invasive ductal carcinoma

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  • nikkiannej
    nikkiannej Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2008

    I am 43 years old.  On 2-14-28 I had the excisional biospy on my right breast and the doctor told me I had a 1.8 cm sized tumor and it was cancerous, invasive ductal carinoma.  I had the option to do the mastectomy or the sentinel lymph node biopsy.  On 03-20-08 I underwent the sentinel lymph node biopsy.  Luckily the cancer cells did not spread to my lymph nodes.  The doctor sent the samples to the lab to see what the chances of the cancer returning in the future.  I am now waiting to see the doctor in three weeks to see if I  will need chemotherapy, radiation therapy and might be on medication for five years to prevent the cancer from recurring. 

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited April 2008

    Just got back from my surgeons office. Last week wednesday 4/2 I had a lumpectomy for microcalcifications and an invasive ductal carcinoma 2.5 cm tumor which was detected on my MRI. The weekend was so long waiting for my results from the sentinel node biopsy. The surgeon told me immediately after the lumpectomy that he could tell some of my nodes had cancer cells in them. Today I found out that 2 of the 15 nodes tested positive. The surgeon suggested a mastectomy even though margins are clean. Basically, your path report is your roadmap. I'm 47, ER-, PR- and Her2 3+++. Based on my path report, the reoccurance rate was too high for me to even consider not having a masectomy. Many of my friends suggest a second opinion but I just want it out! I'll be having a Pet scan later this week and the masectomy next week, chemo in about a month. It's all going so quickly I just wanted to share this with all of you. I'm so new to this site but have found everyone's comments so reassuring. I just hope that I'm doing the right thing.



    Roxi

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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited April 2008

    I know the feeling.  I, too, also opted for a mastectomy and because, I was very well endowed and left very uneven, I also opted to have the other breast removed (no reconstruction).

    Everyone is different about how they feel losing a breast.  For me, I have no regrets and love being flat chested.

    You will find a lot of help on this site.  When you know what type of chemo you will be having, you will be able to find other women who have had the same treatment to help you.

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited April 2008

    Thanks Sassa,

    I'm meeting with my plastic surgeon today who has done extensive breast reconstruction. My cancer team will meet tomorrow to talk about next steps. Talks for your support.



    Roxi

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  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 1,151
    edited April 2008

    Roxi: As you can see from my dx line, we have a lot in common. I did the lumpectomy, needed a re-excision for clean margins, and ended up having a mastectomy with immediately expander reconstruction on 3/19. I definitely think that the mast. is the right decision. This Her2+ things is just too scary to mess with. You're only 47, and too young to have to live in consant fear of a recurrence in that breast. I was really devastated at first about having to have the mast, but I'm actually glad now that I was forced into it. Now I'm considering having the left breast removed when I have my exchange surgery (taking out the expander and putting in the implant) in about 9 months. Nobody really presented that as an option at the time, and I just wanted that cancer out of my body ASAP.

    I started chemo yesterday, and all has gone well so far.

    You are in that head-spinning phase right now of pre-surgical/treatment testing. I am so relieved right now to be ON with it - when you get surgery behind you and have time to heal, it's so much better.

    Make the choice that you can live with for your own peace of mind and don't look back -

    Sue

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited April 2008

    Sue,

    It's great to have someone out there that has a similar diagnosis. My fear is that I'm moving so quickly and might not make the right decision regarding reconstruction. I have found much solace in this website but at the same time, I may be reading too much as well. No one knows my body as much as I do. My plastic surgeon explained the expander procedure to me yesterday. How has your recovery been? I healed rather well from my Quadrantectomy so the PC thought I would be a great candidate for a free tram from my stomach and doing it at the same time as the mast. I'm kinda leaning that way but everything is dependent on today's Cancer Conference at the hospital I guess I'm on the agenda, yahoo! Is your onc suggesting hercepin with your chemo?

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  • lizzee
    lizzee Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2013

    can you tell me what you do thats working for you please?Smile

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