Seeking what treatment was recommended/decisions

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Lannw0201
Lannw0201 Member Posts: 4
edited December 2018 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

It was only 11 months since my last mamogram ! Found 2 areas 8c apart. Each 2-3c in size. One near nipple other near armpit. Breast tissue between the two areas had "peppered" spots of cancer. Invasion and in stu invasive Carcinoma. My lymph nodes are CLEAR. No cancer spread to them. Did not need any removed. Estrogen Receptor Positive (Strong Intensity) and Progesterone Receptor Positive (moderate intensity). HER2 negative. Staged 2-3 (although each area was 2-3cm in size). Pathology included the distance between the two areas and listed it as a 9c because of the "peppering"). I chose a skin sparing total masectomy. My next step is meeting with a chemo and a radiation specialist. Nervous about next steps. Seeking treatment recommendations received by doctors and decisions made experiences..... scared as to what I might hear .....

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2018

    I'm sorry you're dealing with this; I do understand the road you are traveling. Assuming HER2 was negative, you should ask for the oncotype test (or a similar test such as Mammaprint) which will tell you the benefit to you of chemotherapy. Your doctor and you will then have a discussion about the risks and benefits and you'll make a decision about that. 5-10 years of hormonal therapy will likely be recommended after that.

    Since your husband lives and works many states away, I would line up and army of friends fro support. Each person that says "what can I do"......take them up on it. Friends feel helpless and WANT to help. Allowing them to do so is mutually beneficial. Bring a friend to each appointment to write everything down for you. If you should need chemo, have someone set up a meal train so friends can sign up to bring you meals. In the meantime, schedule coffee dates with friends, etc so you can take your mind off of it.

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  • Lannw0201
    Lannw0201 Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2018

    Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for your advice. ❤️ It's all soooooo frightening. Still trying to figure out what this all means. Blessings to you.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2018

    The time before you have your whole plan laid out is one of the most challenging aspects ...especially mentally. You feel like you are spinning your wheels in place. I found that once I had my plan in place, I could plow forward.

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  • Lannw0201
    Lannw0201 Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2018

    It's like you know me. That's exactly how I feel. Scared to hear it, but know I can begin to move forward as soon as I do. Feel intimidated.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2018

    You've received great advice already from others, but wanted to also welcome you to our community. The learning about everything, and deciding on a treatment plan is really an overwhelming period. It will get better. We're all here for you in the meantime and please let us know if we can help in any way.

    Warmly,

    The Mods

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  • Lannw0201
    Lannw0201 Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2018

    Thank you for your warm and compassionate response.

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  • Iloveminnie2
    Iloveminnie2 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2018

    diagnosed with IDC stage 1 grade 1 in my left breast back in September. Had a lumpectomy in November. Margins came back negative and lymph nodes came back clean. So all was good to start radiation and anti hormonal treatment. The oncologist ran genetic oncotype testing and am now told my score was high risk at 32 and need chemo. So I guess chemo radiation and anti hormonal therapy is the norm for treat idc these days. It is a bit overwhelming but I guess it has to be done. Just wanted to put this out there and see how everyone copes with these overwhelming decisions I don't mind telling everyone I'm an emotional mess


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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited December 2018

    My tumor was mostly IDC with minor node involvement, but with an oncotype of 17, I did NOT do chemo. There is no one size fits all, so don't assume anything until you have all the information on your particular situation.

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