Holiday Weekend

Flwarrior49
Flwarrior49 Member Posts: 6
edited September 2016 in Just Diagnosed

Hello,

My wife found out on Friday at 3:30 that she has IDC from the nurse who helped perform the biopsy. All the Drs are gone for the holiday weekend and here we are with no one to talk to. Feeling lost, confused and helpless. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated. It's Sunday morning and we won't be able to see her primary Dr till Tuesady morning or later that day

Thanks.

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  • Hopefloatsinyyc
    Hopefloatsinyyc Member Posts: 211
    edited September 2016

    so they did the biopsy and she immediately got told it was IDC by the nurse assisting? That in itself seems strange since the biopsy would need to go to pathology for testing and then analyzed by an oncologist of some sort (likely a breast surgeon specializing in oncology to start) even your primary care doctor likely doesn't have the expertise to read the pathology and explain its findings accurately... Let alone a nurse. There are soooo many factors and diagnosis under the IDC banner (if that's truly her DX) that it serves no purpose to get to deep into worry now. Stay off google and try to let your wife relax and enjoy the weekend without it being all consuming. You both will get through this!

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  • Flwarrior49
    Flwarrior49 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2016

    Biopsy was on Wednesday, nurse called after pathology test was done. Toughest part is the waiting to speak with the Dr. It helps to hear other people's stories. And yes - no google other than to get here! Thank you for your reply.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2016

    Dear FLwarrior, since you don't have all the info about your wife's condition, there's no need to consider that she's a worst case scenario. Instead believe that she will get the treatment she needs--and it very well might mean just lumpectomy and some localized radiation, not chemo--or even simply meds to take by mouth, kick "little c" out of her body, and live a nice long life after that.

    I agree--don't resort to Dr. Google who offers a lot of misinformation, wrong information, or very old information. You can go to the breastcancer.org discussion board thread here and read instead about all of us who had terrible dx and are here and doing fine.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/23

    Her dx may be the best you could ever get with this type of cancer, so don't borrow trouble yet. I know it's so hard to wait for more information, and I wish that nurse had waited until Tuesday to break the news so you could ask questions about the entire pathology report: you need more information before you can figure out what your own dx really means.

    We are here for you and we understand.

    Hugs

    Claire

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2016

    Dear FLwarrior, Welcome to the community. We are sorry for your wife's diagnosis but glad that you reached out. As you can already see, our members are very supportive and knowledgeable. It is especially tough to receive a diagnosis on a Friday or in advance of a holiday weekend because as you point out the waiting for additional information is prolonged. We suspect that once you and your wife receive additional information from the doctor along with possible treatment options then you will both find your way forward with the tools you need to cope with all of this. Keep us posted. The MOds

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  • joyandpiece
    joyandpiece Member Posts: 72
    edited September 2016

    I am sorry this has happened for you in this way. I found out 1 week ago Friday that I have IDC. I am waiting for the insurance pre-auth to see a surgeon. The Holiday weekend has slowed things down for me too. Even though my GP's office put a rush request in, I am still waiting. I am hopeful Tuesday will bring progress for both of us! It is hard waiting, but my neighbor that is 11 years cancer free tells me it will happen. Take care and keep us posted

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  • alostlady2
    alostlady2 Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2016

    My doctor called me after hours on Thursday evening 28 April 2016. Told me it was cancer and to pick a hospital and named 4 of them.  That was all the information I got. I know exactly how you are feeling. The waiting is the hardest part.  I'm so sorry that you are being put through this unnecessary stress.  The next morning I went to his office and asked for a copy of the biopsy report. And I stayed until I had it in my hand - the receptionist told me they would call me with it, and I said, "No, I will wait for it."  So I stayed until the nurse finally came out and called my name.  She hid the report behind her back.  Then she said, "I don't know anything about these reports."  I told her I would read it and do my best with it.   So I left with the report and called the hospital where I had my biopsy done.  They put me in touch with a breast cancer nurse navigator - she was my angel in a whirlwind of turmoil.  She went through the report with me line by line over the phone.

    On Tuesday morning go to the Dr's office and get the biopsy report, then call the hospital and ask if they have a Breast Cancer nurse navigator who can help you through this stressful time.  Most likely the Dr will be calling to have you make an appointment with a Breast surgeon, but you can get information to ease your mind before any appointments.

    I ended up with a lumpectomy for an 11 mm Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, and a sentinel node biopsy. I have had  23 whole breast radiations and an extra 7 radiations to the tumor bed. I have now started on Arimidex. It seemed unfathomable that I would make it through all those steps, but I have. 

    God bless you and please try to stay calm. Worrying won't accomplish a thing. 

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  • Licata519
    Licata519 Member Posts: 57
    edited September 2016

    If you are like me, you are trolling these boards looking for answers that aren't coming soon enough. I got a phone call while on the road last Friday afternoon. "You have cancer, I can't tell you any more, but call a surgeon. And their offices are now closed." I think it's awful the way it's handled, but I understand there are too many variables to know until the tests are done.

    I choose distraction and hope, along with bad moments. I'm here waiting, too, and the doctors are lucky we don't have their home phone numbers!!

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited September 2016

    God, I am sorry you had it delivered to you that way. Some healthcare professionals shouldn't even be in the business at all, as I am sure you will learn.

    I hope you were able to get in with someone this week or at very least speak with the doctor to go over the path report. Keep us updated.

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  • Flwarrior49
    Flwarrior49 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2016

    We have an appointment with a surgeon tomorrow to discuss path report and next steps

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  • Michellelynn875
    Michellelynn875 Member Posts: 21
    edited September 2016

    Thoughts and prayers coming your way. Hoping she's received some of the answers she's been anxiously awaiting...


    Michelle

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