I just registered so hello to everyone. Yesterday I found changes on my left breast, the nipple is pulled in a bit and the breast tissue feels hard round about. It feels like a solid breast, I can’t feel a certain lump. I saw the GP this morning, she described it as “a fullness”. She refers me to the breast clinic for a mammogram and a biopsy. I’m 42, had no children and my granny and auntie both had breast cancer (from my mum’s side). I haven’t got pain or a discharge, but I kind of feel my breast now, I’m so aware of it. I’m so worried, could hardly concentrate at work. What else could it be if not cancerous?
How worrying for you right now. There is really nothing anyone can say to reassure you at this point because what you need is to see an expert who can feel and look at the changes and also to have those tests done.
Most breast things do turn out to be benign but it’s so important to get them checked asap which is what you’ve done.
What I would say is that time of waiting for your appointment and then for biopsy results is probably one of the worst times because you can’t think about anything else or settle to do things. It’s not surprising you can’t concentrate at work.
If you have any questions about the tests please don’t hesitate to ask. I’d also advise to take someone with you if you can because it can be emotional time whatever the outcome.
Please do let us know how you get on and take care, Elinda x
Sorry to hear your news. The shock is understandable. I am pretty new here but from what I have seen there are lots of ladies that can give you any advice and support you need.
So sorry to hear your news, when i read your original post I refrained for commenting because my boob felt similar, and I didn’t want to worry you even more. I suspected it might be BC, but there are so many reasons it could be. In my case I thought I had mastitis infection caused by a boil.
You will be in shock from the trauma of diagnosis, please try to stay calm, it will be treatable. First you will be having tests, for example different scans and maybe sentinal lymph node biopsy, that will determine your treatment. The size of your tumour will also decide on whether you have your chemo before or after surgery.
The first couple of weeks after diagnosis after terrifying, you will imagine all kinds of terrible scenarios, but then things start to get easier once you are given told your treatment plan.
We all understand what you are experiencing, these forums are great to find out information from those who know first hand.
I feel ever so slighly tiny bit better than last night. I feel like a truck has hit me, this is just all so scary. I have a wonderful husband who is and will be there for me whatever flys at us. I’m also a believing Christian and I’m praying for inner peace, so I don’t despair. I get a biopsy on monday, the consultant did a mammogram and an ultrasound, but he said before the tests he is afraid it’s cancer. The sign must have been screaming at him I think. He said if the biopsy comes back as something else he will want another one done as he wouldn’t believe it. One of my lymph glands is swollen too in my axilla. They take a core one on the breast and a needle one on the gland. I’m scared of a bad prognosis, so I’m not reading up anything at the moment I had enough bad news for just now. Thanks for saying to me it will be treatable, thanks for that Paula, little hope does me good right now.
3Network3
The initial news is so difficult to accept.I had a rt sided mastectomy on 16th September but when first diagnosed,I had gone for a mammogram because I’d had a fall and fell flat on the path .I felt a thickening but was convinced that it was muscle damage from the fall.How could it possibly be cancer…but it was
The good thing to remember is that the cancer teams are really good at their jobs and while we are still trying to come to terms with the news,others are surviving day after day through constant attention and very supportive staff and fellow sufferers on these forums.Once you come to terms with it ,it gets easier to deal with and you want to get control back.Stay strong and if you’re in need of help ,look no further than this site and ,of course ,your faith(helps me)
Big hugs
Carole
Had my biopsy today from armpit and breast, was a bit sore despite local anestehtic, but I’m sure there is worse to come. I’m told the consultant is speaking to us on wed 4pm re results. I’m apprehensive to get more bad news thrown at me, to hear the type and grade and what more tests and scans I have to get as I expect more bad news on the way. So I’m not sure if I’m ready yet to share everything, I’m scared someone else has the same and mentions in a post having lung mets or bone mets or whatever and it will send me worrying more. Anyway I take it easy today, just take dogs out for a nice off lead walk, so they can’t pull on my arm lol (see there is a litte lol already).
I better work out soon how to do an avatar as I will be a reg visitor so you can put a face to a name.
I wish you all the best for the results. I had a grossly swollen lymph node in my armpit too, but it was clear. It was just fighting the cancer, I imagine. So you never know!
Oh Margaret that would just be so great if that would be clear, but I don’t hope for it, don’t need the disappointment. Doctor can’t feel the node at all, neither can I of course (GP couldn’t either), but the ultrasound found the pesky swollen thing.
I’m just a wreck today, breaking out in sobs I’m just so horrified of tomorrow’s app, I “know” he will say it’s a really aggressive type and far too late and it’s all very sad, but that’s it. I’m so scared of more tests for mets and I feel I might have well have mets anyway to brace myself for the worst and yet it’s so incredible this whole thing. I feel so sick and nauseous about it all. I have read nothing up on various types, I just can’t face it. This tension and worrying is just so awful, I’m convinced I’m going downhill from now on and might be on my deathbed in 12 months. Honestly I’m so low. I hardly read in this forum as just the titles read like a horror story, brain mets, lung mets, secondaries. Yesterday I read in the memory section and there are ladies who died 2 years, 18 months and one girl 6 months after diagnosis. I can’t run that fast … I want my life back …
It sounds as though you need a good listening ear or someone to sound off at. Do give the helpline a ring they are open now until 5pm tonight, they’re here to support you through this, calls are free, 0808 800 6000.
Hey,3network3,
We all feel like you right at the beginning, imagining all those awful things. Believe me, once you know what type it is, and what you have to do to get it treated, something else in you takes over. Its more of a fighting spirit. Kind of "Lets get on with it!" and your nearest and dearest will join in with you on that! Its the not knowing thats difficult, you imagine the worst.For me, nothing was like I imagined at the beginning. I ended up having a lumpectomy, chemo (two affected lymph nodes) and rads. It turns your life upside down for a while, but I just knew that I had to do it!
God bless,
Mimsy
We saw the consultant yesterday, he was so nice and spoke to us for about one hour, explaining everything and I have a better picture now of the disease, I understand it more now. I have a medical background (Nurse) and he said I ask questions others don’t, but that’s alright. I know now what I have, I will start 6 lots of Chemo to shrink breast down as it is waterlogged at the moment as the lymph liquid doesn’t drain off freely, then there’s the mastectomy and radiotherapy as well to come. I asked him if I have a realistic chance of recovery and he said yes. Then I asked could I be dead in two years time and he said yes. So the outcome is all open, I hope and pray that the cancer responds well to the treatment and I have to take it from there. As a Christian I lift my eyes to Christ, the most important in my life.
I plan to go to the Maggie’s centre and hope to get info how to prepare my body for the chemo, although I feel constantly sick with the emotional turmoil and life change, maybe there is something I can do re nutrition to make my body strong for this.
Hi 3network3,
Sorry you had to join us, and all the best for the treatment. Like you, Ive got lymph in my breast, although Im a couple of years post treatment. One practical tip Ive only learned recently is to wear a soft sports bra, doesnt need to be expensive.It compresses the breast to get rid of some of that lymph, and doesnt constrict round the band so the lymph can flow more freely. Youre about to go on a very demanding journey, but I hope you draw lots of support from these forums.
Re.Chemo and food-the thing is the drugs affect your appetite and also things can taste different so I found I ate whatever I could face! Mostly small and often. Im in America (coming back next year, yay) and craved Ready Brek, but couldnt get it here.As for supplements, I didnt take them as I needed to be sure theyd be compatible with the other drugs.
Like you, I faced it all with a strong faith in God, and felt “looked after” throughout the whole experience. It also helps to realise that our minds work overtime in these circumstances.Try to take it all a step at a time and then you wont be overloaded with worry. With love for the weeks to come,
Mimsy