Diagnosed yesterday with IDC and I'm feeling overwhelmed

I am sorry that you've been diagnosed with IDC. I would tell you that the women (and men) on this site are wonderful. They can give you information, advice and support. I would encourage you to read through the site to gain information and some knowledge. Do not go to Google.

Plan to take someone with you when you see your surgeon or any physicians. Write down your questions because you will forget. Let the person going with you be your ears so that they can accurately tell you what you didn't hear or didn't hear correctly.

Once you get a treatment plan going, it does get a little better. Then, you feel you have some control back.

I'm sorry you're joining us here, but the people on these boards will offer both information and support as you need and want it. As you learn more about what kind of IDC you have and find out about your treatments, you may find you feel calmer and slightly less overwhelmed.

Kmbrll54, I'm sorry to hear you got your diagnosis. It's just the beginning; there are a lot of other factors that you will be learn about concerning the particular qualities of your tumor that will dictate what kind of treatment will be recommended for you.

If you want to do some research, please seek out the most reliable sources: this one has extensive education topics on everything you can imagine, the Mayo Clinic, American Cancer Association; and avoid the lesser, more sensational, and less academically rigorous sites. Prepare for "the rollercoaster" we all go through emotionally: waiting for the test results that will guide your treatment plan. It's SO HARD, but we all go through it, and you can go through it here.

This board is AWESOME. There is a topic for everything you are feeling (optimistic, scared, angry, grateful), for your specific diagnosis, the treatment you will undergo, and the very special STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER when you want to walk into a tunnel and scream until snot comes out of your nose. (It really helps!)

People here are kind and understand. We get it. We support each other. You are welcome here!

Carrie

Hi Kmbrll54, sorry to hear about what happened. My own biopsy was 21/3, and my diagnosis was given on 25/3. I was so ignorant and pretty much just nodded at whatever the Oncologist said to me. But being here really helps, the information and experience shared.

Still a lot foeme to learn, but I feel like I am a little more in control everyday, and have already decided on my treatment plan. Please share when you find out more about yours.

I'm almost a month out from my diagnosis and it has gotten easier. For me, once I started meeting with my team and figuring out my plan I got less anxious. I'm still waiting for my BRCA test to make my final decision about Lump+Rads or BMX. I should have that result by next week. Also, my Mammaprint should be back by Friday to talk about the possibility of chemo.

Hang in there sweetie with Hope n treatment plan in place things ease up for me idc stage2 0\3 nodes Lmast 3 mo chemo before n 3 mo after rads n 5 yrs on Tamoxifen. Im now a 23yr Survivor Praise God. God Bless Us All.

Hi all,

Strap in for The Rollercoaster. The emotional whallop of a diagnosis and the sometimes changing treatment plan comes and goes, and it is, from what I can tell, universal. If you feel like you are losing your shit sometimes, that's normal. (That's what the STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER board is for, too, BTW.) Cancer is not normal. I had klonopin for the day, and ambien for nights when I couldn't stop the cogs from spinning in distress.

Get copies of everything; ask for copies after every appointment, after every test comes in. I got a binder and a hole punch, and started putting them in there. I also added handouts or other info from the hospital. Insurance correspondence, too. If you have copies, you can refer to test results later.

Carrie

Kmbrll54:  Hi...I am sorry you got this diagnosis.  It is sad that we are in this medical condition but it is something that opens our eyes to see HOPE.  I got my diagnosis of my left breast on 01/23/2017.  I waited for my genetics test result to decide whether to have the right breast touched too.  Thank God, results were favorable.  I had 2 tumors (both invasive ductal carcinoma).  I could have done lumpectomy but my husband and I decided to have a mastectomy even before seeing my surgeon.  We were concerned about possibility of recurrence (which is different from person to person).  I had my surgery on 03/02/17.  Surgery went well and no cancer left behind so I don't need to have a radiation anymore.  Along with the mastectomy was a sentinel lymph node dissection (biopsy) to check metastasis.  Pathology report showed that i did not just have 2 tumors as seen in my mammogram and ultrasound but 2 other tumors were found (total of 4).  My lymph node biopsy showed a 0.6mm metastasis.  My husband and I decided on doing the full axillary lymph node dissection to ensure cancer doesn't spread further to other nodes.  I had 15 lymph nodes taken out...good thing is, there was no evidence of malignancy noted.  I just had a first meeting with my oncologist and we're waiting for my oncotype test result to determine the next treatment (whether to have hormone, chemo, or combination of these 2 or other treatment).  It is hard, but let us not lose hope.  One thing I am sure that really helps most is PRAYERS.  Talking to God about how you feel and seeking HIS guidance, strength, and comfort as well as asking for His healing power will certainly make you feel good.  I believe in the power of prayers.  

Having found this site and group made me feel better knowing that I am not the only one going through this situation.  Reading all the encouragements here and learning their individual experiences makes me more hopeful and courageous to go through this journey with the goal of beating this condition and successfully overcoming it.  

Kmbrll54, we can all do this!!!  Let's fight and beat it!!!  Let's hold on to our Faith...

Hi, I sincerely hope the best outcomes for you. Cancer brings new information to you regularly. I learned that one treatment may lead to another, etc. And then it's interspersed sometimes with better news that you expected. So it's definitely a roller coaster. I am 4 years cancer free, with a very similar diagnosis as yours. My choice to do a Bilateral was based on a finding after my excision of some lobular pre-cancerous cells in large volume ("gross at the margins"), that might have increased the chance of an occurrence on the other side. Might have, statistically.These are tough decisions. Many people go forward doing excisions, followed maybe by mastectomy later;some people think about the statistics,because after all, they are just stats, and no one knows where they will land in those stats. I followed the stats, and it gave me a much more peaceful outlook. Since mine had not travelled past the sentinel nodes; and I scored very low on genetic testing, I did not need chemo, but still decided to remove both to reduce worry. They did it one surgery, adding the implants at the same time-and I have to tell you, it was less fuss than the whole prior process of biopsy, labs, consult, another surgery, blah, blah. Once you get to whatever your decision is, know in your heart it's right. Every case is unique and no one can tell you better than your gut what to do. Be at peace. What they can do today is amazing! And I repeat, cancer free right at 4 years in May. I have been on aromatase inhibitor (Anastrazole, the post-menopause version of Tomoxifin), I take it faithfully; along with Vitamin D daily, which I was low on , and is now considered a cancer link. I get a CT scan annually and they also check my bone density. I have lost 25 lbs a bit slowly which helps everything get better and still on my way down (I finally decided 2 years ago I was increasing my risk of recurrence by not paying closer attention to diet and exercise). But future looks much brighter today than it did a few years ago. My approach is; Whatever life deals me, I accept it and put all my strength into it-but in 'short, controlled bursts". God Bless, and HAVE HOPE!

Good for you. It's a brave call to make, and things are never perfect, but the relief from worrying is an amazing aspect. I really believe a lot of how this all works is definitely a hopeful outlook, because that impacts your immune system. It's knocking off stubborn cells daily, that we never even know about. Keeping it working with good food, rest, exercise, some fun. and some constructive activity sends a message to any invaders that there is a wall in place and it's rock solid. Best wishes to you as you recover. One word of advice: Sometimes the drug therapies can have unpleasant side effects. Mine were mostly some achy joints. Plow thru them-do what the docs tell you. God Bless.