I just got diagnosed with IDC/DCIS

diagnosed DCIS. Starting radiotherapy tomorrow. Very frightened

R

R2468 --> Hopefully you will be ok tomorrow. I know fear is part of the breast cancer game...and I am hoping there is someone there that can help you through your treatment tomorrow. Many ladies I know go into radiation fearful, and they are surprised at "how well" they do considering everything. I am not sure if learning more makes you anxious or makes you feel more comfortable, but there are threads about radiation on this site, and I would for sure search them and see some of the feedback. Sending peace to you- all of this is scary - hopefully once you get one treatment under your belt and get through the initial "unknown", am betting the fear changes.

Virgo73- hopefully you got some sleep. If your nodes are involved, and I think you said "inflammed/swollen" then it would change your treatment and staging. HOWEVER, your docs are attempting to figure out "why" they appear that way. So...breathe - there could be other reasons for that symptom outside of cancer. Checking for lymph invasion is typical...because that is the difference between DCIS and IDC - DCIS does not spread it is "in situ" meaning in place or has not gone anywhere, but the IDC - invasive duct carcinoma means exactly that --> it has already become invasive outside the ducts...so in essence it has the power to spread.

They check the nodes because the breast "drains" to the lympathic system and your blood vessels. The lymph system circulates throughout the entire body and carries white blood cells that fight infection plus other stuff, just like your blood BUT very different systems. Vascular invasion (blood vessel) is different but still the same idea. If cancer gets into either system, then it can circulate and spread to other areas.

One way they check for cancer spread is to check for a sentinel node, or to locate first node that the breast drains to - thinking that if the first node is clear, then most likely cancer has not spread from the breast. If your node is not clear, then they check surrounding nodes to see how many may be impacted. In your case, they did not do this "sentinel" process because they already see inflammation so they know that something is "off" and they need to find out why, but because of the diverse role that they lymphatic plays in your body, it is NOT necessarily cancer spread. However, you have been diagnosed so they need to check and figure it out.

None of this is easy Virgo....especially in the beginning...I was diagnosed in May - 47 years old...in Cali too - Long Beach. Once you have a plan and understand a more it will get better, but it is all life changing...

Hi Virgo - I am sorry about the node... I know that was not the news you wanted. I am sending a warm hug -

The axillary nodes are all the nodes located near/at your arm pit. The sentinel node is just a node or first few nodes that are part of the axillary group. These are the nodes that are located by using a tracer that is injected into the breast before surgery and identifies the first place where a tumor drains. The tracer makes it easy for the breast surgeon to locate during surgery and remove only the first node or few nodes. They take out these nodes and check for cancer. You have a lot of nodes under your armpit. The more nodes you remove the higher the chance for lymphedema, which is swelling in your arm/hand...this happens because the lymph system which is reasonable for carrying lymph fluid throughout your body has been injured by losing the nodes. Not all women get lymphedema, but some do...

It sounds like your doctors are on it ordering the next tests - hopefully you will connect with your oncologist and feel better after seeing her/him.....maybe record the appointment with your phone and get some questions written down, if you haven't done it already...I know I was a basket of nerves at my first oncology visit....don't be afraid to ask them to explain it again or differently if you aren't "hearing" the information. Like I said, none of this is easy but I swear once you understand the plan, future time lines, and expectations..it gets easier or seems easier compared to what you are going through now, where there is a lot of unknown.

If nobody has suggested this yet, ask for a port before chemo. Makes infusion much easier, on you and your veins.

Stay away from Dr google. He is NOT your friend.

Take someone with you as an extra set of ears. Or ask if you can record on your phone.

Breathe!! It really does get better when you have your plan in place😎.

Virgo73 you're going through what we have all experienced. Believe me, it will get better with a treatment plan and time. Especially time.

Virgo:

I'm so sorry honey, just keep breathing! I just joined this website today. I was dx with bc on Oct.2nd. As of today, I still have no clear answers. My gyno told me stuff and then the surgeon told me the opposite...so now I'm in limbo! I see an oncologist on the 26th and feel that my anxiety will get the best of me before that day! Telling my three kids was so damn hard. You can do this, use your family and friends to help you with passing the time! Keep your chin up honey and stay strong!!

Virgo,

Sorry on that news with the node. My sis was StageIII at diagnosis with inflammatory breast cancer and DCIS, 2 nodes affected. Chemo,(by time she finished chemo they couldn't find the tumor) surgery, and rads. She's 9yrs out NED.

Hope all goes as well as possible with kids. Thinking of you..

Hi Virgo,

I had the same Dx as yours,seems like you'll have neoadjuvant therapy,CHEMO,then surgery then radiation and chemo,your oncologist may order you to have PORT placement before chemotherapy,an access device placed on your chest so that you wont be poked everytime you have chemo. This is not to scare you but it is a reality and just get ready.Also,expect to loose hair on the 3rd to 4th week after 1st chemo, there are stores for hats and turbans, make sure you get those before chemo, fall and winter are coming and it's too cold for your head,I don't know where you are in California,I live here in south orange county,there's transitions for women at SADDLEBACK hospital)my chemo agents were very strong, just make sure you hydrate yourself before and after chemo (they will give you a loading dose--a little high dose) but they base from your height and weight,you're likely to feel the effects as in weakness by the 3rd to 4th day, some drugs cause you diarrhea,make sure you are not dehydrated.Prepare for soft foods (easily digested nutritious foods).I also used soursop leaves tea which i think helped shrink the tumor tremendously,i didn't take it 2-3 days before and after chemo. I'd been there and i am so sorry that you have it too. Take care.

Virgo since you are down in LA area, wig might be hot for you. I’m in Northern California I wore scarves during summer now I wear hat.

I had the same problem, I can’t even remember what my MO talked about on my first meeting. So much information when you’re in shock. Just one day at a time, there is so much to do for you the next few weeks. Have you have your CT scans?

Your insurance should cover a wig. Mine did, 100%. And they should be able to tell you where to get it.

Any nausea or anti diarrhea meds should be rx’d by your MO, again insurance should help cover cost.