Just diagnosed with IDC, age 61.

Nance1953 · May 2015

Just diagnosed with IDC in left breast, age 61. Always had YEARLY mammograms. Family history, but BRCA gene mutation negative. Liver blood work good, chest x-ray OK. But in the past 1 - 2 weeks while waiting for gene tests, chest and liver results to come back, I developed pain everywhere in my back, right should blade, under right breast. I had no pain when I first saw the surgeon, the medical oncologist, the radio-logical oncologist, but now I do. I'm waiting on my date for surgery. I guess I know my first step is to tell my doctors about this pain. Can breast cancer spread that quickly to the bones or am I going crazy.

flannelette · May 2015

I don't think you're going crazy and also I'd be amazed if it's bone mets. I don't have them (that I know of), but pretty sure it takes a long while and you were clear on your mammo last year. But this is the time of worst fear - the world turns upside down and of course anything that hurts is cancer! right? First, it is almost impossible for br ca to spread from the left breast to the right. My surgeon told me he had seen it only once in his entire long career. Next well - I honestly have no idea but - maybe anxiety? or something else not at all related.

There are lots of people here much more up to date and knowledgeable than me here, but I just wanted to try to assuage fears that your left bc had spread to your right.

All the best, hope the pain goes away all by itself, and soon.

Nance1953 · May 2015

Bless you Flannelette, I hope you're right. Your profile looks a bit similar to mine. ER+/PR+, HER2-, they have also recommended Arimidex.

mfana · May 2015

Nance1953

I was diagnosed with IDC in January (before my 31st birthday). I was physically vet active and would sometimes get muscle soreness and back pain from trying new moves. After my diagnosis, I would attribute any pain to metastasis. It wasn't. To be sure and feel relieved, ask your surgeon for a total body PET CT.

Wish you Luck with the surgery

Nance1953 · May 2015

Oh my only 31, that just sucks. I guess it sucks at any age. I can assure you I'm not a very physically fit, but I live alone and do a lot of yard work and such. I really thinks it's more stress than anything. I spent the day at a pool with my family and I didn't have one ache or pain. But I will tell my doc anyway. My best to you and thanks.

Nancy2581 · June 2015

I was going to say it's more likely stress. The first few months of a cancer diagnosis are awful. I remember oh so well - yuck!!!! I'm sorry you have been diagnosed. It feels like somebody pulled the rug out from under you. It will get better - I promise!!!!

Nancy

sailorgirl15 · June 2015

Hi,

I am also 61 and just got diagnosed with IDC. I meet with the surgeon tomorrow so I will know more. I sure hope it is stress because I have some of that kind of thing going on. I also feel like I got punched in the stomach!! I am glad that I found this forum and will have many more questions tomorrow.

Nance1953 · June 2015

Yes Nancy2581 it sure does feel like someone pulled the rug out from under you, then they whack you with a 2 x 4, rap you in rug and throw you in the river Alright, I have a flair for the dramatic. We seem to have much in common, IDC, ER+/PR+, HER2-, tumor <2cm. How long was your recovery from the lumpectomy. How long was you radiation. ^{How did you fair through that. Thanks for responding and hope you're doing well.}

Nance1953 · June 2015

Sailorgirl1, let me know how you make out tomorrow with you appt with surgeon. They sure do tell you a lot, take a notepad and jot down pertinent info. Mine wanted me to get bloodwork for a liver profile and chest x-ray. So immediately I developed a cough and pains everywhere. Sorry I have more questions than answers right now, but seems there are many caring gals on this site who can help us. Take care.

Nancy2581 · June 2015

Hi Nancy - my lumpectomy was easy really. I didn't even use pain pills. I think I rested for two days and I was on the go again. I have a 2 inch incision and that is all. My sentinel nodes were taken through the same incision. I was very fortunate with chemo and radiation too. Chemo though not fun was not as horrible as I thought. Radiation was pretty easy for me too. I did get a few blisters, but my RO gave me silvadene cream which helped greatly. I had 33 radiation treatments so 6 1/2 weeks. I am on tamoxifen for now and doing well.

Sailorgirl I'm sorry you've been diagnosed too. It's very difficult in the beginning, but once you get a game plan in place it gets better. Hugs to you

Nancy

Nance1953 · June 2015

My docs tell me not base my fears on when my mother went through this almost 30 years ago. From what I've read, doesn't sound like a long down time from the surgery itself. Although, I'm taking a week off from work darn it. After 28 years at my job with only a few sick days, I'm going for it. And of course I don't know how many, if any lymph nodes have been affected. One day at a time. My surgery is 6/12. I want it yesterday. Did you work through the radiation. Geez, who'd of thought I'd be discussing breast cancer. Not that I was completely surprised, my mother and her mother had breast cancer. I was surprised I was negative for the BRCA gene mutation. Happy, but surprised.

sailorgirl15 · June 2015

I still cannot believe I am discussing breast cancer either. I retired last week from teaching and found out I have breast cancer! I am so mad! Yes, I am worried and sick about it but it makes me angry too! It has to be early because I have had mammo's every year, but they biopsied a lymph node and it was positive, so I already am stressing about that. I will let you know what I find out and hang in there - Nancy2581 makes it seem doable.

Janett2014 · June 2015

I was diagnosed in January of 2014, one month after I turned 60. I'm 61 now, so I guess it's ok to reply (haha)!

Nance1953, you might want to allow a little more time to recover after your surgery. At least tell your employer that you might need more time. It's hard to predict. I had more bleeding than my doctor liked during and after my LX. It delayed my recovery a bit, and I would have hated to have to worry about going back to work so quickly. You don't really know now how your pain will be. I hope it goes great and you'll be ready to go back to work in a week. You might want to have some options open though, just in case.

Spookiesmom · June 2015

I had BMX, it is a major surgery. The drains are usually in 7-10 days. Before surgery, you will want to have everything on the table, it's difficult to raise your arms. Showers may not be allowed while drains are in place. Depends on the doc.

Do bring a small pillow for under the seatbelt going home. Take somebody to your surgeon appt. the extra ears really help!! There will be a lot covered, hard to remember it all.

See if you can get at least 2 weeks off work.

I don't mean to scare you, right now, waiting to get started on treatment is the worst. But it will get better, I promise.

Nance1953 · June 2015

Believe me all, I am darn mad too. And sad, scared, pissed off; any other adjecives you can think of. But on the other hand, I feel lucky that it's NOT my daughter, my sister, my neieces. You get where I'm going with this. Don't get me wrong, I'm no martyr. But if I had to endure one of them being sick, well that would be harder. I remember when my then 15 year old daughter had her first seizure and diagnosed with epilepsy in her first year of high school many years ago, she said "eh, everybody has something".

Nancy2581 · June 2015

I like that Nancy "eh, everybody has something" so true!!!!

Nancy

kittysister · June 2015

Nance- I was diagnosed at 65. I can relate to all the aching (especially my back). Nerves and stress can really do a number on your body! You're not going crazy. You just feel that way because of all you are going through and your mind is overloaded. I remember I even had a hard time even keeping up with all the appointments and phone calls. Keep posting and best of luck to you!

Nance1953 · June 2015

Boy seems like a lot of gals diagnosed in their 60's. This aging thing ain't for sissies. I think Bette Davis said that, or something like it. I wish you all the best. I seem to be at that needy stage right now. Seeking answers and comfort. It takes me back to when, as I mentioned, my daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy. Ironically, I remember some folks saying things like, at least it's not cancer. But it was my child and my worry. Anywho, I sought out every parent I could find to give me some guidance, some comfort, some information. It all worked out, and later down the road, I was the parent new moms called for comfort and info. Hopefully, one day that can happen again.

Spookiesmom · June 2015

I kept threatening to pitch a tent in the hospital grounds, seemed I was there so much.

A big calendar in a prominent place helped me keep track of all of it.

Nance1953 · June 2015

Does chemo (if necessary) start immediately after surgery. I know radiation doesn't start until about 4 weeks after surgery. Seems my summer will be pretty much shot to hell. But hopefully I'll have many more summers to enjoy. Thanks ladies.

sewingnut · June 2015

My chemo started about 4 weeks post op. I agree with a calendar. I had a monthly planner I carried around with me. It also helped keep track of mileage for medical expense deductions. All those trips to all those appointments & doctors add up.

Nance1953 · June 2015

Oh my, sewingnut, I never thought about all the mileage, gas, etc. Thanks for the tip.

Nance1953 · June 2015

So at least all those 'travling" pains in my back have subsided only to be replaced by a nagging cough. I developed this the day I had a chest x-ray two weeks ago. My blood work for liver profile was fine and they said the x-ray was good too. However, I read x-rays don't always catch lung cancer. Which I'm convinced I have. I read that ~5% of early breast cancer can spread there. AAHHHH!!!! I do have allergies and I've been through this cough many times before. I just want to crawl in a hole.

Spookiesmom · June 2015

We do tend to blame every ache pain twinge on cancer. Most times it is nothing. Stay away from Dr Google it is NOT your friend. DO mention your concerns to your real doc

Dancermom1999 · June 2015

Nance 1953: One of the side effects of anastrozole is a nagging cough. Are you on hormonal therapy. It could be the cause.

Nance1953 · June 2015

Thanks Spookiesmom, the internet can be a blessing and a curse. And I haven't started any treatments yet Dancermom19.

Nance1953 · June 2015

Surgery tomorrow, ugh.

Spookiesmom · June 2015

Let us know how it goes, will be thinking of you

Nance1953 · June 2015

Thank you. I took off work today just to chill and of course go spend some money, pre-shop as I'm calling it. Nothing like running up some credit cards to take your mind off things.

Spookiesmom · June 2015

Retail therapy is THE best!!!!!

Nance1953 · June 2015

The surgery is a week behind me. Nothing was that terrible except for the 4 injections of radioactive dye in my boob. I took the week off from work, but truth be told, I could have gone back sooner. And speaking of boobs, mine looks a bit deflated. I took the ace bandage and gauze off last Sunday and finally removed all of the steristips today. The incision from the lymph node test was much more tender and sore than the lumpectomy. My post-op appointment is 6/25. I have no results of lymph nodes or the oncotest yet. One thing I've learned so far, is patience is a virtue . Well it's off to my granddaughter's dance recital tonight. The fastest 4 hours a grand mom can sit through, but wouldn't trade one second of it.

Just diagnosed with IDC, age 61.

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