Diagnosed today

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Hello everyone.

I was diagnosed with grade 2 invasive ductal carcimona today after months of tests. I’ve spent this afternoon googling it and just don’t know how serious it is! I’m prepared for a big fight - but is it a battle that can be won…? I’m hopefully getting an appointment with an oncologist within the next week or so - but any help to give me an idea of whether I can beat this would be really appreciated. What worries me is that the lump grew really quickly and is HUGE (although my consultant says that some of it could be inflammation).

I am 33 and was about to start trying for children with my husband of 2 years (who is being a great support) so this has put a bit of a spanner in the works! I also watched my grandmother and mother die of breast cancer, so have seen it at work…

I think forums are a fantastic support system and would really appreciate any advice. I will then be able to impart my advice and share my experiences when I am further down the line.

x

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I’m so sorry you’ve had to join us. I really hope it is a battle that can be won as I have grade 3 IDC and am currently in the middle of chemotherapy. My onc tells me my treatment is curative and I really hope he is right! Try not to Google too much but do rely on the people here as they are fantastic. I am sure some of the others will be along soon with some more advice for you.
Jo
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So sorry that you had to join us here but you will get plenty of support.
Somewhere on these message boards is someone who had treatment for cancer and went on to have two children. I can’t remember her name but perhaps she will see your post and respond.

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I have grade3 invasive just finished chemo starting rads2moz,bc is very treatable,more so than it was yrs ago…I have a friend who had the same as me and is doin fine 8yrs later and went on2have2children…Dont google!This site is great4support and talkin2real people that r going through the same as u.Xsarahx

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Hi you
First time I’ve posted on here in well over a year. I just wanted to reassure you. I was diagnosed nearly two years ago and currently face the dilemma of my reconstructive options. It is beatable, it will change you ( for the better) and how ever far off it seems there is an end to it all. I have met one of my very best friends on my journey who I couldn’t have done without. I don’t suffer idiots anymore, it has cost me a fortune under the “I deserve it” attitude and I love my fabulous family that much harder.
Please keep strong and kick ass.
Hx

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Thank you for your kind words and words of wisdom. Just desperate to meet my oncologist and find out the plan of action and prognosis! I can feel the lump (kind of prickly feeling) constantly, so can’t put it out of my mind.

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Sandytoes (great name),

You are now with friends, and some ladies who post have been posting for years and years and years (others will have finished needing the forums and are busy getting on with their lives.) It is NOT a foregone conclusion but we’ve ALL done the “I’m going to die” thing in our heads, most often right at the beginning where you are now, when you don’t know what the plan of action is.

Some practical suggestions for you.

DON’T google indiscriminately, there’s a lot of confusing stuff out there, some of it is downright wrong, some is just trying to sell you something, and much of it uses scare tactics for that. Stick to reputable sites like here, Macmillan, Breakthrough.

Give the helpline a ring tomorrow. They are FANTASTIC, and are not going to judge or get upset.

Take your time telling people who don’t NEED to know, wait until you’ve got your own head round it a bit. There’s no rush.

Be kind to yourself.

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A SILLY QUESTION. Ask on here, ask your oncologist or surgeon, ask your breast care nurse, ask the helpline. None of us were experts, most of us knew absolutely nothing about this disease until we found ourselves where you are today.

Get yourself a little notebook and write down all your questions as you think of them. When you see a specialist, use your notebook so you don’t miss the questions, and also take the time to write down the answers, as that can help you to pace the appointment so things can sink in.

You might want to bring someone with you to appointments, either to do the writing, or just to hold your hand. Or you might prefer to be on your own. It’s up to you, there are no rules, it’s what’s best for you.

It’s ok to have a bloomin’ good cry.

Where you are at the moment is THE WORST place, because you just don’t know what’s on the cards for you and it’s a very scary place to be. It’ll get much easier to deal with once you know. Meantime, you have just had a bomb go off in your life so be kind to yourself as the dust from that initial explosion settles.

There’s lots of other good advice you’ll get over the coming months, but these are the ones that got me through. (I’m in the middle of chemo.)

Hugs

CM
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hi sandytoes,

i had my first diagnosis 11 years ago,

they told me i wouldnt be able to have any more children,

my twins girl and boy are 9 this september,

there is always hope, think positive, anything is possible

wishing you all the very best love liz xxx

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Just wonted to say, that I agree with all the advice, dont google!!!.Phone the help line, I did & they put me in touch with a lady that had had the same type of bc as me & was in the same curcomstances as me, & it really helped. Speaking to someone who had been there & done it was for me a great help.Dont be afraid for any treatment plan you have, us ladies can copy with anything, you will get through this, just remember you are not on your own, we are all here to help each other. xx

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Hi sandytoes,

As you can see the users of this site are brilliant at supporting each other, they will help you through this I’m sure.

For a little bit more to try and help you I’ve put you links to some of BCC’s publications, one of which is our Resource pack which includes lots of information about BC and it’s treatment and includes an area where you can make notes. To obtain this publication you have to order it on line as it’s an A5 binder and has to be posted out to you, free of charge, most other publications you can download if you wish.

Resource Pack:
breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/quick-order-list/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/82/

Breast cancer and you:

breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/quick-order-list/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/89/

I hope these are of some help to you. Take care,

Jo, Facilitator

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I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis - and the loss of your mum and grandmother.
You are in the most miserable stage of this process. I found that things did improve once I had a clear plan of action. Take it step by step - the mounatin of treatment ahead doesn’t seem so daunting then.

Remember that every diagnosis is unique and response to treatment differs from patient to patient - so it is best to avoid any temptation to compare prognoses with others.

The internet can be a superb resource but it is also a repository for ridiculous myths about the causes and supposed cures of cancer. And so are bookshops. Cancer is very big business.
Keep your sceptic’s hat on at all times and stick to facts supplied by the experts - CRUK, Breakthrough and BCC - and you can’t go far wrong.

All the best. I know of plenty of women who have retained their fertility after treatment and had kids. Google the artist Sam Taylor Wood - she’s had cancer twice and just had another child naturally at 43.

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hi, I am grade 2 invasive ductal ca. I have been told and do believe that this is curable and treatable. Its about little steps as i was only diagnosed on 20th april but had to wait 4 weeks for surgery, which was a wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy. I had no lump as such, it was a nipple discharge, but follwoing the intial biopsy in april, it formed into a lump, and i could not help but be feeling it and worrying about many times a day. It was just the inflammation around the “area” and I was assured it hadnt grown. What i am getting to, eventually, is it is the best feeling to have it removed. I saw it as the “queen bee” had been removed - yes there may be some stragglers, but the source of it had gone. It had begun to feel a monster inside me. so early on in the journey but it really is one step at a time, and never thought I would rejoice at this stage. You will feel much relief when it is removed.

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I am having my WLE and SNB tomorrow and that is exactly how I feel. Once it is gone I can focus on the ‘clean up’ and although the road may be hard I really believe it is doable
jane