New to this. So afraid

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shannondunlop
shannondunlop Member Posts: 12
edited November 2015 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hello everyone. I was just diagnosed with IDC on sept 18. My tumor is 6mm to 1cm and grade I. I go for an MRI On Oct 5 and have met with an oncologist and surgeon already. Surgery is scheduled for Oct 26. I am so afraid of what I will face because it is all so u clear still. Of course lymph nodes will be taken and examined and the thought of cancer being found in them is terrifying. I cry one minute and I'm happy and grateful the next. I'm mean and kind all in the same second. I feel like talking to everyone and no one at the same moment. I need help. That is one thing that is for sure. I'm looking for support groups in my area, which is greater Pittsburgh, Pa. Any help would be welcome. Please help me

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  • shannondunlop
    shannondunlop Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2015

    image

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  • Dancermom1999
    Dancermom1999 Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2015

    Hi Shannon....yes this is an emotional rollercoaster and emotions swing from one end to the other in a second It is very scary at first but once you get a plan in place you will feel more in control It has been almost 2 years for me since my diagnosis. Do you know anything about your cancer - er/pr, her2 etc. btw...great picture - keep that smile :)

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  • MamaBexar
    MamaBexar Member Posts: 102
    edited September 2015

    Oh Shannon, I think I know exactly how you feel. I had an almost identical dx. in July. I thought I would lose my mind waiting for the path report to come back, and then waiting for surgery after all the other testing and ect. I bet they tell you the same thing they told me. You get to decide if you want a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. Then I started worrying if I was making the right decision. I had trouble sleeping and gained 10 lbs. from eating chocolates. I went for lumpectomy figuring I could always get a mast. later if I needed it.

    The lump. with sentinel node was nothing. Out patient surgery, very little pain, and I flew to Las Vegas 12 days later for a 5 day vacation.

    But more importantly, the fear and anxiousness went away as soon that little IDC was out of my body. I really hope it works this way for you. Keep me posted. Hugs for now.

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  • dismay15
    dismay15 Member Posts: 343
    edited September 2015

    I am truly sorry you have joined the club!! Everyone reacts in their own unique way, and however you feel at any moment is right for you in that moment. I did not believe it was so - but it really does get better. I was frightened and bewildered. I just couldn't wrap my mind around it.. It was unfathomable at times. I think what helped me most was reading so many posts from so many other women going through this horrible situation in one way or another. I was so uplifted by their strenght and determination and how much support there is in this community. Just like the responses you have received already, the value of the information available here is enormous and the kind and compassionate help you will receive will get you through.

    May you end up with just the lump. and sentinel node and be done with it!!

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  • Dauna
    Dauna Member Posts: 20
    edited November 2015

    Shannon, I too am so sorry you find yourself here. That your emotions are all over the map and that you're afraid makes perfect sense to me. You've entered a completely 'foreign land'. The further you go in this journey and the more understanding and knowledge you have the less fearful you'll be. That's not to say that the fear will necessarily disappear but it's less likely to be so acute.

    One word of advice I'd give you is that while questions are racing around in your mind, write them down and when you see a member of your treatment team give the questions to him/her. It'll be much faster for the Dr. to read and respond to them than it will be for you to remember each one and ask each one. Also, if you have a supportive significant other, close friend, etc. take that person with you to your appointments and ask that s/he takes notes for you. You will want to be able to try to focus so you can really hear what's being said but you won't accurately remember half. That's why having someone take notes for you is so important.

    Be sure to come back as you've now become a part of a 'sisterhood' that no woman hopes to have to join and we will want to know how you're doing and if we can be of more support.

    Warm hugs

    Dauna

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