41 yr old diagnosed with ILC yesterday

Dear MamaDarrling--I'm an ILC survivor.  I think we would all say that this part of the process--the waiting on the MRI and the treatment plan--is the absolute worst.  You'll read it 100 times here, but if you need to, try to get on Ativan, Xanax or something similar.  We don't try to soldier through this stuff without some well-deserved help from medication.  I'd be happy to talk at any time via PM, but will be traveling back tomorrow from my reconstruction surgery.  All of next week I'll be sitting around recovering, so please don't hesitate any time.  

Mama, I am sorry that you are finding yourself here with us. I completely ditto the previous posts about this being the worst, worst, worst part of the whole process. Take whatever help you can get - xanax, counseling (many hospitals have someone available), friends, groups, us .

I was DXed at 47, and I was pre-menopausal, my daughter had just left for college. Treatment was not fun, but so far, I have lived to tell the tale.

Hi Mama and Baby-I'm so sorry that you have to take this road. It is not easy, but you WILL make it through. Tell your friends. They will help. I was amazed at how the wagons circled and friends and fellow "band moms" came out to the woodwork to make sure I had someone to talk to, prepare a meal, drive my kids, or even come with me and make me talk and laugh through chemo infusions. Don't be afraid to accept help. You can do it alone, but it is much easier when you are not alone. I was 47 with a 10yo and a high school junior. There is never a good age for a kid to hear that mom has cancer. I agree with the Xanax. At first I refused, thinking that I could handle this.  Then I went for a scan and they couldn't find a vein to start an IV. A little complication, but the emotional last straw. After that I took the Xanax so I could sleep when waiting for test results and accepted the ride and companionship in the waiting room when offered.  

The most helpful things I used that first year were breathing exercises and meditation tapes. I made time to visit a local wellness center that offered free classes on relaxing breathing and aroma therapy. They also helped with how to talk to the kids. Think of lamaze class and refind your happy place. You need to keep calm so that you can just deal with this with a clear head. It's like giving birth to the new cancer-free you. I'm out here 4 years after diagnosis of a stage 3.  I learned a lot about ILC and the process. Learning is the best way to start. Get someone to take notes at Dr. visits or do it yourself and keep a journal. It's hard to hear and process what they are saying when you are nervous. It's easier to look back at it when you are calm and can look up things you didn't quite understand. I also agree with the genetic testing before you decide on a mastectomy and treatment. It helps with the decisions about how far you need to go to beat this. 

You are not alone. Be strong. You can do this.

A week from tomorrow it will have been 1 year since my double mastectomy. Since then I've had chemo, radiation, and a full hysterectomy. Oh, and a tooth pulled, lol. This is not a fun road to travel, but it's doable. Definitely get the anxiety meds, as they are a huge help. You can do this.

Hi just wanted you to know that you are not alone.   I too was recently diagnosed with invasive lobular carcenoma.  I have under gone alot of testing and now I have my surgery this monday.   I am 45 yrs old and I too have two boys 18 yrs and 14 yrs.   My husband died 10 yrs ago to lung cancer so I am very nervous with me having this diagnosis.   Since I found my lump 4 wks ago, I have undergone, two biopsies, ultrasound guided and steriotactic, numerous Mammograms, genetic testing and breast MRI.   I was told that mine is early stage 1-2 with grade 2.  However, when I have the surgery the stage may change and I an unclear of whether or not I will have to do chemo or radiation.   I am scheduled to have a bilaterial masectomy with reconstruction immediately following.   To have both breasts removed is my choice, but I feel I am making the right decision.    I know how scared you are feeling and the worries that are going through your head.   Just know you are not alone.   I have found this website to be very imformative.   Sometimes the internet tells us too much, but in my case, the better prepared I am the better.   I am very scared of what is ahead especially not knowing if I will have to undergo chemo.   I pray that this has been caught early but I have found peace within myself and have a positive outlook compared to when I was first diagnosed.   I had so many emotions that I encountered.   Anger, denial, why me....you get my point, but all of this is normal.   We will fight this and get through, our next year will be dealing with our diagnosis, but we are STRONG and will get through.   Please feel free to contact me on her if you want to vent, cry, ask questions, I will do whatever I can to help you get through this.   I am having my surgery in PIttsburgh at McGee's womens hospital, because I feel Altoona isn't the best place for me to get treated.  

MamaDarrling, you are not alone. I was diagnosed with ILC in July 2013. You're lucky it was actually found on a mammogram because according to my MO, mammograms often don't detect it. They didn't in my case, and it didn't even feel like a lump. The mammograms missed it. I missed it. My GYN missed it. I was more than a little ticked off. I had a bilateral mastectomy a year ago August. The right side was prophylactic because I've also had ovarian cancer and a form of lymphoma so was at a high risk for it to occur in that breast as well. My oncotype score was just high enough to warrant chemo so I had that and radiation which finished in January. Take heart. You can get through this. I am still here and back to my normal activities. I'm getting ready to start reconstruction next month.

NY2TXbaby and Funnthesun, I'm thinking of you both too. Everybody take lots of deep breaths. The waiting on test results is awful. I remember how hard it was. Funnthesun, try not to worry too much about chemo. I had cytoxan and taxotere, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. I had no nausea whatsoever which is what I feared most. I didn't feel good, but I didn't feel awful either. 

Sending calming virtual hugs to you all.

I started with quite a bit of cancer 9 cm tumor in breast and also  1 cm and 2 cm tumor in lymph nodes and 17 positive nodes and cancer in my arm tissues. I was dx in January 18th 2012. I had surgery(double mastectomy) chemo radiation and hormone drugs many different ones.   ****** but I am still here I go to zumba 3 times a week and the gym and eat well - healthy food most of the time. I am leading a normal life.  I was so scared in the beginning then I saw so many woman that are living sooo long on this site it gave me hope. I am a mom and wife and am missing nothing at the moment in my life. I was quite sick during treatment and my body did not co operate so I stayed sick for awhile but then I started to slowly get better and better and now I am back to normal. Hugs to you