Dx with IDC stage 1. Lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node surgery

I had the same diagnosis, stage 1 IDC. Had my lumpectomy and 2 sentinel nodes removed in Jun 2014, and know what a scary time this is for you. It feels like everything is happening so fast. Try not to look too far ahead or it gets overwhelming. Take someone with you for your appointments, both for moral support and also another set of ears. It's hard to focus on what Dr is saying and they cover so much so fast. Ask Dr if it's OK to record your appointment so you can listen again at home. All my doctors were OK with me using the record on my ipod/phone. I'd have it all set up, and when they knocked on the door to come in I'd hit record and set it on the desk.

Knowledge is power, but be careful about jumping all over the internet, a lot of incorrect and scary stuff out there. Another website that my onc recommended was breastcancer.org and I have found it extremely helpful. Besides having excellent educational articles, their discussion forums are subdivided, so you can follow forums specifically for those who have had mastectomies, chemo, radiation, etc. I started with the lumpectomy forum, then moved to the chemo forum, then the radiation forum, and now am active on the Arimidex forum. Be sure and mark any forum you like as a favorite so it's easy to find again and easy to see when new responses have been added.

Your tumor is small, so was mine, but that doesn't guarantee that it's slow growing. Ask your surgeon if they're going to do the oncotype test if there's enough tissue to test. It tests how aggressive the tumor is which helps dr decide if chemo would be useful. It's scored 0-100, score of 10 or less means it's not aggressive and chemo not indicated, score of 30 and above is aggressive and chemo recommended, scores in the middle you need to decide what to do. My tumor was 10 mm, my oncotype score was 27 and I did chemo, not fun but doable. I had my radiation after my chemo.

Since surgery is scheduled for Thursday, focus on that for now. Find, or make, a pillow about 3" by 6". The incision for the sentinel lymph node biopsy can be very tender and it helps to have a little cushion under your armpit, also nice to cushion for the seat belt in the car. I didn't need much pain medicine after surgery, over the counter meds like tylenol were enough. Do you live alone, or will you have help after surgery? Motion is limited with that arm for awhile, if you can prepare a few meals ahead of time to freeze for microwaving later, that helps, and do whatever housecleaning that's needed before the surgery. Do what you can to stay healthy over the next few days - stay away from people with colds, get your sleep, stay active and walk, etc. I found it more comfortable to sleep in my recliner for a couple days after surgery.

As for the radiation, ask if you qualify for the 3 week Canadian model of treatment, where you get a little bigger dose each treatment but go every weekday for 3 weeks instead of 5 or 6 weeks. If your tumor is on your left breast, ask if they'll be doing any special techniques to protect your heart and lung on that side. If you don't need chemo, they'll wait a few weeks after you've healed from your surgery before starting the radiation.

As for the 5 years on that pill, most doctors wait until after radiation to start that, so deal with that later.

There's a great bunch of ladies on this forum and I'm sure you'll be hearing from others as well, let us know how you're doing.

I was diagnosed with DCIS stage 0 in September 2015 and had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy a couple weeks ago.  I am doing great and healing well. I was very fortunate that my margins were clear and no cancer in the lymph nodes.  It is all new and scares the crap out of you.  So much to learn and think about.  It is very hard to not worry but try to stay busy.  I am so glad that I had my mammogram and mine was caught early.  I will be having radiation soon and then since I am post menopause I will be taking a drug for 5 years.  Mine was estrogen and progesterone positive.  Puffin gives good advice.  I found an ice pack on the area felt good to me after surgery. Hang in there! 

I was dx with stage 1 breast cancer in july, had my lumpectomy in  Aug.Had to wait almost 6 weeks for radiation it took that long for fluid to be absorbed back into my body around the lumpectomy.Radiation was then a one week, twice a day, 6hr. apart treatment course were tubes where inserted through another incision and then 4 days later  I was put in a MRI machine to make sure tubes hadnt moved. The MRI was run on me every day twice a day before treatments. On day 5 they took out tubes and it was all over. I had a great team but did not know what to expect because was told everyone is different. The biopsy was the most painful for me but others say it wasnt so bad. Read all you can, dont be afaid to tell them if it hurts, no question is stupid its your body ask anything you want to. Because of the type of radiation I could not bath or shower for a month. That was a long month lol. I had lots of baby wipes and the sink to clean up in. God Bless and Good Luck

irisheyes14 said:

Oncotype test back

Hi All.  Just to touch base, I received my oncotype test result back today and it is 18.  Very happy and relieved that my Oncologyst said no chemo needed only need for  radiation and hormone therapy.  Just wondering if anyone else had a score of 18 and as it is boarderline, was chemo suggested?.

 Definitely agree with a lot of ladies on here who say the waiting on results is the most stressful time!  

what good news about your onco score! Mine was 27 so no discussion at all about whether I needed chemo. From talking to ladies in my local support group, seems like chemo wasn't being suggested as something to think about until their scores were in the 23/24 range.

irisheyes14 said:

Amistadlakegirl...  Hugs.

Amistadlakegirl...  Hugs.  I've also gone through that missing my mum stage since being diognosed.   I too was told mine was possibly a radial scar but when the results of the biopsy came back, it was a 1cm stage 1 tumor and two .5mm .  I've escaped chemo as my onco result came back at 18 and am due to see my doctor beginning of January to discuss radiation treatment.  Just waiting for MRI results at the moment.  There really is great support on here from lades who have been terrified of and gone through chemo and the vast majority say it was doable. All the support on here has helped me a lot and like you, I fully intend to Fight like a girl!!  I refer to it as the little C as don't want to give it the glory of calling it BIG  Good luck on the 5th and keep us posted. 

Hi, 

My cancer is different than yours but I am starting chemo today, sitting in the chair right now in fact. I was terrified but it is not bad. The nurse is very nice & has gone over all the side effects  (I will lose my hair) & has answered any questions me and my husband have had. She's offered me drinks & snacks (not hungry) & we are in a room with a recliner for me & 2 extra chairs for company. There is a tv and lots of movies to chose from. Long story short~ don't let yourself stress it, it's not too bad. I figure if losing my hair is what it takes to be cured I can handle it. My mother went on vacation when I was 16 leaving me and my twin. She never came back. She has contacted other family members so no she did not pass away in an accident. Just left us. I think all the time my parents are supposed to be here to help us kids get through stuff like this but it doesn't always go that way.

Best wishes & don't worry you'll be fine 8)

~Lori