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Hi there,
First of all, please do not feel silly for being emotional! It’s a very emotional time that you are going through, and you would be very odd indeed if you felt normal.
When I had my appointment at the breast clinic they were able to tell me straight away that I had a problem. I was told that they take a quick look at a few cells from the biopsy (as opposed to the closer look they take later on). In my case they could not tell whether it was cancer or pre-cancer (that came at the follow-up appointment) but friends of mine were all told it was cancer for certain on the day. Do not be worried by how fast everything happens - this is how it should be. I know it is difficult to deal with, you will no doubt be in a state of shock just now. Be assured that you will find plenty of support on this site.
Sorry I can’t help with the other problem.
Best wishes for your hospital appointment. Make sure you take someone with you, as it is very difficult to take in everything they tell you. Take a notebook too so you can write down any questions you have and note the answers.
.
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Hi aliceinwonderland,
Welcome to the forums where I am sure you will get lots of support from the many informed users of this site. The feelings you are having at the moment are quite normal as I am sure other users will tell you. It might be a good idea to take a good friend or relative with you to your next appointment as often we don’t always register what is being said to us in this sort of situation, your supporter could perhaps make some notes of what you are told so you can refer to them later.
You may find useful BCC’s resource pack for the newly diagnosed, the pack is free and contains lots of useful information regarding diagnosis, treatment and so on. To obtain a copy just follow the link below and a copy will be posted out to you.
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514
If you feel you need to speak to someone in confidence before your appointment on Thursday then do give the helpline a call the staff here are all either breast care nurses or people with personal experience of breast care issues. The number is 0808 800 6000 lines open Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2pm.
Hope this helps. Kind regards,
Emma, Moderator
Thanks for the info Emma.
Happy New Year and Good health to all.
Hi AliceInWonderland;
When I went to get a mammogram due to multiple health issues the radiologist told me it was BC after completing an ultrasound. This was before a core biopsy was even performed. The BC nurse told me that they wouldn’t tell you that without confirmation from a biospy, well maybe if they were really sure. Well, I guess she was really sure and she was very right. Even though I suspected I had BC it was still a shock. I was 41 at the time and actually hearing the word cancer was so unbelievable. Being afraid is a very normal reaction to all that you are going though. Also, losing sleep, is pretty normal too. You may want to share your sleep issues that with your doctor. Rest is very important.
I had a thick lining too and heavy bleeding. I had a D&C done prior to having chemo. The doctors didn’t seem to relate this issue with the BC.
Keep us posted on your results.
JanetK
Hi Janetk
I appreciate your input.
Alice;
I’m glad you got some rest. You probably won’t be in a party mood for a while but don’t let it get you down. I had a questionable mam in July 2005 but was told not to worry about it. So, June 2006 was when I was finally dx with stage 3 questionable stage 4 (had bone lesion on pelvic bone). The mets to the pelvis and femur bones was just confirmed early December. I was feeling pretty scared and alone, that’s when I found this forum. It helps to not feel so alone. If you look under secondary BC you’ll see my original posts.
So, how did your appointment go? Did you take someone with you? Did you get your pathology report back yet? Would love to help anyway I can!
Always,
Janet
Hi Janet
I have just read your earlier posts, you have had a really cr…y time of it. Sorry. You did however get some really good posts in response to your initial one.
Hi Alice,
I hope your appointment tomorrow goes OK. It really is a good idea to take some one with you. It’s so difficult to take in what they tell you when you are in a state of shock. And I think you will be in a state of shock for some time to come. I know I was. I was dx in February, and I think it was about August that it finally hit me. Until then I’d been in this state of total disbelief, and it was like it was all happening to someone else. I was 44 at dx, with none of the known risk factors. But then it seems to me that most of us posting on this site didn’t have the risk factors either.
Best wishes for tomorrow
xxx
Hi Roadrunner,
A friend is going with me but in the first instance I will ask her not to come in with me
Alice;
Please keep us post on how tomorrow goes. I’m praying that you will hear positive news. Should you have any questions, want feedback, or just need to reflect, we’ll be here.
I’m currently dealing with some radiation side-effects but was given advice on how to manage. I slept a lot the last few days, without meds for a change =). Even though the last few weeks have been rough I’m feeling pretty confident that things will get back on track. Expect good days and bad, but know you can and will get through the bad ones.
Best of luck tomorrow!
Janet
Janet & Roadrunner
thanks for all the kind words of support, woke with cramping pain in chest. PANIC I know. Only optionI i think is to to work through it and scrub the floors til its time to go for appointment at lunch! At least I don’t need to think about work til next Monday when the new term starts, I am a teacher.
I will post later whatever the outcome
xx
thankyou
Good luck for yor appointment. I hope you get good news, but we will be here for you either way.
By the way, I had a grade three invasive cancer, with 3/16 lymph nodes involved, with a mastectomy followed by chemo & radio. Now on herceptin & tamoxifen.
Be prepared to have to go through the full works. You may not have to, but for those of us in our 40s (and younger) the doctors like to throw everything at you, and will treat you with more aggressive treatment than someone older with the same results.
What age group do you teach? My kids, aged 12, 15 and 18, went back to school this week - two yesterday, and the youngest today.
Hi Alice
Sending my best wishes and all the luck that I can to you for tomorrow. Sorry you have joined us on this site, it has been a godsend to me. I am also 47, I saw my gp who felt nothing on 25 Sept 2007 but referred me for a mammogram to be on the safe side then saw my local breast clinic on 23 October, I went on my own as I thought it was only a cyst. Anyway I then had ultrasound, needle aspirations and was told that I had BC of around 5cm and had to have a mastectomy. They knew this from the aspirations to the breast and the armpit, they then did the core biopsy. I have had DCIS which they hoped was not invasive but on the day of my surgery they did find 2 areas of micro invasion which means that the monster would have gone on to become invasive.
I had mastectomy on 1 December with LDflap reconstruction (backflap). It all comes as a huge blow to us Alice and even now 1 month after my op, with a lovely 6 to 7 inch scar on my back some scarring under my armpit and a circular scar where my nipple used to be along with bruising and denting and still a fair amount of pain I still wake some days and think has this really happened to me?
I hope your prognosis is as good as possible Alice, please take someone along with you, it really helped me when I went for the results of the core biopsy and also to discuss reconstruction options. I could not take all the information in at the time and it helped to have my best friend and my partner with me at such a difficult time.
I am slowly coming to terms with my changed appearance and the fact that I have to be pretty lazy right now but I am hopeful of a full recovery as they say that DCIS is the best of a bad lot. I am so lucky that I do not need chemo or radio, also early menopause so they tell me I don’t need drugs either. Just don’t feel so lucky to have had to have the mastectomy, however, life will go on and I am determined to enjoy it and make the most of it as soon as I am fully recovered.
Take care, luvnhugsCarolexxx
Hi all
Don’t know what to say, yes it is cancer and now it is wainting for the next step. numb. glasss of wine.
Alice - I’m really sorry… Please let us help you in anyway we can. Please posted when you are ready to share the details. We maybe able to help you make some sense of it.
Dear Alice
I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis today, as Janet said I’m sure you will continue to receive support and help from the other forum members. You are also welcome to call our confidential helpline and talk to one of our specialist nurses. They will also be able to talk to you about further support available to you which may help you through this difficult time. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 and it’s open 9-5 tomorrow.
Best wishes
Katie