Devastating diagnosis

Diagnosed with breast cancer Recently diagnosed with breast cancer
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Got told that I have invasive cancer that has likely spread to my lungs. I have a biopsy next week and they want to do an MRI.

I have no idea what to think.

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Hello. I’m so sorry to read this - why do they believe it’s spread to the lungs without a scan? Sending love. X

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I had a CT scan and there’s a nodule. They need to do a biopsy to check.

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Dear kbm,

So sorry to read your post, welcome to the forum, we are all here for you with love and support.

You have so much going on at the moment, lots of appointments, tests, I would suggest a notepad to write down anything that you are concerned about so when you see your team you can run any questions passed them as we always forget the most important things.

We all run away with our thoughts, it’s all a very big shock and feels quite unreal it’s happening. Take one day at a time at the moment, your breast cancer nurse should be on hand to support you.

Wishing you well for next week, please let us know how you’re getting on. Health and happiness going forward

Love Tili :rainbow::pray::rainbow::pray:

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Hello kbm

So sorry to read your post

As Tili says, it’s much easier to say than to do but try to take one day at a time.

When we are waiting for test results there is a vacuum and our pesky thoughts go racing off in all directions trying to fill in the gaps.

Sending you lots of love

AM xxx

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Hi @kbm
I am really sorry and can absolutely understand your head will be everywhere at the moment.

When we don’t have all the facts, we fill in the gaps, and not often with the right or useful information. My mind went to the worst possible scenario and I am guessing yours may have as well?

Once you have the biopsy and MRI results, the doctors will be able to give you the correct information, and the best treatment plan that goes along with it. And there will be a treatment plan for you.

During CT scans, nodules can often be found on the lungs, liver…but are sometimes what’s called incidental findings. They are harmless and would never have been found if a scan hadn’t been carried out for a different reason.

If someone has breast cancer, and the nodule is found, then it is given a higher significance until proven otherwise.

Now it may turn out to be something significant, but it may not.
And there will be a treatment for you if you have invasive breast cancer with or without lung involvement.

So all you have to think at the moment is

  • breathe…
  • eat even though you may not want to…
  • drink to keep hydrated…
  • even if you don’t sleep well, try to rest…
  • keep your medical appointments so the doctors can get the answers you need…
  • start a notebook and write down your questions as they come to you…
  • plan some distractions, even if small, to help the time pass and reduce your ‘brain making up things to fill the gaps’ time…

Think about what support you could benefit from…

  • you should have a breast care nurse you can call for support/questions-explain how you are feeling in case appointments could be brought forward?
  • do you have any close friends/family you would want to involve. Going to appointments with someone can be really helpful to hear the information you may miss
  • Breastcancernow site has different supports they can offer
  • there should be a cancer centre attached to your hospital, or a Maggie’s/Penny Brohn
  • Is it worth talking to your GP to see what support they could offer?

Big hugs to you
Hold on in there…
Laura

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@kbm I’m so sorry, waiting for test results allows us to go to very dark places. Thinking of you xxx

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Sending :heart: xx

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Try not to worry. I was diagnosed with a lung nodule in January then come April it had completely resolved. Diagnosed as inflamation. That was prior to bc diagnosis so i had myself all worked up that the staging CT would show spread to lungs but all clear so it doesnt always have to be the worse x

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I just wanted to say that if it is a cancerous node there’s still lots of hope. I have a ‘hotspot’ of cancer on my sternum. It’s called ‘oligometastatic’. Because it’s just one spot outside of the breast they are treating me with curative intent and you can have these little spots radiated with targeted radiation. I hope it’s not that for you but I just wanted to say if it is it’s far from game over from what I’ve learned x

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