1. < Breast Cancer

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): Anyone else?

Posted by 6750 @6750, Mar 2, 2019

I have rec’d 4 chemo + 16 radiation treatments for invasive. Has lumpectomie 1st....then one week later...
Dissection 17 lymph nodes & 3 tumors removed tumors
Got clean margin.

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cherziggy | @cherziggy | Jul 24, 2023
In reply to @mkb4435 "I am much newer to the BC world than most of you so maybe I'll need..." + (show)
@mkb4435

I am much newer to the BC world than most of you so maybe I'll need to rant later. I can honestly say that I was pleased to find my cancer care center to not be a gloomy place but a place where people conversed as they usually would. The last thing I want (well, maybe not the LAST thing) is for people to look at me pityingly or to assume that my life is hell. I've suffered some and I would be surprised if there isn't more to come, but I want to learn to "suffer well", to keep the faith, to still care about how others are doing. This doesn't mean I'm not allowed depression, anxiety, or rage, but I don't want them to become my identity.

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@mkb4435
Agree 100%! I am 5 weeks out from my BC surgery so I am new at this as well. There is so much to learn since it is crucial to be your own advocate.
I do not want defined as the poor woman with breast cancer. I do not want attention or pity. I know because I have been guilty of defining others in the past when I was terrified for them. Now it’s me in this hot seat. It’s a life wake up call!
It’s my story to tell and I chose not to share it with people outside my family… or here of course.
This journey has been exhausting. I was diagnosed in May and seems like the appointments have been non stop. I’m thankful that my cancer center and my team is wonderful.
I have my first radiation treatment today.
I am embracing this diagnosis as a blessing. BC has changed my perspective. I am humbled, I have discovered grace. I appreciate all the moments of my life good and bad. And of course we are allowed all feelings and emotions!
The hardest part for me was telling our 4 children and 4 grandchildren. I couldn’t bear to break their hearts and worry them. My family has held me up. I am truly thankful. I have to find good in this since it’s now my life.
Best wishes to you!

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1 reply
dinod1923 | @dinod1923 | Jul 23, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "@dinod can you get insurance if you retire, through the ACA marketplace? Do you know your..." + (show)
@windyshores

@dinod can you get insurance if you retire, through the ACA marketplace?

Do you know your treatment yet? I had double mastectomy and an aromatase inhibitor despite grade 3. My cousin just had chemo. We are both doing fine. I am 8 1/2 years out.

When I was diagnosed I was caring for one of my kids who had a brain injury after being hit by a car. I barely noticed my cancer. I had a delayed reaction a few years later in terms of anxiety but it was short-lived.

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I guess I could get insured through ACA but my insurance is pretty good. Not sure what ACA would cover and if I’d have to go to Dr I may not want to see.

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chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Jul 23, 2023
In reply to @anjalima "A breast cancer diagnosis is a traumatic experience! So many emotions are triggered and can linger...." + (show)
@anjalima

A breast cancer diagnosis is a traumatic experience! So many emotions are triggered and can linger.

Yes anger, confusion, fear, “why me”? ( why anyone?) … all the above emotions …and more. We all have them and then or despite that, we must move on.

Get a helping hand; someone who asks how are you doing and really wants to hear the answer , someone who can be there when you meet with docs and can “hear” with/for you those hard to hear things. Someone who can read up on stuff that you are afraid to read about . Get all the information you can about your BC and options . It’s a very steep and swift learning curve as so many important decisions will be made in quick order.

Anger will come … and go. Getting the treatment you need will serve you best right now. It does get easier as you move down the treatment path. In fairly short order you will be reassuring others ( I know it’s hard to wrap one’s head around that).

Best to you on the path 🌸

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I totally agree. The journey is hard to except. But we will survive. We have this support group and so many treatments options.
Hugs to all.

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windyshores | @windyshores | Jul 23, 2023
In reply to @dinod1923 "That was a mild rant. 🙂. I was going to retire but like you breast cancer..." + (show)
@dinod1923

That was a mild rant. 🙂.

I was going to retire but like you breast cancer hit. I need the insurance, retirement has to wait.

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@dinod can you get insurance if you retire, through the ACA marketplace?

Do you know your treatment yet? I had double mastectomy and an aromatase inhibitor despite grade 3. My cousin just had chemo. We are both doing fine. I am 8 1/2 years out.

When I was diagnosed I was caring for one of my kids who had a brain injury after being hit by a car. I barely noticed my cancer. I had a delayed reaction a few years later in terms of anxiety but it was short-lived.

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1 reply
dinod1923 | @dinod1923 | Jul 23, 2023
In reply to @mossa "I rant. Breast cancer is not fair! I had just retired!! I had just reconnected with..." + (show)
@mossa

I rant. Breast cancer is not fair! I had just retired!! I had just reconnected with my first love!!! We moved to a beautiful new condo in a vacation paradise!!!! I was diagnosed with cancer! I am a nice person! I volunteer! I rarely curse! My kids tell me I’m a good mom, my grandkids adore me. My body gave me cancer! No fair!! Sucks! Ok thanks for reading, I feel a wee bit better now. Ranting (without hurting another) can let some of the pressure out and make room for more positive thoughts. It’s worth a try

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That was a mild rant. 🙂.

I was going to retire but like you breast cancer hit. I need the insurance, retirement has to wait.

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1 reply
Mentor
Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Jul 23, 2023
In reply to @mkb4435 "I am much newer to the BC world than most of you so maybe I'll need..." + (show)
@mkb4435

I am much newer to the BC world than most of you so maybe I'll need to rant later. I can honestly say that I was pleased to find my cancer care center to not be a gloomy place but a place where people conversed as they usually would. The last thing I want (well, maybe not the LAST thing) is for people to look at me pityingly or to assume that my life is hell. I've suffered some and I would be surprised if there isn't more to come, but I want to learn to "suffer well", to keep the faith, to still care about how others are doing. This doesn't mean I'm not allowed depression, anxiety, or rage, but I don't want them to become my identity.

Jump to this post

This is a great attitude--thank you for the reminder. It is true in all difficult circumstances--grief, divorce, even losing a job. It has helped me to look at BC as something quite ordinary (it is!) and to remember that everyone's life is a mixture of sorrow and joy.

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mkb4435 | @mkb4435 | Jul 23, 2023

I am much newer to the BC world than most of you so maybe I'll need to rant later. I can honestly say that I was pleased to find my cancer care center to not be a gloomy place but a place where people conversed as they usually would. The last thing I want (well, maybe not the LAST thing) is for people to look at me pityingly or to assume that my life is hell. I've suffered some and I would be surprised if there isn't more to come, but I want to learn to "suffer well", to keep the faith, to still care about how others are doing. This doesn't mean I'm not allowed depression, anxiety, or rage, but I don't want them to become my identity.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Jul 22, 2023
In reply to @wpglea "Absolutely incredible idea for beginning an appointment!!!! Hopefully you don't mind if I share with all..." + (show)
@wpglea

Absolutely incredible idea for beginning an appointment!!!!
Hopefully you don't mind if I share with all the medical personnel I meet. Just reading what you wrote put me at ease, and I immediately felt less confrontational and like another statistic passing through oncology and surgeons' office doors.
Thank you!

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Thanks so much! I'm delighted that this is helpful. It took me about a year of trial and error (and a therapy session!) to get clearer about how to act.

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wpglea | @wpglea | Jul 22, 2023

Absolutely incredible idea for beginning an appointment!!!!
Hopefully you don't mind if I share with all the medical personnel I meet. Just reading what you wrote put me at ease, and I immediately felt less confrontational and like another statistic passing through oncology and surgeons' office doors.
Thank you!

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1 reply
Mentor
Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Jul 22, 2023
In reply to @auntieoakley "When I said rant away, I didn’t really mean endlessly. I am sorry I wasn’t clearer...." + (show)
@auntieoakley

When I said rant away, I didn’t really mean endlessly. I am sorry I wasn’t clearer. Sometimes when things are really tough and I am really angry (rare but it happens) just railing for a few minutes kind of re-sets me a bit and once I have listened to myself, I can stop and reason through exactly what and who I am angry about.
I truly was trying to be supportive, and I do hope other members comments were helpful as well.

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To share a positive experience--I haven't been to the dentist in a year, since my bc diagnosis. How to act? Told both the hygienist and dentist--my time is probably limited but I don't want tooth pain! They were both very kind (young, and startled, and saying--we hope you live a long time). They easily charted a low key approach that would still take care of my teeth. I think it helped that I was direct but even in talking to them. I got what I needed by being honest and they got to act both caring and professional.

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