Invasive ductile breast cancer: What should I expect?

Hi Colleen...my appt was changed to June 1 for Radiation oncology and June 2 for Medical Oncology. Thanks for asking!

That was very similar to my diagnosis and thankfully, it hadn't moved into my lymph nodes. I"m big breasted and my first shower after surgery was so painful (breasts hanging down without support) that I took showers with a bra on for about 2 weeks. I think that was the most pain I had during recover from Lumpectomy. Also, I was able to do "partial breast radiation" , which was only 3 sessions with a little more radiation in each session, so that was a blessing. Ask about that. I will pray that all goes well for you next week!!

Thank you, yes, I am asking about the accelerated radiation that is available at Mayo. In Duluth the option for me is 20 days.

If they will take you in Rochester for the accelerated treatment, by all means try to take it. PM me if you get accepted but want more info/support.

Jejones, I encourage you to also share about the accelerated program on the forums where appropriate too. That way you can provide info and support to many as well as to Sandy. 🙂

I'm 51, diagnosed earlier this year and after lumpectomy and radiation started zoladex injections for ovarian suppression with an AI. The shots are once a month. I'll be on them until natural menopause - maybe two years. I don't mind the shot, they numb the skin before they give them so you really don't feel them - but they are in the stomach.

Thanks for the info. I'm still waiting to find out if they're going to recommend the injections or not. But I'm glad to hear they aren't painful. My oncologist said it had to be given by an oncologist because it could be painful if they didn't do it correctly. That was just enough to scare me. 😂

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 invasive ductal breast cancer(3 masses on left) two weeks ago. Is anyone here being treated in Phoenix and if so how long did it take you to get an medical or surgical oncologist? I have yet to be able to even set up an appt with an oncologist(I call daily). They say they are "triaging" patients and can't tell me when I can even set up an appt. This has become an extremely frustrating experience for me. I am a healthcare worker who came down here to "help out" during the height of Covid and was really impressed with Mayo. I am from Nashville and my physician can't even get answers. While I would prefer to stay here after my contract ends next week, I might be forced to head back to Nashville to be treated. My physician is Nashville feels I should be already be seeing an oncologist and developing a game plan.

Update: I had lumpectomy and removal of sentinel lymph nodes (2, maybe 3, judging from bloody area). Luckily, almost no pain so far (15 hours post-op), some slight oozing which has stopped now. Can even sleep on stomach without problem. Follow up appointment next week for results. Hoping for good news, but I wanted to thank everyone in this discussion for the valuable information regarding types of radiation that’s available, as well as hormone therapy. At least I know which questions to ask, which is half the battle, and listen to and evaluate the doctors’s recommendations.

I have a slightly different diagnosis but was diagnosed (biopsy) on April 15. Had surgery May 15. Are you trying to get into the Mayo system?