Hi all,
Had 3 biopsies on the 8th oct and get my results tomorrow. To sayI am scared to death is am under statement. I.ve already been told the tumour is cancer so its finding out what sort and am of course fearing the worse. What I want to know is are there any really important questions to ask, I know my mind will go blank and thought I’d take a list?
and how much am i likely to find out from a biopsy?
Thanku, any positive thoughts sent my way would be most welcome, x
Hi H
Scared to death is something we all understand here. The waiting for results is just the worse place to be, but hang around here and you’ll get lots of support and positive advice.
Not sure if my situation is similar but I was told I had it - cancer - before they even did the biopsy. Scared me silly as I thought that may mean it was so big. Turned out I had 3 areas in total but none of them very big.
I found I could only absorb so much information at a time, and drip drip worked better for me than knowing too much from the start, but we are all different. I did eventually want to know absolutely everything but couldn’t handle it all too much at the start.
If you do want to ask pertinent questions that they can tell from a biopsy is whether it is hormone positive, herceptin status, lobular or ductal (different but none worse than other) and there’s also in-situ but I don’t know much about that. They can sometimes tell what grade, but they didn’t with me until surgery. If you’ve had an ultrasound they should be able to give some indication, but not definite, if your nodes have been affected. This is quite a good predictor. But these are probably things they will tell you anyway. They can usually give a rough idea of size from ultrasound/mammogram but this won’t be confirmed until surgery.
If they’ve looked at your nodes on ultrasound and they look clear then I’d definitely ask for a sentinel node biopsy.
If you have somebody you can take with you then do, and give them the paper and pencil to write everything down. Don’t hesitate to stop the doctor to make sure you get all the info you want. If there’s a BC nurse then use them. They maybe be able to give you details of what surgery and other treatments you will need, but you may also have some choices to make, depending upon what your situation is. I was recommended a double mastectomy but decided to go with bilateral lumpectomies.
For positive thoughts, most of us will be OK. Not sure of the percentage but its pretty high. Its a very scary place where you are, so much good luck for tommorow. My first results appointment (first of many) was December last year and is now thankfully becoming a bit of a distant memory.
Let us know how things go tomorrow. Hope you manage to get some sleep. Take care
S
Hi Herb
Hope all goes well for you tomorrow
This link may be useful.
(You may have to copy & paste it into the address bar).
If you do get home and think of something you’ve forgotten to ask just give your BCN a ring she will answer any questions you have.
Take care
L4W
Hi herbidacious1 I just wanted to wish you all the best for your results tomorrow, I can’t add anything to the very good post of sheil except to reiterate write down any questions you have before you go because your mind will go blank as soon as you walk in the room.
Will be getting results too tomorrow but mine are the pathology results of the lumps removed 2 and a half weeks ago
Stay positive and let us know how you get on and remember there is always a plan.
BW
Jean x
Hi Herbi and good luck with results tomorrow , its all a blurr at the time but medical staff will have a plan and be ready to explain every thing and breast care nurses are very easy to chat to love joy x
Hello Herbi
Just wanted to ask my good wishes for today - we’ll all be thinking about you.
Yes, I too think it’s a good idea to go with a list of questions - they’ll even help you to write the answers down if you’re a bit struck dumb when you go in there, like I’ve been in the past.
If you have choices to make - say between lumpectomy and mastectomy, ask when you need to make the decision by, ask if your treatment will be at your local hospital, or whether any of it, say radiotherapy, may need to be at a different hospital. Also, ask when treatment might begin, how long it may last if it’s chemo or rads, how long you may expect to be off work if that’s appropriate to you etc.
Jean, best wishes to you also for your results today - I’ve got an appt for results this afternoon too.
Take care Herbi, and a big hug coming your way. Deep breath before you go into the room in the clinic, and then the rest is for them to help you with. They’re lovely people in those clinics - make sure you get the bcn’s name and contact details. In my experience, they’re brilliant, and know just what’s happening, so they’re the people to keep in contact with, if you have any queries etc afterwards!
Much love to you, and everyone getting results today!
Shelley xxx
Sorry, should have said a big hug to you today, for your results Jean! xxx
Hi Shelley
Hope everything went well for you today.
Good luck herbidacious will be thinking of you.
Big hugs for both of you to take with you ((((HUG)))) ((((HUG))))
Jean x
hi all, thanks so much for your comments. Resukts this morning weren’t good, but i knid of new that. Have grade 2 multi focal cancer and also cancer cells in lymph nodes. Have mastectomy on 8th november, but feel better knowing whats coming , even though it will be far from fun!
Jean, Shelley and Granny - any news?
x
Hello Herbidacious!
I’ve been thinking of you today, and have a look on your other post, cos I’ve replied to you on there about your results today. There’s lots of lovely people on here, who can offer you hugs n cyber-support for your mx etc, so come n post on here whenever you like!
My results today were really good - the biopsy showed that the tiny area they removed was a benign condition called tenangiectasia, which apparently is quite common after rads (mine were 10yrs ago!), and also it showed atypical cells, which again are benign and very common after radiotherapy. The mammo I had last week on my remaining boob is also normal, so I dont need to be seen again until next year. I am SO relieved, cos I really thought I had a local recurrence.
I just wish everyone got results like mine - but then I’d make good use of that wish, and change it to wishing that none of us ever got breast cancer n that there was no such thing as cancer!
Jean (Granny22) how did things fare for you today with your path results. Hope you got clear margins!
With much love to you all, n don’t forget Herbi to come on here if you’ve any worries or questions. And lastly… I’ll be thinking about you on the 8th Nov!
Shelley xxx
Hi herbidacious sorry to hear your results but you sound positive and like Shelley said you will get a lot of support on here.
Hi Shelley so pleased for you, relax now for another year woohoo…
Mine results were good under the circumstances good clearance round tumour which was 10mm x 9mm and 3/12 nodes positive but no vascular invasion or invasion anywhere else.
See oncologist next weds and should start chemo approx 2 weeks after.
Treated myself last night and bought 5 cotton turbans and sleep hats off ebay in assorted colours.
BW
Jean xx