Just diagnosed 2 hours ago.........
Fast forward to last month when I had my mammogram--got one of the dreaded letters--"there is an abnormality on your film". I emailed my oncologist at MDAnderson & she got me into their undiagnosed breast cancer clinic for a repeat mamo, U/S & core biopsy.You could see a tiny spot on the U/S. Before I left that day, they said they really thought it was more of my thyroid cancer. But I got the word this morning--invasive ductal carcinoma in situ. As soon as they can get me in, I'll see a surgeon.
So glad to have found this site just recently. I have posted a couple of times on the thyroid cancer boards--never thought I would be posting on another one.
Just wanted to say hi--I'm sure I'll have many questions when I get over the initial shock.
Anne-Thyca Anne
Houston
Comments
-
I didn't find this site for
I didn't find this site for about 2 1/2 yrs...very helpful info and great place to vent...
Sorry we had to meet like this..
Denise0 -
So sorry to hear this.
So sorry to hear this. You've found a wonderfully informed and caring group here. I am 10 weeks NEW to this forum and have found my solace in this group. Without these wonderful, lovely ladies, there was only apprehension and feelings that I couldn't make it through this. Well, I am happy to report I am going to be fine once the treatments start. It should be in 2 weeks ... starting with rads. Please keep up informed of your journey.
My love and prayers going your way
Pink Sister,
Mary0 -
Hi Anne,
I had ductal
Hi Anne,
I had ductal carcinoma in-situ. I'm confused by "invasive ductal carinoma in situ" because the "in situ" means the tumor hasn't invaded the surrounding tissue. Anyway, what I had, the DCIS, turned out to be the best possible type of breast cancer for me to have. I hope yours, like mine, is limited to one spot. If so, I hope you can have, as I did, a lumpectomy. In the reading I did before and after my surgery, I learned that a lumpectomy plus radiation has been shown to be as effective against any recurrence as a mastectomy.
For me, one breast is a little smaller than the other which is not noticeable in clothes. My life is pretty normal, now, 2 years out from the surgery and radiation, except for more frequent mammograms and ultrasounds. But there was a time when I thought life would NEVER be the same again. It consisted of doctor visit after doctor visit. I maxed out the out-of-pocket portion of my insurance that year and had no out of pocket costs after that until January of the next year!
For a lot of sisters on this board, life is radically different after a breast cancer diagnosis. For my DCIS diagnosis two years ago, I can say life IS back to normal, just slightly altered. I am 60 now (57 at diagnosis) and feel any breast cancer is behind me. I have learned MANY things about myself and about breast cancer since then. I will NEVER say that having cancer was good for me. But I am past it now. And I am writing this to you because, at the stage you're at, I desperately wanted to hear from a 'survivor' who felt good. I call myself a "veteran", not a survivor because the latter word implies to me that I was somehow a victim. But either way, a normal life is VERY possible. There is a 'future' Anne, looking back and cheering you on, telling you, "you can do this; take one step at a time and you will soon see the light at the end of the tunnel!"
My best wishes to you. I'll be looking for your posts as you progress.
~~Connie~~0 -
ask your questions here!Debbie55 said:invasive ductal carcinoma/
I was just diagnosed Oct 10 with breast cancer.. I will be having a masectomy ( left breast ) on Dec. 16 . I'm scared as hell.. Still have questions .. I an 56 years of age.
Hi Debbie,
Wow, it's natural to have questions! That means you're thinking and not hiding! Good for you.
Although your doctors are the best people to ask questions of, you can get some really good advice and experience stories by asking your questions here, too.
So, go ahead, ask away! Knowledge sometimes dispels the fear a little.
~~Connie~~0 -
Ty Connie.. OK.. This is acrselby said:ask your questions here!
Hi Debbie,
Wow, it's natural to have questions! That means you're thinking and not hiding! Good for you.
Although your doctors are the best people to ask questions of, you can get some really good advice and experience stories by asking your questions here, too.
So, go ahead, ask away! Knowledge sometimes dispels the fear a little.
~~Connie~~
Ty Connie.. OK.. This is a brief update via from my Plastic surgeon because i will be having masectomy/reconstruction . .. He states in letter.. Nottingham grade 1.. There is a moderate tubule formation-2. Nuclear grade -2,lesion was E.R. positive,P.R. positive, HER-2/neu negative. Would appreciate ANY feedback on this .. PLZ.. Ty.. Sorry if i mispell as i can't think right at the moment.
0 -
Hi Anne~crselby said:Hi Anne,
I had ductal
Hi Anne,
I had ductal carcinoma in-situ. I'm confused by "invasive ductal carinoma in situ" because the "in situ" means the tumor hasn't invaded the surrounding tissue. Anyway, what I had, the DCIS, turned out to be the best possible type of breast cancer for me to have. I hope yours, like mine, is limited to one spot. If so, I hope you can have, as I did, a lumpectomy. In the reading I did before and after my surgery, I learned that a lumpectomy plus radiation has been shown to be as effective against any recurrence as a mastectomy.
For me, one breast is a little smaller than the other which is not noticeable in clothes. My life is pretty normal, now, 2 years out from the surgery and radiation, except for more frequent mammograms and ultrasounds. But there was a time when I thought life would NEVER be the same again. It consisted of doctor visit after doctor visit. I maxed out the out-of-pocket portion of my insurance that year and had no out of pocket costs after that until January of the next year!
For a lot of sisters on this board, life is radically different after a breast cancer diagnosis. For my DCIS diagnosis two years ago, I can say life IS back to normal, just slightly altered. I am 60 now (57 at diagnosis) and feel any breast cancer is behind me. I have learned MANY things about myself and about breast cancer since then. I will NEVER say that having cancer was good for me. But I am past it now. And I am writing this to you because, at the stage you're at, I desperately wanted to hear from a 'survivor' who felt good. I call myself a "veteran", not a survivor because the latter word implies to me that I was somehow a victim. But either way, a normal life is VERY possible. There is a 'future' Anne, looking back and cheering you on, telling you, "you can do this; take one step at a time and you will soon see the light at the end of the tunnel!"
My best wishes to you. I'll be looking for your posts as you progress.
~~Connie~~
I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers~ It is a shock to hear those words,and to hear them a second time...many of us have been there, whether it is a repeat of our breast cancer or another form of cancer.
We are fighters, and survivors!
~Melanie0 -
Ann and Debbie,Debbie55 said:Ty Connie.. OK.. This is a
Ty Connie.. OK.. This is a brief update via from my Plastic surgeon because i will be having masectomy/reconstruction . .. He states in letter.. Nottingham grade 1.. There is a moderate tubule formation-2. Nuclear grade -2,lesion was E.R. positive,P.R. positive, HER-2/neu negative. Would appreciate ANY feedback on this .. PLZ.. Ty.. Sorry if i mispell as i can't think right at the moment.
I am so sorry that you are here...but you are surrounded by a wonderful group of people with a wealth of knowledge and even more love and compassion.
Never a good thing to hear, once, much less twice. You will find many answers to your questions here when you start looking around. You'll know what to ask at appointments, etc. with a bit of surfing on these boards. I consider myself new as well, I found out in Sept. and had my surgery in Oct. I'll be heading back to work next week and looking forward to that.
Many prayers for both of you,
Keely0 -
Well not sure about all thetrixytwo said:so sorry
You have to go though this twice. I am newly diagnosed and the treatment plan has already changed 3times so confusing. Hugs and prayers.
Well not sure about all the details,but there are many positive features of your diagnosis. It stinks that you have BC but if you do its a good one to get. All of this will sort out, and i am sure you feel better about things soon. keep posting with any questions. We got your back!0 -
Of boy - this is a lot forcarkris said:Well not sure about all the
Well not sure about all the details,but there are many positive features of your diagnosis. It stinks that you have BC but if you do its a good one to get. All of this will sort out, and i am sure you feel better about things soon. keep posting with any questions. We got your back!
Of boy - this is a lot for one person to go through so close together. I am so sorry. My second bc was a cluster of invasive cells with two other in situ sights located in other areas of the breast. I had a mastectomy/reconstruction. I too am confused why your doc called it invasive in situ. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me; however I didn't go to medical school. (sigh). I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care,
Pam0 -
I'm so sorryPam5 said:Of boy - this is a lot for
Of boy - this is a lot for one person to go through so close together. I am so sorry. My second bc was a cluster of invasive cells with two other in situ sights located in other areas of the breast. I had a mastectomy/reconstruction. I too am confused why your doc called it invasive in situ. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me; however I didn't go to medical school. (sigh). I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care,
Pam
I'm so sorry that you are going through this but I'm glad you found this site. Ask as many questions as you need to, there is a wealth of knowledge here & someone is always online ready to listen & help.
Post often to let us know how you are doing.
Hugs & God Bless,
Dawne0 -
sorry that you are nowTexasgirl10 said:I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry that you are going through this but I'm glad you found this site. Ask as many questions as you need to, there is a wealth of knowledge here & someone is always online ready to listen & help.
Post often to let us know how you are doing.
Hugs & God Bless,
Dawne
sorry that you are now dealing with BC but as others have said, if you are gonna have BC it's better to have the kind that has not spread. It is cancer none the less and we are here to support you and answer your questions. Welcome to the pink sisterhood, one that none of us would have chosen, but fortunate that we have each other.0 -
sorry that you are nowTexasgirl10 said:I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry that you are going through this but I'm glad you found this site. Ask as many questions as you need to, there is a wealth of knowledge here & someone is always online ready to listen & help.
Post often to let us know how you are doing.
Hugs & God Bless,
Dawne
double post0 -
Hang in there!Debbie55 said:invasive ductal carcinoma/
I was just diagnosed Oct 10 with breast cancer.. I will be having a masectomy ( left breast ) on Dec. 16 . I'm scared as hell.. Still have questions .. I an 56 years of age.
This is a good place to come for emotional support! Sorry you are facing this - I had a bi-lateral on Feb 16th (2011). The scariest is the not knowing. You have it in you to fight, survive and thrive. I also am 56..0 -
So sorry to hear that you
So sorry to hear that you had to join us on this board
Hugs (^_^)
Robbin0 -
Many thanks to you all..........natly15 said:sorry that you are now
double post
I just wanted to say that I appreciate the support, hugs & prayers! I will keep you all posted & I'll probably drive you nuts with questions.........I apologize in advance for that!!
I'll post again when I know something.
Anne
Houston0 -
I'm so sorry that you had tobeachmom said:Ann and Debbie,
I am so sorry that you are here...but you are surrounded by a wonderful group of people with a wealth of knowledge and even more love and compassion.
Never a good thing to hear, once, much less twice. You will find many answers to your questions here when you start looking around. You'll know what to ask at appointments, etc. with a bit of surfing on these boards. I consider myself new as well, I found out in Sept. and had my surgery in Oct. I'll be heading back to work next week and looking forward to that.
Many prayers for both of you,
Keely
I'm so sorry that you had to find us as a result of bc. Now that you're here, you will find a wealth of information from a great group of bc survivors, pink sisters.
Praying for you,
Kylez0
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