Hi all,
Recently diagnosed after finding a large lump, biopsy was done and confirmed it’s malignant but lymph nodes looked clear. I was sent for an MRI and I was hoping to get a surgery date at my next appointment (this afternoon), but they rang me yesterday with an appointment for another Ultrasound of my arm pit. So I’m worried they’ve seen something on the MRI.
Hi @dizzyd1
So sorry you are having to join us here, but rest assured you will find lots of sympathy and support. I’ve been there twice, with two primaries 17 and 6 years ago, both largish and nasty, but I am perfectly fit and healthy now.
You are in the horrible phase of waiting for tests and gathering information, so the medical staff know exactly the right way to tailor your treatment. There is a fantastic range of very effective treatments for breast cancer now, but at your stage the waiting can seem endless. You have to try and focus on what is known to date rather than letting your mind race to worst case scenarios. Do anything that you find distracting - gymn, walks, meeting friends, movies, music, reading….- whatever is your ‘thing’. Try and talk to friends/family and don’t worry about burdening them, this is your time to be supported. Hopefully you will have a contact number for your breastcare nurses, but the nurses here also operate a helpline to answer any questions or just lend a sympathetic ear. There is also the “someone like me” service which can be a huge support.
I think most of us here would agree that once you get a complete treatment plan everything starts to get a little easier as you feel you are doing something about it.
I wish you all the best and please keep us posted on how you are getting on.
Love and lots of hugs
Eily 
Hi dizzyd1, sorry to find you here. The waiting for appointments and tests is nerve wracking. You will be worried that you need a further ultrasound. Once they have a full picture they will put a treatment plan in place. Things will move quickly after that. My surgery was scheduled but then I got covid and had to wait again. That was just over 2 years ago and am doing fine now. I am probably feeling the same as you at the moment as I have my 2nd annual check up on Monday.
I hope everything goes well for you with the tests. Let us know how you get on.
Best wishes x
Thank you both. I’ve been reassured at my appointment that the ultrasound is standard procedure, it’s to do a lymph node biopsy before surgery.
I’ve been given options for reconstruction that I really need to think about but oddly I don’t feel upset about the mastectomy at all, I’m 51 and a widow so I’m sure if I was younger this might be harder, I just want the cancer gone.
Hi @dizzyd1 - it’s a shock to the system getting a cancer diagnosis and it’s perfectly normal to find yourself worried sick when more tests etc are suggested . Having tests and waiting for results is the most stressful and anxiety provoking time .
No one likes to be “in the dark” and can feel that things are happening and we’ve no idea what or why … I had to have lots of biopsies before I got a confirmed diagnosis of BC last summer … I found the testing time exhausting me talking and emotionally , however once diagnosed and a treatment path decided , I felt much happier knowing things were happening .
Arty1
@dizzyd1 I was in a similar place to you before my mastectomy, people kept telling me how I should upset I should have been and acting like I was losing my best friend. I kept feeling like there was something wrong with me because I didn’t feel that deep sense of upset and loss. It might hit you later or it might not, but whatever you’re feeling is entirely valid because people are different. I found it helpful to talk through my feelings with a therapist if you have access to one. Sending hugs your way.
Glad you are feeling calmer about the process @dizzyd1 . I turned down the offer of reconstruction which seemed to amaze my surgeon. Like you I was in my 50’s and just wanted rid of the cancer asap and no complicated surgery. I also felt it would be easier to check for local recurrence, a big factor for me as my tumour was only 1/2mm from the chest wall. As kartofel says we are all different. Lots of us find that the prostheses are a good option and some women just stay flat. I’ve had two mastectomies now and never regretted them. On the other hand a good friend recently had reconstruction and she is delighted with that decision. You just need to figure out what is right for you, and tell your team what you want, rather than being steered by ‘the system’.
Good luck with everything. Stay strong. I hope your path is uncomplicated. Do keep us posted if you find it helps
Eily.