Diagnosed a week ago at 37 years old.

Hi Dirtyd301:

Sorry you have had to join us. I was afraid of the thought of chemotherapy as well but it wasn't the horror that I thought it would be. I thought I would be vomiting constantly and feel on the verge of death but my nausea was usually mild and I didn't vomit once. I was weak and fatigued and there were times when I definately felt vulnerable but I never felt as if the chemo would kill me. My biggest complaints about chemotherapy would be the acid reflux, taste changes and the one tastebud on the tip of my tongue that would, without fail, become inflamed a few days after my infusion. I spent most of my time in bed or sitting in the living room due to weakness and aches but somr people manage to continue working through it.

Hi!

Since you are ER+/PR+ and HER2-, it is somewhat unlikely that you will need chemo. Your oncologist should request an Oncotype Test to determine whether or not the benefits of chemo outweigh its costs for your cancer.

One thing that is a bit unusual about your diagnosis is that you have ILC, not IDC. You might want to check out some threads that discuss ILC.

Otherwise, you can expect surgery, radiation (maybe), and hormonal therapy (a pill that seeks to reduce the amount of estrogen that feeds your cancer). ((Hugs)) I know it sucks to be here.

In the Oncotype Test, your tumor is sent to a lab to examine its genetic makeup. Typically, it's done after surgery. Glad to hear you'll be meeting your doctors next week They'll help formulate your treatment plan, but if you're not OK with it, don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion.

Dirtyd, there are several links with ILC. Since I am one of the members who had the ILC, a couple of things to consider:

1. In most cases ILC is slow-growing and doesn't respond well to chemo.

2. it is typical for this type of cancer to go to both breasts.

3. consider that scans don't catch it most of the time. It is very sneaky. You are lucky they were able to find yours.

4. get a second opinion regarding the treatments

In my case, I was lucky to have an experienced radiologist who saw my mammogram and suggested a biopsy. MRI found only one small spot and negative nodes however, I asked for a double mastectomy. After surgery, biopsy showed 2 places with ILC and LCIS and 2 positive nodes. Also, LCIS was found in the other breast.

I wish you a small ILC and node-negative. Keep us posted. Hugs!

@Slmurray

I was also just diagnosed with IDC grade 2. I’m not sure of the hormone results yet and am envious of those who seem to get all their info in a timely fashion! Mine comes in dribs and drabs lol. I have a surgery consult Thursday so we are in somewhat of the same boat. Sending you good vibes!!

thank you!! Good luck to you also!

hello sweetie i know your feelings like most of us here. We were planning our 2nd marriage when i found lump in shower so scared. Had all the test biopsy mri etc told i needed chemo rads and mastectomy. Was devastated but got thru it all with support from fiance family friends. I had fatigue vomiting but meds lessened that mouth sores but guess what sweetie this yr i am a 26yr Survivor Praise God. With Faith Hope and lots of Positive thoughts i would get thru this..Hold on will get better. Also been married 26yrs to my love. msphil idc stage2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo months before and after Lmast then got married then 7wks rads and 5yrs on Tamoxifen.

Slmurray, Oncotype is still very important as it gives a recurrence risk & help make decision regarding chemotherapy. Just because nothing is found in nodes, doesn't necessarily mean that it's not an aggressive variant with possibility of recurrence. Oncotype is usually 7-10 days from day they receive the sample. Hang in there!