So I am waiting to get a bilateral mastectomy on Tuesday, and I must admit that I am a bit stressed. I mean forget the operation and the reconstruction for now. I just want to know what stage I am in, so I at least know what I am looking at with treatment. Invasive Ductile Carcinoma??? Hum? If this cancer is no longer confined in breast cells, aren't the chances pretty high that I will be node positive? The cancer has to go somewhere once it leaves the cell walls right? I wonder what is the percentage of women with IDC that end up being node negative? When I had my biopsy (actual lumpectomy) the initial surgeon did not cover the margin of error so there is still more to my tumor. As of now is measures 1 cm so it is larger than that right? Now I am not trying to be negative, because I know I am a strong person with tons of determination to beat this illness. I am a realist who wants to know quickly where that cancer is. I have been having some weird joint pain and aches for about 6 months. I did not understand why I was having this hip pain, foot pain, elbow pain and neck pain several months ago. In the last few months I have also had some stomach problems that I have never had in my life??? Now I am petrified I have advanced cancer all over the place...Did anyone have these symptoms and diagnosis and not get bad news? I think I am going insane thinking about this thing..I am young and single. I just keep waiting to wake up and be okay...but I have began a race that I have to finish... AND win... What a scary thing to face with out my mother who just passed away from pancreatic cancer? I keep thinking I have that cancer too. Am I crazy?
You're not crazy, Kellie - just scared. It's only natural, considering what you're about to go through. And you know what? The worst part is fear of the unknown. Trust me, once you get the surgery behind you and get started with the rest of your treatment, you'll feel better. In the meantime, please read our post on fear; I think it'll help you.
Invasive simply means the cancer cells have left the milk ducts - not that they've spread all over. For the significant majority of women with invasive cancer, it's confined to the breast - it hasn't reached the nodes, or other parts of the body. Breast cancer is a very slow growing cancer; it can take up to 8 years simply to grow large enough to be seen/felt. Thus, the 5-year survival rate is excellent for most women - about 95% if confined to the breast, and about 85% if it's left the breast and traveled.
It's natural, in retrospect, to look at all kinds of weird symptoms and assume they must be cancer. But joint, foot, and neck pain could be SO many things - probably the least likely of which would be bone cancer. Ditto stomach issues. If your cancer is approx. 1cm, and newly discovered,it's HIGHLY unlikely it could have spread as you describe; it's just not reasonable.
So, take a deep breath, and try to relax. I know, not easy. But you know what? The only thing in this life we can actually control is our attitude. So stay positive; believe that you're NOT the exception to all the statistics based on tons of data, which say you have a typical IDC diagnosis, probably stage 1, and you'll be treated and go on to live a long and healthy life. Believe it. And best of luck with your surgery. PJH
Hi X,
I remember after my biopsy and learning I had cancer before I knew anything else. I sat for 3 weeks thinking I had cancer all over my body and I was going to die, and any little thing that was wrong with me was...had to be...cancer.
But it was not so. And who knows why. Be patient, ask questions and just know that more women survive this than ever before, and whatever you have to do this year, you will get it done and the people you love will be there for you.
Big Hug to you,
Peglove.