New here Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

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!

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.

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.

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.

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)

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*