I was recently diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast. According to pathology reports, ultra sound and mammogram - my breast surgeon says that it looks confined to the left breast and has not gone into the lymph nodes or the right breast. I had an MRI on Wednesday and am wondering what that more that will show if anything? I really don't know what the MRI was for and was too afraid to ask at the time.
Kristine, you're in a really good place; the cancer hasn't spread. The MRI was, as Maria said, just to fine-tune the mammogram results, make sure there aren't any other tiny spots anywhere the mammogram didn't pick up. They want to get everything they can, if they're doing a lumpectomy. Or if more spots show up, they may give you the option for a mastectomy. Either way, the 5-year survival rate for your stage of breast cancer is extremely high; so as I said, you're in a good place! Best of luck- PJH
Hi Kristine,
I was also diagnosed with Stage 1 IDC two months ago when I was 4 months pregnant!
I had a lumpectomy (it did not spread to my lymph nodes either) and I am now 6 months pregnant. In my case, the tumor was so small it didn't require chemo - I hope this turns out to be your case as well.
Everyone told me we were so lucky to find it so early, because it was so small and at an early stage. Just curious as to how you discovered it - was it through a routine mammo?
Best of luck to you,
Criss -
Hi Christina,
It was discovered through a routine breast exam at the Doctor's. I didn't get a mammogram last year, I had just changed jobs and therefore insurance. I had to "shop for a new Doctor in the network" and kept putting it off as I was so busy. My new Dr. tried to get me to feel the lump that she discovered during the breast exam but I still couldn't feel it. My tumor is about 4.7mm but because of the calcification that has spread throughout they recommend the mastectomy. I'm going to keep the right breast since that was free and clear of any cancer, as were the lymph nodes, but just get a little lift for symmetry. I am so scared now, but I'm really strong with my faith and knowing that it is in God's hands. I'm just happy that it was diagnosed now at this early stage. This situation is becoming more and more real dealing with insurance, Doctors, hospitals and myriad of tests - and now my breast surgeon and reconstructive surgeon are going to have a date set - ASAP - I will probably know today. John, my SO, says he'll be there always for me and to never doubt that.
(continuation) alone - it's comforting to know that others have had similar experiences and can share their experience, strength and hope with others. So now, you're 6 months pregnant? That's amazing! Thank God! Thank God that you will be there for your little one and that it was diagnosed so early.
Kristine
Hi Kristine,
It's definitely a process that you go through from the time of diagnosis to the time of surgery.......it's amazing the inner strength we all seem to have and I think the first thoughts are always that of our children and all the "what if's" I also have a 10 year old son.
My fiance found the lump and I COULDN'T FEEL IT EITHER! I went to a breast care specialist and he couldn't seem to locate the lump either. After 8 dr's appt's and going back and forth between a mammo, ultrasounds, etc. etc. I finally said, "Listen, this has turned into 8 dr's appts and 3 months, I'm pregnant and I need to know what this is". Sure enough it came back positive. I will have to have radiation treatment after the baby is born and waiting another 19 weeks with no treatment is scary too.
The last thing I ever worried about was losing a breast or my hair due to surgery and chemo. Let's face it, those are things that we can live without and will eventually be replaced. When people ask me how I feel I say, "Lucky!"
Attitude Is Everything!! Stay Strong & Keep The Faith!
Criss-
Its a process that you should be afraid but it's a process that determins where the cancer is located and if surgery would be the best or radiation. I say this because my wife had the same precedure and her outcome of it was good until this year in february when cancer took her from us. Please avoid trying not to be afraid and pray and ask more than one doctor what you should do radiation or surgery because if you have surgery the lymphs will have to be removed and it can cause alot of swelling in the right arm and you may have to use a lymphodemia pump are bandage the area. Good luck and may God be with you and your family at all times.
Hi, I had an MRI done after I was diagnosed with DCIS just to make sure that it had not spread into the other breast, or elsewhere in the left breast. I was relieved when the MRI was clean, although I was warned about "false positives". Don't be afraid. Once you know what you have, it's easier to make the kind of decisions you need to deal with it, be done with it, and go on and live your life.
Good luck
I had my regular mammogram at the end of July and stage 1 IDC was found. I am sooooo glad I kept that appointment! The flurry of tests that followed were terrifying, but manageable... this is where your faith kicks into high gear and you find out how many friends you have. Waiting for results is much worse than the actual test. I fretted when the phone didn't ring, and jumped when it finally did. The information is overwhelming... you have to learn a whole new language of "cancer speak" in record time. Thank goodness for this website where you can find others going through the same thing and find information to supplement the tomes of pamphlets they throw at you.
I opted for a bilateral mastectomy because my family history was scary and the MRI picked up non-cancerous, but atypical cell changes in the unaffected breast that may have developed into cancer. I have BRCA1 gene mutation so in my case, recurrence was a good possibility. I am 1/3 of the way through a 6 month long course of CMF chemotherapy. I hit the "easy button" choice...it really isn't bad. I don't feel sick, just a little more tired. I've still got my hair, although it's definitely thinner. I have more bad hair days, but hey...any hair day is fine with me. I won't have reconstruction for at least a few months after chemo. My surgeon and oncologist both recommended I wait until chemo was completed so there would be no complications with healing. The plastic surgeon agreed with them. I am surprised at how many women have mastectomies and reconstruction at the same time. I understand wanting to get it all over with, but I certainly understand how chemo would slow a healing process as it targets rapidly growing cells. Something more to ponder.
Best of luck through your journey. Pray for wisdom and trust your gut instinct.
Melanie
Hi! I understand completely, how you could be worried. Whatever the findings, if any, it's best to know so that it can be treated effectively.
I had non invasive ductal carcinoma and was so thankful that it was caught early. That was early March of this year. My last mammogram in Aug showed everything to still be clear.
Wilma Robinson
I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER 8-18-08. IM IN STAGE 2. I GOT A MOMOGRAM AND ULTRASOUND DONE AND A NEEDLE NIOPSY DONE . MAMOGRAM SHOWED NOTHING ON ME. MY CANCER SHOWED ON BIOPSY. THE MRI IS MORE CLEAR. IT SHOWED 2 SPOTS MORE ON MY RIGHT SIDE. I HAD 1 SPOT THAT WAS CANCER IN MY LYMPH NODES. MRI ARE MORE ACCURATE. I HAD A LUMPECTOMY DONE SEPT 2008. I AM DOING TREATMENT. I NEED A TOTAL OF 6 ROUNDS OF CHEMO AND 5 WEEKKS OF RADIATION. STAGE 1 IS THE BEGINING STAGE. I ALSO NEED TOMAOX FOR 5 YRS. I KNOW SO MANY RESOURCES IF U NEED THEM I ALSO LOSED MY HAIR DURING CHEMO. IF YOU NEED INFORMATION YOU CAN E MAIL ME juliefay232002@yahoo.com.
julie blackman
I was diagnosed last November I had my first lumpectomy done in Nov. then my 2nd one in Dec. that was the one where a speck was discovered in 1 lymph node. I started chemo in Jan. 4 rounds then 33 radiation treatments to the left breast now I have been on Tamoxifen and have not had a period since Feb. o8. Many hotflashes to replace the period I must say. I have another follow up mammogram on mon the 8th, my 2nd one... a bit anxious, just want it to be over and prove that I am well. They sayd they " got it all' but we all know they can't make any promises. All we have is hope. I feel such a connection with each and everyone of you. No one knows til they go through it themselves. God bless us all we will all come out and stronger and wiser, we are survivors.
The MRI is just to show if things have spread to the lymphnodes or if somethings are in both of them. Just a precaution. Better for you. Don't be afraid. Breast cancer can be treatable and stage one is very good. I had the same diagnosis and you in the same breasts and this is my two year anniversary and I'm doing great and so will you. I know is scarry and the fear of not knowing is even worst. But if you take things one day at a time and keep saying to yourself you will be ok, you will. Think positive and if you need to talk I am here for you.
Hi sweetie,
You are not alone. You have many, many sisters (unfortunately), and (fortunately) we are here for support. My story is on my blog (all in right had margin for an easy read), so feel free to check it out. http://www.tinainthepink.blogspot.com/
Also, be sure to check out the Komen Boards for some support, and depending on your "feisty" level check out Crazy Sexy Life, Kris Carr's site for wellness. She is the one that has the TLC documentary (and book) "Crazy, Sexy Cancer". I am "Tina!" on the site and would love to see you there. We are a bunch of wellness seeking, life "thrivers", and oh yeah, there are a bunch of us there who either have or had cancer. And a whole lot in between. http://www.mycrazysexylife.com/
Big Love, Tina
HI THERE
Just wanted to let u know that u r not alone Us Breast Cancer Survivors have all thought the same way as u just the word Cancer is enough to shock u It is the unknown that scares us Once you get your results u will know what path u r to go on and how to get there and u will do just great just another hurdle in life, seems like in the past you have had a lot of them to get over
At least these days we can get the Boob replaced imadgin how the people before our time had to cope with cancer We r so lucky cancer treatment is so advanced and there us so much help out there and people who care
U will be fine just take one day at a time don't expect too much of yourself
May there always be an angel by your side
I just an email away if you need
From a Pink Lady
Your experience sounds like mine in March 2007. My MRI verified what the mammogram and the ultra sound confirmed. I too wondered why another test, but i am glad I did get it. My MRI was bilateral which the results showed that there was no cancer in the right breast. My final decision was to remove the left breast and do reconstructive breast surgery at the time of surgery. My age when this was going on was 59 1/2. After a year I am felling great and have resumed most of my normal activity.
Good Luck and stay as positive and stress free as you posibably can
Phyllis
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Hi Kristine,
Your fear and anxiety are certainly understandable at this time.
A breast MRI is able to pick up smaller tumors than a standard mammogram. Here's more info:
Breast MRI and the New American Cancer Society Guidelines for Breast Cancer Detection
http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/breast-mri-38626-5.html
Digital Mammography and Breast MRI: What's Newer and Better?
http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/78/2970/mri-whats-newer
Are You Sure You Want That MRI?
http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/78/40549/mri
I hope this is helpful to you. Good luck with your test results. Let us know how things turn out, OK?
Best,
Maria
Glad the good news is confirmed, Kristine. Despite the "surreal" situation (we all know what you mean, trust me!), you're carrying on in good spirits. Take a look at our breast reconstruction FAQS, starting with this one on reconstruction using your own body tissue; we cover every kind of reconstruction, so browse around here a bit, I think you'll find the informaiton useful. Good luck - PJH
Good luck with everything! Keeping a positive attitude is more than half of the battle, keep your chin up and know that there are lots of people thinking of you and pulling for you!
Blessings!
Star