Q: I was diagnosed today with breast cancer. All I know so far is that the pathology report says "poorly differentiated infiltrating ductal carcinoma." Can someone explain this to me a little? Thank you!
Missy, welcome to the club no one wants to join! I'm sorry you've received this diagnosis, but you've come to the right place; we're here to answer your questions and support you.
The type of breast cancer you have (its name is generally shortened to IDC) is the one most survivors have; it's the most common type of breast cancer. Which is good news for you, as that means there's a LOT of data around what constitutes successful treatment. Please read our post on infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) for lots of good information.
There's no doubt much you want to know about the breast cancer experience; and you're going to have to pick it up fairly quickly, as soon you'll be making decisions around your treatment: surgery, perhaps chemo, perhaps radiation, perhaps hormone therapy or other drugs. Our resource page for survivors who've just been diagnosed (that's right,you're a survivor from the moment of diagnosis) provides links for everything from how to tell people you have cancer, to understanding this confusing new vocabulary, to dealing with cancer's emotional impact.
It takes awhile to get your bearings, I know; this is an incredible shock. But I want you to know that millions of us have gone through breast cancer, and have gone on to lead good, healthy lives. You'll never be the same person you were before; cancer changes all of us – and it can be for the better. So take heart; once you're past these first days of feeling like you've been kicked in the gut, you'll get your bearings, and start moving forward. And we'll be with you every step of the way; we hope you visit here often, as you have questions, or just feel the need of support from this warm, welcoming community. Take care- PJH
Blessings to you, too, Missy. You WILL get through this - with a lot of help from family and friends, who'll step up like you won't believe! While you're waiting for the appointment with your surgeon, you might want to check out this page of treatment resources - lots of good stuff for your perusal. Take care- PJH
Hi, sweet friends. I was just diagnosed 3 days ago and over the weekend, I had many friends visit, call, or text. I'm pretty tired tonight.
I was diagnosed on Sept 29 and have an appt. to see a surgeon on Oct 11. Do you think this seems like a really long time to wait?
Blessings!
Missy
Missy, I'm glad you're already feeling the support of friends. Fatigue is natural; it's emotional fatigue translating itself into physical tiredness, as much as anything. It takes awhile to get used to this new chapter in your life, that's for sure.
You'll find that your medical team is often on a different (slower) schedule than you'd like. Generally speaking, breast cancer is very slow growing; and waiting this long for an appointment is not only not dangerous, it's pretty normal. I was diagnosed May 10, and ultimately didn't have my mastectomy until July 17; so even after you see the surgeon, it takes awhile to get into the schedule, especially if you have a mastectomy with reconstruction. So try not to stress, OK? You'll feel better once you get the process going, but in the meantime, don't worry that the system is compromising your health; they've seen LOTS of breast cancer patients, and know what they're doing. Take care- PJH
PJ,
Thank you for being here for me and all these other women who come by for support. You are an inspiration!!
I would like to share something with you. For several years, and especially after my husband left 2 years ago, I struggled with an eating disorder (binge eating). My emotions just got the best of me. From the day I was diagnosed, I began to see things very differently. I imagine this "army of cells" inside me that have formed a group to conspire and take over the good cells. They are marching along, ready to destroy everything in their path. And with that image, I now look at food and think very carefully before I put it into my body. If it is not healthy, I do not eat it.
Because here is what I believe: My body is going to have to fight hard for me. And if I want it to be able to fight with everything it has, I have to put good food into it! :)
Thank you for calming my anxiety about waiting to see my surgeon. :)
PJ, if I need to have a mastectomy, do they perform the reconstruction at the same time?
Thank you!! Blessings!!
Missy
That's the spirit, Missy - I now a lot of women visualize cancer that way - as an invading army. And they also visualize their good white blood cells fighting and beating the cancer cells - so make that part of your visualization, too! I'm glad this diagnosis has helped you start to address your eating disorder - it's tough, but you'll be strong, I know you will.
If/when you have a mastectomy, you can choose to have immediate reconstruction; or you can choose to delay it - for months, or even years. It's up to you. Our post on deciding whether to have reconstruction should give you some useful information. Take care, and let us know what the surgeon says, OK? PJH
PJ,
I had a dr's appt about 4 weeks before I learned about having breast cancer. At my appt, the doctor ran routine annual tests which showed that my lungs were clear and a chext x-ray was normal. The last few days, I have felt short of breath, yawning to try to get more air, and my back hurts from yawning. In the past, this has happened to me when I became stressed. I plan to talk to my doctor tomorrow, but do you think the x-ray I had would have showed if there was cancer in my lungs?
Missy, since a chest X-ray is used to show problems in your lungs (right?), I'd assume if there was a problem it would have shown up. Also - the chance of you having a just-diagnosed breast cancer that's already spread to your lungs is probably minuscule - it would be pretty tough to not know you have breast cancer so long that it spreads to your lungs. So, I'm betting the yawning is from stress, as you say; but do mention it to your doctor tomorrow, as you'll want to discuss any health changes with your doctor during treatment. Good luck tomorrow - hope things go well for you. PJH
Hi PJ! :)
My ob/gyn called to tell me that tests indicate: my right breast is estrogen receptor positive, progesterone receptor positive; my left breast is estrogen receptor negative and progesterone receptor negative.
Needless to say, I don't quite understand? Do you?
Thank you!! Have a blessed Tuesday!
Missy
Hi Missy: This means one of your cancers is hormone-receptive, the other isn't. Hormone-receptive means that you'll take long-term hormone therapy to help prevent recurrence - which is a good thing. Not hormone-receptive means you'll probably also have to do chemo... But let's cross that bridge when we get to it. In the meantime, you'll probably want to become familiar with our Guide to Understanding Your Pathology Report - it'll help explain the results you just got, as well as a lot of what the oncologist will tell you about your cancer, once you see your oncologist. Hope your appointment went well today - PJH
Hi PJ!
Again, thank you for the invaluable information. You always make me feel better!
My appt. with the surgeon is NEXT Tuesday. But today I also decided to see a surgeon and oncologist with IU (Indiana University), more or less for a consultation. So that surgeon appt is tomorrow at 1:30. Have you ever heard of Dr. Bryan P. Schneider (oncologist)?
I've been overwhelmed today with all the information. Tired again. I really want to find doctors who I feel confident with and know that they are capable of managing the disease while I concentrate on taking care of myself and family.
Blessings,
Missy
Missy, I'm sorry, I don't know about individual oncologists around the country. But if you're going here:
Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center
Indiana Cancer Pavillion
535 Barnhill Drive, Room 455
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5289
That's good. It's a government-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, which means you'll get the very best care there; there are only about 50 in the country, and they're all proven to be top-notch. So, good luck tomorrow - take it one step at a time, and know that you're doing everything you can at the moment to move forward. Take care- PJH
PJ, Yes, that is where I'll be going tomorrow -- to see a surgeon who works with the oncologist at IU. I've been so torn about where I should go. I'll keep you posted! :)
Missy
You're making a good decision - in my opinion, the best you could make. Trust your instincts... PJH
That is a great attitude, Missy. Education is the key!
You will learn more about everything when you go to that appointment. I guess right now, the hardest thing is to know that it is in there, and trying daily not to freak out over it. The path report guide on here is really good to read through, so when you have any questions at all, right them down and ask the doc. Ask, ask, ask. DOn't worry about being the pesky patient! This is what they do, and you are an individual and very rare! Hang in there, and keep me posted,
Peg.
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Thank you for this information! :) I appreciate that you are here, helping others. I have an appointment to see a surgeon on Oct. 11. I will know more then. Until then, I will continue to educate myself about everything possible!
Blessings!
Missy