I had a mammogram on my remaining breast recently and have been informed that there’s an area of micro calcification. It’s been labelled as M3 which I think means that there’s uncertainty as to whether or not this means anything - most probably doesn’t.
The Marsden are waiting for my previous mammogram from my local hospital in order to compare - but my local hospital are taking forever. So I’m left not knowing! If the Marsden thought it was definitely something they would respond instantly I think … this not sure, not clear, if it is anything it’s very early is driving me up the wall!
Sorry, just needed to vent for a minute!
I shall be chasing again this week - but how many chases are acceptable!!
Thanks Nikki and Helen. It’s horrible waiting as we all know - I just want to walk into my local hospital, pick up my previous mammograms, jump on the train to Sutton and deliver them to the Marsden! How tempting is that!!!
Hmmm … maybe I’ll end up doing that if nothing happens this week.
I have similarly has surgery on my left breast in January 2008, and have now been told there is suspicious calcification on my right breast, so I am interested to hear what happens next.
Hopefully we both end up with good news.
I would feel very aggrieved to have gone through surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and half a year of Tamoxifen, only to have a pre cancerous condition pop up in the other breast.
For heaven’s sake - what does it take? A flame thrower?
I just read your comments and went … Yes, Yes, Yes! A flamethrower indeed!
We’re on a similar timescale. I had my mastectomy on 14 Jan 2008. I started chemo at the end of March and have been on Tamoxifen since the end of October - if this turns out to be anything I shall definitely feel very aggrieved.
I still don’t know but ended up too busy this last week to chase. I shall be chasing on Monday though when I’ll have a bit of time to do so. I need to know.
Keep in touch regards where you’re at. Good luck to you!
I had a phone call from the Marsden yesterday. They now have my previous mammogram and want to see me to discuss what they think they might be seeing. My appointment is on Tuesday. It’s likely I’ll have to have a biopsy.
Obviously I don’t know what to make of things yet, but I suspect there’s some doubt as to whether or not this is cancer or DCIS - at least we’re moving forward now.
As ever, the person I spoke to at the Marsden was brilliant - really warm and helpful.
So I’ll see what they say on Tuesday. I’m very anxious!
Gill - hope you get good news next week this must be such a worry… I was diagnosed this time last year - and if anything it seems even more difficult now we have finished active treatment as you are almost sitting there waiting / worrying about something bad happening…
Thanks Theresa. It is harder this time round and I think that’s also about being more knowledgeable and knowing what to expect. Having said that, if I’m to be diagnosed again with my other breast I suppose it’s easier now than perhaps 2 or 3 years down the line.
I had my appointment and they think it could be cancer but there is an element of doubt. My biopsy is on Tuesday. I shall get the results on 12 May.
Hi,
I think we have chatted online before, were you on a trial too? Anyway I just wanted to pass on my best wishes and will be hoping that it is not another blow for you to deal with. I get results next week and i really hate the anxious build up beforehand, not knowing whether to prepare yourself for the worst or be optimistic and not think about it. Totally c…p. Calcifications are very often ok so I really hope you are one of the lucky ones this time
Hugs
Lily x
Thanks Helen - I appreciate that. I had the biopsy yesterday and the Marsden being as brilliant as they are have brought my appointment forward to next Tuesday (5 May). So a little less waiting.
Debs, I don’t live in Sutton. I commute up from Brighton because I don’t want to be treated by my local hospital. I’m so pleased with the Marsden and am happy to travel to get what I believe is superb diagnosis and treatment. I’m under Stephen Johnston (never know how to spell his name!!). After my appointments I usually shop and eat in Sutton and then get the train back.
I’m came out of the hospital very confused on Tuesday but have subsequently phoned them to get some clarification.
I have radial scarring which isn’t a scar but apparently resembles breast cancer in its structure. I’m having surgery to remove it on 5th June (apparently it could turn into cancer in the future given my history) - a wire guided excision and then at least two weeks off work to recover whilst the lab technicians do their job to check to see if there’s any cancer hidden in there. Hopefully not. So I think it’s good news but am not entirely sure yet. At a guess, I think the surgery will resemble a lumpectomy but with no nodes involved. After having a mastectomy and lymph nodes removed last year, this seems a lot easier!
I’m also having a bone scan and liver ultrasound on 19 May because of a particular pain I’m having … I think the pain is not cancer related but something new but it has to be checked out. I shall get the results of that on 2 June.
So more waiting, but at least I know that I’m being incredibly well cared for. I suspect I’m being caught very early indeed and therefore have nothing to worry about. It does raise questions for me about the future regards my existing breast, but I won’t follow up on this until after surgery and we know where things are at.
Gill, sorry hadn’t been on this thread, I could have met you in Sutton when you were up! Sorry to hear you have more to go through, but as you say the Marsden are great, I feel so lucky to have it near by! Love Debs xxxx
Hi,
I looked at radial scars in my book and it describes them as ’ a benign lesion where glands are trapped in fibrous tissue often difficult to distinguish from cancer.'It also says it can mimic cancer even under the microscope and often requires an expert breast pathologist to check it. So it sounds like it usually looks suspicious, not just in your case and you are at a great hospital so you will have an expert. Trying to cheer you a little, hope it did and fingers crossed as well just in case
Tons of luck
Lily x
Debs, I’ll be up at the Marsden the week after next for my bone scan and liver ultrasound. I’ll pm you the details and perhaps we could meet. If not that date, there will be plenty of others!!
Nell, thank you! I appreciate your comments!
Lily, it’s very kind of you to look things up - I appreciate it. The Marsden have told me that it resembles cancer but also that they want to check there’s nothing lurking there either within the cells or underneath. They also told me that radial scarring combined with my history of breast cancer could raise the potential for cancer in the future. This is why they want to remove it straight away and check it. So once surgery is over and they’ve checked the sample, I shall have a discussion with them about my fears for my remaining breast. Believe me, I intend to cover every angle and it’s good to know that I’m talking to people who know their stuff! I need straight talking and honest opinions so that I can make the best choices for me. I’ve no doubt they’ll give me that!
I’m planning on all being well and with luck, reconstruction surgery in the not too distant future. It’s just horrible being back at biopsies and surgery again!