New here Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Hi, I was just recently diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I am overwhelmed and scared. Everyone says it's going to be alright, but I am terrified.
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I’m so sorry! I’m in a very similar boat! Please know that the people telling you that you will be alright are probably terrified too or are relying on stats to respond to the scary feelings that you are feeling. It, sometimes, does not help and feels like people are implying that you are overreacting. You are not. You have cancer. Yes, there are great treatments but that does not mitigate the unknown, the adapting that you will have to do and any of the awful stuff you will have to go through. I had to sit my husband down and tell him to stop saying that I was going to “be fine” and explain that my feelings are being belittled every time someone makes it sound like I have the flu or a cold and that I am going to bounce right back. He understood and now he has changed his stance to, “We will get through this together.” I think that many people don’t know what to say. ❤️
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Even as a cancer patient myself, I do not know how you are feeling. Your feelings are yours. Sorry that you must go through this. Communicate your feelings so people who care about you may understand a little more.
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Hello it is terrifying to hear that cancer is inside your body! I hope and pray that the stress and fear lessens as you learn more and start treatment. All the best wishes to you.
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I understand your fears! We all have them, and now that I've had cancer myself I realized I did not really understand what friends with it were going through, even though I was very sympathetic. I had aggressive triple negative cancer in my right breast. I went through seven chemo treatments, lumpectomy, and now getting ready to start radiation. I can tell you that God has held me up through this whole thing. I have other issues which cause me almost constant pain, so it has been very difficult and sometimes I got so discouraged! I knew many prayers besides my own were going up for me, and that made a big difference. Learn all you can about the type of cancer you have. Don't be afraid to ask your dr questions. They are glad to explain things to you and let you know what to expect. My cancer center gave me a book called The Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook by Judy C. Kneece, RN, OCN. If you can get your hands on one, it will tell you just about everything you need to know. Best of luck to you and keep us posted on how you do!
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I hear you! I have heard my share of “You’ll be fine!”, as well as “Oh my god, my aunt had that and she died!”.
I was diagnosed in April. I had my bilateral modified mastectomies with breast lift, (Yay! Free boob job!), and I am now in my second week of radiation.
All I can say is, take EVERYTHING you hear as if it comes from a good place, because it almost always does. People don’t know what to say and are acting out their own fears. If you are ok, then they will be too. You are already heading in the right direction by reaching out for support!
Take time to breathe. Study up on what you have. Get your head around the worst case scenarios and then pray for the best. Ask questions, demand answers and get a consensus of opinion before treatment if you dont live in a place that offers a Team Approach to treatment as I am lucky enough to. It is hard. It is scary. It is overwhelming. You will learn so much about yourself, your strength and the people around you. Cancer is a beast, but it can be lived with and often beaten.
Good luck to you! You can do this! One step at a time. There are a ton of us out here if you need us!
MK
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TG!! We think very similar! I'm mad! Really mad! I appreciate your honesty without the sugar coating! I just got this week a diagnosis of Metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma this week which my doc says is a stage 4. Now I got attacked on another "chat" for saying stage 4 because the group members were trying to diagnosis me and wanted all my medical records rather than answer any questions I had ( you know who you are!!) needless to say I left that board for good! I WISH it was stage 1! Or 2 or 3!! This is going to change our lifes forever! I never dreamed I would be on a cancer chat board but here I am!!
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Oh, do I hear you! I have stage 1 IDC and DCIS, and I feel like I shouldn't say I am terrified because my diagnosis is so "good." NO! It is CANCER, and I don't know what else it will do in my body. I am frightened about the surgery -- I walk with a rollator and use a cane in my right hand. The lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy will be in the right breast. I will be putting much of my body weight on that arm every time I have to go to the bathroom or go to get a drink in the kitchen or just try to sleep. I have slept on my right side due to arthritis in the left knee for a good 10 years. I am going to do my best to sleep on my back, but what about getting out of bed? I have no idea how I am going to manage these simple tasks. I got myself a grabber to help with bending over (I'm also overweight and my boob gets squished against my stomach bending down). Hubs will be putting on socks and shoes for awhile. I feel like I am whining but these are real fears. Then I start thinking, "This is just the START of the cancer journey. I'll likely get chemo, and definitely will get radiation and aromatase inhibitors for 5+ years. This is going to be a long haul." The worst part is that due to my arthritis I have been essentially disabled for nearly 10 years, and over that time most of my friends have drifted away. I have an extremely limited support system in terms of helping with physical things -- driving me places, helping do laundry, that sort of thing. I HATE that all of this is falling on my husband. I did a post asking for ideas for how to show appreciation and give support to him, and I will see what people suggest.
I wish you all the best in your cancer battle, and I'll pray for you. You are not alone.❤️
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I'm mad, too! They should not have done that to you! Hang in there, and know that I am one who supports you completely. I'll pray for you. 🤗
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To the original post….how are you hanging in there?? I’m 1 week post op stage 2 same as yourself, 15 lymph nodes removed, 1 affected.
Its totally overwhelming!! The. They say these are the options what would you like to do… um, is there a “live” box to check with the treatments! Totally get your fears, I was the same way! You become a self advocate and you absolutely have to!! Break this down into project pieces and tackle one at a a time!
keep us posted ❤️
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I was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma in my breast and lymph node AND inflammatory breast cancer. This is a very aggressive type.Does anyone know anyone who has this? I need to talk. I want to see
since the statistics are grim if I should bother with treatment or just take my chances and live quality while I can. With treatment stats say 19% survive 5 years. Thanks. Best to you all. Hugs, Ar
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I was always told to ignore negative statistics. Remember, they are predictions for a GROUP, not for you as an individual. I have cancer in both sides of my family, and both parents beat the "odds" and lived way beyond what the statistics said. My dad in particular had pancreatic cancer in around 1978. At that time it had a 1 year survival rate of 2%. He lived until 2009. My mom had esophogeal (?sp) cancer -- 5% 5 year survival rate at the time. She lived another 10 years. Nobody knows your particular cancer stats. You are unique and may live another 40 years like my dad did. Or more!
However, if you make the personal decision that you don't want to spend time going through what you have found out is nasty treatment for what you feel are too poor odds, the choice is yours. No one should badger you for your decision. I do recommend talking to people in similar situations, though. Nothing helps like sharing common experience.
I'm praying for you! 🤗❤️🙏
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Dear Stephanican-Thank you for your advice and for taking the time to write. My husband was given 6 months to live and he lived 8 years without treatment for mesothelioma but did have a spiritual healing !! He eventually died from liver cancer. I am trying to listen to other woman who have been through this.My sister had a mastectomy and chemo and is still with us 20 years later !! My Mom had a mastectomy many years ago and years later it mestasticized (sp?) to her bones and she died despite treatment. I just want to have quality time with my adult
children and grand children for as long as I can. Arlene
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Thanks for your prayers !!!! Arlene
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Sunny 5 -THanks. Yes I believe in the Lord and miracles and also that if He chooses to bring me home then that is HIS will. I appreciate your prayers and response.Love your name -you are in my prayers also !!!
Healing hugs, Arlene
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