Hello I was told last tuesday that i have bc after a recall from a routine mammogram. The biopsy has shown 2 types of breast cancer cells, invasive lobular and invasive ductal. I was booked for an MRI scan to check that it hadn’t gone further into the breast as surgeon said sometimes doesnt show up on mammogram, however since heard that no need for MRI as after a multidiscipline meeting they are confident (better be!) just confined to original tumour(7-9mm). So some good news. Think I now have a lumpectomy and lymph node removal in 3-4 weeks followed by radiotherapy. Feel in a state of disbelief, like its happening to someone else not me. Denial really you just never thing it will happen do you. Thank god for routine mammograms though! It so scary wondering what they will find after the next procedure, thats what gets me the not knowing.
Has anyone else had a similar diagnosis, especially two types of cancer in their biopsy result? Would love to hear from you.
Laurasue
hey laurasue - sorry that you are joining us but you’re among some lovely people. I was recalled after a routine mammogram (my first in fact) and biopsy showed DCIS and invasive ductal carcinoma. Had WLE and sentinel node biopsy in May and finished rads three weeks ago. I echo what you say about mammograms and the not knowing is horrible, but once you do have knowledge then you are able to deal with things I think. Are you having SNB too ? xxchipperxx
Hi Chipper thanks for your reply, its so useful talking to people who are in a similar situation. Yes SNB was mentioned when I saw the surgeon, believe this is a fairly new procedure they like to carry out now so that only the minimum number of lymph nodes are removed. How did you find the rad treatment? Do you work and if so are you now back at work? It really is one step at a time. Waiting to hear whether I need to be seen again by surgeon or will just get a date for the WLE in view of the MRI being cancelled. I am on tenterhooks, I want to get on with it but at the same time its scary.
Laurasue xx
Hi Laurasue,
I have put for you below links to 2 of BCC’s publications that you may find useful, the resource pack has to be ordered on line and is then posted out to you (free of charge) as it’s an A5 binder full of useful information to help you understand more about your treatment etc., the second one you can either download directly or ask for one to be posted out to you, again free of charge as are all BCC’s publications.
Resource pack: breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/82
Your operation and recovery:
breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/100
I hope these help, kind regards
Jo, Facilitator
hi laurasue - hang on in there- the waiting is hard but it’ll soon be over. SNB is new and is to prevent whipping too many nodes to check - the chances are that if anything has spread it’ll be in the first couple of ‘sentinel’ nodes…in theory it reduces the risks of lymphoedema,though you are wise to avoid scratching/injuring the affected arm,avoid blood tests,injections/blood pressure on that side.
If you have SNB you’ll have a radioactive tracer (probably wrong terminology -but a small amount of radioactive material injected in the breast ) just before surgery (sometimes the day before) - it doesn’t hurt, bit stingy, no worse than biopsies…photographs are taken for the surgeon and the position of the sentinel nodes are seen on screen - all really clever and quite fascinating ! then during surgery when you’re asleep blue dye is injected to help pinpoint the nodes. Small semi circular cut under armpit (which is sore after,mainly because it swells a bit and obviously rubs - I found it more bothersome than the WLE scar, but having said that it wasn’t painful as such. Make sure you do the post-surgery exercises to regain mobility in that arm ! Your wee will be an entertaining turquoise for a day or so afterwards plus the dye stains the breast for a bit- I even found some on my upper arm afterwards(inside the skin,like a bruise). Rads were fine really - I had hospital transport which was a godsend as the hospital was a fair distance away- felt tired but not unduly so. My skin got very red and sunburned towards the end and afterwards with the skin under my breast breaking up,but keeping it dry and using Allevyn dressings worked a treat.
I do work -am a freelance illustrator and worked throughout my radiotherapy as I was comissioned to do a book and couldn’t turn it down - was good as it gave me something to focus on,apart from myself ! Rads ended and the book deadline were within 2 days of each other and I felt really quite lost without either ! Actually it is a bit of a roller coaster and the sudden end of active treatment is quite difficult to handle, but bcns are invaluable !
Hi Chipper, thank you so much for your full and comprehensive reply.
It helps me a lot. I am due to see the surgeon again this Monday (17th) and I will then get a date for the surgery (WLE I think). Imagine should be within the next 10 days or so. Like you I live some distance from the hospital that carries out the rads so hopefully will get help with transport too. I work as a medical secretary, of all things, although only part time. My work seemed to think it would be too much travelling and trying to fit in work with radiotherapy and I expect I will return after treatment. I will let you know how it all goes. Im pleased that you are now at the end of your treatment but I can understand that that in itself must be unnerving.
love laurasue xx
hi laurasue, sorry you had to join us but your in good hands. I just thought i would share my treatment experiance which is similar. I had MX at end of april and i also had SNB at same time as the op, not the day before as some seem to have. They took 4 lymph nodes and 1 was infected so i now have to wait till after chemo and rads to decide if i want to have the rest treated with rads or go for full clearence. I need to discuss this further before i make my mind up. In my case i wish they had all been taken out to start with, hinsight is a good thing isnt it. Rads seems the easier option (no surgery) but will they get them all? but on the other hand i think i need the reasurance that they are all gone and cant do any more damage.
Good luck with your meeting on monday
Take care, luv Pauline xxx
Hello laurasue
How did you get on on 17th August? Do you have a date for surgery?
Like you, I have just been diagnosed with invasive ductal and lobular breast cancer. I found a lump which my doctor didn’t think was anything ‘nasty’. I had had fluid-filled cysts before but this was in the other breast. I had a mammogram, ultrasound scan and core biopsy and they obviously thought it was cancer, although the surgeon thought that as the lump was only 1.4cm, it would not be a problem to treat. I had to wait over a week for the results, and was then told it was a mixed cancer, grade 2 - obviously more serious than at first thought. I have a pre-surgery check tomorrow, and a chest x-ray and an MRI on Thursday. Every ache and pain I now have, I wonder if it is the cancer having spread. I know my imagination is running away with me. I keep thinking that if lobular is so hard to find on a routine mammogram, it could have been there years. I am trying to be positive, but it is the not knowing that is so hard, isn’t it? Although my mother had breast cancer, she was 76 when she was diagnosed and I am 55. To make it harder, I am having to stop HRT ‘cold turkey’. So far I am ok (except my short-term memory is absolutely dreadful), but it has only been 5 days, so it hasn’t worn off yet, I imagine.
Hello Ann, sorry for late response as I had my surgery last week on 25th Aug and have only just felt like using the computer. I understand how you feel, although I didnt have a lump, I had been told it was 7-9mm lump on mammo and mixed cancer. I had a wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy op and have to go back tomorrow for the results of that. Very scary. Initially they told me I needed an MRI to check my breasts further as lobular doesn’t always show up on mammogram but then received phone call to say not necessary as radiologists happy it was contained because my films were very clear. Of course then I’m worrying that they might miss something. Try not to rush ahead in your mind just deal with each step as it comes, I imagine by now you too will have had your op so thats another step over. Yes the not knowing is awful and I too think the worse at times, only human I guess. for example I got a tummy problem in hospital (great) and I began to wonder if that was something more sinister. You have to tell yourself that you can cope with what this horrible thing throws at you, because you will. Let me know how things are going. Chrisxx
Hello Chris - No surgery yet. I am pencilled in for 15th September. I am going back tomorrow, like you, for the results of the MRI. Then they will know how much surgery they need to do. I was told that they test the lymph nodes whilst carrying out the breast surgery, so that they know whether to clear the lot at the same time.
How long were you in hospital and how long before you were able to do anything for yourself? I am trying to plan for being out of action, but as I don’t know what they are going to do yet, it is a bit difficult. Good luck for tomorrow. Ann xx
Hello Ann, I hope the results you received yesterday were good news and you will not have to have too much surgery. I had the blue dye put in on the morning of my surgery to locate the node nearest the tumor. It was a painless if rather time consumming procedure. I was in hospital for two nights, but this was due to my blood pressure being on the low side. Got home last Thursday and by the following Tuesday, 1 September, began to pick up quite a bit. The incision under the arm causes the most pain and discomfort. Now able to do much more, even hoovered today using my good arm only! Find I have to sit down and rest in-between times though. I do tend to be the sort who will battle on regardless. I had good news in that the cancer has not gone to the lymph gland but it is a mixed grade 2 (I didn’t know the grade until yesterday even though they knew from the biopsy) So now have appt with radiotherapy oncologist to plan my session of radiotherapy. Also armed with Arimidex tablets which I have to start asap, feel bit negative about this after reading about all the horrid side effects people appear to have suffered on this site whilst taking it, but fingers crossed maybe I’ll be lucky. Take care and let me know how you go Chrisxx
Chris
Glad you are getting on ok. Like you, I am the sort to battle on if I possibly can. I would much rather do things myself.
My MRI scan showed two further lesions and they asked if I wanted to go for a mastectomy, or biopsies to find out whether they are cancerous or not. I opted for the latter. I want to hang on to the small amount I have if I can. The surgery has been put back to the 23rd.
Although the first biopsy showed the cells are hormone receptive, I only found out today that they are HER2 2+, which means they are not sure and they have to carry out a FISH test to determine whether they are positive or negative. More waiting.
Good luck with the Arimidex. Take care and don’t overdo it.
Ann xx
Hi Ann, sorry you have further waiting in store but like others have said once you know what your treatment plan actually is it will seem more manageable. The op itself (which I was really worried about, especially being put under) was not nearly as bad as I thought, even the “going to sleep” was like the effects of a few glasses of wine! Everyone from doctors, nurses radiologists etc have been mindful and caring. I am feeling stronger each day, although I still have radiotherapy to face in a few weeks. Rather strangely I still feel this is happening to someone else and even now find it hard to get a grasp on the seriousness of it.
Be as kind as possible to yourself. Are you working at the moment? I found working until the day before my op really helped as it distracted me. I know I said I like to battle on, but do take all the offers of help you will get when you get home. Good luck for your results and the op. Thinking of you.
hugs Chris x
Thanks for your good wishes, Chris. I think it is the thought that I may have to have a mastectomy that is getting to me. That and the thought that this will be hanging over me for the rest of my life. I already had problems in my life, but this dwarfs them all. I felt really low yesterday morning but everyone on this site is so kind and cheered me up. After a better night’s sleep, I feel ok today. I had been waking up thinking about it all- not good in the middle of the night.
Best wishes to you.
Annxx
Hi Ann - I am still finding my way through the forum, so my response may have gone elsewhere!! I had my second biopsy today and will know the result in a week’s time. Like you the thought of a mastectomy is frightening me, but if this means we are rid of this dreadful disease, then surely it is a comfort? I am trying to be very positive now, having started off being very very scared,and still am, but it is not easy. Sometimes the tears just start falling no matter how hard I try not to cry, so please, everytime you feel low think of me, and the others. I had no idea how many wonderful people there are out there willing to help a complete stranger like myself, and this cheers me up.
I wish you luck for next Friday and let us know how you get on.
Lots of love
CMatisse
Chris - No, I am not working at the moment. Just as well. I am not sure how many employers would have the patience with the number of hospital visits I have had recently. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
CMatisse - It is a help being able to share one’s thoughts with others in the same boat. Good luck with your results next week. I will get the results of next Friday’s biopsies on the following Thursday. Let us know how you get on.
Take care.
Ann xx
laurasue
It was good to read you stuff. I was diagnosed today (8/9/09) with invasive ductal and I’m terrified! Have got to go for axilla scan this week and see surgeon next week. Will have surgery within a month. I have been told I will have radio and chemo, and all that that entails. My head is up in the air at the mo and I cant help thinking the worst.
Hi
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums where I’m sure you’ll get lots of support from the other users of this site.
If you feel you would like to talk to someone in confidence then the Breast Cancer Care Helpline is here for you, offering support and information. Calls to the helpline are free, lines are usually open Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 2pm
0808 800 6000
Kind regards,
Kate, Facilitator
rancidtart
It’s so scary, isn’t it? I think it’s a case of having time to get used to the idea. I was diagnosed last month. Everyone on this site is so helpful. You only have to ask and in a short time you will have some support.
Best of luck.
Ann xx
Thanks Ann
Having a very bad day today, fearing the worst etc. However, have spoken to a number of people at work who have had it and come out the other side, which is reassuring. Its not the best time to get divorced either!!