Just Diagnosed

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JessicaShadd7
JessicaShadd7 Member Posts: 1
edited January 2017 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi guys,

I was just diagnosed a few weeks ago with ICD. i am 25 years old and beyond scared. I am just learning about the different surgery and from what my doctor is saying looks like i have to have a Mastectomy. I am absolutely terrified. I have never had surgery and don't know what to expect. Help please!!

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited January 2017

    Jessica,

    So sorry to hear that you are facing BC.

    This link will bring you to the surgery forum so you can get some feedback from the ladies there.

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  • Jezikah
    Jezikah Member Posts: 93
    edited January 2017

    Hi Jessica,

    My name is Jessica, too :) I was diagnosed with IDC at the end of July at age 33. The first thing they had me do was genetic testing because of my age - did they suggest that for you as well? Turned out that I did have a genetic mutation that increases the BC risk. Because of the genetics and 2 tumors, it was recommended that I do a bilateral mastectomy. I had lymph nodes removed first to see if any cancer had spread. Thankfully, my nodes were clear, so I was able to do immediate reconstruction with my BMX. Honestly, the surgery and recovery wasn't that bad. I also never had major surgery before - had never been under anesthesia, but my surgeons were great, put me at ease and I recovered well and was back to work in 3 1/2 weeks. I'm doing chemo now and honestly, I think the side effects of chemo are worse than the surgery recovery was.

    There is tons of info on this site and almost anything you can think of has been discussed at some point or there's an article about it. If you input your diagnosis, then articles will be recommended for you. Also, you can search the community board for key words. There will be a monthly surgery group you can join for other ladies having surgery the same month, a chemo group if you end up having to do that. There are a couple "young person" groups with people your same age. Also, feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions or anything you want to talk about, I'd be happy to share my experiences having just gone through it a few months ago.

    Good luck!

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  • ShannaM
    ShannaM Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2017

    Hi Jessica, Thats my daughter's name! I was dx at 31. I did chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor. I just had a bilateral mastectomy a month ago since I'm brca 2 positive. It's scary, I know. The way I've been coping is to just take it one treatment at a time, and don't look at the treatment as a whole. Stay informed and on top of your own appointments and research.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2017

    Hi Jessica-

    We're so sorry you find yourself here, but we're so glad you've found us. We know it's a scary, confusing time. In addition to the surgery forum Marie linked to, we also want to point you in the direction of our Young with BC forum, where you can connect with members (like Shanna and Jezikah above) who were diagnosed at a young age: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/27.

    Please know that we're all here to support you!

    The Mods

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  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited January 2017

    Welcome. I'm sorry that you have cause to be here, but I'm glad that you found us.

    I know that all of this is scary. I want echo what has already been said about genetic testing. I was diagnosed at 34 and have a deleterious BRCA1 mutation. If you find out that you have a genetic mutation, it can affect the course of treatment, so I'd definitely recommend an appointment with a genetic counselor.

    I know there's so much coming at you all at once. Do you know yet what kind of breast cancer you have? The characteristics of your tumor will guide much of your treatment. Once you know things like Estrogen Receptor (ER) positivity or negativity, Progesterone Receptor (PR) positivity or negativity, and whether there is an abundance of HER2/neu, you'll have a better idea of what is ahead. If you don't have a copy of your pathology report, please make sure you get it. It's a good idea to create a folder or binder and keep copies of all paperwork related to your diagnosis.

    I'm so very sorry that you're dealing with this. This shouldn't be something that anyone your age is confronted with, but we see women your age from time to time. Please come here as often as you need for information and support.

    Best wishes.

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  • Kimm992
    Kimm992 Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2017

    Diagnosed at 35...you are going through the scariest part right now. Once you have a plan things will start to calm down.

    The surgery is not that bad...I had a mastectomy and barely had to take pain killers after a day or so.

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited January 2017

    I was just diagnosed also. I start treatment Feb 6. I am at stage 3A triple positive. I will be starting with a targeted therapy.

    I am 43, and no cancer in my family so I was also recommended for the Gene testing. That will be done next week.

    I am was told I need a mastectomy on the left and depending on the genealogy test maybe the right. I'm scared also

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