Without your results, it's hard to say what the plan will be. I can tell you though, that Ductal Carcinoma can be treated conservatively. I had the same thing two and a half years ago and I still have an intact breast with just a tiny scar. It very much depends whether the lymph nodes are affected, because the cancer can spread if it's reached them. They will take a biopsy of your lymph nodes during any planned surgery to find out and deal with anything as they go. Generally you have some radiotherapy afterwards to ensure that no cancer cells have got away. The operation is a piece of cake and I went home the same day. My root canal treatment was miles worse. The radiotherapy makes your skin sore and itchy and you may feel fatigued. Get some E45 lotion. 
Trust your medical team, they are all very experienced and understand how anxious you are. Everyone I saw was so kind and helpful. There is help out there afterwards if you need it, so do ask. 
Wishing you well and and easy journey through this,

Lyudmila.

Hey [@Forevergratetul21]‍ 

I'm sorry to hear your news, it sounds like you're having a very hard time at the moment.  Don't give up and don't give in, you can do this! Take one step at a time, day by day.  I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma on 22 Feb '21.  I had a biopsy 2 weeks before and was told it was suspicious, they took 4 biopsies and implanted a tiny metal chip inside the tumour.  I had a lumpectomy with uplift 6 weeks later and am about to start chemo next week.  It's very overwhelming at first but if you trust the process you'll find you feel more in control of things when you have a treatment plan.  I know I did!! It gives you something to focus on instead of the dreaded wait!! When I was diagnosed I started feeling all kinds of pains all over my body, but specifically my back.  I think I was very sensitive to any feeling and under a lot of stress which was appearing in my back.  When you have the results back from the MRI, you'll know much more about what's going on.  Just remember, whatever they say, you can do it!  I had a designated Cancer Nurse who I could ring whenever I had a question or query, if you have that option go for it, they'll put your mind at ease.  If not, ring your GP for advice and support.  Make a list of questions to take with you to the results appointment, e.g. what type of cancer it is, where is it, the size, how its been graded and what are the treatment options.

Please know you'll have support through this page!! Seek out support, it helps to talk to others in similar situations.  Good luck on your journey, let us know how it goes or if we can help.

Jen xx

Hey [@JenLam]‍

thanks for responding. I'm so sorry to hear your going through this too, it's so horrible! Can I ask if your cancer is invasive or non invasive? And how you feeling about starting chemo?

it's horrible our bodies giving us these pains it scares me so much. It doesn't help that my MIL has just been diagnosed with secondary terminal breast cancer, she had it years ago then recently got diagnosed with it in her pelvis. And now my back hurts I can't help but feel scared. 
 

thank you again x

Hi, You are possibly at the worst stage, because it's the not knowing what's going to happen that causes the awful axiety. Believe me you always imagine the worst. Once you get going with the treatment, you will find that you take one step at a time. As I said, I had DCIS and when I received the news, I went home by myself and was convinced I was going to have a mastectomy and chemotherapy and all my hair would fall out. It didn't happen and it rarely does, unless it has spread radically and it's lain there untreated for years.Take this step by step, don't try to rush ahead to an imagined conclusion because it may never happen - and you know what they say about worry; it's wasted energy. Not only that, it will pull you down mentally and you need a positive mindset for what lies ahead. I think you said you are keeping the relevant correspondence, that's a really good idea because you will have it to refer to if something is unclear, and ask for handouts at the hospital which will have a lot of the answers you looking for. Try to take someone with you for appointments, even if they have to wait outside because of Covid restrictions. I did the whole thing on my own, but would have loved to have had someone to support me on diagnosis day. Keep asking questions here too, there are lots of us out there and all willing to support you. Take care and keep strong,

Lyudmila  

Hi [@Forevergratetul21]‍ 

Thanks for your response, I hope you're doing well and feeling better about things.  My cancer is non invasive at this time but I worry about it spreading all the time.  It's such a mental game, trying to stay focused on the smallest of things like having breakfast, having a shower....everything has slowed down since chemo started.  I was a little nervous about starting chemo and now I'm half way through.  It's been hard dealing with the side effects of the drugs - constipation, light sensitivity, aches and pains, I've had a lot of pain in my back from the drugs, the Dr's have said it's normal.  It feels like someone has punched me in the back a few times! It's all about recovery, getting through each day and trying to feel like I've achieved something.  This next round of drugs will be different from the first and it'll take longer to go in, about 5 hours (the first took half an hour), I'm nervous about how my body will react but I'm learning that i just have to see how it goes and deal with any side effects the best way I can.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation and your MIL.  It's hard not to concentrate on aches and pains, it's difficult not to worry but I think we just have to keep our end goal in sight.  Once chemo is over then I'll start thinking about the next stage.  We can only do it one day at a time!! Sending hugs. xx

Hey all, my bone scan came back all clear thank god!

I had a double masectomy with reconstruction 15 days ago due to the mri showing a wider spread DCIS. I get my pathology report on Friday. Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. 
 

im so worried that I've felt so numb to all of this, numb to everything basically since I was diagnosed and it sucks big time!

thanks for your responses