Found a lump on the 29th March, gp referred under urgent pathway. Appointment 3 weeks later. Ultrasound showed a 15mm lump and they do not think any lymph node involvement. 2 biopsies taken, not sure why as was in shock as the radiologist told me she is very sure its cancer. Go back next Tuesday for biopsy results, and though I’ve prepared my head as much as possible, I know i will have a meltdown when its confirmed. The consultant at the appointment said they would be looking to do a lumpectomy. Username is hathawaycat because thats the name of my life saving cat! I rarely check for lumps and only did because he stood on me and something felt wrong. Googled far too much and made myself super anxious. Just wanted to say hello as I have now accepted i am part of the club no one wanted to join
Welcome to our gang. We all wish we’d met in different circumstances, but you can’t wish for a more wonderful group of people to share this time with.
Of course the big hope is that you don’t have cancer, though the signals you’re getting from the team say otherwise. It is entirely understandable that you might have a meltdown, and if you do, that is fine. You might surprise yourself though, I was remarkably stoic. I presume you’ll have someone with you as they will be invaluable at taking notes for you.
Weirdly, this is the worst bit…the waiting. If you are diagnosed, you will be part of a huge, supportive machine and you will be held every step of the way. Once you have a plan you will be able to take some control back. Right now, you’re suspended in aspic just waiting to know and that is excruciating.
High paws to your cat for helping you discover the lump, and good for you for being courageous and going to get it checked.
Whatever happens, you won’t be on your own, your team, your loved ones and your community here will all be rooting for you. XXX
Hi @Jaygo
Thank you so much for your reply and kind words. The waiting is the absolute worse. I have a team of three coming with me to support me. My lovely mum, who had breast cancer around the same age as me (fast forward a mastectomy 26 years later she is still going strong), my partner who i am so thankful for, and my 31 year old. I had not wanted my daughter to come, as its my job to support her and not the other way round. But she wants to be there, and I didn’t feel I could say no.
I’m pleased to meet you but sorry the circumstances are what they are. How are things going with your journey?
Xxx
Good you have a solid crew with you, and you have your mum as inspiration that whatever lies ahead, it is doable. For now, your daughter is taking a support role for you and that is important as it will help her feel useful to be involved.
I was diagnosed back in October. Second rodeo for me, same boob, all clear until I noticed a scab in June which just didn’t go away. So here I am again, HER2 +ve invasive Ductal carcinoma. I had Neo-adjuvant chemo and then mastectomy in March. All going well, all cancer has been removed. Now having 45 weeks of a targeted drug Phesgo which I think I start in the next couple of weeks. Longer than I’d have liked, but just glad it isn’t more chemo.
You know where we are if you need us, we’re here to hold people up when they need it, and cheer for people along the way. Keep us posted won’t you? xxx (only if you want to). x
Scary time for you as it was for me, but there’ s loads of support out there. These forums are great, lots of people understand and care. The hospital teams are also fantastic with helplines to ring.
Be kind to yourself. Good luck with everything.
Hey @hathawaycat
Sorry you need to be here but since you are, welcome! That was a lucky find. Thank god for woman’s best friend eh?
This is one of the trickiest times of this journey (yes I’m still using that word!) as I always think that even if you’ve been told it’s probaby going to come back as cancer, you’re still not really prepared as that sliver of hope it’s not is still there. You might find that if you’re told it’s cancer, you take it much better than you imagined. At least then you know and can plan what to do about it.
I was pretty calm when I was diagnosed but did have a bit of a breakdown about a week later after trying to be all strong and together for that period of time. It’s really ok not to be.
Take care of yourself and keep us posted if you’d like to. x
And @sparkle7 . Thank you so much for your replies. I will definitely keep you updated. And yes my hathaway is definitely my best friend, he was given many cat treats for helping me find what is extremely likely to be cancer. He’s a very good boy :). I’m doing my best to work on my wellbeing, cut down my booze intake from 15 units to 5, swimming loads (was 2 kilos overweight when I first found the lump, got rid of 1 kilo since then), eating mostly mega healthy and trying to spend lots of time in nature, meditation and mindfulness, reading and writing. Having the odd moment of sheer terror and fear. Just want to get to my appointment so I can find out what I’m dealing with. Been off work (I am a mental health nurse and i love my job) since the biopsy as feel like I could burst in to tears at any moment so obviously can’t give my patients the care they deserve at the moment, but also feel so guilty for abandoning them, even though I know I should not. Keeping everything crossed for you guys that the rest of your treatments go really well . I really appreciate you 
Hi hathawaycat, you need time for yourself right now, so try not to feel guilty about your patients.
It’s a massive shock having a cancer diagnosis and like you, I’m looking at lifestyle etc. but I think we all need a bit of TLC and not be too hard on ourselves. Be guided by the oncology team, and give yourself time to adjust to everything.
P.S. What an amazing cat! We have 2 dogs but although they didnt find my cancer, they are a joy to be with.
Meant to tag all the lovely ladies who replied to my post last time but still learning how this works. It really helps so much to feel I am not alone, as only people who are walking in my shoes can really understand what’s going on in my head right now. I am lucky and have an amazing partner and daughter, but you guys and my lovely mum can understand me and I can get inspiration and courage from you all. The time to my appointment where I find out what I am dealing with for definite seems to really drag, but its also a kind of limbo where ignorance is bliss. I am keeping everything crossed for you all, and all the other ladies who have joined the club no one wants to be in. Tonight is my one “winesday” of the week, so I have allowed myself a takeaway cheeseburger too. As my mum always says, a little of what you fancy does you good. Love and hugs to you all and courage and strength. We got this. Hathawaycat xx
We salute you hathawaycat @hathawaycat Toppest feline. Dreamies on tap from hereon in.
Meanwhile, enjoy your wine. I had a small glass of wine every day through chemo. It is what got me through to be honest. Just knowing I had that little nightcap.
xxx
@Jaygo absolutely, hathaway is being given plenty of treats :). Are you done with chemo now? Has it done what it needed to? Hoping i won’t need chemo but I’ll take whatever I’m offered to get myself well again. Two years ago I had a mega health scare with my liver (they said possibly metastatic cancer and if nit that, then definitely cirrhosis) and thought I’d never be able to drink again. But over a year of total abstinence saw my liver have less fat than most folks. So the odd glass of wine is such a pleasure :).
Hiya. Yes I’m done with chemo now (hopefully) but moving on to targeted therapy for 10 months. If you say it quickly, it doesn’t sound too long!
Chemo was manageable. Not always fun, but a necessary evil and I was surprised that there were more days where I felt ok than not. The care team was amazing, and if I had a niggle, they usually had something they could give me to ease it.
Here’s hoping you don’t need it, but if you do, know that it is manageable. x
So pleased to hear you have finished chemo and it wasn’t as awful as you thought it would be. Fingers crossed after this next 10 months are done, thats you all sorted 
. My mum had chemo too, but that was for blood cancer (she’s had 3 different types of cancer now, including skin cancer) and although it took it out of her, she also said it wasn’t as awful as she was expecting. Xx
Don’t be anxious, your tumor is very small. I was diagnosed almost 2 yrs ago and had a lumpectomy and radiation, Im fine I wasn’t afraid when they told me I had cancer, and havnt been afraid one moment since. I don’t know why, just doesn’t bother me. Don’t stress out, no lymph gland involvement, sounds like you’re one of the lucky ones! What a great cat!
Hi @mssteel @Jaygo @sparkle7 @sha I had my results today. They confirmed 15mm tumour, invasive ductal carcinoma grade 1, oestrogen and progesterone positive. Feels very odd as in some ways I feel relieved that it is hormone positive, stage 1 and grade 1, as I was terrified it would be worse. But also in shock as though I was expecting the diagnosis, its such a weird feeling. Plan is lumpectomy mid to late june followed by 5 sessions of radiotherapy and then 5 years of tablets. Still feels like surgery is a long way away and I’m still very anxious in case it grows a lot. Hope you are all doing ok xx
Hey @hathawaycat
Thanks for keeping us posted! I imagine it has still rocked you even though you were expecting it. It does all sound very positive - the early stage, low grade and hormone positive status generally mean more effective treatments.
Your lumpectomy has been scheduled in a good time frame. Mine was 4 weeks after diagnosis and despite being an aggressive grade 3, the tumour hadn’t grown in that time.
Hopefully you have some good support around you but do make use of the services of the likes of Breast Cancer Now and Macmillan and you should have a breast cancer nurse and resources such as counselling available to you too if you need it. If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to post them. All the best. x
All good news! My tumor was 19 mm, I had 5 days radiation and am on anti hormone pills, same as you. I feel we’re the lucky ones. And our chances are excellent! Best of luck, surgery in a month is fast!
Hiya. While it is never nice to receive a diagnosis of cancer, this one sounds like it has been caught incredibly early and therefore your treatment will be minimally invasive.
Of course that in no way minimises the experience for you, but I imagine your team will be feeling 100% confident that they can sort this out for you and get you back on the road to recovery in no time.
Lean on us if you need to, I’ve had experience of both lumpectomy and radiotherapy and both were very manageable. Shout if you need anything. x
Hi @Jaygo . Thank you. Have just been for my preoperative assessment and its looking like my operation may be delayed by 1 to 2 months to stabilise my thyroid hormones (literally just started taking meds for hypothyroidism). Thank god I spoke to my breast cancer nurse this morning, who reassured me that if that were the case, I could start on the hormone blockers first to shrink the tumour or at least stop it growing. How are you doing? Xx
Hiya @hathawaycat I’m doing great thanks. Saw onco this week and she’s putting me on targeted therapy soon but also gave me some antibiotics for my boob as it was a bit bothersome. Feels much better now.
Just having my heart investigated a bit. This won’t come up for you, but the targeted therapy impacts the heart and my blood pressure is a bit high. I don’t think it’s anything for me to worry about, I think they’re just bloody marvellous at being extra vigilant. Good luck with the pre treatment. x