Young mum diagnosed IDC and DCIS.
Hello! Im 37 and was recently diagnosed in November with early breast cancer - IDC (ER+, PR+, Her2-) and then following my surgery they also discovered DCIS. Plan is chemotherapy starting tomorrow and then mastectomy/recon 4-6 weeks post surgery! Looking for advice on: 1. What to take with me to chemotherapy tomorrow (will be there approx 5 hours as will be trying scalp cooling). Also what do people wear when using ice gloves/boots/cold cap? 2. Any advice on TC chemo and how you tolerated it (I’m doing 4 cycles). 3. Any tips on managing chemotherapy with 3 children aged between 3-7yrs and a husband who works long hours but very supportive. Thanks so much!
Check with arms up infront of mirror ladies. Tamworth NSW
My mammograms are all up to date. My last one was in May 2018. It was the 6th October a Saturday evening as I stood in front of the mirror bare from the waist up and reached above my head to tie up my long hair, I noticed a very slight indentation happen under my nipple on my left breast, I thought it was unusual, so I turned to see better under the light. Was there something there? I put my arms down and it disappeared! I put my arms up again and it reappeared. I felt for lumps, there weren’t any, no pain, no discharge and no skin issues. I showed my husband. Then I decided that this must be a “change”, perhaps the sort of change that the “All Clear” letter I received in late May from BreastScreen said that I should report. My doctor sent me for another mammogram and an Ultrasound and if required a “Biopsy” The woman who performed the mammogram said to me “it’s looks all clear, nothing to worry about, but your doctor wants an ultrasound” After the ultrasound was completed the woman who had done it cam back into the room and said “You need to have biopsies in your left breast and armpit” I had invasive ductal carcinoma grade 3 and 1 lymph node that was positive. ER + and PR+ HER2 Negative I have since had a CT Scan which has shown another infected lymph node and a Bone Scan, which was clear. When in the surgeon’s room he noted that the BreastScreen mammograms of 6 moths earlier showed my enlarged lymph node. 😱 After hearing my options for treatment I have gone for a full left mastectomy and axillary clearance, performed on 12th November and at this stage I believe I am in for the full spectrum of treatment. After surgery the surgeon informed me that the results showed I also had high grade DCIS that extended to the inferior margin, so it was heading to my feet. (Solid and Comedo) Margins were involved, however after consult with oncology radiologist they feel it will be taken care of by chemo and radiation. Chemo plan is FEC-D for 4-5 months, the radiation and hormone treatment. Chemo to start on 18th December. I have always had lumps and bumps in my right breast, but have been told they are dense fatty tissue, my left breast always felt clear. My mother had breast cancer and had a lumpectomy with 8 out of 16 positive nodes.
A journey ahead.
Hello all, this is my first post... At 34 years, I felt life was good, happily married, achieved my dream career and blessed to be able to spend time with little daughter. Life couldn't get much better until my world was turned upside down after being diagnosed with breast cancer on June 6th of this year. The last 4 months has been full of mixed emotions, decisions and things I never thought I would be faced with. I'm currently having chemotherapy and at the end of this year have to undergo a mastectomy. Family and friends have been amazing and I see a psychologist regularly but I feel like I need to reach out to this amazing network, to help me through. Work is currently on standstill, but I just want to get back to normal, but my hair loss is starting to get the better of me and making me anxious about getting back to work.