Ductile Carcinoma

Beppie1 · 06-25-2007, 06:30 PM

Got the call today. That is what I have. All the doctors are very optimistic, but of course, I am totally freaked. Wondering if this is why I have been so tired for two years. They all say "no". I havent told any of my family. There are a lot of decisions to make. Lumpectomy or masectomy? It is pretty small, but did exceed outside of the duct. They dont know about the lymph nodes yet. Say they wont know until surgergy.

So silly me, is pissed off, that after all I did to take care of myself this is what i get. What was the point? Yea I know that is stupid.

Next I am worried about it incinveniencing my active lifestyle which includes starting my little boat motor with that arm. How long are you out of commission from a lumpectormy or masectomy. Then it is my pride and how I dont want people to know. I could go on and on but right now just trying to get used to the whole idea.

My appointment with the surgeon is Wednesday and with a second opinion on July 2nd.

WOuld love to hear from people that have been through it.

cjammom · 06-25-2007, 07:12 PM

Hi Beepie, Ive been there! Its been 4yrs since my diagnosis..I have IDC (infiltrating, invasive ductal carcinoma) I am er5%pr-her2-, one positive node.
Sorry that youve been diagnosed with this beast of a disease..but Beepie, they have come along way with treatments..many no longer get sick like they used to with chemo..many people even continue to work..I had some leg pains, mouth sores (which they have a wash to treat) and fatigue. I chose to have a mastectomy, but was told that I would do just as well with a lumpectomy..I didnt want to have radiation, which I would have had with a lumpectomy, and that is what I based my decision on..but everyone is different and there are no right or wrongs here..I say..just follow your gut..If your spiritual at all, a few prayers help too!!
It took 6weeks to heal from the mast., at that time I chose not to have reconstruction, but did so 2yrs later when I had expanders put in which were later exchanged for an implant..if you choose a mast, and recon right away, they will perform a skin sparring surgery for you.
Beepie, If you have any other questions, feel free to post, or if you just need to vent..you can do that too!! We all understand, weve at some point experienced those feeling too.. The ladies I have met on this site are absolutely kind and supportive.
Good luck with your appt on Wednesday..Oh, bring a notebook and pen, take notes..there is just so much info to grasp, and your brain wont be able to remember it all, with so much to think about..
Let us know how it goes,
Bless you,
hugs,
cj.

Beppie1 · 06-25-2007, 09:25 PM

Thanks so much for responding CJ. My head is hurting and spinning right now. I am mentally leaning towards the lupectomy because it sounds like a less invasive surgery. Why did you choose the masectomy?

I dont know all the lingo yet but I guss you are saying that you hormones recptors were positive and you had some in your lymph nodes.

I am still on a steep learning curve. It seems so weird to me that they wont tell you about the lymph nodes until after the initial surgery. Seems like it sure would help to know about the lymph nodes going in.

Why did you not want to do the radiation?

I havent even told my family. I am not married and debating whether and or how to tell my poor aging parents. They each had a sister die of bc at my age. That is why I always got the mammograms. But I slacked off the last two years so also kicking myself. ARGGH!! So many negative feelings, which I know arent helping.

Thanks so much for listening.

cjammom · 06-26-2007, 03:52 PM

Hi Beepie, I understand your emotions, this is a very tough time..things will seem better for you once you start treatment, mostly because it makes us feel like we are doing something to rid our bodies of the beast!
Beepie, I will share with you my thoughts on lump vs mast, but remember everyone is different, whats right for me may not be for you..
I felt that removing my breast would bring me closer to all removal of any possibilites of having any cancer left behind and maybe having to go back in again as they sometimes have to with a lumpectomy..I am aware that cancer may even return in the area where the breast has been removed, but for me that chance seemed less likely to occur. There are things you need to be concerned about with having a mast..like lymphedema, I had 33 nodes removed (my surgeon did not give me the option of having the SNB, you can check that out on the internet) so I have a high risk of developing that now or anytime in the future, there are precautions...and I am careful. My hubby and parents were in favor of me having the mast., they felt more secure in feeling that the cancer would be removed that way..we were all in agreement. I have children, and would do anything I had to do in order to be here for them.
I did not want to have rads, I have read about radiation recall, and women who had alot of skin, and organ problems after. In my mind, if the cancer had returned I think I would regret not having a mast...this weighed very heavy on my mind.
My cancer was only very slightly estrogen postive, and progesterone neg..this means that hormone treatment like tamoxifen, and the aromatose inhibitors have less of a chance of keeping the cancer from returning.I had One postive lymph node, which can indicate that the cancer spread, or was on the move, and that knowlege (along with other information from the path report) will help to determine the course of treatment.
It must be a very difficult decision for you, whether to tell your parents or not..I can understand how sensitive an issue this is..Im not sure what I would do in your postion..
I delayed my last ***** too, and have kicked myself many a time, but we have to let that go..you have so much right now to deal with..who knows maybe if we had gone when we should have there wouldnt have been any cancer visable, and waiting another year from then would have given the cancer all that time to grow..well never know, we have to be really gently on ourselves especially when there are so many issues to deal with.
But Beepie, there are so many emotions with this disease..I buried my head in the sand for a very long time..but somewhere down the line, Ive realized that I hoped I could survive, I can be a survivor, and I will be a survivor!, each time I was knocked down..yeah I cried, had bad days, was scared, but I managed to pick myself back up and get back into my life again!! the other option wasnt very appealing to me!
Beepie, I pray for you, for all others battling cancer..I hate this disease! but believe that there is hope, and that you will survive!! One step at a time!

sending prayers and hugs your way,
cj.
Let me know how things go tommorrow

Jezzie25 · 06-26-2007, 03:58 PM

Hey Beppie.....I had invasive ductal ....found out with regular mammogram. I was less than 2 cm. and stage 2. I had the lumpectomy....didn't stay over night and was driving the next day....wasn't surpose to...but I am single and hate to ask people to do things for me. I did 33 days of radiation and I will tell you, you will get tired.I did teach during that time. I am on Femara and it does make me tired and achy, but I feel blessed that it was caught when it was....it could be worse. You will find that BC survivors are strong and supportive people...I have a friend who is a 20 year survivor. I found everyone that were involved...drs. rad. nurses were absolutely wonderful. They will do a sentinel node test during surgery to see if the lymph nodes are involved. It's a dye and travels to the first 2 lymph node and they will test those. It sounds like it was caught early and probably none are involved. KD just had a lumpectomy and she'll be on the board. It's normal to be upset, but it could always be worse! Come back to vent, if you need to...we have all been there.