Hi,
Hoping someone can lend an ear and possibly some words of guidance and wisdom.
I had a routine mammogram a couple of weeks ago and today attended a second screening. Apparently my left breast has shown up very small calcifications and the Doctor was unable to divide a definitive result so they’ve taken a biopsy with results due on Monday.
The breast nurse I saw afterwards was brilliant and explained that the calcification is very small so if it is cancer, it’s very early stages. I’m due to visit London with my son when the results are due so the doctor has agreed to give them over the phone because I don’t want to wait another few days delaying the result any further.
I’ve come away feeling very sore (ouch, those biopsy ‘s sting) but hopeful that I have a good chance of having a clear result but that even if it’s cancerous, it’s been caught in really good time. I Did ask about treatment and she explained that the size would mean a lumpectomy.
I think what I’m after is confirmation that I’ve taken things in properly and I’m not deceiving myself about being ok about it (having been exposed to the potential thought of how bad this could turn out, it actually felt like a positive outcome) and also a bit more insight into the treatment.
Anyone able to help? Thanks
Kezdean your assessment of the situation sounds spot on, and your pragmatic and sensible approach is the way to go. The advice you’ve been given is very positive - they would not have mentioned possible lumpectomy and “early stage” if they felt it could be worse than that or that more extensive treatment would be necessary. And of course it might not be cancer anyway. They know what they are talking about at the breast clinics.
If it is cancer, treatment should be straightforward. I had my lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy exactly a year ago yesterday, and to be honest the whole experience, including 3 weeks of radiotherapy some weeks after the surgery, was SO much better than i could have imagined it would be. In reflecting on the past year I realise that I have been so very lucky to have had mine caught so early, and to live in the UK with the wonderful NHS healthcare. Life returned to normal very quickly after treatment and i am healthier and fitter than I was this time last year, due to some lifestyle changes I made. Good luck for Monday - whatever the results you will do just fine. xxxx PS: yep, those biopsies are probably the worst bit of it!
Thanks optimissy64, that’s just what I needed to hear. Yes, the nurse offered all the info about it being very early if indeed at all and the lumpectomy plus targeted radiotherapy.
Sadly I know what devastation cancer can create. I lost my mum to ovarian cancer 4 years ago following a very late diagnosis.
Can I whether a lumpectomy requires reconstruction? That’s the bit we didn’t get in today. Thanks again x
Hi Kez,
The surgery proposed for you should not mean reconstruction, if they’re saying it’s very small. They remove the lump & about a mm around it to get clear margins. I have a barely there 2 in scar, which is covered by my bra.
I totally echo Optimissy’s words, I too got back to normal very quickly & am very grateful I went for that mammo, as I nearly didn’t.
ann x
Thank you both for taking the time to reply. It really helps to understand more about what could happen out the other side of the result if it is bc.
Fingers crossed for Monday but hopefully i’ll Have similar experiences as yours if I do need to have surgery xx
Absolutely. It’s great to know that someone is out there listening and i’ll Update on Monday when I’ve heard back. Thanks again xx
Thanks Helena. The support here has been fantastic. I’ll report back Monday when I’ve had the result xx
Thanks ever so much Helena. I’ve got a couple days leave in London with my son from tomorrow so planning it has really taken my mind off things. I’m still feeling weirdly calm but going with it! I’ll know the result within a few hours and then I can get on and deal with it. Thanks again xx
Hi everyone, sorry to take a few days. Got the call from the hospital on Monday and very relieved to say, there was nothing worrying found. I could have cried when I finished the call. I don’t think I realised how much tension I’d been carrying around until afterwards. I thanked the nurse for her support and kindness as the staff had been wonderful during my second screening. I also want to thank this community for your support and thoughtfulness- it s been a scary, disorientating few weeks and this forum has been invaluable. Thanks again xx
Thanks Optimissy. You too xx