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DebCoz
DebCoz Member Posts: 14
edited July 2015 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I found out last week that I have IDC. I do not know the stage. I am meeting with Doctors this Thursday. I tested positive for Estrogen Receptor. I am very worried that my report said High Proliferation Index (Ki-67 stains 35-45% of tumor cell nuclei. What does that mean? They are also thinking that it has not spread to my lymphnodes. The ultra sound looked clear. I am so scared.

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited June 2015

    Deb...hang in there! Once you have a treatment plan in place, you will begin to feel better. For most women, breast cancer is a very treatable disease. While the KI-67 score might be high, there are other markers that can give you a better indicator of how aggressive your cancer is. Aggressive tumors respond well to chemo. Register at the NCCN's website and read the breast cancer treatment guidelines. Knowledge is power...


    I wish you well!

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  • plumster1
    plumster1 Member Posts: 270
    edited June 2015
    Debcoz- this is the worst part, the unknown. I know now that I have my treatment plan in place I have a lot less anxiety. Thursday will be here before you know it, try to keep busy and your mind off it...which is the hardest part. Hugs!
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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2015

    Hi DebCoz, welcome to our community. We're so sorry for what brings you here, it's such a scary time, but we're so glad you've joined us.

    Besides posting here in the forums, we recommend you to take a look also at the section Breast Cancer 101 from our main site, designed for those newly diagnosed, with links that will direct you to the pages on Breastcancer.org that will help you understand test results, the individual characteristics of the cancer, treatments that are recommended for you, and more.

    Let us know how it goes on Thursday. Thinking of you!

    The Mods

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  • DebCoz
    DebCoz Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2015

    Thank you!! Everyone has told me that the worst is waiting for your first Dr. appointment. I have to stay off Dr. Google!! Xoxo

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  • Nagoskwe
    Nagoskwe Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2015

    LOL yeah dr Google will make you crazy. waiting is the only thing we can do before making decisions. Well that and go make yourself a BC pissed off kit. My daughter inlaw got me one. She took a bunch of cheep plates and glasses and put pics of boobs on them and then gave me a baseball bat! Man it felt good to come unglued on those things.

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  • DebCoz
    DebCoz Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2015

    ha ha!! I feel like I am going crazy!!

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  • Jewel8
    Jewel8 Member Posts: 34
    edited July 2015

    Greetings Beauties,

    This is my first post here. I hope I do it right! I was diagnosed in March. Had my surgery in April. I started radiation on June 10th. I had felt a lump, at my tumor bed since right after my lumpectomy. I asked my surgeon and she said it was normal. Something just didn't seem right to me so I asked my radiologist, social worker, surgeon, and another doctor and nurse. Everyone brushed me off. Finally I begged my surgeon to do an ultrasound on the area. They found a tiny 2mm lesion 2 cm from my original tumor. Now I am multifocal. My surgeon encouraged another lumpectomy because she said I was just too emotional of a person to have a mastectomy (I have not handled this diagnosis well). Then I asked her for an ultrasound on my left breast. All was clear. After that, which was 3 days later, my surgeon said they think I should do a mastectomy because I am such a worrier. She said everyone I have seen at the hospital says I am the most emotional patient they have ever seen (which made me feel awful). So within a matter of several days she completely changed what she thought my surgery should be based on my emotions. I am so confused and scared. I had an MRI yesterday. I decided to make an appointment with my second opinion doctor, Kristi Funk, see what she thinks. I am so scared and they pulled me out of radiation. I don't know if I trust my surgeon now. The results of the MRI are in but no one will get ahold of me. I am worried the MRI will show a worse diagnosis however my surgeon said I was still Stage 1. Do I trust her? She said there was nothing more and I ended up having more! I am rambling. My Dad is here with me but I can't talk to him about it so I decided to share here for some support. I would appreciate any feedback!! Thanks so much and love to all!!

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  • DebCoz
    DebCoz Member Posts: 14
    edited July 2015

    I am meeting with Doctors tomorrow. I am going to MD Anderson Cancer Center here in Phoenix AZ. does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!

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  • Nagoskwe
    Nagoskwe Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2015

    take a deep breath get as much info as you can and dont google stuff!

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited July 2015

    go in with a written list of questions. I walked out of my first appointment and all my questions went with me because I totally forgot to ask them.

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  • DebCoz
    DebCoz Member Posts: 14
    edited July 2015

    Thank you all! Xoxo

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  • AZ85048
    AZ85048 Member Posts: 2,613
    edited July 2015

    DebCoz - Try very hard to take someone with you tomorrow. There will be a lot of information exchanged and it can all be quite overwhelming at first. Just take it one day at a time, and keep one foot in front of the other for now. And they're right; the beginning is the worst. The unknown renders you helpless, but once you know what you're up against and you have a plan in place, it does get easier...

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  • DebCoz
    DebCoz Member Posts: 14
    edited July 2015

    my husband is coming with me. I find so much comfort coming to this community. It is nice to talk to people who know how I feel. thanks!! Xoxo









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  • Marionshiprack117
    Marionshiprack117 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2015

    I just found out yesterday I have IDC and I am so scared. This waiting is horrible. I am not sure when I will get in to see dr but hoping next week. For this holiday weekend I plan on going on a kayak trip with my hubby and friends to keep my busy anxious mind occupied. I never wanted to be a member of this club(no offense) but going to beat this

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2015

    Oh, dear Marionshiprack117, we too are very sorry that you have joined the club nobody wants to join. We are all here for you. Breathe. Just one day at a time, you will be okay! Really, we're all here for you!

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  • Marionshiprack117
    Marionshiprack117 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2015

    Thank you so much. I go to my first appointment on friday and will find out more info. I feel like I am on a roller coaster. One minute I feel strong and positive and the next I feel like I have one foot in the grave. I wish I could turn off my brain

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  • sailorgirl15
    sailorgirl15 Member Posts: 114
    edited July 2015

    DebCoz, I just had my surgery at JC Lincoln here in Phoenix. My BS only does breast surgery and is highly recommended if you need any additional info, let me know. Best of luck to you. It's is a comfort to know there are so many of us, but sad at the same time!

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  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited July 2015

    Ladies - just a quick word of encouragement/love/support from someone who was exactly where you were SIX years ago.

    The beginning is terrifying - that is the only word to use. Or maybe traumatizing. It was the worst shock of my life and I was a total wreck. That is where you are now.

    When I got the full diagnosis and my treatment plan, I got totally hysterical. The nurse sat with me and said to me "You are going to come through this, and when you do, you are going to help other women who are where you are now." I looked at her through my tears and thought she was out of her mind - that I never would get through it, and that I never ever would be able to help anybody else.

    Well guess what? Here I am, life is back to normal (more or less) and I have helped many women who are at the beginning of their journeys to have hope that there is a light at the other end of this nightmare. One day at a time, one foot in front of the other, with many tears, and much leaning on others (family, friends, and those on this site), you WILL come through.

    Yes, write your questions down, bring them with you to appointments, and preferably someone else to take notes. DO NOT hesitate to ask ANY medical professional to repeat or clarify anything you do not understand at any point. If you feel dumb, or slow, or anything else, who cares! This is your body, your life, your 'journey' (I really do hate that word, but sometimes it fits), you have to take care of yourself.

    Two things that helped me an awful lot were - getting a relaxation/visualization CD (I guess you could just stream on youtube or download to your phone these days, lol) and using it EVERY DAY upon waking and before sleeping. I used one done by Dr. Peggy Huddleston (you can find it on Amazon) made specifically for surgeries and cancer. Her book explains the medical research that shows how much it can help, and IT HELPED A HUGE AMOUNT. I knew that twice every day I would have my body/mind in a place of deep relaxation/peace, to counteract the extreme worry/anxiety I had most of the rest of the time!

    And also, when I could not sleep, I downloaded podcasts of fairly boring talks - I used cooking and travel ones, but you could use anything, but not music, which can make you even more emotional. I would put on earbuds, and listen to/focus on the talking about how to make gazpacho or a trip to Italy, and it forced my mind off my worries and I would drift off every time (waking up later with the earbuds on). Might be worth trying.

    Join one of the groups on here that start each month for chemo - if you have to do chemo. It is a great way to connect with others in your same situation. You will hold one another's hands throughout the process.

    And post your questions in a forum about your type of cancer, or treatment. Women will show up to answer and help you, no matter what your question is - someone will have faced something similar. This site is invaluable.

    Live in the present, but keep an eye to the future. This will not last forever - you will get through the worst of the treatment and life (and all those medical appointments which take over your days) will go back to normal. I see my onc once/year for check up and my surgeon once/year for mammogram. I used to feel like I LIVED at that cancer center. Now I just wave and say thank you as I drive on by.

    Well this is long enough. Any questions, send me a PM. I check in most days.

    In love and support to you - Amy

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  • 123JustMe
    123JustMe Member Posts: 385
    edited July 2015
    Thank you Amy for sharing your experience with BC. I for sure need to know it's possible to get to the other side of this beast.
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  • 55sunshine
    55sunshine Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2015

    Thank you Amy for sharing your journey.  The nurse was right, you are helping other women, that's a wonderful thing.  

    Prayers ladies for full, speedy recoveries.

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