Hi, I’ve been in the ‘worried’ and ‘waiting for results’ bit, but today got the diagnosis of breast cancer. Lovely consultant and team, positive that they can put the right stuff in place for me.
I’ve already been put through the MRI scanner today, and have an operation for testing the sentinel node etc next week. 4 mths chemo beforehand to see if it will shrink the lump, then operation after that, they say.
Phew. What a morning…
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Hi Mary, thanks! I’m sure I’ll have a lot of questions along the way, and it’ll be good to share things with people and hopefully offer some support too (once my one remaining brain cell starts working again, lol!)
Amber xx
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Hi Amber - sorry you’ve had this diagnosis, but glad you are no longer in ‘limbo’ hell, waiting for results. I had mx and node clearance first - and am almost halfway through chemo now (3rd out of 6 tomorrow), and I just wanted to reassure you that it is all do-able, and actually, the weeks are flying by, which I wouldn’t have believed at the outset. I’m glad they’re moving quickly for you now - the waiting really is the worst part. Good luck with it all
Sophie xx
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So sorry Amber, but at least you know you’re not alone, and you have lots of support on here. Fingers crossed for good results with your node.
Eek - I’ve just realised a possibility - the consultant said that I have a sort of BC that only responds to chemo. I think that might mean I have the triple negative type that’s more aggressive in the short term but better than other sorts if I survive 5 years+. I’ll ask the BC nurse on Monday, but goodness me it’s hard to find accurate breakdown info on triple-negative prognosis rates. I’ve seen figures ranging from 70% to 90% so far for 5 yr survival. Luckily I guess they’re just finishing the trials for PARP that’s supposed to make chemo more effective for it.
Even so, if it is, this is not going to make life a lot easier.
The upside of your cancer not being oestrogen sensitive is that your normal oestrogen production, when it returns to normal, won’t encourage a recurrance. I of course was told that the upside of oestrogen sensitivity is that I get this extra treatment of tablets for 5 years, wonderful! (As I am post-menopausal already, I should have fewer menopausal side effects from this.)
Yes, ask the nurses and they will give you the upside and the downside.
Cheryl
amber, that’s not always so bad. Triple neg cancer DOES tend to respond far more effectively to chemo, which has got to be a good thing. If you want to know your prognosis stats, ask your oncologist to go through them with you, but remember, stats are just stats… we could get a 99/1 diagnosis, but that’s not too helpful if you happen to be the ‘1’. Plus, if you can avoid a prolonged/early menopause with no help allowed from HRT… I’d be relived (as I sit and hot flush away at the keyboard!).
I understand it seems scarier to be told that ‘this is the only thing that works’ but the fact is, others of us can have chemo/tamoxifen etc etc… because of our cancer types, but the prognosis is often no better. Hang on in there - and post whenever you need reassurance, to blurt/rant/sob and even laugh. Laughter does sneak up when you don’t expect it!
Sophie xx
Thanks - much appreciated xx
Urk. Just back from BC nurse, who confirms that it’s a Grade 3 and at least double negative. More info Thursday when I have the sentinel node biopsy.
I’m not brilliant at body language interpreting but I asked her whether I had good chances and she was very evasive and did a lot of nose-pressing and arm-folding and said the right person to ask was going to be the oncologist next week. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but I wish that I wasn’t getting wrong info (e.g. "the fine needle biopsy of the breast shows no cancer - oopos, there is some…It’s a 2.3 cm tumour…er, no, it’s probably bigger than that, they must have mis-measured it in ultrasound…etc) Or so much info in tiny bits here and there. I know they have to be certain and accurate, but goodness me this is hard.