Grade 3 invasive ductal breast cancer

Hi,

I have been diagnosed with grade 3 invasive ductal breast cancer. My doctors are going to start chemo for 4 - 6 months before operating. The cancer has not spread but I am just looking for any advice or words of comfort whilst I go through treatment. Has anyone gone through this before and come out the other end being able to get back to life as normal? Any info would be appreciated and I am doing my best to stay positive and strong. 

  • Hi

    i didn't have chemo but had the lump removed and radio, it's soo much to take in, but I told the cancer your not beating me, nd when I got down I tried to remember treatments are soo much better thann they were. Keep smiling, it's daunting I know but you have got this xxxx

     

     

  • Hi

    Thank you for your response. I will be having it removed following  chemo and then will likely have some radio too. You're right it is a lot to take in but like you say we are in the hands of the experts.xx

     

     

  • Hi

     

    I was diagnosed with IDC nearly 12 months ago (GP on 7/4/20, diagnosis on 17/4). I was bilateral too, meaning it was in both breasts. Right was g3, left was g2. I also had a positive lymph node. 

    I had chemo, surgery, targeted therapy and am now on another chemo drug as the surgery showed I had residual cancer after the first chemo. I'm also on hormonal therapy as my cancer was oestrogen positive. 

    Although I'm going through treatment still, I have gone back to work so am starting to get back a bit of normality (as much as you can do in this Covid world). It has been a slog at times but it is what it is. 
     

    Everyone will tell you to be strong and positive; that's good advice, to a degree. But you are also allowed to cry and rant and be angry that you are going through this. Then you can pull those big girl pants up again until you need another cry or rant. 

    I whizzed my hair off just before I started chemo because I wasn't going to let cancer take it away from me; I was in control. You may want to try cold-capping too but I personally couldn't be bothered to add more complication. 
     

    It's a horrible time when you are first diagnosed but this time next year you'll look back at how far you've come. You may even be sharing words of wisdom to new people being diagnosed. It's a blip in your life - give it all you can to deal with it then move on with your life.

  • Hi

    Thank you so much for this, your response has been a good slice of perspective and also a source of inspiration. It's so easy to focus on the bad and the what ifs, but I will do my best to listen to the positives and as you say, look forward to hopefully sharing some wisdom with other ladies in future.

     

  • You are welcome. Do you know which chemo you will be having ?

  • Hiya

    I was originally diagnosed with grade 2 but that was changed to grade 3 after lumpectomy.  My tumour was 4.5cm ER+ HER negative and ckwR lymph nodes.  I didn't have chemo before surgery might have been because I am very large breasted H Cup and they originally thought it was grade 2. Did end up having 3 surgeries to get clear margins and due to start radiotherapy soon.  They were not sure if I would need chemo before my radiotherapy so did an oncotype test.  The score came back as 20 so chemo would not be if any real benefit.

    Hope this helps stay positive xx