This is such a scary post, being diagnosed completely took me by surprise. I was seen yesterday by my breast consultant who confirmed grade 2 invasive ductal ER+, still waiting for HER2 results won’t know that till next Tuesday 10th. Talked about treatment plan and this depends on the HER2 results (chemo 1st to shrink it and then surgery or just surgery) but wanted to know if anyone is in the same boat?
I have 3 young children (9.7,3) and a very supportive husband but struggling to get my head around this.
Yesterday my consultant was explaining to me all the different treatments / surgery’s and my head was just blown ? The different types of reconstruction (breast conserving surgery or complete mastectomy) my initial reaction was to have it removed as soon as possible and take everything (consultant said very common) but advised me to think about the options… and not to make a rush decision! Both would need chemo and radio afterwards and hormone tablets.
help! Ladies / gentlemen in similar position, how did you make the decision???
Jem so sorry you find yourself on here. It is a lot to take in all at once. You will find your feet. Please use the ask the nurse facility on here and also the someone like me option. Importantly you remember you are in control, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Have a look through the threads too, lots of And from everyone here always, so know you are part of a very strong chain ???. Get a note pad and write things down and have questions ready also you should have been assigned a bc nurse at diagnosis, please ring them, they are there to give you support, guidance and help too. Hope this helps a bit ??Shi xx
Thought I’d say hey, I’m also 35 and diagnosed 2 weeks ago with grade 2 Hormone positive. I’m her2 -ve and having a lumpectomy tomorrow. The waiting is the hardest part but you’re in the best hands and every outcome has a solution, so don’t worry yourself sick. Let us know how you get on?
Your oncologist is quite right re the lumpectomy and breast conservation surgery. Studies indicate that for some of the most common bc’s lumpectomy plus radiotherapy to the breast has just as good an outcome as mastectomy. You might want to ask your oncologist if that is the case for you when your full diagnosis is known.
I found the treatment teams really good, surgery neat etc. I was in my early 40’s when diagnosed, now 5 years on and doing ok, just like to post since I got so much from the forum when I was diagnosed.
The phone line (number at top right hand side) can also be helpful, to speak to a nurse and run through your thoughts etc.
Wishing you well with your bc journey.
Be kind and compassionate to yourself and take one day at a time.
I was diagnosed nearly 3 weeks ago and I totally understand how it rocks your world, I was totally petrified for the first few days and Shi & Mai7 were amazing on the forum…I also found it really helpful to spk to breast nurses on here, It also reallt helped to use the “someone like me” service, it gives great comfort to hear other people’s stories and to know that it will be ok , whatever your journey looks like:heart:
Sorry to read your post, it’s devastating and certainly nothing you expect at the age you are.
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2 HER2+ and oestrogen pos in August at age 34. I too have 3 kids, 1 is older and 2 younger ones.
When I was told my results they explained the plan, chemo first then surgery and the. Whatever is necessary after that. I questioned chemo first as my initial reaction was to get the sodden lump out and the surgeon did say it was my choice but that was what they recommended.
Anyway, I decided to go with what they recommended and I started chemo in sept. I am now 5 cycles down and due my last one 6 days before Christmas. (Although I have a bit extra to get due to a drug reacting in the bag and infusion being stopped). A CT scan picked up an enlarged lymph node which unfortunately turned out to be cancerous too, along with a 2nd lump in my breast that I never knew about. The extra lumps and bumps didn’t change my treatment, it only changes the surgery. So I am due to have a mastectomy and lymph node clearance in feb.
Because of my age and prob also the type I have, I will be starting monthly zoladex injections in the next week or so and that is to put me into an early menopause, as my cancer is hormonal. I don’t know yet if I will get radiotherapy at the end that has still to be discussed.
it is a total mine field and the amount of info u get is totally overwhelming.
I was struggling a bit with the amount they throw at you, got to the point I didn’t know if I could keep on doing it, but after sitting and thinking about it, I remembered just to take baby steps. Don’t focus on the things that are weeks away, only focus on the things that are imminent. Now feeling a whole lot better and ready to tackle it head on again.
I’m not sure if any of that helps, but it’s sometimes nice to know your not alone ?
I hope you are coping well. Good luck on Tuesday. I agree with Shi about writing down questions, I have a notepad on my phone so I can write questions. When I was going for surgery it literally had written on the wall if you need a sick note tell your surgeon before surgery. I was staring at that note on the wall for about an hour but when I seen my surgeon I completely forgot to ask for the sick note. It wasn’t until I seen her a few days later I remembered.
I was diagnosed in september, I have her2- er+ grade 3 I also had 2 lymph nodes affected.
When I was told I have cancer they told me i would need to have a full mastectomy as the skin around my cancer was affected. I was told i would be able to get immediate reconstruction with skin and fat being taken from my tummy or delayed reconstruction. After looking into both options I decided for a simple mastectomy as I didn’t want additional surgery elsewhere. I was then offered the choice to speak to the breast reconstruction surgeon, I decided to go and see what she said but was still quite set on a mastectomy.
She told me that although some skin was affected most was fine and she could do a skin sparing mastectomy with an implant, only removing the skin that was affected. I was surprised that that was an option as I wasn’t offered it before. My advice is defo speak to a breast reconstruction surgeon before making a decision, it was the best thing I did.
The reason I decided to go ahead with reconstruction instead of the mastectomy was because I might need my other breast done in future. My sister pointed out that although I don’t mind only having one boob I don’t know how I’d cope having both removed.
I’m now 3 weeks post op. It was quite a quick recovery for me, I got home the next day and after a week I stopped taking the painkillers. I’m now waiting to heal before starting chemo, ill also get radiotherapy then I’ll be on hormone tablets.
I was diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma Stage 2 Grade 3 in November 2018 which was triple positive, after finding a lump myself.I was 49 at the time so not yet eligible for BreastCheck.
My treatment plan was 4 rounds of A/C followed by 4 rounds of taxol - 2 weeks apart - I am based in Ireland. The herceptin was added in when I started the taxol but was every three weeks for one year.The chemo was hard particularly the A/C but I knew that the tumour was shrinking so it made things a little easier.
The surgery was 4 weeks after the chemo finished.I went in as a day patient arrived at 9am and leaving by 4pm results two weeks later.I had a complete pathological response so final stage was the radiation therapy.Radiation I had 25 sessions and 8 booster sessions.
I have two herceptin injections left and will have finished active treatment in January.
My advice don’t think too far ahead in terms of treatment take and research each stage of treatment as it is coming up. While you sometimes feel a bit helpless you can take control of your diet and exercise and this made me feel that I was doing something to help myself.
Good luck and remember everything passes, so make plans for things you want to do - fun stuff - and aim for that .
try not to think too far ahead, things can and do change. It’s so hard not being able to make plans, but I find it harder deciding something and then having things change. I’m ER/PR + and HER2 - (I’m 43 so a bit older than you) and was originally having just a lumpectomy, but after an MRI found I had two areas of cancer I’m now having a single mastectomy. The good thing about this is that I may not need radiotherapy, depending on results of the surgery.
I don’t have advice but have just been diagnosed myself at 35, and I’m pregnant with a 3yo son - so understand a bit of what you’re feeling! Sending lots of positive thoughts your way, we’ll get through this!
I don’t come on here much, mainly due to the fact I’m just plodding along with life, very busy at work but every now and again I pop my head in - today more than ever really as it’s 3 years today since I was diagnosed with the same grade 2 ER+ and 3 years on still kicking! No evidence of disease so it’s more of a positive note for you and others in the same boat. Have a lovely Xmas x
I am 57 and five years ago my partner had prostate cancer. His surgery and treatment left him completely impotent and no longer interested in any physical intimacy. I have lost all sense of womanhood and femininity after five years in a celibate relationship. Now I have breast cancer and I will never feel like a woman again.
My message to you is: you are only 35 - have the reconstructive breast saving surgery, cling to your womanhood and femininity while you are still so young. You never know what is round the corner and being so young, there may be many times when you will want to feel as feminine as possible.
And, listen to many opinions, including your other half’s, and your mother’s and female friends - and then take time to think to make up your mind yourself and do what you feel is best for you.
We are all different people on this journey in many different ways.
I have the same, but my reaction has been different, I just wanted to run, run and run. Cant get my head round it either. I just want it to go away. I know it wont but I hate thinking about it.
And from everyone here always, so know you are part of a very strong chain ???. Get a note pad and write things down and have questions ready also you should have been assigned a bc nurse at diagnosis, please ring them, they are there to give you support, guidance and help too. Hope this helps a bit ??