Grade 1.
Had an MRI today as I have dense breasts so I may need another biopsy/ies if they find more lumps/suspicious areas that need investigating. So I’m trying to hold on lightly to the stage 1/grade 1 label and be aware it may change
Grade 1.
Had an MRI today as I have dense breasts so I may need another biopsy/ies if they find more lumps/suspicious areas that need investigating. So I’m trying to hold on lightly to the stage 1/grade 1 label and be aware it may change
What an awful experience, made so much worse by the level of (non) support and care from the hospital, which is outrageous.
I hope you can get some better support today from the breast cancer team, and can rearrange your lunch with your friends.
And as someone else said above, if you feel up to it do put in a complaint. It’s not right for someone in your situation to be treated so poorly.
Thats great that grade 1 too. You’d be unlucky to have any lumph node involvement. The MRI will give a better indication of the size of it and what surgery is appropriate. Fingers crossed for a simple pathway ahead.
Good luck and well done for getting through the MRI, definitely not the most graceful procedure… I hope you get your update soon, I think mine was only a few days and usually it shows more clarity. Like you my breasts were dense and it showed the lump as being smaller than the ultrasound. I’m also stage 1, but that might change now I’ve gone through surgery. I also then had to have a mag seed inserted so the surgeon could find the lump during surgery. Not sure everyone has this. Wishing you all the best for the next steps x
Thanks @Tigress. A shagging nightmare is a good description ![]()
Well, firstly- apologies to you all for venting on this thread. It was supposed to be on another that I’ve been exchanging very regularly updates with a lovely group of boob babes that had their surgeries around the same date. You must have all wondered where that came from ![]()
Secondly, thank you so much for your kind words and suggestions regarding complaints etc.
Thirdly: update
Had another trip to A&E yesterday (this time by ambulance) and it was just as disappointing. My wound opened up completely in the evening and soaked through my steri strip repair job/dressing, post surgery bra (thick) and a towelling robe.
I didn’t muck about with 111 - dialled 999.
They took me in- under protest ![]()
4 hours late all they had managed to do was re dress my wound and try to get me to come back in at 8AM this morning (to wait to see my surgeon who was , in fact, 30 odd miles away at MY local hospital today… that would have been a sodding long wait!!!
Naturally I told them what they could do with their “request” and left to go home at 1.30sm.
I called my surgeon’s secretary at 8.30sm this morning. Called my BCN at 9am.
By 11am I was sitting with my surgeon at my local hospital.
I’m back into surgery on Wed. Hopefully that will be it. I can finally start healing.
I’m sore. I’m tired and bitterly disappointed with my treatment by 111 and both the A&E dept and their emergency surgical assessment team. A complete lack of empathy, dignity or care.
So, I hope all of you fare better than I did this weekend. And I sincerely hope that IF in the future, any other the petty, obnoxious, ass-holes I encountered this weekend, ever find themselves having cancer treatment- I hope they come to realise how important it is to them to be treated better than they treat me (& countless others, no doubt).
Xx
Hi @beachfox I’m sorry to read about your diagnosis. I’m also recently diagnosed. It really is completely overwhelming and all consuming. The waiting & the unknown is so hard and difficult to process. The days I exercise, eat well & sleep ok all my thoughts are easier to cope with.
I was recalled after my routine mammogram, I had another mammogram, ultrasound & biopsy on 10/07, chatting with bc nurse after biopsy she told me it was highly likely cancer. This was then confirm on 16/07.
I have grade 2 ER+8 PR+8 IDC (11mm) with high grade DCIS, I am still waiting for my Her2 result. I have a lumpectomy plus 2 lymph node removal booked for 11/08
Due to extensive bruising from the biopsy I haven’t been examined by the surgeon yet. I have an appt this Thursday for this - that’s just another thing for me to overthink.
I have also come off my HRT (I’m 53) so my anxiety has gone through the roof. They’ve said it’s stage 1 and caught early so on good days I hope they are right and there are no hidden surprises for me on bad days I go down some very dark holes.
I’m glad you’ve coped and had your MRI - and your thoughts are calmer for now.
Thinking of everyone that’s here x
Hi @Fluffydog234. Your biopsies sound pretty similar to mine. I was diagnosed on 20/6 with ER/PR +8 and had a querie over HER2 status (which following further pathology was confirmed negative) it’s my understanding that they routinely check HER status as there is a specific hormone treatment for that particular type (and it’s very, very effective btw. Great stats). So, if you do come back as also HER +, don’t panic (I know, easier said…) you might need a very short stint of chemo, after you’ve had your lumpectomy etc and healed properly, but then you’ll have a tailored therapy for you specific type and it’s good!!
If you stay as ER8 PR8 (as I am although I was IDC grade 2 , so slightly more advanced but still primary), then provided your lymph nodes and margins are clear, on your pathology results post surgery, you will follow a similar path to the majority of us. ( btw, to put your mind at ease a little, my surgeon told me that being ER & PR positive is as good as it gets with a BC. It’s very responsive to treatment and the stats are very positive after 5yrs. That’s a very big plus in our favour lovely.)
You’ll probably have a little radiotherapy once you’ve healed sufficiently from lumpectomy etc. it’s never for very long for us boob babes, and you just lay on a table with your arms over your head and let it go its thing for a few minutes.
Whilst they sort that, they’ll also be organising your particular little critter’s best hormone treatment.
I had to come off HRT as well and it’s bloody scary. I’ve had a bit of post surgery complications (as above) but I’ve just been unlucky with a pesky blood vessel. Most ladies have a far more straightforward journey, so don’t let my particular experience scare the b’jeezus out of you. I was just bloody unlucky this last weekend because I couldn’t access BCN as normal (why we can’t do things 7 days a week in this country is beyond me
… it’s 2025, not 1825!!!). They are fantastic btw. So if you need them, get in touch. They aren’t just there for wound care. They are so much more than that. Mine has been just fantastic (above & beyond).
So, be kind to yourself and don’t beat yourself up for having dark days. We all do. This path is a rollercoaster that has reminded us that we are no longer “untouched” by cancer. HOWEVER- there is light at the end of it. You are on your way to cancer free and the therapies will help you stay that way. It’s not a perfect solution, the hormones, like our HRT journey, can come with a few bumps too. But, stick with it, you can do it!
You caught it early lovie. It’s a very treatment type and they will get it out of you very soon and you can start healing.
All the very best to you.
Keep using this forum. It’s wonderful. All of us are on the same journey, in one way or another, so we get it. Vent if you need to. We are here for each other.
Let your family/friends help at home. And take time to rest when you can. Look after yourself hon.
Big
hugs
Thank you for your message, so grateful to read this morning as I could sense those panic thoughts were setting in. You have reminded me of the more positive things said to me 3 weeks ago at my results appointment. Especially regarding the ER8 & PR8.
I’m sorry you had such a terrible weekend, sounds horrendous. Hope you’ve managed to get some sleep, Sending you lots of love for your surgery tomorrow xx
Good timing then!![]()
You’ll notice that there is often a lot going on, on here, in the wee small hours- as the old saying saying goes “the darkest hour is just before the dawn” … you’ll find a lot of us (me included) are up and about, with their households still silent/asleep, shuffling around in our slippers with our phones set to “Google” and grasping our mug of hot beverage, whilst trying to stop our minds going down dark rabbit holes… Either that or it’s the only quiet head space we get to have a bit of of cry without freaking out our partners…
It can be a bit lonely. But, you aren’t really alone. None of us are ![]()
We are all here.
Its crap, but it could be a lot worse
You’ll have your lumpectomy soon and
It’s usually day surgery (and not as complicated as mine- I’m just an awkward bleeder!
) The vast majority of us with ER+ will not have any chemo. Those that do, only have minimal precautionary/preventative chemo. Then it’s a short stint of radiotherapy (3 weeks max. Many only have a weeks worth or 2/3days)
After which, If all I have to do to keep me alive is pop a pill and have a yearly mammogram, I’ll take that as a win!
Hormone therapy can be a bumpy ride to get one to suit you, but you know that from your hrt journey… you survived that- you’ll survive this too ![]()
I’m just focusing on getting through tomorrow, right now. Break it down in to steps and tick them off, if it helps. It can be easier to process that way.
You’ve got this!
Get that bugger out of you and carry on ![]()
Love & hugs
Xxx
How did your pre-opp appointment go with the surgeon @Fluffydog234 ? Hope you’re doing ok and have some nice things planned for this weekend to keep you occupied ahead of your surgery. Will be thinking of you xx
I’ve just had an appointment re my MRI results, which confirm it’s just 1 small lump and nothing else. Such a huge relief. The least-worse scenario which I didn’t dare to let myself hope for.
I’m now booked in for lumpectomy and sentinel node removal on 9 September. Then 5 days of radiotherapy 3 months later.
I’m sure there will be challenging days ahead but right now I just feel so relieved to have a clearer understanding of what’s going on and a concrete plan for dealing with it.
Hi @beachfox. Surgeons appointment went ok. I had a scout fitted so more ultrasounds & mammograms it was a long appointment but I felt much better about it all once I left.
I’m now preparing by not sleeping
for my op in the morning. Arrival 7.15am. Feel a bit numb at the moment.
That’s good news re: nothing else being found on the MRI, what a relief for you. It’s good you now have a treatment plan. Hope you cope ok with the wait for Op, it’s an up & down time so just be kind to yourself xx
Good luck with the op, hope it all goes well x