Diagnosed after follow up mammogram - biopsy results to follow..

Diagnosed with breast cancer Recently diagnosed with breast cancer
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Hello all - this is my first post, so apologies in advance if it rambles on a bit!

I received my preliminary cancer diagnosis yesterday after going to a follow up appointment.  Looks like I have ‘possible’ low level cancer in both breasts (lower left and upper right) but no signs of anything in my lymph nodes.  They did also say something about hormonal scarring…but didn’t really take this bit in.  Of course this is all before I get my biopsy results next week (Xmas Eve…happy Christmas me eh?) lol

I’m 53 and am so glad I always go to my routine call ups for screening and the nurses, doctors and breast care support nurse were lovely.  There’s no-one else in my family and friend circle who’ve had this, so joined here for your help and support and and tips and tricks you may have.

They are optimistic for a good outcome but I’ve been advised to likely have HRT pre-surgery and then double lumpectomy in 2-3 weeks followed by radiotherapy.  The cancers are both around 2 - 2.5cm so fairly small I think?

This has all hit me like a proverbial ton of bricks and had myself a bit of a cry this morning as it’s all just hitting home.  But gotta keep me a PMA and not feeling sorry for myself!

Husband is being very supportive and couldn’t ask for better.  My daughter is a worrier but I’ve tried to reassure her as best I can (she suffers with her own mental health issues so I’m worrying about her too). 

I know I’m probably getting way ahead of myself as I haven’t even had my biopsy results yet and still another week to wait…which is going to seem like an eternity.  But from how they were talking at my appointment, I think it’s pretty much determined.

Already ordered myself some post-op support bras for after the lumpectomies…but not sure if my size will reduce?  I’m fairly large busted (40D) so wondered if there will be a significant reduction in breast due to having the double lumpectomy? 

They’ve said the surgeon will balance each breast to the same size and do nipple adjustment(s) if needed (like a breast reduction surgery- bonus!).  I know they’ll be swollen for a time so should I also get some larger bras for immediately after surgery…or stick with my normal size?

So has anyone got any advice for having a double lumpectomy and what challenges this poses…lengthier recovery time?  More restriction in movement?  Pain issues?  How long before I can shower properly? 

Thank you and sorry for rambling on a bit :slightly_smiling_face:

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Hi CrazyCatLady - I am really sorry you have received this diagnosis, and feel like you have been hit by the proverbial truck, but I’d like to welcome you to this lovely forum. I’m really glad you have found it and hope you will get lots of support and answers as you go through treatment and out the other side.

It sounds like you have a wonderful husband supporting you but sometimes it’s just much easier to post on here as everyone just gets what you are talking about without any explanation needed, and there is never any judgment - and by the way, your post didn’t ramble at all, it gave all the information you needed to share so that others can come along and help.

I had a mastectomy so I’m sorry I can’t really give any advice about lumpectomies but hope others will be along soon.

However, I can answer questions about surgery or chat with you about how you are feeling. I think you are spot on when you say you feel like you have been hit by a truck. You need to give yourself time to get your head around what has just happened and trust that your team have your best interests in mind when they plan your specific treatment plan. They also wouldn’t tell you that they are optimistic if they weren’t, in my experience they are always cautious so take comfort in their optimism. 

My very best wishes to you as you go through treatment. If you have any questions please ask - whether about BC or about how this forum works. There are also lovely nurses you can call for advice, or a service called Someone Like Me to get support. Have a look at the various boards on the forum and you may find previous threads help answer your questions. Evie xx

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Dear Crazy Cat lady,

I would re-iterate what Evie said - welcome to the forum, although I know it is not necessarily the place you’d choose to be. I have not been on here for very long, but everyone has been lovely. 

Your message is not rambly - it just speaks volumes of the turmoil that you are currently in,  and that is no surprise to any of us.  So for now, be kind to yourself,  and have a good cry.  You have done the right thing by reaching out. 

I also agree, that the surgeons don’t offer optimism unless they are happy to - so breathe.  Right now,  there are a lot of unknowns, and one good piece of advice I received was, deal with what you know. 

I was diagnosed in Aug, had surgery in Sept, followed by radiotherapy in Nov and am now on Tamoxifen, as my tumour was oestrogen positive (don’t worry, you will soon become an expert at all this). 

With regards to surgery - my tumour was underneath the breast and would have caused a divot and mishaped the breast.  Therefore they offered to do a mammoplasty (refashioning of the breast),  and did the other to match.  It sounds like this might be what they are offering you?  If that is the case (and you will know more when you go back for your results), I can certainly give you some top tips, including recovery and bras.  HOWEVER, at this stage, I think it is probably more useful for you to deal with the impact of diagnosis? 

Like you, my cancer was picked up on routine screening, so I was plodding away at life, not unwell, no lumps or anything when BAM! The shock and denial took a long time to deal with.  It was during this time that I found shoring up my support absolutely necessary. I found reaching out to friends/family/support lines/BC nurses most helpful (yes all of them!).  Each have their own input,  and do be aware that some people who you thought you could rely on, just don’t know how to deal with it,  and become less helpful.  It might be worth asking your daughter what info she wants to know? 

At your results appointment, take a note book and pen, as it is difficult to remember everything.  When I was diagnosed, I could not take anyone in with me, due to Covid, but that may have changed where you are, so the notebook came in handy.  However, they also sent me home with loads of leaflets and info which I could read at my leisure. I could always phone the breast care nurses too, if I had queries. 

You will find that you suddenly start getting loads of invites to appointments, so make a note of these.  You did not say whether you were working or not?  It might be worth having a chat with your employer once you know the plan going forward. 

When you go for your results,  you will probably get your surgery date.  That will help to clarify your own plans going forward, eg. who is available to pick you up after surgery, who will be around afterwards etc…

The waiting game is horrible.  Once you have had your surgery,  you also have to wait for the final lab results from the tumour, with the final grade. Again, that is a tense time.  So anything that you can do to reduce your anxiety/stress, including mindfulness, exercise, crafting, journalling can all be a help.  Do try and avoid excesses of alcohol/smoking/drugs during this time (I am trying to be pc here, can you tell? Lol x ). 

Anyway, CrazyCatLady, I hope this is enough to be going on with for now.  Be assured of the forums support - we would all give you a hug if we could, so for now, 

Virtual hugs, and take care x 

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CrazyCatLady:

I had a lumpectomy and 3 lymphnodes removed 2 days ago. (This is all new to me as well). Just wanted you to know I feel fine, minimal pain. I am taking 800 mg Ibuprofen couple times a day. Now I wait for node results.Sigh. You are fortunate to have a husband for support.I am single and could use one of those hugs. (I divorced after 23 years). Hang in there…

~Patty/U.S.