I am fairly new to this site, hope you don’t mind me asking a few questions!?
I was referred by my gp after finding a lump in my left breast. To be honest I am rubbish at checking myself and since the doc referred me I found another larger lump just above my nipple. My left breast has really changed shape with my nipple looking like it was being pulled in!
Anyway the Breast doctor y’day initially examined me and said due to my age (29) they may be cysts, but they would scan me to just check. Phew! but not for long. I went into my ultrasound and the sonographer found 3 lumps straight away and confirmed they were not cysts. I had to have biopsies in all 3 (it really bl**dy hurt as she didn’t inject enough local and as soon as it clicked it felt like a giant stapler on my chest!!).
So I am getting my results on Tuesday and the Breast doc asked for my hubby to be there in case the news is not good.
I did mention to her before the ultrasound that my lymph nodes felt really enlarged and had been like that for a couple of weeks. I also asked if there were any lymph nodes in the middle of the rib area above the stomach area and she said “no”. I have has quite a few node type lumps come up there too?!
She did mention that I may need an MRI next week, will the lymph nodes be picked up on this if there is anything in them?
Trying to think positively but I just have a funny feeling its going to be crap news!! I’m usually so relaxed about medical stuff…have had 2 heart procedures and was so calm about that! lol
I am so sorry you are having to go through this. This site is brilliant for support if you need it. Any questions, just ask.
I am amazed that you were not given enough anaesthetic! I didn’t feel a thing when I had my two.
Did they scan the lymph nodes under your arm as well, because I think they get an idea then, if they do? Having told them you thought they were enlarged, they should have done.
I had an MRI scan but because they didn’t think the nodes were affected, from the ultrasound scan, they only scanned my breasts. I had lobular bc which is harder to see. I would imagine if they scan the lymph nodes then it would pick it up, but an MRI scan also shows up things that are nothing to worry about.
I do so wish you good luck for Tuesday. Please let us know what happens. We know the waiting is just awful!
Thanks Ann. The first lump that was biopsied was ok, it was the following 2 that hurt like hell on the 1st attempt (they took 2 samples per lump). She had to keep topping up the anesthesia, one lump is really close to the ribs/breastbone and that hurt.
She did do a quick scan under the arm, she didn’t mention anything so i am hoping all is ok there then.
Hi Jbug
I am so sorry you are in this situation, and will keep my fingers crossed for you on Tuesday.
I agree that a giant stapler is a very good analogy for the biopsies - mine hurt a bit too. I likened it to being shot, but mainly cos of the noise the thing makes. I saw on your other thread that you had ‘paper stitches’ in the biopsy sites? I haven’t heard of those, but it sounds like yours may have been bigger than most as all I had was a plaster.
I was told they can’t tell whether lymph nodes are affected until they remove them and look at them under a microscope (which is why they do the sentinel node biopsy and remove a few under a GA), so I imagine you will only get a rough indication of whether there is a problem there from any other scan.
I agree that they can’t tell for sure until the SNB but I believe they can see if the nodes look enlarged from the ultrasound scan and presumably the density may give them a clue.
Hi all
When I had my ultrasound on my lump the doc did the lymph nodes and you could see that they were affected even though you couldn’t feel them. So when the doc did the biopsies on the lump he did one of the lymph nodes at the same time. So when I went for my results they were able to tell me my nodes were definitely involved as well.
Good Luck all
Nonny
When I had my initial ultra sound and biopsies, as well as the biopsies taken from the breast tissue with the machine likened to a stapler, because I reported enlarged lymph nodes they also took a needle biopsy from there.
After the initial CT and MRI I was told more or less immediately that although there was no further spread I had BC in my breast and Lymph nodes.My hospital does not do SNB (they are still fundraising to buy the necessary machine)so this is the way they tackled things for me.
Eeeek find out tomorrow the results of the biopsies, I have also received a letter through from my appt last week stating that 3 ‘lesions’ were found on the ultrasound and dependant on the results I will need an MRI tomorrow. They could not do a Mammogram on me as I am a little younger.
I’m feeling ok about tomorrow, although my family and friends messaging me wishing me luck is making me nervous!
Hi Paula,
I agree with your description of the stapler. I had 2 core biopsies in Oct, both taken at the same time, and 2 lots of anesthetic, but I went one stage further and actually passed out after the 2nd one with the pain!! Not good, but they’ll never forget me!! My specialist certainly hasn’t. Im now known as the “oh it’s you, the one that likes to collapse and cause trouble, then laughs”!!!
I know what you mean about the family support, but just look at it this way, isn’t it lovely to know you have so many friends and family that love and care about you, so embrace the good wishes.
Godd luck for tomorrow, take care of you, Jo xxx
Oh dear Jo!! lol That certainly is a way to make people remember you! I think I may have swore quite loudly when mine hurt and felt embarrassed about that - haha!
I am lucky to have such lovely friends and family and hoping I can tell them it is all clear. xx
Oh I see, Paula, hence the MRI scan. If you do have to have one, don’t worry about it, it is fine. The worst thing about it is the noise, but they play music through headphones. The only thing is you can’t hear it whilst the machine is buzzing, but that is intermittently.
Hopefully, it won’t be necessary, because we all hope you get the all clear.
Hi there, when I was diagnosed I had to have an MRI and not mammogram, I actually had the MRI on my 30th birthday!! It is because the tissue is too dense at our age.
Mainly posting just to wish you lots of luck for your appointment tomorrow.
Good luck for tomorrow, will be thinking of you. I ended up having core biopsies and paper stiches, ouch! Also i was 35 and had mamogram which actually picked up something that the ultrasound didnt and i have large boobs (well boob!!) in terms of lymp nodes i had a lump under my arm well before i found the lump but seemed to go up and down with monthlies so didnt think about it. Ultrasound didnt find it and in fact biopsy (first) found that it wasnt cancerous but as I had the lump under arm they were suspicious.
Really hope you get some good news, thoughts are with you xx
Hiya, well not good news, I kind of knew it when the nurse came out and called my name then introduced herself and shook my hand as if it were making at formal.
They found all 3 lumps had stage 1 invasive ductal cancer, although the surgeon said that he wanted to do an MRI asap as I will probably need both breasts removed as there is a chance it is in the other too.
Now I have to make the decision as to what to do with regards to reconstruction and have to have genetic tests too as it does not run in the family.
So sorry to hear your news. What a shock for you. All I can say is, take one step at a time and let yourself adjust. I know you may need to prepare yourself, but you don’t yet know if it is in the other breast.
I don’t know if you mean stage 1 or grade 1. I suspect the latter, which means it is not an aggressive form. Unless you have had your lymph nodes tested, I doubt they yet know the stage.
Thanks Ann, yes I think the surgeon said that they could not really confirm the grade until he has removed the breast tissue and lymph nodes. I suspect the MRI will show something on the right breast and possibly lymph nodes as they feel a little enlarged.
