New here Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
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Hi, I was diagnosed in March of this year. Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma as well. It is scary. You will be ok. I had a lumpectomy, margins were clear, lymph nodes clear, biopsy results were in situ. (cancer was contained, not spreading) I completely understand your fear. You will be o.k. I promise. Its a journey and millions of women are here for you. Talk to your doctors, friends and family. Learn as much as you can about your options. Do what you feel that is right for you. I opted for 20 radiation treatments and refused chemotherapy. Were the doctors mad? Yes but I took my tough daughter with me. My gut told me what to do, you do you and don't let anyone tell you otherwise! You can send me a message if you would like.
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Truckincrazy, everyone's journey is different. I was diagnosed in December with a rare aggressive triple negative carcinoma. I had seven rounds of chemo and 17 rounds of radiation (I have two more to go). I am cancer free. Don't let anyone else tell you what to do. Ask plenty of questions of your doctors and if you can, ask for a copy of The Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook by Judy Kneece, RN, OCN. It has been invaluable to me. I assume from your nickname you are or were working in the trucking industry. I worked for Landstar Ligon for 25 years. Loved it! I wish you the best. Keep us posted!
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LOL great catch on the name, I worked for a trucking company and still keep in touch with some drivers, I'm a little trucker, Class B and drove a TMA (crash truck) for a traffic control company. I couldn't live in a truck. I will check out the book. Feeling much better these days, but it was a hard journey and wish I had been better informed. Nice to meet you.
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Dear Truck in Thanks for sharing. I have invasive ductal carcinoma 3 in my breast and lymph node as well as Inflammatory Breast Cancer ( quite rare)
I agree that your gut - 6th sense- knows what is best for each patient. Since I also have Lupus, am 72 and do not have a spleen I am very hesitant to start chemo -especially since a statistic is rather low for a remission. I want quality of life over time .... I am seeking to hear from other woman who are dealing with this type of breast cancer.
I hope and pray you do very well. Arlene
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Yes I agree with you. I am 62, will be 63 in December. After further research and knowing what I know now I don't think I would have opted for 20 rads, however, I probably would have worried about it coming back if I didn't.
I spoke to many people that had cancer and did not do chemo and they wanted to do 22 weeks of it. I said no way. I have seen its results and they aren't pretty. Some people it helps and they are younger too.
If it does come back I don't think I will go through rads again, they can do a lumpectomy, but until then, I'm dealing with the constant fatigue and not being able to work is another stressor. I will be getting help with that in therapy next week.
Apparently IDC is the most common breast cancer, mine was in situ, (contained), no lymph node involvement and margins were clear.
Its a personal choice and you must do what you feel is right for you.
Terri
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I pray for your healing as well!
Truckin
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I understand how frustrating the "you will be fine" comment is - it doesn't even come close to what is happening to you and I know everyone is trying to be supportive and comforting by saying that but you just want to scream "how is everything going to be fine when I have cancer inside me!!" At least that is the way I feel because I too was recently told I have Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. This is six years after my first breast cancer which is double scary because are you not supposed to be SAFE after the 5 year mark?!?!?!
Take one day at a time and write down what is happening because you will want to remember and overwhelmed don't let you do that. Be scared but don't let that be your life - because in truth the bottom line is you will be fine eventually-- just take the time YOU need to be that fine.
I know because I am recovering from the second surgery which was successful at removing this awful stuff from my body. Prayers for your journey to be the same.
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omg I hope it never comes back. If it does I think I'll just nature take its course. I am just going to accept the fact that my girls and roommate won't or know how to be supportive. I just can't get past this fatigue. It's almost been 3 weeks since radiation. I am cancer free but continue to smoke and I feel guilty, I am so addicted.
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Prayers for you all and support to STOP SMOKING if you do as this can be very traumatic on your body.
I saw my surgeon yesterday and he was kind, thorough and very helpful with my scans,charts etc. I have Infammatory breast cancer stage 3 and invasive carcinoma in my breast and axillary lymph node -both painful
With IBC surgery can only be done AFTER chemo. -and only if it has NOT metasticized -so I must have a PET scan first .I also have lupus ( and some kidney problems from my lupus)and no spleen so I may not be able to have chemo.
I am dreading chemo. P{lease share what the fatigue is like because I already have severe fatigue from lupus.THanks.I would like to hear from others who are dealing with IBC- it is rare.Thanks. Hugs and prayers- Pasturesedge (Arlene)
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I went through seven rounds of chemo. Your oncology department should have many helpful resources to help you deal with the side effects. Two things that are very important are hydration and nutrition. I got to where I couldn't tolerate dairy products and was too sick to eat at times. I found some nutrition shakes at Amazon called Evolve Plant Based Protein Shakes. I could drink one of those when I couldn't eat. I also recommend you ask your oncology department for a book called The Cancer Treatment Handbook, by Judy C. Kneese, RN, OCN. It tells you everything about cancer and has many helpful suggestions. Nausea and diarrhea were side effects that I had the most. The dr. can give you nausea medication that really does work. Also OTC anti-diarrheal medicine worked for me. I wish you well on your journey and remember you are not alone! Ask all the questions you can think of and write them down beforehand. They will be more than glad to answer any concerns you might have. Prayers!
Sunny
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I am cancer free as of now. 3 weeks post radiation treatments and not coping well with the roller coaster I am on. Happy and energetic one day and the next day I crash with fatigue. How do you cope with it? Hungry but nothing interests me. Can't sleep at night, tired during the day. Everyone says go outside and walk. I'll be lucky if I walk to the kitchen. It's in the 90s here or raining and I don't like the heat. Any suggestions?
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Congratulations, Sunny! I am having trouble getting started. During the second simulation --when they are adjusting the x-ray machines, I couldn't hold position long enough to get my 1st treatment due to horrible back pain. I cried when I go up, I was so disappointed about it and ashamed I couldn't last longer, plus I was HURTING!! The nurse wasn't very sensitive -- just said to breath deeply & stop crying. An altogether shi*** time. The scheduler was shocked when I said I wouldn't come in yesterday. I just needed a day off to calm down and let my back feel better . So today they try to make me more comfortable and I'm on the table for about 90 minutes. I am scared . Extra tranquilizer today! I only tried one Monday, the bad day. I'm glad I got some!!! Bless my shrink!
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Congratulations on finishing your radiation! My rad onc said fatigue is worst 2-3 weeks after treatment ends, Hang in there!
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Really? That's what some sites say and then some say 3 months to a year. Of course I worry to much and suffer from anxiety. I see a therapist and chat with a support person here as well. I just feel like I'm on a roller coaster. When I do feel energetic, I try not to over do it. Just make dinner, do some dishes and I always take care of my parrot. he is a 24 year old Congo African Grey. I guess I just want this fatigue to go away so I can get on with my life. My job was eliminated in December, cancer surgery in April, radiation finished July 13. What am I going to tell a potential employer, I know every one says to not worry about it now, but my brain won't stop. I really appreciate the support I get here. It gives me a place to talk about emotions and people understand. Thank you!
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I'm a little confused, why are you on the table for 90 minutes? What are you having done? I had a nurse that I felt was rude when they did my tattoos and I just walked out of the room when they were finished. A few days later she was in the radiology department and when I saw her I confronted her and told her she hurt me and upset me. She gave me a hug and apologized. My radiology techs knew I had anxiety. I would have a melt down every Monday, one Monday was really bad, they had the oncology social worker meet with me. This is an anxiety causing journey and you are not alone. We are here for you.
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