31 years old - Just Diagnosised - Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Really sorry you are dealing with this. I was older than you when I was diagnosed, but my kids were really young - one had turned 2 three weeks earlier and the other wasn't yet 3-1/2. I had a big tumor and a bunch of positive lymph nodes, at least 2 of which were big enough that they could be felt. This was more than 7 years ago now. Treatment with small kids was terrible, but we got through it with a lot of help from family and friends.

There are a ton of picture books written to help kids whose moms have breast cancer. Scan them before reading - I wish I could remember the title of the one where the husband/father character seemed borderline abusive - but most of them are good. My older child came back to them lots of times over those months, and they did help her get her questions and worries out.

RA,

This link to the "Your Diagnosis" on the main page of BCO will help you understand the various terminology, that includes Grade (grade is divided into 1,2, or 3 and is about how fast growing your particular cancer is. You is a 2, meaning it's not the slowest, but it's not the fastest, either. It's intermediate)

The left had side of that page the link will bring you to will have other links that will help you understand

Take some time to go to the main page http://www.breastcancer.org and you will get some good information put in layman's terms

And does the report read "3mm at it's greatest extent" or "3cm"?

RA, I'm so sorry. Good news is that 11 mm is 1.1 cm; that's about 3/8 of an inch so very small. The lymph node infiltration is concerning, but it is also very small. So please try not to be frightened! The next few months are going to be hard; we've all been through it and will be honest with you. But soon the tests and the treatment will be done -- and you will enjoy your family for many, many years to come.

Nothing I can add that has not been said. It will get easier with a plan in place. It will. And you can do this.

Ask any and all questions. Someone will have an answer or direction to point you in. Unfortunately, we all get it.

{hugs}

RA and Anna. So sorry you guys are going through this. I unfortunately am in the same situation as you both. Dx with IDC on 1/3/18 with + node involvement confirmed by biopsy. +ER, +PR but her2 and fish are equivocal (meaning they don't know).  Saw two diff breast surgeons (at hospital I work at and JHP for 2nd opinion) who both feel it is best to have chemo first, then surgery followed by radiation. They believe this is best b/c of the node involvement and not knowing if it has spread. The hope is the cancer will go away and will only need sentinel node removed to lessen risk of LE.  I have a bone scan tomorrow and MRI/CT on Wed along with genetic testing. After that I see an MO on Friday and another on Monday who will determine the ultimate best plan.

I do not have any children and am 37 yo.  Ironically was discussing freezing my eggs prior to all this happening as me and my long term boyfriend are still on the fence (him more than me) about have kids. I can't imagine what you two are going through with small children.  Waiting to be staged before I decide to see fertility.

We are all in this together and I am here if you need anything as I know you will be for me. Prayers and positive thoughts to you both and everyone else going through this!!!

I agree the node involvement is what scares me the most too.  The way the surgeon explained it about the chemo first made sense. The fact that the nodes are involved does mean the cancer could be in the blood stream (hopefully not). By getting chemo first, it could kill what is circulating as well as shrink the tumor and lessen the amount of nodes involved. Lymphedema is a terrible complication from having you axillary nodes removed or total axillary dissection. If you can lessen the amount of nodes removed, in decreases the risk of developing lymphedema.  Due to my positive node on biopsy, both surgeons recommended total axillary dissection. I am waiting to hear what the two MO recommend.

I am interested in what your SO recommends. Please keep me posted.

Good luck tomorrow!!

I was pregnant when I went trough mastectomy and axillarydissection (unfourtenatly I do have lymphedema now)... Then I went through C-cection...then chemo..

I guess it's a good thing that they all agree chemo first. I am torn too but it seems like the research shows it is better to have chemo first. Plus may spare some of the nodes. That way if it is floating around it will be killed sooner. I am 90% sure I am going to have chemo first. Will ultimately decide after I see the MO next week. Please keep posted. My bone scan came back clean today so 1 test down, 2 more to go!!!!

Continued positive thoughts and prayers!!!!!