Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 12 replies
  • Views 1574 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Diagnosis of IDC

Bevvymama
Offline

Hi All,

My name's Bev and I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (breast cancer) on 29th January.

My consultant says it's treatable with surgery and radiotherapy. It's still a shock, however, but I'm thankful to have lots of support around me.

I usually work as a mental health nurse, so using all tye skills around adjustment and self-compassion that I advocate for my own patients has been a good resource 

 

It's still a lonely, scary place, isn't it?

I don't like the thought of anyone struggling psychologically. If you need to talk, want reassurance, I am more than happy to respond.

 

Much love

 

Bev.

  • Offline in reply to Silverdays

    Hi Silver,

    That's the spirit. It sounds like quite a journey, especially over Christmas. I hope you've had plenty of support? How have you managed to safeguard your mental health? 

    I'm sure both you ladies agree it's an emotional rollercoaster of feeling despair, then gratitude for life and everything positive we have.

     There's a cheesy old saying in mental health at the moment - 'It's OK to be not OK'. And there's so much support. I live not far from Christie's Hospital, the cancer centre in Manchester, so I fully intend to go to the drop in cafe there to speak to other peoole on the same journey. But for now, it's a tear or two watching Call the Midwife.

    I hope you're both having a peaceful Sunday. It's good to hear positive stories. Thank you for posting, Silver, and please let's all keep each other updated on our progress .

     

    Bev xx

  • Offline in reply to Bevvymama

    Hi Bev,

    Luckily my lymph nodes were clear, but the tumour was large at 3.5cm, so I had chemotherapy first in order to shrink it. The Surgeon said that chemotherapy first usually gave a better life expectancy and cosmetic results as they usually didn't have to remove so much tissue. It meant that I had a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy. 

    I had two lots of surgery: a sentinel lymph node biopsy first which showed that it hadnt spread, then chemotherapy and the lumpectomy to remove the remaining lump which was mainly scar tissue. 

    I have to say that surgery was a lot easier than I'd expected. I was a bit stiff and sore, but I didn't need to take the codeine they gave me. I got stiff after the sentinel lymph node biopsy and had to make sure that I did the stretching exercises several times a day. 

    Chemotherapy was "fun"...

    Unfortunately I've been left with a few side effects such as damage to the veins in my arm and damage to the nerves in my feet. I also have reduced heart function but fingers crossed it is due to the Herceptin and should recover when I stop taking it in 6 months.

    However,  I keep reminding myself that I'm still alive!

    Radiotherapy is a doddle compared to chemotherapy. 

    The lumpectomy has left me a bit lob sided and I now have a perky side on the NHS.  However,  I don't really care and I told the Surgeon to just do what she needed to. She was concerned about making it look good and I have to say that she's done an excellent job. My scars are healing well.

    It has been months of treatment and I'm finally seeing an end to it all and looking forward to returning to work.  

    The initial diagnosis was a shock but I've made it through all of the treatment and you will too. There are people on here that you can talk to who know what it is like from experience. On the up side I'm slightly less inhibited now and more people have seen me semi clad in the last year than in my whole life prior to that!

    Ask questions of your care team and don't be afraid to put your point across. I document everything too.

    Let us know how your MRI scan goes.

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.