Diagnosed today with IDC. Overwhelmed.

Hello Karen, I am sorry you are finding yourself on these boards. For me I didn't know any of the details till after my surgery. The waiting and wondering is the worst part, the unknowns that lay ahead. There are going to be many women and men to chime in here and offer you support.

Hugs

Yes, when you hear your name and cancer in the same sentence your world shakes off it’s foundation. It’s the worst place to be. We’ve all been there, it’s frightening, annoying, and you want it all done yesterday. It will get better. There will be seemingly unending tests, dr appts, It will be over, and you will be amazed at yourself and your strength.

Hugs.

Welcome, Karen2019! We're so sorry you find yourself here, but we're glad you've joined our community and hope you find this to be a source of support as you begin down this road. The first days and weeks can indeed be very overwhelming, but we're all here for you. When you're ready, you'll find lots of information and member who've been in your shoes in our IDC forum: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/96. Just take it a day at a time!

The Mods

Hi Karen,

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

I too had a lag between meeting the surgeon for the first time and my BMX. We did the MRI which caused me to have a biopsy on the other side, and then we added in the bone scan, and I also needed a CT scan and a liver/guts MRI. Plus I had to meet with the plastic surgeon. You will most likely have some time to do some research and thinking. From my point of view it was too much time waiting! That was the hardest for me!

I'm so happy now that I've had my BMX. A weight is lifted from my chest (ha ha). I was so stressed and after the BMX it was gone!

Hi Karen2019, So sorry that you were diagnosed with IDC. Can you tell us a bit about your symptoms and what birads grade you got on your mammography?

Hi Karen2019!

My surgeon sent me for an MRI. Like Salamandra, my MRI did not show any other suspicious findings. I agree that 4 - 6 weeks is very doable. I had my Ultrasound and Core Biopsy on 2/16. MRI on 2/27. Was originally scheduled for Lumpectomy on 3/14. That only changed when the genetic testing results came back, it did not change due to anything from the MRI. It’s a stressful time and you will get through it. Hang in there

Karen2019, if the BS recommends an MRI...DO IT!!! Don’t let the medical community scare you with false positives. I would take the risk of a false positive any day of the week than not know what the mammo and ultrasound might of missed.

The breast MRI is one of the most useful diagnostic tools available to you. The MRI can pick up other areas of concern that the mammo and US missed. If you have to have those areas biopsied and they turn out to be benign then you have information you did not have before. Imagine making a decision to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy and not knowing what else might be there that was missed.

When my gynecologist found my lump he measured it at 5 cm. The diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy measured it at 1.8 cm. The MRI measured it at 5 cm and indeed it was 5 cm. That information was crucial for me and my team. The MRI also showed that my right breast was healthy. The left breast received so much attention that I was worried that my right breast might not be healthy. The MRI will bring you peace of mind. I also think it’s reckless of the BS to steer you away from an MRI. Even if your surgery was delayed you will be ok. My cancer was discovered on 11/17/17, I had the diagnostic mammo and ultrasound on 11/22/17, my biopsy on 11/28/17, received the dreadful news on 12/4/17. Had a breast MRI on 12/9/17. Met with my cancer team on 12/16/17. Had a lumpectomy on 1/4/18. Nodes were clear but there was a question about the margins. Had a BMX with DIEP Flap Reconstruction on 2/22/18. That’s kind of a normal time frame with ER+/PR+/HER2- cancer diagnosis. If you were triple positive or triple negative the treatment plan would look quite different because those are more aggressive cancers. My point being you have time for a second opinion and time to gather as much information regarding your cancer and treatment plan.

Believe me, we all wanted the cancer cut out ASAP. Stay close to this group. There’s loads of experience and advice.

Sending thoughts and prayers as you walk through this difficult stage.

Bella2013

I had an MRI and it was very helpful. I'd been diagnosed with cancer on the left, but the MRI found a tiny cancer on the right.

If I'd only gotten my left removed, I'd probably be faced with a "recurrence" on the right a few years later, once it grew big enough.

The MRI was key and I'm so glad they found the cancer!

Hey Karen. Glad to hear that you're thinking about the MRI. I actually had one before my BC diagnosis and because it showed a bit of LCIS/atypical cells in an adjacent area of my breast, my surgeon recommended a mastectomy versus lumpectomy.

Hi Karen2019,

You are absolutely entitled to your full pathology report. Period. It is a good idea to keep a binder with copies of all your full reports. Great to keep on hand so you can make copies for your other providers who may not have them. Insist to your GYN’s office that you will be there to pick it up. You could also call the pathology group that did the report, but you absolutely should not have to do that. These are YOUR records. Stand firm, be your own best advocate.

Hi Karen,

Just wanted to send out my support to you. Six months ago, I was where you are now. I think I will always remember the worry and anxiety I felt at the time, but rest assured, it does get better. Good news about being Her2- for sure. I did not have an MRI before my surgery, but had I been offered one, I would have gladly accepted and I actually plan to ask about having MRI as part of my contnued follow up care when I see my breast surgeon next month for my first follow up mammogram and ultrasound since this whole ordeal began. At the time, I just wanted to have the lumpectomy and especially the sentinel node biopsy bc once I received the diagnosis, my greatest feat was that it might have spread already. (It hadn't.) My surgeon was comfortable with me waiting a few weeks to have surgery, but I wanted it as soon as possible. In hindsight, I should have waited a little to give myself time to think of questions such as "should I have an MRI?" etc. When my margins did not come back totally clean after my lumpectomy, I did feel more comfortable waiting a little longer to have the re-excision in order to receive the results of my genetic testing in case they would change my decision regarding mastectomy vs lumpectomy (they didn't),

Best wishes to you as you move forward with your care!

Hi Karen

I’m so sorry that you’re part of a group that you weren’t asked to join, but we’re glad you’re here. March 6th my world exploded. I was diagnosed with DCIS and if that wasn’t bad enough, IDC on March 19th. I asked my BS how much time I had to make my surgery decision (what I would have done). He said several months. I knew I wanted this thing growing in my body, out as soon as possible. I elected for lumpectomy and had my surgery on April 4th. The waiting for test results and Dr appts to arrive is the hardest. Once you have a plan for surgery and treatment in place, it is a little easier. One word of advice, take your journey one day at a time (this was extremely hard for me since I’m a planner) but it was one of the best things I could have done instead of thinking what could happen days,weeks,months ahead of time. (((Hugs))) to yo