Hi All
Last Wed my life changed completely when I was rescreened for a suspicious area, followed by ultra sound and core biopsy.The radiologist and BCN then told me it was significant and serious but very small. It couldn’t be felt by examination. I have been told that I will need an operation and a plan will be formulated and that it is treatable - phew!! I have to wait until next Wed for the results. I understand completely the feelings expressed by many users of this site. I go from feeling very positive to weepy panic! I am usually a very positive person with lots of activities and some part time work. My husband has been very supportive and concerned but he isn’t one to want to talk about things that he can’t fix. I haven’t been able to tell any of my friends yet as I feel “what if they got it wrong”. The BCN said that they have been wrong. However I don’t feel they would have told me this much if they weren’t pretty sure they were right.
This forum has already helped me. You are an amazingly supportive group with some very wise words
Hi Sian Molly,
so sorry to hear of your pending tests. Regarding telling friends (and family) I think you are very wise to wait until you know what you are dealing with. Even if they aren’t wrong, you will know so much more after you get your results on Wednesday. Good luck and I’m sending big hugs.
Hi sianmolly,
I was diagnosed on 10th June. I have DCIS with microinvasions. I am having a mastectomy tomorrow & a SNB.
There was only my partner & my best friend who knew when I was waiting for results. I figured why worry people when I didnt even know what I had.
The waiting is awful, I was the same as you, one minute I was fine & the next I was all over the place. It is easier once you get the results though. I will be awaiting more results after my MX tomorrow. I will find out if there is any invasive cancer & if its gone to the lymph nodes.
I hope you get good news on Wednesday, but whatever the outcome, there is loads of support on here from those going through the same thing.
Hugs Cath xx
Thank you all for taking the time. Adding to the problem is that I am an extrovert and have to externalise my thoughts and feelings. It is hard keeping them inside!! Only 2 days to go now before I find out my fate. As so many have said it is so strange because I feel so well. Fitter and healthier than for some time.
I pray that all goes well with your operation tomorrow Cath.I don’t know many acronyms yet but I am guessing that SNB might be a reconstruction? The 10th of June til now seems fairly quick - but not while you are waiting I’m sure.
You are on your journey, as we all are now and I really wish you well
I have discovered that hugs are ((( ))) and I’m sending lots!
SNB means sentinal node biopsy, which is usually performed while you are unconscious for mastectomy op. You will have a small injection of radioactive material while awake (just a sting and it’s over). then after you have ‘gone under’ they will inject a blue dye into the lump to see which lymph nodes it goes into. These (I had three romoved) will be taken away for testing.
As for externalising your thoughts, I kept a cancer diary (still do actually) and let it all out there.
Good luck for your surgery, sending big hugs.
Poesmgalore xxx
Sorry not sure of right thread to post this. Got results from wle and ANC, grade 3, 4 lymph affected out 25. Margin for nidc could be better but surg not concerned said chemo and rad would short, but doing shave cos I asked for it. Upset in hosp cos grade 3 , what does this mean, reassured by bc nurse but now in major panic cos home and too much time to think. Is this treatable? How could I have this missed this tumour 3cm 10 mm, is this terrible news? I just don’t know what to think, going crazy with worry but can’t show at home, anyone in similar boat or been there done that? Be grateful grateful for replies, thank you x
I’m sorry that I can’t be much help at this stage but I know folk will want to help you. Would it be better to start a new topic under worried. I am so new that all your queries seem like a foreign language (which I will have to learn pretty fast it seems!)
Hi SianMolly, it is horrible to read about what you are going through, but strangely reassuring, because I had very similar treatment o ytou. Nothing sunk in at all on the day of the mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies, and unfortunately after 2 and a half weeks of hell waiting, I have got cancer. What attracted me to reply to you was the fact you said you were an extrovert - I am too, big time. I want to shout about this! In fact I caused a few jaws to drop at my estate agents on Saturday morning when i went in and rather brazenly, in front of a very nice couple plus the secretary, that I had to take my house off the market as I had breast cancer and couldn’t deal with chemo, hair loss and a house move! Mad, I know, but it got worse. Sunday at Luton Airport, kissing goodbye to my 20 year old who is off backpacking around Europe for a month, I did the whole hug thing, told him not to get arrested etc, and as he and his mate walked off, I called his name, and said really loud, “Remember, I have cancer! And I love you!” I certainly got some stares. It is utterly horrendous. My way is to talk about it, laugh and joke (lumpy gravy, chicken breast or thigh, benefits of breast stroke or crawl) probably because I am actually so petrified.
One thing I cannot rate enough though, is the support I am receiving from this forum, just reading posts, often scaring myself even more, but mostly drawing comfort from the wonderful women that are out there. Let us know how you get on.
I learnt about these too (((((( )))))))) they are ace!
Jo x
Please feel free to call our helpliners tomorrow to talk your queries over, lines are open 9-wemeek days and 10-2 Saturday on 0808 800 6000
If you look under ‘Breast cancer information’ at the top of this page you will find access to the publications and lots more information about diagnosis, we have an ‘Understanding your pathology results’ booklet which you may find helpful which is under the publications tab
Thanks Lucy will look up site. Sounds mental but I’m not good at speaking on phone to strangers, dunno why would love to use helpline but just can’t. Thank you though
You are welcome, perhaps you would prefer to use our ‘Ask the nurse’ email service, here’s the link if you feel this would be better for you to communicate through regarding your concerns and queries:
So sorry to hear of your DX. Grade 3 is the most aggressive and will probably require chemo. Your news is not good, but could be a lot worse. You don’t say if it was hormone sensitive, HER 2 sensitive or triple negative. If you are HER 2 sensitive, you will need Herceptin with chemo. If Hormone sensitive, you will take a tablet for five years after chemo. If triple negative, you will only have chemo but probably radiotherapy whatever else, after chemo.
My own tumour was ductal invasive, 3cm, grade 3, stage 2b, 3 nodes removed, 1 affected with cancer, and vascular invasion. After MX, I had chemo (Fec-T) but not rads. I’m waiting to begin Anastrazole for five years.
Sending you big hugs and wishing you well for your ‘shave’.
Hi , plan is chemo, rads and tamoxifen, hormone sensitive all other stuff neg. stage 2. So far that’s all I know, wish I knew how long it’s been there . Doubt il ever know. Been to maggies centre loads people similar dx all doing well, so makes you feel better. Thanks for reply x
Hi , plan is chemo, rads and tamoxifen, hormone sensitive all other stuff neg. stage 2. So far that’s all I know, wish I knew how long it’s been there . Doubt il ever know. Been to maggies centre loads people similar dx all doing well, so makes you feel better. Thanks for reply x
Good news that it was hormone sensitive as that five years on Tamoxifin is another level of treatment to keep the b****r away. I often wonder how long mine had been there too, as you say - we will probably never know. Also glad you can get to your local Maggies centre. It’s a brilliant place to be. Haven’t been able to get to mine for ages but visit Maggies Online Community to make up for it.
When it’s time for you to start chemo, please join one of the chemo groups in the ‘undergoing treatment for breast cancer: chemotherapy’ thread. I’m a February Valentine and don’t know how I would have coped without the support of the others. Perhaps you could read the thread of the latest group (July Junkies) to get an idea of what preparing for chemo is like, or an earlier group (May Moonbeams or June Jewels). All the best.
Hi, yeah have been reading it all, that’s what’s kept me going to be honest. CUrrently obsessed that its everywhere but bc nurse said ct scan standard not expecting anything so hanging on to that for now. Chemo prob August as I’m insisting on another wle even though surgeon said no need, but hes doing it to shut me up. Going to have glass of wine now before it stops tasting nice as everyone has complained of on chemo. Have good evening , x
Hello again, Lois - sorry to hear they didn’t get the margins you were hoping for. I had my ANC on Friday and am home again (with drain!) awaiting results next Wednesday. I already know it was an 8cm tumour(!), ER+ grade 2, and I’m to have chemo and radiotherapy plus hormone treatment for five years.
Just hoping nothing’s shown up on the CT and bone scans - you get over one hurdle and hardly have breathing-space before the next one’s upon you…
We’ll get through this!
When I read your first post I immediately felt a connection to you. It sounded so similar to what I was feeling. We do need to externalise things don’t we? So far I have been very reserved however (for me) and not blurted out too much. My daughters are so sensible and advised me not to at this stage. Also I want to tell my friends but who do you tell first. Shall I call a gathering and tell them all together? Imagine their embarrassment!! Somehow I don’t want to put them through it at all but they are going to find out soon now. My daughter has come to be with me for my biopsy results tomorrow and she will ask all the relevant questions if I go to jelly as she is a medic. I go from feeling quite scared to really calm - it’s weird! But I know that we can beat this ***** of a disease. The support on here seems amazing and I’m sure it is helping to ‘talk’ to others going through the same thing. Keep strong Jo. What is the plan of attack for you? Presumably I’ll find out mine tomorrow and then I’ll shout out in Tescos!
(((((())))))
Sian
but visit Maggies Online Community to make up for it.
