I received my pathology report today on the mastectomy and ANC I had 12 days ago. Wound healing very well with no seroma…so positive. All primary cancer removed…so positive. Tumours were 2cm and 3cm, total area of 5cm bigger than first thought…NOT positive. Total of 5 out of 12 lymph nodes with cancer…NOT positive.
Had ECG done today and Will be having bone scan this Thursday and MRI scan in the next couple of weeks. Chemo will be FEC-T (3 and 3), starting in 3 weeks.
For the first time I am beginning to think about what if it has spread? I almost don’t want to know…I think my treatment remains the same regardless of outcome. I have 2 young boys and a wonderful husband who has been so supportive so I am very lucky in that respect…but after being very ill this time last year with my autoimmune disease, Ankylosing Spondylitis (9 months of crippling pain) and losing my mum at Easter, then my Breast Cancer diagnosis at the beginning of September, I kind of think how much more is a family supposed to take in one year! Feeling fed up!
Sorry just had to let of steam…
hi
just wanted to say hope you are ok, try to keep positive.
sending you a hug
janet
I feel for you Jonamo as my results come through in two days. But unlike you I only had sentinel node biopsy and all of this was preceded by chemo from May to Sept. This seems to have stopped the tumour in its tracks but not enough to shrink it so that’s why I had mx. The positive thing was they found a “thing” in my other breast when they did the MRI before the chemo which they decided wasn’t a tumour; they did a follow-up MRI after chemo was finished and whatever it was- it had vanished! (MRI scans, like people at Christmas parties, tend to exaggerate a bit.)
You have had a packet,losing your mother while you have been fighting first one condition, now this! Now I can see you will have the scary succession of tests to face, along with the waiting for results (the waiting is the worst bit I think) and this is not the time of year one would really choose to be going to hospital! However you will have masses of distractions as the holiday season develops. I hope you and your family can find a path through all the jollyness in this first christmas since your loss(es).
As you will read on other threads, chemo is doable and while there are lots of side effects, everyone’s response is very personal. Your experience of Ankylosing spondylitis and its treatment may help you to cope with whatever challenges your treatment throws at you (as my experience of OA has taught me). I hope you find plenty of support-sometimes just leaning on others is the only way through this journey. Gentle hugs and best wishes 
-P
Dear Jonamo
It does sound like you have had a tough time of it, please don’t forget that our helpliners are on hand with emotional and practical support for you so please feel free to call and talk things over on 0808 800 6000, lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Saturday
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi jonamo, I totally understand how you’re feeling. This time last year I was feeling so fatigued, unwell and brain fog but doctors said nothing wrong with me. I plodded on until May this year when I went back to dr as I was getting pain and stiffness in my hands and feet. Again I was told nothing to worry about but as my mom had had rhumatoid arthritis I asked for further tests. Tests proved positive and I was diagnosed RA at the beginning of July. My Mom was diagnosed with RA and BC at the age of 70, I’m 46 with 2 children 13 and 7. Mom beat the BC and passed away aged 83 but nothing to do the BC or RA. In early August I found a lump and was diagnosed with ILC (same as moms) in September. I can’t help thinking there’s a link with my RA and BC, could the RA symptoms be my immune system fighting the cancer? How could both my mom and I have the same diagnosis but mom 70 and me 46, surely there’s a link. I also wonder how long I’ve had BC due to the way I was feeling this time last year. I had a bmx in October and my 14mm lump turned out to be 5cm and my suspected clear sentinel nodes had 1 with microcells. It seems like all down the line things are getting worse. Like you I can’t help but think its spread and finding it very hard to think positive. I’m really worried about my liver as ALT result was high (487) back in August when I found the lump however this has now gone back down to 27 though RA consultant blames this on methatrexate which they started me on in July - how can I be sure he’s right? Also 7 years ago when I was carrying my daughter I was diagnosed with colistasis which again is the liver giving high results but everything goes back to normal once the babies born which it did! I know that logically these are a coincidence but I can’t help linking the 2 together. Sorry for the war and peace, just having a wobble day as I’m seeing surgeon and oncologist on Friday to discuss next treatment which now looks like chemo, rads and tamoxifen (originally rads and tamoxifen). I guess what I’m trying to say that it’s normal to have these feelings of doubt but hopefully everything will come good for us all. Sending big hugs to everyone who is living this nightmare and can’t wait until we’re all able to post on the inspirations page when we’re 5 years clear. XXX