I am new to the forum, and would like to share my situation with others in the same boat.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 27th Jan - boy what a shock!.. although I knew in my heart that it was cancer. My mother died of it back in 1982 when she was 45… I am 45 now, so you can imagine what is going through my mind.
I had the CT and bone scan done which showed up some abnormalities on my lung and collar bone, and just this tuesday I had a PET scan done to get more detail… thankfully that came back clear, so as I understand it, it has not spread. My breast surgeon and oncologist want me to have chemo first to shrink the tumours in my breast ( I have 3 tumours of varying sizes, 3cm being the biggest) then to have surgery approx in 6 months time.
Although I would like this cancer cut out of me now, I am putting all my trust, hope and life (I guess!) in their hands, and will wait for the surgery later in the year.
I am to have an MRI scan on monday, which I was unaware of ( I just got the appt by phone this evening) I dont know what this is for, can someone tell me please, then I think the chemo will start after that, maybe next week??
I know the chemo can be very harsh with the side-effects, but I am thinking…whatever it takes to get my health back, I will get through it…life is too important to me - something I took for granted before, but Im sure as with all sufferers this makes you look at life in a completely different way.
Well… enough rambling on for now. Just wanted to introduce myself on this wonderful forum, I hope to meet alot of fellow diagnosees (Is that a word!?! lol) and get some much needed advice, support etc and to share experiences with you all
Hello - so sorry you find yourself here. I’ve only been using the forum for a few weeks but I can say it helps, even just knowing there is somewhere to come where folks understand. Hopefully someone can advise on the MRI scan- I know not, sorry.
I hope you get some comfort and wise words as time passes.
I have posted a link below to our new resource pack which you may find helpful, it has been designed for those newly diagnosed, just click on the link to access the order form. You can also order more information publications on the same page by clicking on the links on the same page under the ‘quick order list’.
If you would like to speak to someone in confidence please do call our helpline on 0808 800 6000, the line is open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2, our team of specialist nurses and trained helpliners can offer you support and information.
Hello Milos Mum - so sorry that you have had to join us but welcome…
You need to try and speak to your unit tomorrow to check why the MRI is happening, did they say on the phone which area was being scanned…? I had an MRI scan last summer and it took 50 minutes (that was on my breast) so it is likely to be one area they want to look at rather than a full body…
I also had my chemo first (i was diagnosed late Msy 2008 when i was 43…) and had 4xac and 4xtax - you will find loads of support here and try to take everything one step at a time… there are threads in the chemo treatment section with loads of tips and people going through the same chemo drugs…
Welcome to the forum, I’m sorry you find yourself here but it’s a great place for help and support.
I’m 43 so a similar age to you and was diagnosed at the beginning of November. I had CT, bone and MRI scans before I started treatment. The MRI scan was just on my breasts and was to measure the tumour accurately and check that there were no abnormalities in the other breast. I’m also having chemo before surgery and will have a repeat MRI at the end of chemo to check progress. Maybe that is the purpose of your MRI.
I understand how you feel about wanting the cancer cut out asap but my oncologist and chemo nurse both (independantly) pointed out that by having chemo first you are able to see if it is having an effect on the tumour, something that is not possible once the tumour has been removed. Since not all tumours respond to all types of chemo this is a definite advantage.
In my case my tumour has shrunk from 15cm at diagnosis (massive!) to 4cm after 3 cycles of FEC. The response has been so good that it has now been marked with a wire in case it should vanish completely by the time I finish chemo and my oncologist is confident that any stray cells should have been eradicated.
Chemo itself is not fun but for many of us it’s nowhere near as bad as you imagine it to be. I have been lucky so far and only had a few minor side effects for the first week of each cycle. I have been able to carry on my life (which includes looking after 2 small children) pretty much as normal.
I hope that your experience is similar to mine as I couldn’t ask for much better under the circumstances.
Hi Welcome to the forum, I too am only 42 yrs old dx early Dec had op Dec 17th partial masectomamy, 22 node removal, I seen my oncologist today for the first time and was given my dx of HER2 Positive, Plus lymph nodes infected, I am starting chemo next Thursday so we may start the same time.
Collected all my cocktail of drugs today, that takes some getting your head round!
Anyway, I too are having a MRI Next week along with bone scan, chest xray, ultrasound, and bloods,I do live in Spain and I think they treat differentlly out here.
Hi. I hope nobody minds if I join in this thread. I have been swept along on the Breast Cancer rollercoaster ride since being diagnosed just after Christmas.
Initially after diagnosis, I popped my head in here, but couldn’t bear to read the posts - it made it all seem too real. While I wasn’t actually receiving any treatment I could still pretend that everything was normal and maybe it would all turn out to be a huge mistake.
I had to have an MRI scan mainly because the ultrasound showed up a small lump in my right breast as well as the original lump in the left one. My consultant said the MRI scan was so they could get a much clearer picture and, if necessary, tackle everything at once rather than deal with one side and then have to do it all over again on the other. The MRI scan actually showed up 3 lumps in my right breast, but thankfully, further biopsies showed that they were nothing to worry about.
Finally, last week, after the longest 6 weeks of my life, I was wheeled into the operating theatre for a lumpectomy and Sentinel Node Biopsy.
I have my follow-up appointment with the consultant on Monday when, presumably, he’ll be able to tell me what they found and what further treatment I need. At the moment I have absolutely no idea what size/grade tumour it was.
I think I’ve probably waffled on for long enough now. Thanks for listening!
Hi Flossied The waiting is the worst. I was dx early Dec and had wle and sample nodes which were clear. I did feel better in a funny way when I knew the grade stage etc as then I had a plan to move forward. Good Luck for Monday hope your results are good. X
hi everyone ,i found out on the 1st feb that i had breast cancer,but havent spoken to anyone since then, tried calling the bc nurses a couple of times but theres no-one to take your call , going for my pre -assessment on tues ,then lumectomy and lymph notes on the 25th , had a week off work then went back last monday ,didnt have to but i work on bonus so i thought going to be off for who knows how long might aswell work till i go into hosp,cant believe the amount of people who ignore you ,walk the other way ,but suppose they dont know what to say,anyway have been very poss and my husband and three kids 20.17 and 16 have been great,just been looking at the forum all week but i will say some of the comments gave me a good laugh ,so i feel everyone here knows how you feel and what to say to cheer you up ,anyway thanks guys and ill stay posted ,as this site is going to be my best friend for some time x margaret
Sorry you had to join us but a better place you will not find. I had the same surgery as you back in Oct 2009. Now on chemo (one more to go) then radio. We all understnd what you are going through and are there for you if you have any questions, need advice or just want to vent your spleen! Its pretty poor how your bcc nurses are treating you.
