Newly diagnosed Invasive ductal breast cancer grade 3 no staging yet

Hi Jo. Just wanted to make sure you have a response to your post as I do remember this uncertain stage and how brave and desperate I felt just to do a first post.   I also wanted to say however scared you are you will be stronger than you ever knew you could be.  This, set against, more vulnerable than you ever thought. Personally I found both are ok once I stoped fighting with the ‘brave face’ and let those that love me help.  I think it helped them too x.  

I started with the emotional part of this because, for me the rollercoaster is hard.  The practical side almost happens around you and to you and you move through one appointment, to the next with lots of uncertainty and waiting.  I would say, in my experience, without exception I have met the most amazing and caring individuals throughout this.

in terms of diagnosis.  Mine was initially invasive ducal grade 2 diagnosed at the end of January.  At that point it was thought my nodes were clear but decided to do a ‘sentinal’ node biopsy just to make sure.   Turns out I had a larger tumour than originally anticipated, plus showed in two nodes.   This made me a Grade 3 and Stage 2 (helpful to understand the difference I think). Initially I though oh my word this is worse than I thought and got a bit panicky, but actually it really is very normal and usual for the initial diagnosis to be amended as they progress and that isn’t sinister just different.  That’s one of the things I wished I’d known earlier.  

I’ve since had a lumpectomy along with a mamoplasy and lymph node removal all at the same time.  Recovery wise I got married 6 weeks later and felt fine.  Mine was ER & PR Positive but HER Negative.  Treatment wise, I am just over half way through chemo.  I’ve had 3 x EC sessions and just had my first of 3 Docetaxel   I have an appointment booked for radiotherapy plan and then will go onto hormone tablets.

I fully appreciate everybody will be different in terms of diagnosis, treatment plan and how they cope.  That said there will be similarities. I have written much more of an essay here than I ever intended and don’t want to overwhelm you (remember I said helping sometimes is good for the helper lol!). Anyway if I can help please do ask or drop a note and wishing you and your family the very very best during every day if this process.  Clare xxx

Hi Jo82

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you been diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer.

Wishing you all the best with your MRI and with whatever treatment your medical team put you on.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi Jo - happy to help answer questions. I was diagnosed in Jan with invasive ductal carcinoma grade 3 (which means the more aggressive type) ER & PR positive but HER negative, also in my lymph nodes. I’d already had a mastectomy as I had DCIS 4 years ago (same side - found a lump under my scar this time) I’m now 44 and have 4 primary school aged children too. They’ve been ok with it all - not sure they totally understand the gravity. The hospital gave me a book for then called “Mummy’s lump” which was useful at the start. Waiting for the scan results was hardest part as your mind can’t help going to worse case scenarios but I do think it helps to stay positive, ask lots of questions and write down the answers - or bring someone with you to do that. And tell your local mum friends, they will want to help - mine have been fab with helping with cooking meals on a rota, having kids on playdates, going for walks with me etc. 
 
I’ve done 4 months of chemo (EC & Paclataxel) - I fared ok on it. One night of bad hangover like symptoms but then not too bad. I managed to stay working from home during it (desk based job) with time off whenever I needed for treatment & appointments. I cold capped too which was pretty hard going but it worked on my fine hair so still have about 80%. I’ve just had surgery to remove the cancerous cells under my mastectomy scar and in my lymph nodes. Then it’ll be 3 weeks of radiotherapy later in the summer. Then hormone tablets. 
That’s my journey so far - ask away with any questions! Xx

Hi Clare

Sorry it has taken me some time to reply.  I really appreciate you replying to my post.  I am struggling mentally the most at the moment, but I think it is mainly due to not knowing the extent of what I am dealing with.  I am overthinking everything and worrying more about my children than myself (think that is more a natural thing to do though).. I had a melanoma in situ in October 2020 which was removed with a wider excision; so I am conscious of that and then finding out I have breast cancer, I'm panicking for the results of the MRI and the hormone receptor results.

I appreciate you sharing your journey and experiences with me.  I am completely clueless regarding the different chemo treatments and what all of the different drugs are etc.  They have said I will either have the chemo first then surgery or surgery then chemo.

My friends are all aware and have been fantastic with me offering support etc. My partner is already my rock, although I know he is struggling.  My children are up and down, think once I start having surgery and treatments it will more than likely hit them harder.  They are 16, 15, 11 and 8. Three girls one boy.

Can't wait for the MRI tomorrow.  Would be lovely to keep in contact Clare, I think you will help me a lot due to what you've experienced so far in your journey.

Wishing you a lovely day

Jo xxx

Thank you for your response Daisy53 its much appreciated. 

Jo xx

Hi RunandBecome

Sorry it has taken me some time to reply.  I really appreciate you replying to my post.  I am struggling mentally the most at the moment, but I think it is mainly due to not knowing the extent of what I am dealing with.  I am overthinking everything and worrying more about my children than myself (think that is more a natural thing to do though).. I had a melanoma in situ in October 2020 which was removed with a wider excision; so I am conscious of that and then finding out I have breast cancer, I'm panicking for the results of the MRI and the hormone receptor results.

I appreciate you sharing your journey and experiences with me.  I am completely clueless regarding the different chemo treatments and what all of the different drugs are etc.  They have said I will either have the chemo first then surgery or surgery then chemo.

My friends are all aware and have been fantastic with me offering support etc. My partner is already my rock, although I know he is struggling.  My children are up and down, think once I start having surgery and treatments it will more than likely hit them harder.  They are 16, 15, 11 and 8. Three girls one boy.

I have very short hair and have been suffering with alopecia since january so I am not too worried about losing my hair and think I will probably go for the buzz cut before my treatment starts.  

Can't wait for the MRI tomorrow and hopefully know a bit more by the end of the week with regards to hormone receptor results etc.  Would be lovely to keep in contact, I think you will help me a lot due to what you've experienced so far in your journey.

Wishing you a lovely day

Jo xxx

Hi Jo,

I have just had the same diagnosis on Thursday, I'm 30 years old. I'm waiting on appointments for MRI, CT and marker insertion before seeing the oncologist on the 25th so I totally understand how you must be feeling. 

The scariest part for me was when they said it's an aggressive cancer, every time my boob hurts now I'm worrying it's getting bigger but the Dr did advise me that these types of aggressive cancer's react to treatment far quicker which is why they put a marker in (I call it my microchip) because the chemo can shrink it so much that they can struggle to find it at surgery stage.

They say I'm to have chemo, surgery and then maybe radiotherapy if needed, is this the same/similar treatment plan you've had?

Hi there i was diagnosed with grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma in April had my first surgery 13th may second surgery 8th july hopefully they got it all out this time and then i can mobe on to radiotherapy, whwn you had cancer the first time and had your breast removed did you have chemo? I have had the test that gets sent to America and it says i will not benifit from chemo just radiotherapy but i have read alot of comments on here and alot of ladies have had chemo and the cancer has returned so im not sure how safe i will be just having radiotherapy when its not as strong as chemotherapy what do you suggest thank you x

Hi Sam 

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. We both seem to have the same diagnosis.

My metal marker was inserted when I had my two biopsies taken on the 28th June.  My MRI is tomorrow.  The breast cancer nurse has told me not to worry if they call me in for more ultrasounds after the MRI as they have to thoroughly check everything.

I had a sudden onset of pain yesterday, and its very strange as it is not continuous pain but a sudden onset.  I have noticed my lump seems bigger; I initially put this down to the swelling from the biopsies as I know this can happen, but in the back of my mind I am worrying slightly as mine is also a grade 3.  I am awaiting staging and that can't be done until the hormone receptor results come back I believe.

I really appreciate you informing me regarding why the marker is put in where the tumour is located as I was not aware it was because the aggressive cancer's react to treatment far quicker.  I was just informed that it was so that they can locate the tumour if surgery is needed.

They have said the same to me, either chemo surgery then radiotherapy if needed, or surgery followed by chemo or/and radiotherapy, but I won't know what sequence it will be in until the MRI is reviewed and the hormone receptor results come back.

I had my results appointment Tuesday 5th July and got a phone call on Friday 8th July for my MRI appointment taking place tomorrow.

Hope to hear from you soon Sam. 

Jo xx

Hi there - no I didn’t have chemo last time. It was DCIS so less aggressive but was a big lump in a small boob so it was straight to mastectomy and nothing else. Don’t think they do chemo for DCIS as it’s in situ so not spreading. They did chemo first this time as it was a grade 3 so aggressive and wanted to shrink it and stop spread before surgery. I think chemo and radio play different roles in treatment but prob best to ask your breast nurse. Hope that helps!