invasive carcinoma

I have  been diagnosed with invasive carcinoma after my breast biopsy.  The lesion is about 1 centimer but am not sure what type of carinoma it is.  I need to go for an MRI to be sure the cancer has not spread.  My doctor does not think it has based on the size of the lesion.  The waiting is awful.  I am making myself sick.  I keep thinking about the treatment needed after surgery whether it be chemotherapy, radiation or both.  Can you offer any advice?

[SueYoung55]

First of all, I am so sorry you've been told you have cancer. I know that sucker punch hurts more than anything else in the world.

Please ask your doctor for a prescription of either ativan or valium to take the anxiety off of you. I think once you have a plan in place with all of your doctors you will find you don't need it anymore. Don't worry about asking for it. I'm shocked they didn't offer it to you.

God Bless you, Take care.

[katarina777]

You will be OK! There won't be any part of the treatment that you cannot handle. It's all not above anything you and I can tolerate, and I already went through all of it. Chemo, sugery, radiation, hormonal treatments, biopsy, MRI, etc, etc.

First, the surgery is relatively painless. if you ever had a c-section or something like that, the pain and recovery is much, much worse.

Chemotherapy these days does not involve throwing up all day any longer. It's not fun, but you can handle it. Both surgery and then losing your hair are psychologically challenging, more for some than for others, but again, you can do it. (especially with support)

Radiation is not bad at all except for maybe the last week, but again, there are pain medications you can take that will take the edge off.

And your chance of survival? It's so much better these days than it ever has been. Everyone can relapse or have bad experiences but expect a long life ahead of you. (My cancer was like 10 cm, had spread to the lymph nodes, was extremely aggressive, and infiltrating, and fast growing, and you name it)

Two years later I am really fine. (Of course the worry comes and goes but it gets better.)

The whole thing is a process and you focus on one thing at a time and then when the time comes you deal with the next?
Like Sue Young said and she also had a bad case of it.

'Invasive' is a scary word, but it is the most common of all cancers, for it to be invasive and mostly ductal.

When I got it, I didn't know the first thing about cancer, or bc. You learn as you go along.

Keep coming back here and we will help and support you, OK?

All the best, Katrin

[zouzi]

Hi ,I also had IDC....When I first found out,I was scared just like you...but thanks to the many wonderful women on this Forum,my fears lessened considerably.Before my surgery,I too had an MRI which is good to have before the operation.My breast surgeon told me that because of the tumor size,she didn't think that any nodes were involved(Just like your doctor told you),and she was right. My tumor was almost the same size as yours (9mm).So I had my surgery,(Very little pain ) my radiation therapy and now I am taking Arimidex because my cancer was Estrogen receptive.I feel absolutely fine now and I hope that you will be  too.Keep in touch with us,ask all the questions you want....by doing this your worries and anxiety will lessen considerably.As Sue Young suggested,a little Ativan will help diminish your anxiety..I know that the waiting is the most awful thing..but we have to be patient because this is something we cannot escape.I wish you all the best and God Bless.

[Vicky234]

I know how scared you are!  Acknowledge your feelings, and be yourself - get medication as soon as possible.  It will get you through this waiting period.  I had panic attacks and have never taken any pills, but I must say the medication got me through that tough time.  I also talked to two counselors - wow- best thing I ever did.  These professionals are amazing at showing you techniques to calm yourself, etc.  The medication and professional counseling is the best help I ever got.  Support groups are amazing, too.  I belong to two support groups - very important to get in a converstaion with them.  Also the Cancer Society has an 800 number and they will talk to you and help you get through this - they are wonderful!  Get as many people involved in helping you.  Just talking with professionals, friends, cancer resources, etc.  Get help as soon as you can - I don't know how I got through that waiting period - that is really, really hard.

Cancer is scary and