Hi everyone,
I found a lump on 6th May and visited GP next day who referred me to BC clinic…
I went to BC clinic on 17th May…had an examination,FNA and mammogram and had to wait until 26th May for results…(seemed like a very long time)
I was also in a lot of pain in my bones so had a bone scan 3rd June…luckily clear…
I have a liver scan tomorrow…hopefully that’s clear too.
I have had my pre op and chest x ray and am having the lump and sentinel nodes removed on friday the 18th June…and then will have to wait for results()again)
When I saw the consultant and he said I was having the op he said it would be followed by rads…
The not knowing and waiting for results is the worst thing.
The only thing I know about my cncer is that it’s 28mm by 22mm…is that small…
I don’t know what sort it is?..and he said he won’t know until after surgery!!!
I see a lot of people know what it is before they have the op…why does my consultant not know?..
I spoke to my BCN and shes insisting they don’t know…is that normal?
I thought it was DCIS but she said definitely not it’s cancer and DCIS is pre cancerous but they can’t tellme what it is…this is driving me mad.
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, I hope you find it a great source of information and support.
Whilst you wait for the other users to reply with their advice and experiences you may find it useful to have the BCC resources pack. It has been designed specifically for those newly diagnosed and contains information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available. If you would like a pack just follow the link below:-
Had a liver scan today and that’s all clear.i also spoke to my BCN about my chest x ray and that came clear.So hopefully when I have my SNB and lumpectomy on friday it hasn’t spread anywhere.
Just came across your thread and noticed no other member has replied. Firstly, welcome, but sorry you are here.
My diagnosis is a bit different from yours. I wasn’t offered op at all because it was spread already on initial diagnosis Glad yours hasn’t!
My consultant could tell what it was because I had an biopsy. From the posts I’ve read, for some of them, if you are going to have an op anyway, sometimes they do the biopsy during the op, from that, they can tell exactly what type of cancer it is and what’s the best option after op. I’m sure if I’ve got that wrong, some one will correct me.
Anyway, hope all goes well on Fri and will be thinking about you. Do let us know how you get on when you are able to.
big hug for Friday. I am a little down the line, dx May 09 and had my surgery, chemo and rads. The waiting is just the worst and I felt better once I knew what the treatment plan was -I was in control. One day at a time, take care and keep us posted.
xxx
When I had my breast tumour removed I asked the surgen what were the results, she said it was not possible to tell until they had conducted a full histology on the tumour which takes into account the type of bc, the stage; the grade and whether or not there had been node involvment etc., the full results are not usually known until approx 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Just to answer your query about new posts, new users are usually moderated for the first three posts in general, you are now in unmoderated status which means you are free to post without waiting for the post to be checked.
Thanks for the replies everyone…it’s nice to be able to go through the journey with others.Even though this is a club that none of us want to join.
I’m greatful that I’ve had a lot of scans as I had a lot of pain in my bones and a raised stomach by my liver.So itwas going through my mind that it had spread but it hasn’t(well not to any of those places anyway)…so I feel more relieved about that.
Welcome to the BC warren, where you will find support, comments and answers to your question, fears and worries. You are not alone.
My BCS knew what type of cancer I had, as it was the most common. Mine was 17mm when removed, but DX was 12mm. See? They don’t really have the full picture until they’ve got the material. I had no clear margins, so the reexcised. After a 3 week wait, with further pathology studies, there were not only no clear margins, but other small tumors growing that did not show up in scans. Lymph nodes were clear, but MX on the near horizon. The BCS could not have known the extent prior to the first lumpectomy. You can sometimes get fairly ‘hacked up’ before they know. I now have a ‘Franken-boobie’ which I have to say goodbye to in a week, but I find the alternative unacceptable.
We have a real hell going on in our bodies, but an even bigger hell going on in our heads. Stick to this site to drive those demons out. The network of NHS BC surgeons is tight and controlled, so give a bit of trust to them.
Thanks Yankee…
It’s a whole new World…I’m sorry that any of us have to be here but life must go on.
I have every faith in my consultant and the team…I just couldn’t get my head around that when they did the mammo and FNAC that they knew it was cancer…the size is 28mmx22mm but not whether it is lobule,inflammatory,ductal etc…I though if they could size the lump then they’d know which sort it is…ahh well
Guess I’ll know the answer to that in about a fortnight though when I should get my reults.
All I know for definite is the size and that I’m having the lump out and snb and definitely rads but don’t know about chemo yet.
A lot of people seem to have lumps out and then find they need it doing again because of margins and then need a mx…is that a very common thing then?
I only know anything by reading these forums and the pack that my nurse gave me.
She told me not to read too much on the internet…I think she was right…lol
Taxi-it is difficult if you need to talk at night.When you log in you can see how many users are on line and someone may pick up a request to ‘chat’ on one of the forums.
Welcome to the forum! Although they can do biopsies before the operation and get some results, sometimes these are not accurate and full results are not known till after the op. In my case they said grade 2 after the initial biopsy, then grade 3 after the op, plus the size was different - so its probably better to waist till an accurate and full report is available before discussing any grades etc.
Sarah
I will just have to be patient for longer I guess…
Thanks everyone for the replies.The whole waiting about is the worst bit.
I’m sure I’ll feel better when I know whats going on.
I have developed a bit of a cough today…hope it doesn’t postpone my op.
Hi Taxi, hope all went well with your op, it may not feel like that at the mo.
I had idc and dcis, i had a smallish lump, but also had a small number of node involved as well.
I had a WLE and lymph node clearance, plus have had 3 of 6FEC chemo’s so far, not been as bad as i had expected, i am due to have 15 rads and tamoxifen.
It is all a bit of a blur i think until you get over your surgery and you then get a treatment plan from your oncologist.
I started my chemo 4 weeks after surgery, but everyone is different.
I hope you feel as well as can be expected today.
Take care, Sandrae x x x
I had my WLE and SNB on friday and came home yesterday.I am a little sore and bruised and am ok…so that’s that stage done.
The DN should be coming today…if they have picked up the fax from the hospital yesterday.
I did not see anyone from breast team before leaving hospital as it was a saturday and I wasn’t on a breast ward so couldn’t ask any questions.(I was on a renal ward and they didn’t know anything about BC)
I will phone the BCN tomorrow to find out the next steps.
Hi Taxi thats brill having got WLE done. Take it you have a drain if DN is coming?Keep taking the pain killers as needed. Not sure how much axilla involvement a SNB causes ( had ANC)but wondered if you got an exercise sheet? It was drummed into me that I needed to do them, but as I say not sure how much involved with SNB causes. Am sure one of the ladies will know.Rest as much as poss and well done again. Hugs Jackie
Sorry not been around for a few days but am sore and tired.
Thanks for the replys…
The DN was coming to change my dressings as I came home the day after surgery…I don’t have any drains in…my stitches are mainly on the inside and I have stersstrips on top of that and then dressings.
My BCN is coming on thursday to take my steri strip ones off.
Am just awaiting the results now to see what’s my next step…
I have the exercises to do and SNB is less risky than anc for lymphodeama so have been doing them as adviced.
Depending on results of SNB depends whether I have to have anc…and depending on margins depends whether I need another op…
I now have some of my results…
I have invasive ductal cancer,it’s a grade 3 and was 20mm.
Good news is that they have got clear margins from WLE and both nodes from the SNB are clear.
We are still waiting for the hormone test results.
I will be getting an appointment to see the oncologist in the next 4-6 weeks.
Am definitely having rads.
Maybe chemo as well due to the grade…
and I suppose tablets after if I’m +…
So need to read up now on chemo and rads
Do you think I will have chemo with those stats?
My BCN seems to think I will because it’s a grade 3
I’m happy to have it as I really want to fight everything …even though the tumour is now removed as it worries me that there may be stray cancer cells somewhere in my body.
I would be very greatful as to what you ladies that have been through this situation think.
Glad yours hasn’t!