Firstly - sorry if I am posting this in the wrong section. I am new to the world of forums so its all a bit of a maze to me! And now I don’t really know where to start! So here goes… I was referred to the Breast Centre at our local hospital by my GP (late October), having found a lump in my left breast which, to be honest, I had no reason to think was anything sinister. At my initial hospital appointment in November, I was told after a mammogram and scan (which included biopsies of my breast and underarm) that it was a probable cancer. I had the lump removed on 9th December (together with a non-cancerous lump in my right breast), and a two-thirds clearance of my lymph nodes. I was readmitted a week later with a nasty post-op wound infection. At my results appointment on Christmas Eve, I was told that the lump was 16mm, Grade 2, Ductal Cancer and that only one of the 17 nodes removed was positive. I will need further surgery as the margin around the lump was not completely clear of cancer cells, but as I had the wound infection, the plan is to have chemo first, then surgery, then radiotherapy, then 10 years of hormone therapy. I had my appointment with the Oncologist on Tuesday and was told that my chemo should start in the next 3 weeks (6 cycles of FEC-T).
Thanks for taking the time to read my post and really hope to hear from others in a similar situation to me.
Hello Rosieandjim
Welcome to the forums, this must be very difficult time for you. I’m sure other users will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime, maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer practical information as well as emotional support. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
With best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Rosieandjim - I’m a recent new member to this wonderful site and this is my first reply to any of the threads. My situation sounds broadly similar to yours. Following a routine breast screening appointment last February I was recalled for further exams with the final outcome being a 14mm cancer in the right breast and a similar sized non-cancerous lump in the left. I had a double lumpectomy in May with a lymph biopsy on the right armpit. Margins were clear, but cancer cells were found in the lymph node. I had further surgery to remove all the lymph nodes in June, but unfortunately developed a breast abscess and ended up spending two full weeks in hospital! Glad to say that no further cancer cells were found and chemotherapy wasn’t beneficial for my type of cancer so it was straight to three weeks of radiotherapy in September which went without any problem, although the continuing side effects of breast tenderness, swelling and arm numbness are wearing me down a bit. Quite a lot of rib pain as well so I had a whole body bone scan yesterday and am keeping my fingers crossed that everything comes back clear from that. I’m on hormone tablets for the next 10 years …no significant side effects from them so far and long may that continue.
Sending you my very best wishes. Hang on in there and take it one day at a time. xx