Hi, I was diagnosed with 2.5 cm Invasive Ductal grade 3 four weeks ago.
I just wanted to say hello and I hope you can help me on this nightmare?
I had a WLE and sentinal node biopsy 2 weeks ago and now have to have further tissue removed as the cancer was too close to the margins. I find out on Tuesday if they are going to take more tissue or a mastectomy.
I am just so scared xxx
Hi,
As others will say to you ‘so very sorry you have had to find yourself here’ but you will really find us a great support, we all boost each other up, whether it is waiting for results, waiting for ops,or just a funny story. Just the endless wait…
I had my first lumpectomy in March, sadly not enough margin also 16/18 glands involved. Had second Lumpectomy in April, at the time l said l would sooner have a Mastectomy and get on with treatment, due to the large number of nodes involved. The surgeon assured me that the margin was so narrow, they were sure they would get a good margin the second time…sadly he was wrong. Now l am having tests to see if it has spread. That will decide whether they will do chemo first or Mastectomy. I have read so many posts where other ladies have had to have 2 lumpectomies then a mastectomy. So if l was now given the choice l would have gone for the mastectomy, at least my treatment would have started. At the moment l feel as though l have gone no further forward, other than having the lump and nodes removed.
Sandra x
Hi,
Bummy place to be but you’ll get through it. I was diagnosed just after my 29th birthday with IDC and have had 2 lumpectomys and a mastectomy as they couldn’t get clear margins, plus full node clearance. Finished chemo and half way through radiotherapy. Happy to say it’s all gone a lot quicker than I thought it would, yes it was horrid at times but you get through it.
I’ve met some fantastic people through this site and through the support unit at my hospital. If you can get to meet other people it is such a help. I meet weekly with a bunch of people for cake and coffee in Starbucks and we geneally compare notes and support each other.
Accept all the help you are offered and ask any question you have, whether it be to your surgeon, nurse or us lot on here.
All the best and Take care.
Em x
Hi, I had exactly the same size, grade and type that you have, in 2003 and I am still here. So I hope that gives you some encouragement. However I know you would prefere not to in your situation.
Take care of yourself and good luck with whatever is waiting for you.
Maria
hiya i was diagnosed last april with 2.0cm grade 3 breast cancer. i had a WLE, SNB, chemo and rads. I was 32 at diagnosis with a 9mth old and a 2yr old.
I can honestly hand on heart say now, over a year on i feel well, optomistic and back at work. Its a slog but looking back it doesnt even feel like it happened to me. Get all the help you can, dont read too much and dont suffer any side effects that could be managed with the numerous drugs on offer.
take care
X
Hi
Sorry you have had to join us. Am a bit older than you am 38 but it was still a huge shock. Lots of ladies will be online later to ‘welcome’ you. The reassuring thing is that the forum is often quiet in the day because ladies with bc still have very busy lives. Please feel free to ask lots of questions- someone generally always has an answer. Dx
This is the absolute worst time for you - the fear and dread is awful - but hang in there. Once you get through the surgery and get a grip on what the treatment plan is going to be you will feel calmer about it - I did anyway and I think a lot of women feel the same way. I also found it helped to really educate myself about this disease so I was ready to talk to the medics with confidence about my treatment. I put a lot of energy into getting my head round this disease and it really helped. We all have different ways of coping.
This is a good place to be for support and advice. Keep talking and don’t be afraid to express your worries. It is a scary old business but the fear does subside - I promise.
All the best. xx
Thankyou all so much for writing back, it’s the waiting that’s the worst isnt it!
I still wonder ‘am I going to die’ as they stressed as I am young my cells are developing more quickly.
They said my lymph nodes were clear so it hasnt spread. I’ve had all sorts of scans too that they said showed no further spreading so that was all good.
Its been the worst few weeks ever, I keep watching my children (9 and 5) sleeping and it makes me cry 
xxx
Hi.
I was diagnosed end of Jan ith grade 2 IDC plus high grade DCIS. I was having tests from 2008 and was told after biopsies that i was nothing, to cut long story short askd for lump out after xmas and was called back in again to day that i had bc, how bummed was i. Waas worried because i had had the lump for a while and i had done the right thing in getting it checked out etc. well after all the sating it has not spread it is estrogene and progesterne
+ve so will have to do tamoxifen. I am currently having chemo 3 FEC and 3 TAX, have done 4 so only 2 to go. I wouldn’t say it is pleasant but it is doable, like a hangover without the fun. i have another MRI in 3 weeks and then it will be decision time with regards to surgery have been told that it will be more than liley a masectomy.
I have a 5 year old and 2 year old and have had to accept help with looking after them. Also i have fantastic support network via friends and family.
Take it as a positive that the bc has not spread because thast was my biggest fear as well. Accept the days when you feel low you will aslo have very positive days as well.
once your treatment plan is up and running you will ave a focus.
Love 2 u
Louisexxxx
Is it bad when they say they don’t know what it is feeding on? I asked if I would be given Herceptin after chemo & radio, but they said no… But they also said I wouldn’t be able to get pregnant again as the sudden surge of oestrogen (spelling?) could cause it to come back?
They also mentioned EC when talking about me and the chemo? Is that what type I’ll get as I notice a lot of you have said FEC?
Thankyou all for your replies, I seem to forget everything they tell me! x
Hi
It sounds like your bc is hormone sensitive, hence the talk about pregnancy. It is probably something called HER2 negative, which means herceptin wont help. I dont know why they wouldnt give you the F part of FEC. It seems you have more info to get yet. You could try and speak to your breast care nurse.
Julia xx
Just wanted to say hi. I was diagnosed last august with idc and had chemo rads and now on tamoxifen. Looking back it seems a bit unreal now. You will get loads of support on here. All the best.
Al
x
Hi
Well having had the same size grade etc, I also had the EC treatement x4. The onc rekons I am cured now, as far as that cancer is concerned
Love Maria
HI ME & 30 I ALSO had a wide excision lumpectomy 5 weeks ago and a full axilliary clearence as nodes were suspicious and swollen my lump was like yours 2.6 cm and one margin was close when i went back for my results all my nodes were clear ( such a relief) and he said the extra tissure he had taken were the close margin was he wasnt concerned about cos it was clear of any cancer cells ( double woo hoo)my her 2 status was borderline and had to go for furthur tests and have just found out today it was her2 -ve which is the less aggressive type although my lump was stage 3. I have just had my 1st chemo today i was petrified but up to now so far so good ( sickness tablets taken bands on and ginger and sherbert lemons ny the boat load ) this was a shock to me cos originally thought just radiotherapy but because of my age and size of lump and grade they recommended chemo. it has been a rollercoaster of emotions up to now but just try to focus on one hurdle at a time and cross them when you need to i never thought i could be as strong as i am now and have just been fitted for my wig yesterday ( something id never thought i could cope with)and my husband and daughter thought id just been to the hairdressers for a cut and colour and didnt even notice I love it and i know now i can face the world confidently its better than my hair ha ha xwe are all here for support or questions anytime im also a nurse so will try to help if i can sending you love and hugs Julie
So sorry you have had to join this site. I am older than you, I am 52 and was dx with 2 tumours in right breast, I had mastectomy and lymph node clearance, 8 cycles of epi/cmf chemo and then tamoxifen. I hope like me you find this site very helpful and supportive. Whatever your going through someone has already been there. I found everything doable especially looking back I often wonder how I made it.
Wishing you and everyone well
Carolyn x
Hello you, very sorry to hear your news. I was also DX with grade 3 tumour early April at 34 yo (still breastfeeding my second kid at the time). I started chemo last week and I’m ok (4xFEC and then 4x TAX, 1 done 7 to go!)…glad to have started the treatment and do something about it. I’ve found great support and information on this website so don’t hesitate to ask questions to everyone here and then ask your onc, your BC nurse for whatever you’re not sure about, push for information so that you feel you have some form of control and understanding. Good luck, it’s going to be a long long journey for all of us but together we’ll be stronger to face the challenges ahead.
Love to all.
I’ve had some strange goings on, I was told I needed further surgery, then went back a week later to be told I don’t. I was then told I was Triple Negative, so good news in not having more surgery, bad news (I think??) for being Triple Negative (someone please correct me if I’m wrong!).
How do you all cope with the chemo?, that’s my next hurdle, I am going to visit the oncologist next week and find out what I’m going to have. How did your first ones go
Juliebtaurus and Fighter34?
Emma x
hi Emma,
well i have done 4 cycles of chemo with 2 more TAX to go then decision will be made re mthe surgery that i will require. Side effects have been ranging for me and i would say whilst not pleasant it is dooable. I have a 5 year old and 2 year old and i would say that the support system i had in [place helped me. My parents would take the boys the weekend after chemo so i could rest. i would also say that you will find an inner resolve to get through this, even on the tougher days you get through them.
For me it would be a cycle of week 1- ok day of chemo and then from day 4-7 feel rough then the two weeks before chemo starts i would be ok. Once you have had cycle 1 you will generaslly follow the same pattern throughout all your cycles.
Louise
Thanks Louise!
I’m trying to ‘plan ahead’ as I have tickets to different things and we have a caravan so was hoping to get away with the kids. I thought if I allowed myself to be ‘rough’ for a week, then the other two should be ok…
I’m as green as grass and havent a clue what to expect! I might read this post in a couple of months and laugh at just how clueless I am!
Emma x
HI WELL IT WASNT AS BAD AS I EXPECTED i was ok fri and sat no sickness even went out with the girlies .Sunday today felt a little tired ( or bored hubby watching motor racing ) and had an hour lie down legs were a little jellyish but still managed a little walk.Had a little bit of a red flushing to chest the day after but went next day and temp ok but spoke to my friend and she also had this but so far so good and nothing too awfull and have been fine. Hope it cont,s xxx