Topic: invasive ductal carcinoma

Did the surgeon have a recommendation?  My surgeon said I could choose mastectomy or lumpectomy with snb but that he thought given my situation he would recommend a lumpectomy.  It always comes down to your choice, but the best thing is to get a second opinion so that you feel more comfortable with your decision.

Like Henny, I was ready to do whatever I needed. I told the surgeon that my breasts had served my family well and that they were at the point where I had to stuff them into my bra. He said that a lumpectomy would be fine.

However, the pathology report said that I had positive margins so I ended up with a mastectomy. They found several lumps, microscopic to 1.4 cm in size. I chose to have the other breast removed as the cancer had caught us by surprise in the other. I didn't want to be in the position to lose the other axillary lymph nodes as that causes more problems than the mastectomy.

In the end I wish I had just had the mast right away. I wonder about where the remaining cancer cells travelled to after the lymph nodes were taken out. But we all made the decision based on what we knew at the time.

There is no way to know exactly what is going on until they actually get in there and do the tests. I can tell you that I have been quite happy with the bilat mast and have not had reconstruction. I do have a fine pair of boobs that I can wear if I want but I find being boobless quite liberating.

danismom,

One of the rules here is that you DO NOT have to be positive all the time.  Everybody on the "outside" might think that, but most of us here realize that "being positive" is sometimes impossible, and often doesn't help us very much. It makes other people happy, but it makes us feel guilty when we can't be positive.  And, honestly, BC cells don't care if we are positive or not.  They really don't.

Of course, if you are occasionally able to face things with an optimistic attitude, it will make your day more pleasant (again, especially for everybody else). And, if you find yourself sad and crying all the time, it would probably be a good idea to talk to your doctor to see if he/she can help you out.  You need to be able to function on a day-to-day basis, and not have BC overwhelm you completely.

But, the problems we have to face every day, and the decisions we are forced to make, and the precious things we lose as a result of this disease (our breasts, our hair, our eyelashes, our dignity, months and years out of our lives), would make any normal person depressed.

The fear you feel is very familiar to all of us.  Please know that you can write your feelings here on these BCO boards, and someone will answer and try to help you.

What type of chemo will you be receiving?  Many of us here are getting chemo.  I am in the middle of a 12-week regimen of Taxotere & Cytoxan--I have my next (3rd) treatment on May 14.  There are lots of other women, on the chemo and radiation sections of the BCO boards.  We can help you get through it.

Hugs,

otter 

danismom - i wish i could just give you a big old hug. this has been going on a while for you to just now be able to vent....all i can tell you is i have been through hell myself so i know how you feel -and all i can say is you will get through this. go ahead and cry, we need it...we deserve it...and you will feel better for it. positive only comes on its own, you cant force it so just feel what you are feeling in the moment. let us help

Hi Danismom.

It is okay to be emotional. Friday night as I was saying goodbye to my grandson outside a restaurant right in front of everyone out of the blue I bawled like a baby. I emailed my daughter later and said I was sorry for the emotional outburst and her reply was "You have every right to be be emotional".

This afternoon I am meeting with my oncologist as I have to now make some decisions on whether to go for another lumpectomy (already had one last year, another in March this year and a re excision and snb on April 21st) or to opt for a mastectomy. I am sure I will be pretty emotional then but I have learned that is OKAY!

Jill. 

Hi all.  I am also new to this.  I have invasive ductal c and also in the lypmph nodes, but my tumor is quite large and we are doing chemo prior to what they think can be a lumpectomy.  I also am 58 and am not interested in reconstruction as I know people who have had more complications from the reconstruction than from the cancer!  In making one's decision, I also think it depends on the person's comfort zone.  I am a firm believer in doing as much research for even complimentary treatments as well as  alternative.  I have a friend who had stage 2 breast cancer (invasive) but not in the lymphs and she did total alternatvie therapy and is healed still.  I would especially ask all of you to consider doing research on iodine.  If anyone has had thyroid problems and/or fybrocystic disease, I think you will find it most interesting.  There are studies to show it totally eradicates fibrocystic disease.  My oncologist thinks my cancer is thyroid related.

Blessings and peace to all. "We can beat this monster!"

I also have been diagnosed with invasive dc.. i had a lumpectomy april 24th and I am waiting for the pathology report which I have an appt on May 13th..I know you have all been where I am now but I find it so hard not to think about the worst scenario... how did you handle the waiting

Roses, I'm sorry your going through a tough time.  I can't give advice but I can tell you my story.  My cancer was found on a routine mamm and it was very small stage 1, but since it was invasive grade 3 I though for sure I would have to have a mastectomy.  My surgeon who is the first choice surgeon from the oncology group I go to said he didn't feel it was necessary for me.  He said he see's reoccurances in woman who's had their breast removed and since it was stage 1 I elected to go along with him.  I had my 3rd out of 6 treatments of TCH (taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin today and I'm looking forward to the end.

I also agree with Danismom, waiting for the results of the biopsy, lymph nodes, scans and blood work is the hardest part.  I'm so grateful it didn't spread and I hate my boobs, but I'm still glad I didn't have to have one removed.  Good luck, Mary

Hi Everyone, I am stage 3 IDC and have been threw the ringer, High chemo, 4 surgerys and on arimindex. I am now fighting to get more help with other tests, Has anyone had thyroid cancer after breast cancer. I have 7 nodesin thyroid and they did a cat scan and said they dont look like cancer and they said the same about my breast cancer. Thanks, Debbie

the last part of the report states micro papillary type present less that 0.5mm for the new superior resection margin...it seems that all areas of the excised tumor had clear margins except this one....usually the surgeon has markers inside the surgery area so he has an excellent 2nd surgery to make sure he gets clear margins on the second surgery.

My breast surgeon told me they look for at least 2.0mm of clear margin so this part is 1.5 mm away from being clear.

And you have dcis as well as idc (ductal carcinoma in-situ and infiltrating ductal carcinoma)

also it is good that there is no lymph invasion or necrosis

My path report was very similar and the left breast (usually more common)

Best wishes on the next surgery and God Bless!

In Jesus Love,

Amber 

Hi,

I was diagnosed in April after having my routine mammogram. I had a lumpectomy May 13 and then another one a week ago as the margins were not clear.Now they are clear and also my sentinal nodes were negative. I am grade I, ER & PR positve, HER-2/neu not amplified. Tumor grade Nottingham I of III , total Nottingham Score 4 of 9 ( which I don't understand this score?) I go back for follow up the end of next week. I am getting nervous about what is ahead. (the original plan was radiation after the lumpectomy and then the oral agents, so hope that has not changed. )My breast feels a lot more uncomfortable after this 2nd surgery.Need a pain pill at least once during the day, where as didn't need any the first time.And I agree with others posted on here ,that YES, we should be allowed to cry at times if we feel like it and not have to be BRAVE all the time. I  do want to be positive, but there are days when I am really feeling afraid of it all! Breast cancer was never anything I really worried about, just had my routine exams done each year and went on my way! So it can be a terrifying surprise when it comes back with that dreaded C word!  BLESS YOU ALL who are going thru this!

Reen,

I totally understand your fear.  I have IDC 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR ?, HER2 ?.  I can tell you that they've come a long way . . . I wish they were further.  When you get all the specifics, let me know.  I've had surgery twice (2 lumpectomies since the border wasn't clean) I'm afraid to find out my specifics but need to so I can also make a plan.  My sister had very aggressive breast cancer and is cancer free for 16 years now . . .

Lisa

I have an appointment with my surgeon this coming Monday and the oncologist Tuesday . . . I'm really scared.  Have you found out anything else yet?

I have just been diagnosed with an invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features in my right breast.  The size is 2.5 x 3 and it is an irregular shape.  I am scheduled for a Bilateral Breast  MRI this Thursday 6/26/08.  Does anybody have any information on this type.  I am terrified.

The surgeon did a core biopsy and found the above results.  I am scheduled for a lumpectomy on 7/8/08 with the removal of the sentinel node.  I was told if the sentinel is cancer free none of the others have to be removed

I have Dana Farber, in Boston, in my area and called them for a 2nd opinion but they cannot even see me until 7/9 for a consult.  They advised I go through with the surgery and then bring them the results and then they will set up an appointment with the right department and doctors for my 2nd opinion and treatment advice.  Is that a normal procedure?

As you all know I am completely in the dark and cannot believe this is happening.  I am a 74 year old widow.  I live alone but have wonderful family and friends but all this is as confusing to them and their advice and feelings are all very encouraging but they are not equipped with first hand knowledge so I am asking your views.

Please excuse my ramblings but I feel I have just been hit by a thunderbolt.  I am glad I found this site and I have read quite a few of the messages posted but I am still very confused.

HELP me please