Hi Denise ,welcome .I had grade 2 invasive ductal cancer also .I has surgery (lumpectomy ) and 3 weeks Radiotherapy treatment .Its very overwhelming in the beginning so much to take in.On my first appointment I was given a date for surgery and told what the likely treatment would be,I say likely because there are lots of pieces to the jigsaw that they fit together in order to devise a plan that is right for you and limits the chance of the cancer coming back .Depending on the size of your cancer they may recommend 2 types of surgery lumpectomy or mastectomy .They will remove some of your lymph nodes during surgery and they get tested to see if any cancer cells have begun to move outside the breast.If they have done further surgery /treatment(chemo) may be recommended .The other pieces of the jigsaw (you don’t get all this at same time which is frustrating ) is whether the cancer is ER positive or HER positive both of which mean that hormone therapy drugs will be offered to you also (Tamoxifen,Letrozole or Herceptin) Most women have 3 or 4 weeks Radiotherapy a few weeks after the op when you have healed .Lots of support and advice here.Jill.
Ladies
I have reported the post Rzkhan to the moderators as I think it looks very dodgy please be careful.
Hi Denise1000. I was diagnosed 13 Feb with Invasive ductal bc, although they originally said ductal, the invasive part was only mentioned when I phoned the Breastcarenurse to confirm it. I am also triple neg so have to be gene tested, and stage 1 grade 3., single growth 2.5cm. Booked in for mastectomy just waiting for date. They tried to cancel my Mri but as I am being forced to keep left boob (I originally wanted double MX but they don’t do it) but I stood my ground as said if I have to keep the left one then I need to know there is nothing nasty growing in it. It was clear so only the right is going.
So from being diagnosed to seeing consultant was 3 weeks as had to have Mri. After any further tests your case is discussed by the Team. The consultant explains the plan to you and if suitable ask you to choose lumpx or mx. Then they send a booking request for op date to the booking deptmt. Treatments start within 31 days of this 2nd meeting with Consultant. So in my case 31 days from 6 March.
I have to have surgery, chemo and radiotherapy, throwing the works at it as it is aggressive. The Mri and ultrasound showed clear nodes but they will check in surgery and chemo will prevent / destroy any rogue cells which may have escaped. This is purely preventative. It really is like a crash course in a new subject but just st9ck to this site and Macmillian only.
Blueash you mentioned microblading for eyebrows a while ago ,how does that work when you still have brows ,do they have to shave brows off or do they do the strokes in between your existing brows ?How did you find someone reputable to do it ,bet there are a lot of "amateurs " out there .
It’s a personal decision and I know ladies who have delayed treatment to have a holiday .Personally I would just want to get on with it ,but on the other hand a holiday may do you good .Why don’t you discuss timescales with the surgeon and then make a decision .If you have insurance they will cover cost and you can rebook when you have finished treatment .
We all been there Denise ,there is much to take in at first and so many practical things to deal with when you are really not up to it mentally because you are in a state of shock .
I know the “what ifs” are very hard to deal with and Im afraid there is a lot of anxious waiting until you know exactly what will happen and when .Im sorry your partner is not supportive , extreme stress doesn’t always bring out the best in people or relationships .Good that you have supportive family and friends though.Im sure you will feel better after your appointment .
Thanks for that info .