Never thought those words would releate to me…
Hi Everyone, I was diagnosed Wednesday just gone. I’m 42 years young, and live with my partner and 2year old daughter.
I’ve started to get my head around it, but boy does it knock you for six…
I’ve been told my treatment plan is starting with chemo, then a lumpectomy, along with clearence of the lymph nodes. Hate the waiting, just want to get started. Will be seeing my chemotheripist on Monday 13th May to be told what to expect, scared stiff to be honest.
However, I’m determined and positive that I will get through this, I won’t let my friends and family down or myself…besides giving up is not an option.
Please let me know if anyone else has been through the same …
Hi Marleypop,
So sorry you have to join this club nobody wants to join. I too was diagnosed with Ductal Invasive cancer. They can’t really tell you what grade you are until after surgery. When your lump has been removed, it will be examined in the path lab. Then they will be able to see how different the cells look compared to normal cells. Grade 1 is still very similar to normal, Grade 2 is changed more and Grade 3 has changed the most and is also the most aggressive. I had MX on 12th December 2012. Tumour was 3cm, Grade 3, 100% ER positive and 70% PR positive. Three cells removed, one had cancer in it. I am currently having chemo. Fec T, but although I was fine on Fec, I didn’t cope very well when changed to Docetaxel (the T in Fec T) so I’m back on Fec and I’m not finding it too bad at all. I just have one more session to go before I’ve finished, then on to a tablet to stop my body from producing hormones.
Whatever happens, you won’t be letting anyone down. I hope your chemo successfully shrinks you tumour to a more manageable size for a lumpectomy. Very good luck. One more comment. When you get you start date for chemo, may I suggest that you join one of the groups in the ‘Undergoing Treatment: Chemotherapy’ section. There is one set up for May and I’m sure they would welcome you with open arms. These groups are great for mutual support, advice and many become firm ‘virtual’ friends. My group is the February Valentines and we are a fabulaous bunch of ladies of different age groups.
Sending(((BIG HUGS)))
Poemsgalore xxx
Thank you so much for getting back to me, and with such great information…I admit I was confused as to why I was told my grade but not what stage, but that has helped me understand.
Weird though, for some reason I’m more worried about the fact that it’s in my lymph nodes, I suppose it’s the fact of it spreading…
‘Undergoing Treatment’ sounds just what I will need. Again thank you for the information. When it’s so new it’s very reassuring that there are people who can help.
So pleased to hear that your ‘ok’, and that chemo is nearly over, Good luck with the hormone tablets…x
Well I think I best order up a new dressing gown…
Marleypop
You will need a digital thermometer for when you start chemo, an ‘in ear’ one is the most reliable I gather. This is because at some point in each cycle your immunity will drop. We need to keep an eye on our temperature all the time as you will be given an emergency phone number so that if your temp rises to 38c or above, or you feel fluey or ill in any way, even with a normal temp, you may need to be admitted to hospital and put on IV anti biotics. I know this sounds scary, it isn’t really, just a safeguard. It’s only happened to me once in five cycles and that was when I was put on Tax. Your hospital might give you filgrastrim or pegfilrastrim injections to take at a certain point after treatment to build up your white cells and boost immunity. My hospital gave me them straight after the first cycle, some leave it until they have seen how you cope after first treatment. Ask the oncologist about this. I have additional health problems that put me at a higher risk, so have to be particularly careful.
At the top of the chemo section, there is a ‘sticky’ post which gives advice on what else you might need to keep in a little ‘chemo caddy’. I bought three little plastic baskets from Asda and use one of those for my chemo caddy. I hope I’m not confusing you with all this info. When you have your meeting with the chemo nurse, she will go through everything with you.
PG
Hi and welcome… Take care Emma xx
Hi MARLEYPOP
Your diagnosis is very similar to mine I had grade 3 IDC with 3/20 nodes affected , had wle then 6 x FEC-T chemo and 20 rads, that all started in feb last year and finished in August I an now on Tamoxifen for 5 years I was fortunate to find my lump as at 49 had not had a mamogram , all I could focus on at first was the fact it was grade 3 and in lymphs but it does get eaier as you get into the treatment mode, you focus on getting through each stage bit by bit and day by day, these forums are the best so use them to help you through , NOBODY and I mean nobody gets it like the ladies on here !! we just help each other virtually like no-one else can,
Good luck with your treatment hun if you want any info please feel free to inbox me
Janice x
hi marleypop
i was dx with invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2 and 3, lymph nodes 8 affected. had mx and anc, doing chemo now, followed by rads and tamoxifen. it can be very daunting when all the medical jargon gets let loose, i prefer to stick to the main points, i know others really get into it and want to know everything.
i was diagnosed 6th feb, op 5th march, chemo 17th april - it doess move fast, which i was glad about. i went back to work 4 weeks after op and i’m working through chemo with 4 days off when i get my infusions. side effects have been varied and intermittent so its definately manageable. it was the lymph nodes that freaked me too, but i’m happy to take all the chemo they want to give me, so any strays can be got!
whatever you might think, you wont be letting anyone down. dont make the mistake i made and be putting a brave face on all the time, youre allowed to be sad, upset, angry, lazy, whatever you feel like. but do remain positive afterwards.
good luck with your appointments, keep in touch
Angie xx
Hi Marleypop
I too have a Grade 3 IDC - Ultra Sound showed no node involvement however, I’ve just had a WLE & SNB on Friday. I am 42 also and have 2 children (13 & 7 years).
Although the ultra sound showed no involvement, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t and I won’t know fully until the results are in on the 15th May.
From a core biopsy, I was told that I had a Grade 3 IDC which was hormone responsive level 5 (scale goest from 1 to 8). I don’t know how they got that much from the biopsy, but I’m learning from this forum that the NHS is different in every hospital. I’m in Scotland (just outside of Edinburgh). I had WLE & SNB first, then rads and then chemo (although chemo still to be discussed, but 99% certain I will have it). Where down South it seems that it’s chemo, WLE then rads. Hmmmm make you think.
Anyway - PG has given you some amazing advise re chemo. So pop over to the undergoing treament section and have a read. The chemo ladies are a true inspiration and I admire every one of them.
Take care
Martha xx
Hi Martha, I don’t think the treatment north and south is different, it’s just different oncologists, it’s extremely unusual to have radiotherapy before chemo, I’ve only known one person and this was due to chemo being delayed, also those having chemo first it is usually because the tumour is sizeable or they have inflammatory bc, I’m in the south and had WLE, SNB and ANC followed by chemo then rads for a small grade 2 idc (nodes clear on u/s but micromet on one node from SNB).
Hi Chascat
Thanks for the info - It just seemed that everyone was having chemo first and I was having a WLE (3cm lump) first. Maybe I was feeling left out lol.
My onc said WLE, SNB, rads then tablets (didn’t even tell me which ones) and he hasn’t even mentioned chemo. It was me pushing my BCN about the chemo and eventually she said "because it’s a Grade 3 IDC I should prepare myself of possible talks around chemo).
Ah we live and learn 
I am expecting my treatment to change once I get my results etc on the 15th.
Thanks again for the info,
Martha xx
Hi Martha…my diagnosis, 16 months ago, was very similar to yours. As chascat says chemo before WLE is usually because the lump is large in comparison to the breast and they plan to shrink it before surgery. I was told WLE, rads and possibly tablets, but once path results were shared following surgery and grade 3 IDC with no evidence in sentinel node or vascular invasion (blood supply) confirmed, I was advised that I would be offered chemo. This is automatic with grade 3 in my hospital (south coast), and improved my survival by 5% over 5 years and nearly 10% over 10. Apparently if nodes look/feel clear at ultrasound or manual exam, then there is a 30% chance that might change after SNB. Mine were clear…ER was only +3 so had FEC-T chemo followed by 5 years of anastrozole (which is for post-menopausal women; tamoxifen I believe is usually for pre-menopausal women). It is possible that you are being given information at a pace which your team feel appropriate as it is all sooooo much to take in…that’s certainly what mine did! Chemo wasn’t really mentioned until after op some 6-8 weeks after diagnosis! Now I feel like an ‘expert’!!!
Please be reassured that once you get a treatment plan you will feel more informed and ‘in contol’. Whatever your treatment it is a long, hard road, but with lots of support, manageable. Looking back I realise I lived ‘in the moment’ and now it feels like a distant memory. This time next year you will be writing a post like this 
best wishes for results day…x
Martha, I remember being told surgery, rads and tamoxifen (ER+ 8/8) by my surgeon, it was my nurse to who told me to prepare for chemo due to my age (43 at diagnosis), my surgeon didn’t mention it! My idc was grade 2 19mm and I was borderline for chemo but I opted to have it, I think it’ will probably be advised for a grade 3. I found chemo ok, I worked through whilst looking after my then 4 year old daughter and life carried on nearly as normal, I had 6 x FEC. I welcomed chemo because I knew that even though there was only a small benefit to me having it, it would give me peace of mind knowing I’d done everything possible, short term pain for long term gain is how I viewed it. As Maryland has said, you’re in a horrible place now, once your results are in and you have a treatment plan in place things will get easier x
Morning Marleypop
Sorry you find yourself here. As Peoms says its a Club no one wants to join. However it is the best place to be and you will take comfort from thesupport you will get from fellow members.
Everyone has a story to tell and each is individual. I was told I would have chemo first however after scans, test, mri’s it wasdecided I would have an mx and ANC as I had 5 tumours and lymph node involvement.
You won’t know the full extent of your cancer until they remove the tumors. If you are having chemo first it will be to shrink the tumour which will enable them to get clear margins and therefore do less damage to your breast. Which is good news.
I have yet to start chemo. I am seeing the onc on wed to discuss my plan, that will be three weeks post op. There is a lovely group called May Moonbeams we started and all the ladies are lovely, some have started their treatment and are an inspiration. Come along andjoin in.
Finally it upsets me that you say you don’t want to let anyone down. You didn’t ask to be here. Although its hard to do you have to be selfish and focus on yourself. This is your battle and the people around you have to understand that you need to take each day as it comes. As Angiepops says be angry, be sad, be lazy, be strong . . . Only you willI understand what you’re feeling so don’t ever feel you’re letting anyone down. Take care and hopefully you’ll have you’re treatment plan soon and be on the road to recovery.
Emma xx
Welcome Martha, as the others have said its a shame you had to join the group, but it’s a great group to be part of.
I am similar to Angie with grade 3 IDC diagnosed on the 2feb, WLE and SNB on 2nd March and started chemo on 15th April.Iam on FEC which seems to be the most common chemo. Everyone has different stories of side affects, but personally I have generally been good. Had second cycle today and they have adjusted meds according to my last side affects, so treatment is very personal to you. Today I brought my 12 year old daughter with me as she had become quite frightened about chemo. The nurses were great and explained everything and even showed her how they check the bloods… Result a very happy child no longer scared about my treatment.
Allow people to help you, friends and colleagues can be fantastic, and whilst we all have BC being loved a cared for by so many makes you feel good.
Good luck. Philomena x
Hi ladies,
I’ve been watching the Maymoonbeams in earnest in an attempt to mentally prep myself and in all honesty, I’m a little aprehensive of chemo but as everyones says, it is very do-able. I saw my BNC today and she if very happy with my WLE and we had a good chat. She said it is good that I’m preparing for chemo already and that I would most likely have Tamoxifen
Marleypop - This forum is great and the best place to be. All the ladies here are awesome so feel free to rant and moan, as we all know exactly what you are going through.
Good luck
Martha xx
Thanks girls, tried not to think about it over the last couple days, just been enjoying the bank holiday in the garden…
Read through the comments which have really helped. There is quiet a lot to take in, but I’m not as emotional wreck as I was 6 days ago…so it’s becoming a lot clearer now.
Looks like my next step will be with May Moon beams…see you there
i was diagnosed a yr ago with idc grade 2 wle no nodes affected 10mm … i had rads and now tam strange how some have to go through chemo with the same diagnosis?