In 4 months I was all cleared to have stage 3

So here’s my story. Back in July of 2024 I thought felt a lump in my breast. For about 2 years every month when I started my period I would feel a large lump but it would go away after my perky. When I went to the gynecologist he felt around but didn’t feel anything, but he wanted to be sure so he sent me for a mammogram. At the mammogram it hurt so bad and the results was abnormal. And the test showed the lymph node under my arm was enlarged. So the doctor wanted me to go get a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound. Well in the mean time. My one breast looked damaged the nipple was inverted and there was a line in my breast. It was swollen and looked deformed. The results was good I was all cleared. And the lymph nodes looked fine. When I went back to the doctors for the results I mentioned that my breast looked deformed. He didn’t take the time to look at them. He just said that was normal. I didn’t like that answer so in August I made another appointment with a different gynecologist. When he seen them he was shocked. He couldn’t feel any lump. He said there was nothing he could do but to send me to a surgeon. In October was able to get into see the surgeon. When he looked at the test results and my breast he said he would like to do a biopsy to rule out cancer. Even though I was all cleared by the tests that was ran. So I had the biopsy done and the results was I have cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma with micropapillary features. So in 4 months I went from being all cleared to having cancer. I asked him to check this lump that I found on my collarbone. He said that it was a probably cancer. So the cancer has spread to the collarbone. He referred me to an oncologist. My appointment was the 7th of November. I was so scared. Originally I was a stage 2. At the oncologist he said I was a stage 3. And he could feel the cancer in my lymph nodes under my arm and I have a large cluster of swollen cancer lymph nodes in my neck. He has scheduled test to see if the cancer has spread from the lymph nodes. I do feel something in my neck kind of like I slept on it wrong. I’m scared I went from being cleared to maybe stage 4 in 4 months.

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I am so sorry to hear of your experience but on initial diagnosis we all fear the worst. Until all results are confirmed and you have a plan of treatment this has been for many of us the most horrendous time. Unfortunately this can take several weeks and the waiting is agony.
Recommendations to survive this period are don’t Google and many of us have received medication from our Gp to help reduce the anxiety and to aid sleep. Sending a virtual hug.

Hi Nikkioh

What an awful experience to be going through. I hope you are now getting the care and attention you need. You did well to pursue this, and listening to your instincts.

I hate saying this, knowing how difficult it is, but please try to hold on to hope. It sounds like you have finally met a doctor who is taking action, and things will move forward now. They can look into removing and treating any cancer. The medicines available are so well researched and very effective. The science to target specific types of cancer mean you get the best treatment for your needs.

Will be thinking of you, best wishes x