35 y.o. (newly single) mother of 2. Just diagnosed with "invasive medullary carcinoma" after having "excisional biopsies and 2 masses removed" 5 days ago. I was told that everything looked normal, probably just fibroadenomas, then got the phone call yesterday that it was actually cancer. Pure Shock! I will not meet with the surgeon/oncologist to go over pathology report for another week. I have NO information, other than the name of it, and want to know what to do in the meantime...besides pray. 
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11/12/09 6:57pm
I'm sure this is a terrible shock, especially since you were expecting to hear that the tumors were fibroadenomas. Praying is a good first step and reading the links PJ suggested. I'd also suggest making a list of the resources you have to cope with the situation. Of course, you won't know exactly what you will need until you talk to the doctor, but I can already tell you some of the resources that are going to get your through this. You have religious faith, you know how to research for information, and you are willing to reach out for help. Add to your list any other emotional, social, financial, and physical resources that you'll be able to call on.
11/18/09 6:17am
I am a 39 year old mother of 2 that got diagnosed with breast cancer in April. I have no history ,I ate healthy, did a moderate amount of exercise and never smoked so it was quite a shock. Then to make things worse they told me it had spread to my lungs. Things did not look good for me. I did chemo and had surgery and now there are no visible tumours. What got me through the emotional side was support from my family and religious faith. I became more spiritual and I had a positive attitude throughout the whole process. I thought only about well being and not about cancer. I never wallowed in self pity but always visualised me being well. I got others to google and filter all the information from the internet as it is depressing to read statistics and I wanted to keep my spirits up. A lot of cancer is to do with anger and resentment built up over the yeears so I saw a counsellor to help me with my issues. I recommend you look up Colin Tipping and radical forgiveness it has helped me tremendously. Ask for help with the kids and day to day stuff as the chemo with wear you out. I hope all works out for you.
11/22/09 4:34pm
Thank you so very much for sharing. It is exactly what I needed to read today. :) I have always had faith and it became VERY strong just before I found out about my cancer. I have so much on my plate that the actually diagnosis was a shock and I was hurt after I didn't receive "healing" from several healing prayers. I cried for 2 days after meeting with the dr. last week and now I am doing MUCH better. I am thinking positively, not listening to the negative, and focusing on getting well and being cancer-free...not that surgery and chemo is coming up soon and I will out on Christmas this year. I will have plenty of more holidays to spend with my kids!!! ;)
12/ 2/09 5:20am
Hi IMC,
I am so sorry to hear of your shocking diagnosis. I hope you are doing a little better now. Have you gotten to see anyone yet? Do you have useful info now? Well, if you troll around this site, you will find lots of useful articles and great people too. Don't be afraid to ask questions and use the little question box for a quick note.
I am no expert and just getting through the 12th week of knowing I have cancer. I am 34. So I am on here A LOT! And just asking all sorts of silly questions, and they get answered immediately! So cool!
what did people do without BCN before? Do you know anything more about your biopsies? I hope you keep in touch.
Try to have a good and happy holiday,
peggie.
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You've come to the right place. Cancer diagnosis is a shock, a huge kick in the gut. Please take a look at The First 48 Hours, our page offering all kinds of information you should have right off the bat. Invasive medullary cancer is a sub-type of invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer. Here's more information on medullary cancer. Thankfully, it's very treatable, with survival rates in the 92% range.
Your oncologist will go over all the details with you next week. You'll no doubt have surgery, then perhaps radiation, perhaps chemo, perhaps both. It all depends on the details of your pathology report, once you have the tumor removed. At any rate, I think you'll surprise yourself with just how strong you are. And the community here is incredibly supportive, so please connect anytime – we're here to help. Good luck - PJH