I am still finding it hard to believe this is happening to me. Mx booked for 21st Aug. DCIS and IDC grade 2. I found a lump which was the DCIS, then the IDC was found with mammogram. Had ultra sound and needle biopsy for the DCIS then core biopsy for calcifications - which showed up on the mammogram but not the ultra sound. Then had core biopsy guided by big x ray machine on the calcifications, which confirmed IDC. Then needed MRI as I have dense breasts. (That term still makes me chuckle.) and confirmed that I needed a mx. I am HER2 +. So am being told I will need chemo and herceptin. Eek. There are so many members here, it is awful to think how many people are affected. V scary. But v helpful to read all the comments.
Hi Biddlybee
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums where I’m sure you will get lots of good, honest support from the many informed users of this site. I have put for you below the link to one of BCC’s publications you might find helpful and to say that our helpline team are just a free phone call away and are here for extra support for you. 0808 800 6000 lines open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 10-2.
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/your-operation-recovery-bcc151
Take care,
Jo, Moderator
Hi Biddlybee, sorry you’ve had to join the club nobody wants to be in, but you’ll find we’re a friendly bunch. You’ve certainly had your share of tests so far! It is a very scary place at the beginning but once you get your treatment plan and some dates you’ll begin to gain some measure of control and feel better. In the mean time try and keep busy (keeps your imagination under control ) and don’t google, stick to this site or MacMillan for reliable information. Keep us posted as to how you’re doing (I was diagnosed in Jan, had WLE, rads and am on Anastrozole for 5 years). Use these forums to shout, scream, have a rant, cry or just ask questions ( none of which will be silly or too trivial) . Best of luck with your treatments, Pat x
Dear Biddlybee
i know exactly how you feel. I had a mammogram 1st July as part of the normal screening programme. Called back 18th July for 2 biopsies and the wire thingy and was told then that they were certain that I’d need surgery for three masses. I had no idea there was anything wrong. Booked for left mx on 27th August. MRI results and meet the surgeon this Wednesday so will find out more then and hopefully agree ld recon. I don’t do hospitals so the last few weeks has been a real shock.
Friends say I’m tough and coping well but it doesn’t feel like it. Tearful and terrified is how it feels. This forum has been great. Everyone is very supportive and positive. I found it reassuring to know that what i feel is normal and that you can cope. All the advice here is from those in the same situation so nothing is exaggerated. Not a club I ever expected to join but full of really amazing people.
I call it the elephant which I am going to eat one bite at a time.
I wish you all the best for the 21st and am passing on a hug. Let us know how you are.
Angela x
Hi Biddlybee,
I think we all know how you feel because we have all been there at some point. I was diagnosed in December 2012 with grade 3 IDC, HER2 positive. I had a WLE and SNB followed by a second incision to get a wider margin. I have recently finished my 6 cycles of chemo but continue on Herceptin for 12 months, and will be having radiotherapy soon.
After your mx you will get a final diagnosis (things can change at this point) and will then be given a proper treatment plan, and then you will feel much more in control of it all.
Chemo isn’t a walk in the park, but neither is it anywhere near as bad as you imagine it is going to be. It is manageable.
Good luck xxx
Hi,I am a newby waiting to start chemo will see oncologist this Wed15th August like every thing in this process the waiting is the hardest part .I don’t know wether I will be in the August group will find out more in the week feel like walking backwards at this moment so it won’t happen!!! I keep reading the threads and picking up tips starting a store cupboard got the sick bucket and the ginger biscuits cordysyll ect.my O/H is very good and doing everything he can but the weight is dropping of him so sad I have had to enflict this on him we have been married 49 years this year!! It will be good to have someone to moan to during the coming months instead of keeping a stiff upper lip.luv Jenny xx
Hi Biddybee and Avonlady and also alaval , sorry you have found yourselves here as Pat has said.
It is a scary journey but doable as Lulu says although I did not have chemo but had same as Pat had a primarily but ended up 2 wide local excisions ( WLE’s) and a sentinel node biopsy( SNB) .( lots of abbreviations to get your heads round!).
I then had radiotherapy x 15 and now on Anastrozole for five years.
One of the most difficult things to cope with is the waiting bits in between finding out what has been found, then waiting to see the Consultants( both surgery and Oncologist) and then waiting to go in for your ops then waiting again for the final results and so on.
Difficult as it is try and keep focused and busy as that seem to work for me. As Pat says DON’T google stick with this site or the MacMillian one. You will find it wearing telling people especially family as they get upset and that makes you upset and we found it a real drain on us until we got a close family member to do it . Trouble is you probably feel well and it’s hard to believe but as my breast care nurse said " it’s what we are going to do to that we will make you feel unwell" , how right she was!.
I kept thinking that despite everything I was lucky they found it on the mammogram programme as no lump was present for me to feel !. Also I have had the best treatment and the NHS care in my case has been brilliant and I feel grateful to be living in a time that my cancer was found and has been treated. Obviously there has been difficult moments and a couple of what I describe as being ’ meltdown’ days also it is not a easy ride but you will get through it.
Make time for yourselves, make a note of questions to ask and phone your breast care nurses or the ones on this site to chat if needed or to ask questions. Take care all , let us know how you get on , best wishes, Katy.
Hi biddlybee
I’m in a very similar situation as yourself. I’ve got grade 2 IDC, I’m having surgery 20th Aug. I’ve had two fine needle biopsies, two ultrasound, core biopsy, chest xray but ended having a mri due to dense breasts, to determine what surgery I’ll be having. Get results Wednesday. This has all happened within two weeks! Totally crazy. I also find it very helpful being on this forum. I’ll be thinking of you on the 21st, take care.
Sarah x
Hi I’m a new kid on the block, new to all this. Been for my scan, mamagram and biopsy two weeks ago. I’ll be having chemo and then surgery after with a lovely new jellybean. Was not expecting that all! I have a CT scan this Thursday and just waiting for a oncologist appt with dates etc. This waiting around not knowing game is testing my patients big time!
Having great support from family and friends is keeping me going so far and plenty more to come. Not looking forward to the chemo
Thank you Jo.
thanks Pat xx
Thanks Angela, yes, I am keeping busy and am going for my pre-op assessment tomorrow. Another step. All v strange, as I dont do “ill”! Crikey, going for it now arent we. Good luck for 27th. Xx
Hi Lola, thanks, hope you get on alright with Herceptin, I look forward to hearing xx
Hi Sarah, yes, we are in the same boat, good luck with 20th. Bridget xx
…well tomorrow the day finding out more about the chemo and dates, hopefully aft tomorrow i’ll able to make plans.
V xx
Icle_V and Biddlybee (ooh, that rhymes)
sending you both big hugs and best wishes for your treatment.
Poemsgalore xx
Thank you Poemsgalore, and good luck Icle_V too. I have had my pre-op assessment today. Gaaaarrhhh, this is all getting real now. Xx
HI Biddlybee
i go for mx tomorrow as i have IDC and DCIS in 2 areas in my right breast (my squatter as i am calling it). Quite scared but in know it has to happen to get this squatter evicted!
Big hugs to you xx
Sally
Hi Sally,
I had mx. No problems really, but I also had SNB, so had to have a drain in for 5 days!! B****y nuisance that was!! Wishing you well and sending hugs.
Poemsgalore xxx
thanks everyone, well it’s end August to zap this big bean out of me. Knowing I have a date I can try to get stuff sorted before. I’ve got to have another biopsy and still a CT scan…why do appointments take ages? I was told about the drugs used, I don’t feel so left out know has I’ve read a few on here and I was thinking what are you all on about lol…
keep smiling lovely ladies this dam bean will do one soon
Vxx