New here Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
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I am so sorry! I don't understand all the Xrays! I never had any of that during my radiation treatments. I think I had one beforehand. The first treatment took about 20 minutes while they worked out the adjustments to the machine. All the others took less than five minutes. I have a bad back, hip and knee. They put a pillow under my knees and that helped tremendously. My back wasn't entirely comfortable, expecially after they rolled me a little to adjust me but I was able to hold position. Another time they had trouble with the computer and had to start again. That was about as long as the first one, and I was not comfortable. I hate that they are so unsympathetic. Talk to the hospital social worker about it and maybe they can adjust their attitude. Mine were very compassionate and caring. Praying yours starts going better quickly!
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I had 20 radiation treatments, and yes the back board is uncomfortable. My techs put a roll under my knees. My left breast was treated and the skin was tight, so I had a hard time reaching the bar over my head so they rolled up a towel to give me additional support. My first treatment was the longest but I don't think 20 minutes. I know the following ones were less then 2 minutes, I know cause I breathed and counted at the same time. Let them know you are not comfortable, I had a complete meltdown one Monday and the social worker called me and the next day they gave me flowers and a hand made quilt.
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Oh, your bird sounds wonderful! There is one of those in a pet store near me and he talks to people. Very cool. Most people do have fatigue with radiation. I did not have unusual fatigue, so I am blessed about that. How is your skin doing? Mine got red like with a sunburn but I faithfully used Eucerin cream every day and it never broke down or blistered. My lumpectomy incision, which was on the bottom part of my breast started draining about 4 weeks after surgery, and I freaked out. It was on a weekend, of course. I did get hold of my cancer dr and he said it was pretty normal and to see the surgeon the first of the week. I did talk to the surgeon's APRN and went to see her and she said it was normal. It took awhile to slow down and the last few weeks it has stopped. I had to wear a gauze pad in my bra and was always afraid it would leak through. They said it was healing from the inside out and that fluid had to come out. They said if it developed a bad smell, that was infection and to call right away. It never did. The radiation dr said the radiation was slowing the healing a bit and now 2 days after I stopped radiation I can tell a big difference. It is healing just fine. I had surgery May 16th so it seemed like a long time to heal, but I think it will be okay now.
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Skin started to blister but I got Aquahor ointment per nurses instructions, and that stuff was greasy at 10.00 dollars. It built up in my bra and was nasty. I use the cream dr gave me. I still have a puckered place near my nipple that seems to be healing slowly. I am 3 weeks post radiation. I finally stopped crying today. The fatigue seems to be in my legs. All I did was go out to dinner and they are sore. I guess at 62 its just going to take me a little longer. I got my protein drinks.
Paco is cool, he is my night bird, he starts to chatter when it gets dark, most parrots are asleep by then. He hoots like and owl, yells Paacooo, and he's a pretty bird, he growls, I ask him are ye a pirate now? He is entertaining. I am going to try and start to walk a little maybe around my car. I just did one load of laundry, cleaned, kitchen, Paco and fed him, warm veggies and, clean water, seed and nutri berries and I feel like I've dug a ditch. At least I'm not crying!
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Well I know employers and I worked in health insurance and google confirm my suspicions. You tell a potential employer you had cancer they will think, oh, she will be out of work going to drs appointments, and she could raise our insurance premiums, (insurance companies will do this if there is a lot of insurance usage) I have been out of work longer then this before, during the Obama years. I'm not going to sweat it right now. I might say I had gall bladder surgery and make a funny joke, glad that little sucker is gone, but the big C scares people.
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yes, I didn't get ointment because I figured it would be like that. Cream didn't cause a problem. I am so glad you have stopped crying! And if you want to cry sometimes, it's OK! That is probably a stress reliever. I was just praying for you and all the others on here this morning. I love hearing about Paco! Especially the pirate part! ARRGH! LOL Hope you have a good day today! Sunny
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hello there, seeking information my daughter was just diagnosed with stage 1 IDC, we don’t want to overwhelm her with so many questions so We we’re wondering what should she/we expect to happen next? Also in your post you say you opted for 20 radiations instead of chemo and the Dr’s seemed to be upset, what were their concerns? Thanks in advance.
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They wanted to make sure that the cancer was eradicated from my body. I felt that was just a little over the top. I'm 62, basically a healthy eater all of my life and I'm 5ft 3, 110lbs. Physically active. I don't want to scare you. I have seen what Chemo did to friends and family members. I spoke to friends that are cancer survivors without chemo they all agreed, no chemo. Chemotherapy is pumped through your entire body, I felt that it wasn't needed for me based on my biopsy report. I agreed to radiation as they told me that it would kill any cells that do not show up on a biopsy. Remember, chemo and radiation is poison. It destroys healthy cells as well as the cancer cells. There is information that doctors receive money for doing chemo, google it. I felt with my diagnosis and age, that I felt that chemo was going to be just to much for me to cope with. Yes, I had a friend that survived it. She was a big girl, had a family history of BC, mother, grand mother and aunt. She had DMX, her cancer had metastasized out side of the tumor bed, age 52. She had great family support. Trust me, 20 rounds of radiation was no walk in the park for me. Some people raised kids and went to work. It knocked me flat. The doctor didn't say anything but was very displeased that I did not want chemo, tried to talk me into it. I took my daughter with me and she leaned over and told her she said NO. She visibly jumped back. Doctors like to be in charge. If you can, go to the doctor visits with your daughter. Take notes. See what they say, look at the biopsy reports, ask questions ( discuss with your daughter first). Let me know how it goes. You and your daughter need to look at everything and make an informed decision. Even get a second opinion if you feel its needed.
Terri
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I agree with what TRuckin crazy said. You are a good parent to be so concerned about your daughter and her feelings. Every patient is an individual and every Dr. has his or her own philosophy re: treatment Myrgeroncologist and surgeon told me we have three tools surgery,chemo and radiation. I have inflammatory breast cancer stage 3
and that includes ductal carcinoma level 3 in my breast and lymph nodes under my arm.I have done a LOT of research and I want to get an alternative treatment- intravenous vit C as well as probably surgery and some chemo-but insurance will not pay for the Vit C.
Like Truckin I will only agree to a limited number of chemo or radiation . The DR. told me to try it and I could stop anytime. I am 72 and do not have a spleen and have lupus . Please have your daughter reach out on this site-people are very supportive and helpful. You and your daughter are in my prayers. I will let yopu all know how I do as I am getting a PET scan Thurs and that will determine my treatment also.If my cancer has merastisized then the Dr said no surgery just chemo and radiation. My sister had in situ carcinoma years ago and she had chemo and it was rough but she is still here 20 years later. My Mom had breast cancer and chemo and was on tamoxifan for years then the cancer went to her bones and she had radiation but died several months later. Chemo has been developed better
but still it is a poison. Read all you can. I recommend DR. Susan Loves Breast Book .
You can say no to chemo by Bond
and The BReast Cancer book by Dr. Kenneth Miller . P asturesedge (Arlene)
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As these other ladies say, you have to make your own decision after much research and asking plenty of questions of your oncologist. I don't feel that doctors do chemo just to make money. At least not mine. Mine were compassionate and caring and very open to what I wanted to do. They left the decision up to me. I was considering a mastectomy but my dr. said the predicted outcome was no better than chemo. He told me everything about both. I am 75. I took 7 rounds of chemo, had a lumpectomy, and 19 of radiation. Yes, the chemo was rough. But I am glad I did it. I am now cancer free. The book I used and recommend is The Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook by Judy C. Kneece, RN, OCN. Praying for your daughter and you as you make these hard decisions. Sunny
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Hi, mstaylo68...I was diagnosed early June - DCIS, stage 0. Mastectomy on Aug 17...I am sorry that you are overwhelmed and scared. I am, too. And even though everything may very well be alright, in the end, being terrified is totally understandable. There’s so much information out there and so many unknowns... it’s bad enough to have cancer, in the first place, but then to have to navigate the labyrinth that is our healthcare system, treatment and recovery...it’s A Lot.
I’m sorry. *hug*
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Dear Well Hello - I know it all feels surreal.I am learning that we each need to take it one step,one test, one appt. at a time. The people on this site are so helpful. I hope all goes well. Please let us know how you are doing. Maybe you can find a support group near you or get a buddy here with your same diagnoses.I also have stage 2 invasive carcinoma in my breast and lymoh node but along with it I have Inflammatory breast cancer ( more rare and aggressive).I feel more comfotable with inf. so reading books helps me . Hugs and prayers, Arlene
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