Hello, I was diagnosed yesterday with grade 1 invasive ductal cancer and HER 2 is negative- I think I have said that correctly but I am just getting used to this new vocabulary!
It is difficult news to process but am feeling really lucky as they kept saying curable and treatable and early and so I feel scared but positive and very fortunate.
One thing I am worried about though is that they want to biopsy another area that they originally said was just dense breast tissue. The area is 14mm. I just wondered if the results of this could drastically impact my prognosis? Could it be a higher grade cancer? Just in a bit of a panic about it all. My BCN is fantastic but when she phoned me today I forgot to ask because I was crying to her about how hard I had found it telling my Mum and my three children. I can call her tomorrow but thought posting on here might be helpful. My head is just a bit full. I know that I will have to have either a lumpectomy or masectomy followed by radiotherapy and poss chemo but I just wondered if the biopsy results could mean a different treatment plan and a less positive outcome? Thank you x
Hi
I was diagnosed in May with Grade 1 her negetive in both breasts. I had five biopsies in one breast as a third lump was suspicious. Thank god my oncologist persisted as it was cancerous. Had a lumpectomy on left breast and a partial breast reconstruction using Licap flap on my right. Surgeon took four lymph nodes from each side and one was cancerous . That surgery was in July. Recovery was straight forward for me. I’m now on my radiotherapy journey and completed 17 of 20 sessions. Like you I’m so grateful it was found early. I wish you all the best x
Thanks so much for sharing and that has reassured me so thank you. So glad your surgery went well and the recovery too and good luck with the last three radiotherapy sessions. You have done amazingly. All the best with it all and thank you again xxx
Hey @tryingnottogoogle ,
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It sounds like it’s been caught early though, which is a huge positive. Do hold on to that.
I understand your concerns as there is a need for a further biopsy to be taken, and I guess there is an outside chance that it may change things in terms of treatment plans etc. However, I’d urge you to take each step as it arises, this journey often throws us curve balls.
I have been diagnosed with er +/pr+ Her2 negative , mixed invasive ductal / lobular. This was determined from the biopsies. I had a lumpectomy a month ago & sentinel node removal, the histology results then showed I also have high grade DCIS which has fused to the other tumour.
I try to see it as , the more information we have, this is a positive as it will determine the right treatment plan going forward.
Hello and thank you for the reply. I agree that knowledge is power and the more information we have the more effective the treatment. It is a rollercoaster! And I am only on the first day! How was your recovery after the lumpectomy? Are you now having chemo? Hope it is going ok and best wishes to you x
It is a huge roller coaster, you’re not alone in feeling this. I let myself feel the emotions as needed.
I also had lumpectomy with LICAP & sentinel node removal as mentioned. I found recovery manageable, I wasn’t in any pain but there is/was a lot of discomfort from the lymph nodes surgery. I took 2 weeks off work. The tiredness in the first week was immense , it came in waves. But , I was able to get up and move around and potter around in bursts. I ventured out for a walk about day 4 post surgery, and kept it short , building up gradually. Each day brought more improvement and by about week 3 post surgery , I’d say I was back at my pre-op energy levels. I am doing the exercises as prescribed , and just started driving again.
I didn’t get clear margins though, so back in for surgery next week, which I’m gutted about but I’ve come to terms with it now.
I have more than 4 lymph nodes involved which was also unexpected based on the ultrasound I’d had, so I believe I’ll be needing chemo & radiotherapy. I won’t know my full treatment plan until post this next round of surgery.
There are lots of positive experiences shared on this forum ref recovery from surgery, which really put my mind at ease.
Thank you for sharing your journey. Just got news yesterday of my biopsies. Both breasts have invasive ductal carcinoma. Very small sizes. 0.7 and 0.5. One more result pending. I believe it’s the type. I will get that result tomorrow and then meet with my oncology team on 11/10 for the first time. Feels like I am floating. Reality hasn’t set in yet. Hugs and prayers to you♥️
Sending love, I hope you have good support around you and the support available on this forum is incredible. Know that you’re not alone.
If you have a Maggie’s centre near you, consider visiting them as they can offer lots of support. I popped into the MacMillan centre at my hospital yesterday and was really touched by their kindness.