So scared!! Young

Shadow123 · March 2016

Hi I'm a 33 year old just diagnosed with invasive ductal carcenoma.Dont know what stage yet or if it has gone into the lymph system. Waiting on biopsy results. I'm so upset as my husband and I were going to start IVF in April know that's gone I feel so lost and so afraid what do I do? Feel no support from the system. I live in Ireland any help would be greatfu

LisaAlissa · March 2016

Hi shadow!

I'm so sorry you've found yourself needing to be here. But I am a little confused. If you've been diagnosed with IDC, then you must already have had some biopsy results back, since the only way to be diagnosed is via biopsy results. Or do you mean that you got a phone call from someone who had seen your biopsy results, but you haven't seen them yet. Or that there's a second pathology report you're waiting for? Or even a report from a second biopsy?

I am not the right person to be helpful, but your first post was disappearing off of the active threads, so I thought I'd get it bumped up with a reply, so that someone who can help will see it. And maybe a little clarification from you on my questions will help them help you. ;-)

You may want to start a new thread over on the Young with Breast Cancer forum, where you're most likely to find those who share your concerns with preserving fertility.

HTH,

LisaAlissa

BarredOwl · March 2016

Hi Shadow123:

I was wondering the same thing as LisaAlissa, but thought maybe you had a first biopsy showing IDC, and are now awaiting the results of a sentinel node biopsy (SNB) to determine if there is any axillary lymph node involvement.

I see you are in Ireland, so I am not sure exactly what consensus treatment guidelines are followed there. They are likely modeled after European guidelines, such as those from ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology), and regarding fertility issues, the 2015 ESMO document states:

"In younger premenopausal patients, possible fertility issues should be discussed and guidance about fertility-preservation techniques should be provided, before the initiation of treatment."

Please do not hesitate to raise with your treatment team the questions of what options are available to you before treatment, and to request a referral for "fertility counseling" to ensure you receive expert advice.

The Young with Breast Cancer Forum would be a good place to meet up with others facing similar issues. The waiting and worrying is very difficult. Hoping for negative nodes for you.

BarredOwl

samanthamala · March 2016

It's not too late to do fertility preservation! I was stage 3 by tumor size at diagnosis with a very aggressive TNBC, and my oncologist and surgeon were still insistent that I take the time to meet with a reproductive endocrinologist and take care of fertility concerns first. Not sure what programs are available in Ireland, but the process was deeply discounted for us through the Livestrong Foundation (although you live in a country with universal healthcare so that probably puts you in a much better boat than us USA gals). My fiance and I were dead-set against delaying chemo to do egg retrieval, and we were ok with the possibility of not having biological kids, so they tried to do a stimulation and retrieval after my 1st chemo but it didn't work (it's kinda hard to grow follicles when your body is full of growing-cell-icide). But you can absolutely do egg or embryo freezing before you start your treatment. Even if you are ER+ they have methods to decrease unopposed estrogen during the stimulation process.

I'm 26 and almost on the other side of the s**t sandwich you're about to eat (just rads left), and I went through about 80% of the egg retrieval process, so I'm happy to answer any questions. You're going to get through this.

HolaSandy · March 2016

shadow123,

I'm 32 and I did complete the egg retrieval and embryo freezing process (in Canada) so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me here or message me.

It's such an overwhelming time and waiting for test resultsis the worst but know that you have joined a huge support network here and we will all help you through this the best we can.

Take care

OrlandoSurgeons · March 2016

In September 2016, I was diagnosed with microscoptic DCIS and then it was upgraded to IDC. I recommend that you keep a binder with all your research and questions for your physicians. Take it with you to every appointmenr so tbat you can reference it. I chose a bilateral mastectomy because of family history. I am so glad I made that decision over a lumpectomy. Later pathology found more microscopic cancer that was too small to show up on imaging. I had DIEP reconstruction in December and am very happy.

Lovinggrouches · March 2016

I had a biopsy that showed invasive ductal also and had to then meet with radiation oncologist who did genetic testing because so many women on moms side had cancer. I tested positive for unknown variant of palb2 that works with brca1 and brca2 to repair DNA. I had lumpectomy which had cancer in the margin and just had a reexcisions last week to take more out to get a clean margin. Mine was 9 mmx13 mm They don't think I will need chemo unless my on oncotype genetic test scores high, they won't do partial radiation since I'm so young, they want to do whole breast. I had sentinel node biopsy done and still can't wear an underwire bra a month later. Good luck on your tests. You aren't far behind me in treatment. I get results of pathology from second surgery Wednesday and waiting on call any day to see if I need chemo. Prayers for you!

So scared!! Young

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