Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Well, I now have a name for it.

I learned this past Wednesday that I really do have breast cancer, and I found out today what kind: invasive ductal carcinoma or IDC. IDC is the most common kind of breast cancer, accounting for 80% of all cases of the disease. I know some general things about this cancer but things that are specific to me are still unfolding.

The good news is that the cancer is now out of my body. I went to the hospital last Monday to have a surgical biopsy. This was necessary because the results of the initial needle biopsy were inconclusive. However, when my surgeon actually got inside my breast he saw that he could take the whole tumor out, which he did. So, I went in for a biopsy and came out with a lumpectomy. And the tissue around the tumor was cancer free. And that, to repeat, is good news.

So, what's next?

I go see my oncologist this Friday. I should learn from her the stage of my cancer and what my next round of treatment will be. My surgeon said I'll have to have radiation and most likely chemo, too. I really don't want chemo but if that's what it'll take for me to beat this then so be it. Whatever's next, I'm anxious for it to start because the sooner it starts the sooner it'll be over and I can go back to my normal life. My normal, cancer free life. That will be BEAUTIFUL!