Hi all, first time poster. Very anxious. Diagnosed in February, had a therapeutic mammaplasty early April. Various medical people said although chance of chemotherapy, early indications were the TM would be followed by radiotherapy, and in 6 months time I’d be back to normal. I wish. Got my post op results last week.
What showed up as one lump on the test was actually 3 extremely close together, and another separate lump, so obviously 4 in total. One of my lymph glands was found to be cancerous too. I need to have an MRI scan, and start chemotherapy early May, followed by radiotherapy.
I am very, very scared. I can understand the 3 lumps very close together looking like one, but it’s the fact that the 4th one didn’t show up until path lab examination. Does this mean it grew so quickly after the original mammogram?
The plus points, all lumps are Grade 1, but I am so scared about what the scan is going to show and if it’s spread to other areas and my other breast. Unfortunately I was not in receive mode, as it was such a surprise. I always knew chemotherapy would be a possibility, but unfortunately I believed all the ‘oh it’ll probably be followed by radiotherapy’ conversations.
Does anyone else have any experience of this? It’s the bursting into tears at times that’s getting to me, feel I should be more positive and coping, but it’s not easy.
Thanks in anticipation!
I’m new here too so not much help in terms of treatment but would like to say you are a courageous lady for going through what you have been through allready. If you don’t mind me asking how did you come across your first lump? I found mine last Thursday and in shock as gp not pleased with it…
take care Emma x
Hi Bev
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums where I am sure you will get lots of good, honest support from the many informed users of this site. While you are waiting for replies please do give our helpline team a ring, they’re here to support you through this. Calls are free, 0808 800 6000 lines open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 10-2.
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi Bevzee
I went to my gp with a lump, at my first mamogram they thought was a 2nd area which was MRI’d and biopsied before surgery which led me to have an mx as the 2 areas were not that close. After surgery I was told I actually had 3 tumours plus a number of microscopic ‘dots’ which were also cancerous - they hadn’t shown on the scans but were all removed during the mx and only found in the path lab. Unfortunately treatment plans change after surgery as its lots easier to see things under a microscope than when its still in our body…well that’s how my logical side understands it anyway! I’m am almost 5 weeks post mx and 1 week into my chemo regime and so far I am managing to accept this is a ‘pause’ in my life that I need to get through to ensure the rest of it can carry on as normal. Please don’t feel you are alone or the only one with a changing plan of attack, we all go through it at various times so keep yourself busy and look to the future with a positive outlook - they aredoing their best to ensure they get rid of all the nasties now and don’t leave any to come back.
Kate
x
Hi Bevzee
I had a lump found after mammogram in Dec 2009. After wle failed to get clear margins the path report said two lumps(one behind the other) so I had mx. The path report after that came back showing another two more small lumps so like you four in total plus some dcis.
I had chemo followed by radiotherapy in 2010 and am now on arimidex for five years. In 2011 I had diep reconstruction followed by tidy up and match surgery in 2012. So it has been a long haul but I am pleased to report that I am now “out the other side” and things are looking good.
The professionals can’t give you a definite treatment plan until they have the full picture so things change along the way. Like you back at the start I thought it would be one lot of surgery, radiotherapy and then back to work so just a few months. But despite changes of plan you will get there.
Pam x
Hi all. Thanks for your replies, it’s reassuring to know I’m not alone.
I never found a lump, my case was picked up by screening - thank goodness for that, one consultant said it could have taken up to 2 years for the lump to be palpable to me, though some, but not all, of the people who’ve examined me could feel it. Probably doesn’t help that I’m large breasted.
My BC nurse rang yesterday, which has reassured me. She said it was 2 lumps, one 16mm, the other 4mm, and 2 spots - not lumps, though I checked with my husband and he definitely also heard the surgeon say 4 lumps. The nurse explained that chemo is needed because of the node being cancerous and the dots. I understand the context of it better now, in that it was explained to me that it’s being done to lessen the chances of recurrence and aid recovery. Still need the MRI, but need to wait until the scarring has calmed down [not sure that’s the medical term, but you’ll know what I mean!].
Still a long way to go, and nervous about the MRI scan. Although yesterday reassured me, am still a little nervous, but will hopefully feel better when I see the surgeon’s letter outlining the lumps/dots in more detail.
It’s difficult to control the paranoia at times, but reading your replies has reinforced I’m not alone, nor am I the only woman this has happened to.