New diagnosis and I'm scared.

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sierramtngirl
sierramtngirl Member Posts: 30
edited October 2017 in Just Diagnosed

I'm 39. Three kids, ages 5, 3 & 11 months. I'll try to keep my background story short: I felt the need to get a mammogram (not sure what made me feel the need, but anyhow). No one wanted to do it because I was (am) still nursing the baby. Fought for one, got it. Asked for more views, found a group of microcalcifications measuring 2x5 cms. Radiologist ordered an ultrasound immediately, And no masses were seen on ultrasound. Stereotactic biopsy done and found DCiS, grade 3.

They called me and were so excited to report dcis. But now, after reading here, I'm terrified of idc being found when I have my bilateral mastectomy here soon, especially since I had such a big group of calcifications. The rational part of my brain keeps repeating that no masses were found on ultrasound, but I just can't help that I'm so scared of IDC being found too on my final path (along with the lymph node biopsies, etc).

Anyone have any experience to share? I'm literally unable to do much of anything since I'm still in a "holding patern".

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  • bettysgirl
    bettysgirl Member Posts: 938
    edited October 2017

    The waiting part is the hardest part. My dx was not similar to your but I am here to tell you that there is a huge group of loving women here and I am sure someone will come across your post with similar dx. Remember to breathe, gather your support group and know that you will find love and support here. Best wishes to you as you develop a treatment plan.


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  • Blair2
    Blair2 Member Posts: 495
    edited October 2017

    Hopefully they won’t find anything worse than what is expected, but I surely understand your fear due to initial diagnosis. The good news is that you have non-invasive cancer. If you opted for a mastectomy, I don’t see how IDC could ever happen. If you have an after treatment of radiation, it will kill any lurking cancers cells left behind. I hope I understood everything correctly in your post-not a doctor, but best of luck to you!

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited October 2017

    EVEN if they find IDC it will be very small....but chances are good they won't. If you have the mastectomies, you reduce getting b.c. cancer to about 1 - 2%. You have had a biopsy and it stated DCIS which means non-invasive and unless you have a BRAC gene, mastectomy is pretty aggressive treatment. However, you ARE 39, so I don't blame you. If the DCIS isn't near the chest wall and/or armpit, you likely won't need radiation either. Good luck Mama and raise your kiddies into a ripe old age!



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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited October 2017

    sierramtgirl, I know it's difficult, the knowing it's dcis, but not knowing the final details. What I will encourage you to try to do is just focus on what you know, and what the next steps are. It is a lot to take in, and the learning curve is steep. I can tell you that I had a palpable lump (at 38). Went into my provider and pushed getting imaging (instead of waiting) and pushed for a surgical consult (instead of assuming it "was nothing" per the radiologist). After my lx (and sentinel node biopsy), I actually got a second opinion on my pathology (by an expert in dcis) because it was hard to believe my "luck". The expert recommended an mri due to my age and the architectural pattern of my dcis (that pattern commonly presents multifocally). I got that report literally the day before I was scheduled for my rads mapping appointment. I postponed rads, and flew out of town to a breast mri center. They found 2 more areas of concern. As my local hospital didn't really have an advanced imaging center, I had to fly out again to connect with a center that could figure out if the 2 areas were also bc. They were, but still dcis. I know the anxiety. That process took me months. Finally, when I got my mx (they recommended against another lx), and got the final pathology back, I could allow myself to focus on reconstruction and moving forward. As I was triple negative, there were no recommendations for tamox, and after the mx, no need for rads. I am now 14 almost 15 years NED. Breathe, spend quality time with those you love, and take it one step at a time. You can do it! Sending you warm wishes and gentle ((hugs))

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  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited October 2017

    I agree with mtwoman-focus on what you know, while acknowledging that there is always the possibility that there is something you don't know. I was first diagnosed with dcis, but was told early on that there were suspicious calcifications that may be idc. Somehow, it helped me to know that there was the possibility that it was more serious than dcis, but it did not send me over the edge with worry. Ultimately, in my case idc was found when they did the pathology from my mastectomy, and I was glad I was prepared for that possible outcome.

    And once I knew for sure what I was facing, I took it as it came. The wondering is the worst! I wish you the best of all possible outcomes, and a full picture of what you are facing as soon as possible.

    L.



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  • sierramtngirl
    sierramtngirl Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2017

    Thank you all for the support and for responding. I'm trying to stay positive, and not go to the bad, scary places in my brain. I meet with plastics for my consult for reconstruction on Nov 1. Hopefully I'll have a date for surgery soon thereafter. I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.

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