Hey all, I have hr+ breast cancer which is in my lymph nodes too. It has taken a long time to get my diagnosis as I had a clear mammogram in February so breast cancer was initially ruled out. My consultant told me it is still not showing on a mammogram but ultrasound and MRI found it. I saw my consultant on 2September and he said he was sure I was fine but as a precaution they were sending me for a CT scan to make sure that the rest of me was clear and he was scheduling my surgery for 9th October but I could be offered it sooner if they had a cancellation. My pre op is on Friday. I had a call today to book an appointment for me to see the consultant on Tuesday. He said when he booked my surgery he would see me after surgery. I can only think that it has shown up elsewhere in my body and I am terrified. After the pre op I am going to the funeral of a colleague who had multiple cancers. I went the funeral of another in March. I feel so low, I am terrified of what will happen to my 2 autistic sons if I die and my devoted dog. I am in despair, has or is anyone else going through something similar? Any ideas on how I get through this would be gratefully welcomed
Hi
I don’t know if there is a magic way to deal with all this. There always seems to be something around the corner, a new challenge, a new test. The journey seems long and sometimes impossible. But we have to go forward, take one step at a time, and we slowly make progress.
You’re at such a difficult step right now. Having loads of questions and not having all the answers or exact details. You’re still to be informed of your treatment options……so many unknowns.
But you will get answers over the coming weeks and somehow it gives clarity, motivation and a plan to follow. It almost feels like some of the weight has been taken off you.
You will have good and bad days, but keep going forward….
Best wishes X
I think on this it takes an oncologist to work out the pathway. I don’t know off the top of my head what info they go off when deciding who gets neoadjuvent chemo and who gets it post surgery, but I’m guessing that could be where the balance lies. If they change plan to neoadjuvent for whatever reason - maybe lymph nodes is enough for her2? - that could be enough to delay surgery. But then if still having your pre-op appointment, and its not been cancelled, that suggests that they are still doing surgery first? Perhaps the appointment is purely to discuss the CT and it might be good news or some innocuous incidental findings to go through. It doesn’t seem like they feel a need to stop the surgery yet. Not impossible that they could want to biopsy an area of suspicion that has been seen, but its by no means certain.
I think you are understandably in a place where you are trying to second guess what things mean, we can all fall into that. But ultimately, you can only live day by day and you’ll know when you know.
Not all tumours show up well on mammogram, mine didn’t- I think the lump was more an indicator. I was her 2. M3 on mammogram, U4 on ultrasound -that swung it, had a biopsy that said rare cribiform - which are even more rarely her2. Then post op, changed to tubular - equally rare for her 2. Stated clearly on both that no assocated DCIS signs, yet on operating was surrounded by dcis. Shows scans have their limits. Are you having a full clearance of lymph nodes with your planned surgery ?
Yes, they will be taking all lymph nodes in my armpit. I am happy for them to go to get rid of this!
I take it you have more detail from biopsies such as hormone status, grade, size and PI% ? All added useful info that goes into forming your plan. Without that, its hard to tell if things are going as expected or if you should be concerned.