New Member of IDC Club :'(

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MaryJC
MaryJC Member Posts: 350
edited October 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi Ladies, I just got confirmation from radiologist of carcinoma. The details are not available just yet- they should be loaded into their system by tomorrow in time for my 9am appt with my breast surgeon. All radi said was looking consistent with IDC. When I asked her if aggressive she just said it one of the most common. Didnt answer my question...

So from mamos and untrasounds, they see no lymph nodes. The lesions are within the mass and about 3 right outside of it. She said its in such a small area close to the mass breast surgeon will prolly opt for lumpectomy with a splash of radiation to the area. The big BUT I'm concerned about is the MRI they want to do to ensure there is nothing they've missed bec my breast tissue still dense and my age. So the idea of anything else than the one mass makes me nervous. Also wondering if lymph nodes can hide as well altho they keep saying there are none.

Meanwhile I'm a huge believer in diet and how it can affect and shrink cancers. I've resumed my juicing protocol but changed it to strictly green juice as of today. Have done a ton of research (not just google searches) but also personal stories of success. I'm gonna do everything possible to rid my body of this on my own and with the help of my doctor. I know for sure I want genetic testing. And if comes back positive, I'm 100% getting bilateral mastectomy and will remain juicing all the way thru.

Sigh... sux not knowing the details right now to share with you ladies and research for myself. Reading other threads and getting nervous with the idea of fast vs slow growing. How fast can this grow- days, weeks? Okay, time to get some sleep. Thank you in advance for your feedback. I love this site!

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  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 377
    edited October 2014

    you're in the hardest part...the not knowing.   Once you find out the pathology, a treatment plan will be in place and you will be ready to tackle this.  It will get better, I promise.  Take someone with you to every appointment.  You'll be surprised at how much you miss because it's so much to comprehend, not even taking into account the emotional roller coaster you will be on.  Others will be chiming in but I wanted to say this board saved my sanity and helped me with the ride.  We are here for you. Melody 

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited October 2014

    Actually, you won't know the whole story until your surgery after which the actual tumor and a representative lymph node will be analyzed under the microscope.  It's pretty hard to endure all the waiting time between the first indication of cancer and the final determination.  If you can try to stay away from Dr. Google and keep your mind off it, you'll be better off.  I did neither, so I know it's easier said than done.  Please keep posting here though. 

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited October 2014

    Thank you both! They said no lymph nodes so I'm confused by the representative lymph node you mentioned WinningSoFar. Would you mind explaining for me? Yes the details is what I'm looking for most so to move forward with a treatment plan. I wanna be done with this cancer mess asap! The good thing is that my hospital posts your test results on line if you sign up for it. Even has an iphone app lol. So I imagine they'll be uploaded into the site overnight. I usually get an very early email alerting me that something is released. I greatly appreciate having my reports avail to me so I can ask my drs everything in the language of the report and not just leave with their interpretation. Its amazing how much stuff they miss by simply not reading the entire thing! But they're human- I get it.

    This is indeed a great place for comfort and support! Is ther some kind of retreat they do, a vacation or BC cruise? I'd 100% be there!

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited October 2014

    You have no visible lymph nodes from  your ultrasound and MRI, right?  I'm sorry to have to tell you, but that means that they don't see anything suspicious, which doesn't mean that there isn't anything there.  Oftentimes (but not always for some very early stage cancers), a sentinel node is identified during surgery and it and a couple of other lymph nodes are removed for analysis.  That's when you know whether your lymph nodes are clear or not.  

    The sentinel node is the first lymph node through which the lymphatic system goes.  That's not a very good description but I'm sure there is information on this site about the sentinel node. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2014

    Mary, Welcome to BCO. So sorry for the reason you have to be here. The women/men on these boards are wonderful and will help you every step of the way through treatment.

    There is a lot of good information on this site, and I've included a link to get you started that really helped me.

    http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis

    Best wishes to you while going through treatment!!

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited October 2014

    Makes sense... Have not had MRI yet. Just had mamo, ultrasound and biopsy on Friday. Not sure if they'll have me to the mri tmw or schedule for another day. Either way really want to address this asap.

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

    So sorry, MaryJC. But at least now (once your results are back) you can shift your focus to treatment and giving your all to this fight. We're all thinking of you, please let us know when you find out the details. 

    And per WinningSoFar was talking about regarding the sentinel node, there's some information here about sentinel node dissection. Hope this helps!

    The Mods

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited October 2014

    thank you! 

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited October 2014

    hello sweetie, once all your treatment plans are in place you wont feel so overwhelmed come here often we are here for you, . msphil(idc,stage 2, 0/3 nodes, L mast, chemo and ads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen) now a 20 yr Survivor(Praise GOD) hang in there

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited October 2014

    wow thank you for your encouraging words and testimony! I'm not even sure what all your Dx means but you're a conqueror and I'm thankful for you!

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited October 2014

    so had the genetic testing today. Both the PA and genetic counselor say my profile is leaning towards negative- I pray so! Here's the deal. MRI on saturday to confirm no new findings. from there, when there are no new findings we wait the 10 days to 3 weeks for the gene results. dr says if new finds on mri- mastectomy. if none, lumpectomy. if positive for gene- mastectomy. i agree with the protocol. but i still have the option of lump first- if appropriate and mastectomy later. 

    i'm thinking i'll do the lump first and IF positive mastectomy later. I'm a teacher and that would mess my semester up. lumpectomy i'm home for a day or two- can still go to teach my classes. 

    also dr found little something on the other breast by the breast bone. its soft. i found it before too but saw a bump thee and thought it was on top of the skin not under. Sooo getting another ultrasound tmw for THAT! she's saying sabeacuos cyst i suppose bec it feels soft like a bubble or something. 

    she and PA say this is highly treatable and altho no details until its out and at the lab, but looking early like stage 1. and yes i know that can change.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2014

    MaryJC, It's all a whirlwind, isn't it? Thanks for keeping us updated. The good thing is, you're not alone. Sending good thoughts your way.

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited October 2014

    yes it is! Thanks for good thoughts! Btw nothing showed on ultrasound today. Radi also thinks within the skin- says very very low suspicion. Now back to worrying about the mri

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  • SmartassSmurf
    SmartassSmurf Member Posts: 157
    edited October 2014


    Sounds like you are receiving good care & they are putting you through the full-time job of figuring out what is going on with you.  Good luck, and remember you have a lot of supporters here on the boards.  You are in the scariest time right now & while it is never really "easy," once you know what you are dealing with the path is at least more clear. 

    As with everything in this cancerland we are immersed, the whole fast/slow growing is a horse apiece.  Fast growing is often very responsive to chemotherapy (if you need it), which is good. Slow growing is obviously good in that you have more time to make decisions & it is generally less aggressive. I remember in those early days, it seems like everything they tell you has a good news/bad news section!

    Good luck to you.   

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited October 2014

    thank you fit your encouraging words💞 there is indeed an ironic comfort in knowing that this is all a serious of 1 anxious moment to the next until surgery- and even then not fully relieved until labs are back. 

    Btw... An old friend who's holding my hand thru this said she was staged before Her surgery but everyone here says that comes after with labs. 

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