Just been told today

By Melissa Friday, October 12, 2007

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I've just been told today that I have a form of cancer called Invasive Ductal Carcinoma..Its pretty scary, I am only 28 yrs old, and the thought of losing my breast or hair makes me sick to my stomach..I've been told that if you have to have breast cancer this is the one to have..I just dont know how you stay upbeat with all this going on..I feel very alone and worried that I am going to die before I get married or have kids...

Melissa

How fatal is this ?

Comments (8) | Add comment

Maria Gifford, Editor

10/13/07 5:49pm

Hi Melissa,

The feelings you're having are normal and well understood by MANY women who've been just where you are right now - at the door of breast cancer treatment. And many of these women are right here, in this online community, to help you through it. Count on us.

First, learn all you can - knowledge is the key. To get you started on learning more about breast cancer, see:

The First 48 Hours

http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/just-diagnosed-673-143.html

Cracking the Code: Breast Cancer Vocabulary for the Initial Visit

http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/78/2216/code-part/

The Ten Most Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor

http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/just-diagnosed-697-143.html

After you've had a chance to recover from the shock of diagnosis, done some initial reading about breast cancer to start to educate yourself, and are starting to breathe a bit easier, be sure to write us again. Tap into all the support we have for you. We're always here.

Best,

Maria

Tracey

10/15/07 2:59am

Hi Melissa, I'm 39 and have IDC like you. I had one lymph node positive. Had my left breast removed in May of this year and had an immediate reconstruction which looks and feels great. It didn't feel like I lost a breast at all, more like losing a nipple. I finished chemo a month ago and my hair is just starting to grow back. I had long hair and it sucked losing it but my wig is very cool. Be positive, think of being a breast cancer surviver, there are tonnes of them around and you can be one too!! Throw yourself into finding out information, be kind to your body and exercise and eat well. You are not alone Melissa and we all have bad days, get support and ask lots of questions. Take care!

Melissa

10/15/07 4:08pm

Hi Tracey

reading your notes has made me feel a little easier about thing..What do they do when they do the reconstruction is it like an implant ?.did you have both or one done ? That part dosent even scare me as much as losing my hair..How did you get through this all..its very scary

Tracey

10/15/07 5:04pm

I had my left breast removed and an expander bag implant was put in. Over a couple of months it was injected with saline to make it bigger. The hair thing was a major for me, can I just say though that the waiting and the build-up is actually worse. When it started falling out (about 2 weeks after my first AC chemo treatment) it was messy and started matting and losing condition. So the day before my second treatment I went in to the wig shop and got it shaved off. I actually laughed when I saw myself, I looked like a lesbian (no insult intended to any gay readers!). I got fitted with my wig straight away and walked out wearing it. My wig is shorter than what my hair was and has highlights. I get lots of compliments. Half the people I tell it's a wig. My hair is just starting to grow back now (I finished chemo 6 weeks ago). The hard bit is going to be making the decision of when I stop wearing my wig and go with the super short hair. I hate short hair on me BUT it will grow. I've taken photo's the whole way through to 'document' my hair loss as it was a big thing for me. I hope this helps. Just remember, we will look back on the hair loss thing in five years time and laugh!! It's going to be OK Melissa. Cheers, Tracey

Road Of Life

10/16/07 3:16pm

Hi,

I am from Road of Life: Cancer Prevention for Kids and I just wanted to tell you a little bit about our great program.

Road of Life: Cancer Prevention for Kids is a non-profit organization with a mission to eradicate preventable cancer and diseases of excess by educating children about the smoking, fitness, and nutrition decisions they can make to lead healthier lives.

We provide health programs FREE for download right off our website. Our programs consist of a classroom curriculum, after school program, a family program, and a Health Care Careers Program.

If you have any questions or if you would like more information, please feel free to visit www.roadoflife.org. We understand how hard it can be to battle it alone, and it is always great to have group support.

Cali

10/17/07 10:34pm

Hi Melissa,

I just read your email and sounds like you and I are the same unfortunate circumstances. I am 30 years old (soon to be 31 in 2 days) diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma on Oct 3rd. IT's so hard to say it. I am also really scared and looking to reach someone who is going through the same thing. They are trying to stage this thing at this time. They know it's spread to my arm and clavicle lymph nodes already. I meet with the oncologist on mon.

Melissa

10/17/07 10:52pm

hi there

I am so sorry to hear that..i just met with my surgen today and i have to have my left breast removed..so i am now debating whether or not to have both removed for preventative reasons..plus when they do reconstruction surgery i want them to look similar..thats not even the thing that bothers me most..its the losing my hair that scares the crap out of me...

cali

10/17/07 10:59pm

I'm sorry about your situation as well. I know it sounds bad but i feel the same way about hair loss. I tell that to my friends and they just have no idea what i'm going through. I can't imagine me without hair!!! Mine is in my left breast as well. I have to shrink the tumor before I get surgery. I think i accepted losing both of them to prevent a reoccurence
and also for symmetry. But that is a ways away until the tumor shrinks.

Just been told today

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