Hello, I am 37 and I have just been diagnosed last Tuesday with Invasive breast cancer grade 2. Consultant asked for MRI and CT scan last Friday and the results come on Wednesday. I don’t know exactly what all this means, but I have a strong family history of breast cancer and I am very apprehensive to knwo what is going to come next. Anyone in the same situation who could maybe give me a personal experience of what happened? Many thanks
Dear stylish
Welcome to the forums, where I am sure that you will receive lots of support and information from your fellow forum members. I am posting to let you know that Breast Cancer Care have published a Resource Pack, it has been designed for anyone newly diagnosed with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and various treatments, it is available via the following link or by contacting the helpline: breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514 You may find our helpline useful to call during this time, they can talk to you about our other support services and also offer support, information and a ‘listening ear’. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm, Saturday, 9am - 2pm. I hope you find this helpful.
Best wishes
Katie
Sorry to hear that you have had to join us here in the forums… you will get loads of support and advice. After I found a lump I was referred with the ‘it’s probably a cyst’ statement. I had FNA which resulted in no fluid being drawn so was then passed on for Mammo and ultra sound. The results came back showing that I had early stage breast cancer - lump was measuring 22mm on the scan. I then had a further biopsy to take cell samples for lab testing and surgery was booked for a week hence. I had lumpectomy and node sampling. Results of that confirmed grade 1 tumour - it was smaller than it looked and the official measurement is 16mm, 7/7 lymph nodes clear but a intermammory node affected - chemo was considered but ruled out, was lined up for 30 rads and have 4 target zones (the breast, armpit, neck/collar bone and one from the back) I was er+ so am on tamoxifen for 5 years.
Hope some of the above has helped and not confused you.
Hi,
I’m 37 and was diagnosed with Grade 3 Invasive Breast Cancer (IDC) in Feb. HAd a CT Scan in March - which showed that I didn’t have Cancer growths anywhere else and then had a Right Breast Masectomy and left breast Mastopexy (or boob-lift) on 8th March. They took all my Lymph Nodes on the Right out and they were all clear (hurrah!). Am due to start my Chemo next week - but don’t really know the ins & outs yet as haven’t met my Oncologist yet. When you are waiting for results you have to try to not think about what the results are and just sit it out until the ACTUAL results come in and then you know what you have (or haven’t) got to worry about. Keep busy is my advice - don’t brood. Making yourself sick with worry isn’t going to change the outcome. I don’t even think about BC most of the time. The only time I think about it day to day is when I stretch too far and my Operation site hurts!!! The CT Scan and MRI Scan are all good as it shows you exactly what hand you have been dealt in the cancer stakes. Probably with your family history, they want to know exactly what they are dealing with. SOme people HAVE to know (me being one) and some people don’t want the knowledge (friend of mine who has refused CT and MRI Scan). Personal choice. Embrace the Consultant who is being really thorough - not every one gets the option of a CT and MRI Scan - even if they are deserving of one. Wed isn’t too far away and nothing will make it come any quicker!! I am probably THE most impatient person I know and am having to learn restraint!!! My Breast Care Nurse is starting to get fed up with the chasing!!!
After the CT and MRI Scan will probably come their diagnosis of what treatment you are going to receive and they will probably give you options of Lumpectomy, Masectomy CHemo and obviously the results of the Scans. Then the fun really begins!!!
Really, really good luck with your Results. Let us know how you get on. Fingers crossed for good news.
x
Hi
I was dx 18.3.08 with grade 3 invasive and had a lumpectomy 25.3.08 which was 15mm that had 3 ‘satellite’ cancers within it. I start chemo tomorrow and to be truthful frightened as hell.
I have triple negative BC so I just get chemo and radio.
This website has been like a godsend to me and I have found the messages and information from other BC girls amazing. It has certainly perked me up when I feel down.
You must remember though that each one of us is unique and treatments and their side effects will be different to us all. I have a friend who said radiotherapy was to her worse than the chemo. Each to our own!
I have just received my free resource pack from this site and if you haven’t already ordered it - do it!..tips and good for all the strange terminoligy that you have to get used to.
I hope your treatment goes well and keep in touch with this site and let us know how you are doing.
Anita
hi stylish
good luck with yr appt and hope u get good results, fingers crossed for u.
best wishes
maria
hi anita
i see yr due to start chemo tomorrow. do u no wot chemo u will be on and how many doses. it seems like such a long time when u just start on yr treatment plan but before u no it yr almost there.good luck and i hope ur side effects are few and far between.
best wishes
maria
Hi Maria
All I have been told is that its 6 months of chemo starting with FEC and then TAX. Until I go tomorrow I don’t know how many doses of each but with going every 3 weeks I can only think that it will be 4 of each.
Anita
Hi stylish
I was diagnosed on 3.4.08 with invasive cancer grade 2 following a biopsy, I wasn’t given CT or MRI scan but i haven’t any family history of BC.I had my pre op check today and have my lumpectomy and SNB on wednesday It’s an anxious time but coming on this site really helps as you have contact with others going through the same things with the same feelings. Keep positive and good luck with your results
dozey
hi anita i guess u were born the same year as me. i was dx last july,doc thought i had large cyst,turned out to be large tumour 10.5cm so had chemo first to shrink it. had mastectomy and imd recon in feb. when they operated they found three tomours in breast each behind the other and one in lymth nodes.so thank god for chemo (ha ha). start five weeks of rads next monday and then on to a year of herceptin. i can now c the lite at the end of the tunnel,even though its only a wee flicker its still there. so u stick in with the chemo and let me no how u get on.if u have any side effects make sure that u tell the doc wen u c him as they can change yr meds to help. it took me a while to find rite meds but i got there in the end.
i also had a picc line put in due to my veins being crap, if this is suggested to u take it, it takes five mins and is completely painless.
maria
Hi girls,
Many thanks for all the info and good wishes. I am really happy I found this website. I am really apprehensive for Wednesday, but I just hope everything is going to be ok. I have also contacted my private health insurance to arrange for a second opinion once the results come. I am very ready to fight as long as it hasn’t gone anywhere furhter than my breasts!!!
Taxxx
Hi Maria
Yes was born in 67 - just turned 41 in Jan. Well - today’s the day…I haven’t managed to eat anything since dinner yesterday but that’s me all over. When all’s well I scoff like a pig but anxious - nothing can go down!
Have to be at the hospital by 1.30 so going to try and have some toast before then.
I have to travel 15 miles for my chemo because this blasted government has jigged round all our healthcare (I live in Blackburn, Lancs) and the ‘Centre of Excellence’ is in Burnley 35 mins drive on the M65!..this I AM NOT looking forward to travelling to and fro. I asked for chemo at our new wonderful hospital in Blackburn (66million - opened 18mths ago) but was told no.
Does anyone else have any travelling to other hospitals for treatment? Any experiences to tell??
Let me know and I will keep you all informed of how I go on with my 1st FEC.
Stylish - hope all goes well for Wed and keep in touch
Anita
Hi all, I am a 67 baby too! Turned 41 in March. Anita - I live in Leyland and had my ops done at Chorley, I thought you would have been offered Preston for the chemo as I have met people from your area there. They are lovely at Preston, but it is a big hospital, not as friendly as Chorley. I hope you are ok after first FEC, I had my third FEC on 7th April. I’m having 6 cycles. Rest when your body tells you to. Yes this site is wonderful and the support is amazing.
Stylish - hope all goes well today.
Liz x
hi anita
hope everything went well for u with first chemo and side effects are few and far between. take care and post as soon as u feel u to it and let us no how ur doing
best wishes
maria
ps take the medication they give u for sickness as it really works.
hi liz, anita
my dad always told me i was born in the best year ever(he was in lisbon when i was born…football)he is no longer here but i will do anything i can to get through this cause i no he is with me at all times and he was a strong,stubborn wonderful father and if i have inherited any of his strength i will beat this no bother. wish u both well with yr individual treatment plans.
maria
How did it go yesterday?
Hello,
Results of CT Scan and MRI are fine, so start Chemo next Tuesday for 6 cycles to shrink the tumor, then surgery, then Radio. I haven’t got results from hormone yet. I am trying to keep it strong, but I am actually really scared.
Hope you all doing well!
Hey Stylish,
I don’t think there has been a time when one of us on here hasn’t been quaking in our boots about something!! I was scared of seeing my Masectomy for the first time, I’m scared of what I will feel like once Chemo starts (I have my first FEC next Thurs) and I’m TERRIFIED of losing my hair - vain creature that I am!!!
When I had a clear result from my CT Scan I started feeling much better and haven’t really looked back since. It’s all relative really isn’t it? I was told by my Onc that my survival chances are 70% without Chemo, 80% with Chemo and just as I was about to wobble my husband said “Well it’s better than having a 10% chance isn’t it?!” and I have to agree and now feel OK again!!! Any idea what sort of Op you’re getting and when??
HI Stylish
I found out on Thursday that I have a large tumor in my left breast and signs in a lymph node, going in on the 2nd for mastectomy and lymph nodes removed also the McMillan Nurses are great and they are trying to get me the scans and whatever else goes on done before the op so I know what I am fully dealing with. I think I may be quite lucky with our hospital, reading through the threads. I am going to Darenth Valley hospital in Dartford and you hear good and bad but they have been really thorough. I was seen within a week of going to the doctor and I saw the consultant on the thursday and have mammogramme on the friday, then ultrasound and core biopsy and got the results 2 weeks later and now just 2 week until the op so all happened really fast a god send really. I am dreading the scans but got to keep positive I suppose I know I have to have chemo and possibly radium but what the heck if it gets me through sod it I don’t care really.
Good luck with your results will be thinking of you
Deb x
Hi Maria,
I too am relatively new to all this, I too was diagnosed with grade 2 IDC on 03/04/08 I also have a strong family history of breast and other cancers in my family. I opted for a skin saving bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction at the same time this happens on the 9th May 08 and I am looking forward to having the cancer removed and reducing the chances of it returning. I only chose this op de to the history as the doctor offered me a lumpectomy and I said no thanks it’s this operation only. The pct raised the issue of funding but once my Breast care nurse and doctor explained the situation they released the money, if they hadn’t I would have had to ask the ex-husband to be to stump up the cash.
When I was booked for a mammo the nurse asked about gene testing, of course I jumped at this chance again due to history and I have an appointment at my local hospital for the 19th May08. We are using my Aunt to find the gene as she so far is the only survivor and they want to check to see if we have the same cancer gene now. I will do anything to aid reasearch ad to insure that my children and their children have all the info needed to take steps to prevent them from developing cancer. I wish you luck and speedy recovery my love x
Debs,
Sorry about your news but excellent that you have been seen and booked in so quickly. I wish you the best of luck for the operation are you going to have reconstruction at the same time? I too have the theroy any treatment to get me through and make me well again is worth it. good luck you will be ok, positive attitude always a good thing. xxx