grade 2 cancer and DCIS pain in hip - ADVICE please

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Hello, I am a 40 yr old mum of 3 primary school aged children diagnosed last week with primary bc in one breast (DCIS and a 2ish cm grade 2 lump).  The initial consultant who cecked me also found a tiny lump (that I couldn’t feel) in the other breast.  That one wasn’t biopsied and they don’t seem to be concerned about that. 

 

At my 1st appt had an examination, mammogram and 2 large needle biopsies with ultrasound as my breasts are dense.  I was told by the doc that did them that the areas looked ‘promising’.    Before diagnosis I told a few people about having the tests and a couple of them tried to reassure me that it would be benign.  I usually make my own mind up after weighing up facts, but stupidly I think I had started to believe the doc and the others, so when I got my diagnosis the news came as more of a shock…

 

When I was diagnosed, I was told that it was primary breast cancer (early and treatable) by the bc nurse.  I had another biopsy under xray conditions to investigate areas of calcium deposits.  I also had an ultra sound on my lymph glands adjacent to the cancerous breast which the doc (same one who did my 1st biopsies) said looked fine.

 

I am due to see the bc nurse 2mrw and the surgeon a couple of days later to discuss the recent biopsy findings and surgery.  I was told by my bc nurse as a matter of course that no findings will be hiden from me, but I am full of doubts that I cannot help but worry about.  Part of this is being told ‘optimistic’ things by people close to me and the doc who did my 1st biopsies.  I now don’t trust the doc that the lymph glands are fine…

 

I am also getting to be confused about howthe nurse can say that  I have been diagnosed with treatable, optimistic outcome, primary breast cancer when they haven’t tested my lymph glands yet (and won’t until surgery).  How can they tell me that?  I’m feeling like they’re just trying to ease me into the land of cancer by not presenting uncertainities that will stress  me ; but it is making me feel more paranoid and anxious.

 

I’m also now terrified that I have secondary cancer as I have had a problem with a sustained ache in a hip for a few weeks now, which gets worse and after running .  After reading up a bit on runners injuries- it could be bursitis perhaps, but of course; with my recent diagnosis, I can’t help but dread that it is 2ndry cancer. 

 

Y’day I thought that I would try to get to the bottom of it by asking for a bone scan to see for sure, but

now I have read a bit about 2ndry bone cancer in this forum and it seems that  if they do find it is cancerous then there is a possibility that I might have my breast surgery cancelled.  So what do I do?   Not tell the nurse (or docs) and get more and more worried ? Or, pursue the ‘better the devil you know’ route and ask for this to be checked out and risk having surgery cancelled?

 

I realise that the hip problem might be totally unconnected, but I hope that you realise that nonetheless, it is of great concern to me, especially have 3 young children.  Please, please help!

 

 

 

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Hi Parky

Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, you’ve come to the right place for some good, honest support from the many informed users of this site who I am sure will be along soon to offer you that much needed support. 

Could I suggest that you give the helpline here a ring when lines are open again tomorrow?  Calls to the helpline are free, the staff are here to offer both practical and emotional support, no question is a silly question to them.  Lines open at 9am Mon-Fri until 5pm and Sat 10-2 . 0808 800 6000

Take care,

Jo, Moderator

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Hi well my last set of results were due two weeks after the operation but they called me after a week as they had come back. I guess the sooner I get the results I can then take it in and see what is next for me.
It is so hard not to worry and I have good and bad days. Yesterday my sons step mum asked me if I would like Jamie with me this Xmas even though it is their turn implying to me it may be my last Xmas ! I know she doesn’t mean anything by it, it is just one of the gems she has come out with in the last month since we told her but she needs to engage brain. Comments like that though do make you think but I’ll be damned if this is the case as I’m taking all treatment I can get ! There are a lot of people on here in the same position as us and I get lifted by their advice and comments. Ill let you know how Wednesday goes
Sam xxxxx

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Hi Poems
I know what you mean, she is really quite sweet and often in the ten years I’ve known her come out with some absolute corkers so this was a good one to add to the list but to be honest she actually cheered me up as I found it funny and of course ill be here next Xmas s s many more as who else will put up all the Xmas decorations xxxxx

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Thanks Parky
Just been discharged and all went well. I am now ode free and have a drain in which is bigger than I expected but hopefully I can have it removed in a few days and then I have my results from this op on October 22nd.
Hugs Sam xxx

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Hi parky
I’m ok, I start my chemo on nov 20th so at least I have a date do can plan a bit now. I’m not going back to work until all of this is over so I have 2 ‘normal’ weeks now ! Good news about the nodes being clear, let’s hope the others are as well. Are you recovering well after your op and have you got an idea when your treatment will start ?
I feel quite calm too, I think it is due to the fact that this is our plan for the next few months and that is that :slight_smile:
Sam xxx

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Just wanted to say hello Sam

I’m here 10 yrs on from being diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer, grade 3, stage 2, ER-pos, had 14 lymph nodes removed, as no blue dye procedure available in 2003, cancer was only in first node, rest were clear
Had FEC chemo, then Rads. Prescribed anti-oestrogen drug Arimidex for 10 yrs, which is up for review next year.

What we have in common is that I found out yesterday, following mammograms, us-scan, core biopsies, last week, is that I have a very small 10mm pea-sized cancerous lump in my ‘good’ breast.
Having wide local excision op on 20th Nov. Lymph nodes looked clear on us-scan, but having the blue dye/radio-active procedure done anyway when I’m in theatre. So may or may not end up having 2 or 3 nodes removed. Whether this lump turns out to be oestrogen receptive is bothering me, as it makes me wonder whether Arimidex is doing a good enough job 9 yrs on. Oh well won’t know for sure until its out and been analysed by path lab.

Welcome to the rollercoaster ride known as BC, and good luck on the 20th. What chemo cocktail will you be having?

((hug))
May2553 aka Lesley x

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Hello Parky

Well done with having good node diagnosis following your mastectomy.
I can empathise totally with your concerns about aching hip, as I’ve also got aching hip. Logic says that its aftermath of fall I had on my wet kitchen floor in June. I landed on left bum cheek and badly bruised my coccyx, was on painkillers for months, so seems reasonable to think that I must have jolted left hip during fall, and this is aftershock ripple effect. But the ache is so deep, so intense, it keeps me awake at night. Hard to walk even. Have rubbed in neurofen gel, take painkillers, nothings working though. Forgot to mention it when I saw my br surgeon yesterday. DOH! Now, like you, my brain is saying don’t listen to logic, this ache is not normal. Not normal=Abnormal=Cancer. Wonder if I should ask for a bone scan? Then come tomorrow I might have better day, and convince myself that aching hip is nothing to do with cancer in boob. Frightened to ask bc nurse, don’t want her to think I’m paranoid!
Are you gonna get your aching hip checked out?

((Hug))
Confused aka May2553 aka Lesley x

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Hi Sam

Got brain fog today, forgot to say that yes I did have mastectomy.
There’s more info on my bio page… just list of dates, diagnoses, and treatments.
After mastectomy I wore a prosthesis, then after about 2½yrs I decided to research different methods of reconstruction. Finally opted for DIEP flap recon, followed by reduction of good boob for symmetry. So can honestly say I’ve had tummy tuck and boob job courtesy of the NHS. Lol

My advice during FEC chemo is to rest when your body tells you to and accept any help offered by family and close friends, in whatever form its offered. Remember with chemo it knocks out your immune system during the 10-14 days following each cycle given. During the third week your immune system builds up again, and then your blood is checked to see if levels are high enough for next chemo cycle to commence.
Don’t know anything at all about the other chemo you’ll be having, but I’m pretty sure that resting up, staying away from people with colds, tummy bugs etc, accepting any practical help, emotional support that comes your way, will still apply.

((hug))
L x

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Thanks Lesley I am considering a double mx once all of this is over. Don’t know if I’m over reacting though as there are no guarantees but my nurse said get all your treatment done then think about it after that so that is what ill do.
Sam xxx

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Hi Sam, there’s just too much to think about isn’t there? This breast cancer malarky plays games with our heads, and tests our ability to think straight… some days it affects our ability to think… period!
Who am I again? x :slight_smile: