of this entire roller coaster ride. Once you meet with your group of doctor's and lay down a treatment plan, you will feel much much better. Yes, the big C word is scary, but you can beat it like many many many here who have done it.

    Edited to add, I was 33 at the time of diagnosis.

  • RobinLK
    RobinLK Member Posts: 840
    edited April 2014

    Loads of hope! 

    Sorry you have had to join the ranks, but this can be a great place to come and receive information and a shoulder to cry on. 

    You are at the most difficult part of the journey, both emotionally and sanity wise. Waiting for a treatment plan is very hard. Once you have one in place it is easier to focus on each aspect as it arrives. 

    IDC is the most common form of breast cancer. The following link is a great place to start to learn about this all. Newly Diagnosed <---good info

    Feel free to ask questions, and vent when necessary. There are so many treatment options and your plan will be based on your cancer. Friday will be here soon, but many of us have found that anti-anxiety medications have been extremely helpful throughout this beastly journey called  breast cancer! Ask your doctor if the stress becomes overwhelming. You need to be able to keep up your strength and health as you do battle. 

  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited April 2014

    I was 34 when diagnosed in 2011. If it was Intraductal that you were definitely told, that is the best possible news with breast cancer. It's another name for DCIS. This means it's non-invasive...an excellent characteristic. Hang in there. Get copies of every piece of paper for your records. Come here for support.

  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited April 2014

    Here is a link to the BCO page on DCIS. For clarity's sake, confirm that your doctor is talking about DCIS when calling it "intraductal". I don't want you to think it's the same thing as IDC, which is the most common form of breast cancer; the acronym for which is IDC but stands for Invasive or Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. If you have intraductal carcinoma, then DCIS is what you need to look at for info on your specific diagnosis. 

    http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis

  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited April 2014

    Cammy, the last post was good, I have never read that before. DCIS is the what we all hope for, it is contained, no cells wandering. The prognosis with DCIS is the best..

    Invasive ductal or lobular is still very treatable. Obvious the more nodes that have cancer the scarier the dx. 

    Stay busy, which of course you are with 6 kiddos.  We all know how horrible this is..my dx, stage 3 is extremely worrisome, all day, everyday. But we as women are strong, learn to live the "new" normal & are grateful for what we have. 

  • Cammychris
    Cammychris Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2014

    I spoke to a doctor that said intraductal in situ microcalcification where grade 3 (not stage) the 2cm mass what consider grade 2. I was told this had nothing to with stage.  Not sure. I am just in shock I feel like this can not be happening but it is. All your kind words and supportiveness has gotten me through this difficult time in my life.((((hugs)))) the impact this forum has had on me means more than I could ever write!

  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited April 2014

    Nope, nothing to do with stage. Grade is how the cells look. If the entire lesion is in situ and there is no invasive component in it, then the stage will be 0. If you have a breast cancer diagnosis, DCIS is the most favorable to have because it is not invasive and by itself, will never threaten your life. Doctors are split on the classification of it. Some consider it a pre-invasive cancer and others consider it a pre-cancer. No matter what your team will classify it as, the prognosis is excellent.

  • Infobabe
    Infobabe Member Posts: 1,083
    edited April 2014

    Cammy, I had DCIS, 9mm, grade 1.  I had a lumpectomy and that is all.  

    I don't know what your suggested treatment will be but you are in good shape.  So quit worrying.  You will see your kids grow up. It will help you if you get any pathology reports that are issued.   It is your legal right and many doctors hand them out without your having to ask.

  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited April 2014

    Cammy I just wanted to say I am sorry you are here. We all know what you are going through.These first days are so scary but try and take it one day at a time. HUGGGS

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2014

    Cammychris, when you learn more about your diagnosis and treatment plans, there are other threads where you can continue to receive support as you work through this. Ask any questions you have; you're sure to connect with others who have been in the same place you are and can share from their own experiences. 

    Also, the main Breastcancer.org site is searchable for all the new terms, treatments and medicines you may hear or read about - just type them into the search box to learn more. 

    • The Mods

  • RobinLK
    RobinLK Member Posts: 840
    edited April 2014

    DCIS is much more favorable a DX. The ladies here are right. This site is really the best place to be! Support and info....2 great things to have in the middle of all the stress!

  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited April 2014

    so sorry to hear what you are going through but the good news is that this site is the best place to be for information, support and friendship. Keep posting to update us and we can help with any questions you have at any hour.

    Best wishes with your results x.

  • Cammychris
    Cammychris Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2014

    I think that I was blessed to find this site in the most difficult time in my life... I wish I could physically hug you all. Thank you so much.

  • maltomlin
    maltomlin Member Posts: 343
    edited April 2014

    Don't be so scared.....although it's natural............I'm now 6 years out from dx..........grade 3 and 3 positive nodes.......

    It's a scary time but you'll soon have your treatment plan. Before you know it...............it's behind you and you're looking forward to next year.

  • Cammychris
    Cammychris Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2014

    I just got back from surgeon who informed me that the majority of my right breast was DCIS but I also had a 7mm area that was invasive she said it was rather small but giving my age and testing I should have a bilateral mastectomy I am 34 years old. She told me I had a good prognosis I am just praying she was not trying to calm me down. I don't know what to think right now

  • lemon68
    lemon68 Member Posts: 684
    edited April 2014

    Hi Cammychris,

    I am sorry your here but there are so many willing to help all we can. 7 mm is very small and there are so many amazing reconstruction options now. I think today you need to just breathe and go play with your kids and be with your family. You have plenty of time to figure things out. I know its scary and overwhelming but I promise this phase will pass. ((HUGS)) it is all going to be okay. You might want to call your primary physician and see if you can get something (Xanax) to relax or sleep if you need it, it sure helped me get though the hard spots.

  • Infobabe
    Infobabe Member Posts: 1,083
    edited April 2014

    I am so sorry Cammy.  This is so shocking for you.  The DCIS is not invasive but the invasive 7mm, while tiny, is troubling.  

    This is not my decision but if it were me, I would go with the doctor.  She is concerned with preserving your young life and is therefore suggesting these measures.  

    I would bet she is feeling sad tonight too.  It isn't fair for someone so young to have to face this.  But none if it is fair.  In the end, you will survive this.  Next Christmas, it will be only a memory.

  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited April 2014

    Cammy, I'm sorry to hear this news. I replied in your other thread. Don't do too much searching online; stick to this website until you know more specifics of your particular diagnosis. I also have a BRCA mutation and was diagnosed with IDC when I was 34. If we can answer anything for you, don't hesitate to ask.

    Warm Regards.

  • Cammychris
    Cammychris Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2014

    should I bring up my ovaries to dr? I see a lot of women who have had Similiar DX have had prophaltic surgery how are these associated?

  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited April 2014

    No, that recommendation was because you stated in your other thread: "She suggested due to my age and with genetic testing positive" and we thought you were a BRCA mutation carrier. If your cancer is strongly estrogen receptor positive (ER+) or if you are a BRCA mutation carrier, then ovary removal is often recommended. The reasoning is different for both. For strongly ER+ breast cancers, the oncologist usually wants to reduce or remove as much estrogen as possible from the body, and since the ovaries produce estrogen, many strongly ER+ women have them removed. For BRCA mutation carriers, the risk of ovarian cancer is significant, so very often, we are recommended to remove our ovaries to reduce the risk of that particular type of cancer. Since you have not yet tested for a BRCA mutation and don't yet know the hormonal status of the invasive component, then it's premature to worry about your ovaries. You can cross that bridge once you know more about your cancer. 

  • Cammychris
    Cammychris Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2014

    I am sorry for the confusion I am all confused myself I am just trying to digest this all. 

  • MaDee53
    MaDee53 Member Posts: 30
    edited April 2014

    Hun, have your doctors prescribe you something to calm you down.  It is very hard to control your nerves at first, I tried, could not do it alone.  I am 53 years old, was diagnosed with DCIS, non-invasive cancer, high grade, stage 0, rcvd the phone call, doctor just said I had cancer, I was told I had Dcis by a surgeon reading the biopsy report. Told me I needed a partial mastectomy with radiation or a mastectomy, in Louisiana. I pretty much lost my mind. That surgeon told me that I didn't have to make up my mind right then. I told that doctor that I was having a hard time calming myself, but he gave me nothing. I left there a nervous reck. I contacted my children, they flew me to California, to Stanford breast cance center, through palo alto medical foundation. Had my insurance transferred back to California saw a doctor first week I was here, my blood pressure had elevated to 199/111, when it is usually 130/80, I was about to have a stroke. That doctor prescribed me Ativan,  on 3/25/2014, I had a partial mastectomy on 04/08/2014,  the final pathology report upgraded my breast cancer to  stage 1, t1a, had no cancer in the lymph nodes, but had micro- invasive foci, all less than 1mm, a small tumor 0.2cm(2 mm) that is Her2 positive, not responsive to hormone therapy, will now have to do chemotherapy, to make sure of no recurrences, followed by the radiation.  You have to get yourself calm down, it is very important.  I will start my chemotherapy mid May 2014, and I feel good about it.  My blood pressure is now 138/83.  Ativan is a temporary medication taken as needed.

  • JWoo
    JWoo Member Posts: 1,171
    edited April 2014

    Cammy, 

    So sorry that you have to join the club, but know that you will find family here. I agree with MaDee, get a light sedative from your dr to help keep you from having panic attacks. It makes a world of difference.  Then sit down with your ONC team and make them explain everything in detail, go over it 50 times if you have to, so that you can try to understand what you are facing. That is the hard part for us patients. Have all your pathology reports with you so you can take notes, and record the conversation so you can listen to it later as needed. I did, made a huge difference!

    <<hugs>> you got this!

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