Following my first routine mammogram a few weeks ago (not had any symptoms )I was given a hospital appointment for further investigation, Friday just gone, just assumed it was routine and the first scan wasn’t clear enough. More mammograms of both sides, almost immediately whisked into another room for biopsy, Dr and consultant already there. Chat with Dr after saying obviously he was concerned and they also wanted to do a mammogram guided biopsy of the other breast, which could be done later or same afternoon, which of course I went for same day.
Said they will be ringing with results in a couple of days, but have already given me a date for seeing the surgeon.
My head is still spinning, so I’m assuming I do have breast cancer?..
They asked if I had any questions but my mind was blank. I need to ring for more info, but what should I ask?
Bless you. This sounds like me just a month ago! I had a biopsy on 8th Sept after something was picked up on a check (scarily not on mammogram but was on ultrasound). I found it 6 days later it was cancerous which was obviously not what I wanted to hear…but the waiting was honestly the worst bit. At the results appointment a weird calm came over me as they explained a bit more detail about it all and what the plan was. I would say the questions would be more detail on what they saw? If it turns out to be benign then good for you for getting checked out. If it is cancer, then the next questions would be as much information on the type (hormone receptor positive/negative) and grade…and also on what the plan is. The positive thing if it is cancer is that they will already have a plan in place by the time they see you and will be able to walk you through next steps. I must admit my head is still a bit in a spin but I have been pleased by how quickly they have moved with it. I had to have another scan (MRI) and am due a lumpectomy in a couple of weeks. After that they will determine whatever needs to happen next. The thing I am quickly learning is not to get too far ahead of yourself. One step at a time. Hope the results come quickly and you can move forward positively whatever the outcome xxx
I have been told it is breast cancer after call back from first routine mammogram & core biopsies in boob plus underarm
A week to wait for results/ details of treatment & I’m a mess. So calm once home Monday but a tearful wreck today. Up 24hrs now as just can’t sleep.
Live alone so at least I’m not disturbing anyone getting in & out of bed 
Hi, get ready for the whirlwind of appointments. It is a complete shock isn’t it, especially having had no symptoms which I still don’t and not being able to feel any lumps etc too. But take heart, I knew a few friends and acquaintances had gone through the same thing but since I’ve gone public in a couple of groups I go to I’ve been surprised by the number of others who have told me they’ve been through it too and come out the other side without major problems.
I’ve been surprised too by myself, I’ve been calmer than I thought I’d be, and only had one tearful day - of course that could change tomorrow! If you can, just carry on with life as normally as you can, I’ve found that keeping busy is the best way through, for me.
I find my cats a lifesaver too, but then I always do! Do you have any pets to distract you at home?
Hopefully your scans and biopsy results are clear enough for them to already have a treatment plan ready at your consultant appointment, but be prepared in case you need additional scans or tests first. I’ve seen the consultant twice now for results, expecting to go through surgery plans in detail only to be told I need more tests first, hopefully the final lot tomorrow before seeing the consultant again next week ahead of surgery which atm is pencilled in for 8th December.
If you have any questions for your appointment write them down and take them with you. Do you have someone who can go with you to the appointment? It really does help. I’m normally levelheaded and take things in and though I felt calm I obviously wasn’t quite with it at my last appointment as I still had to go through things with my sister who’d gone with me as I didn’t seem to have understood after all.
You should have a number for your breast care nurses too if you have any questions or need to talk to anyone as they can put you in touch with the right groups or individuals.
This has got quite long, sorry about that, well done if you’ve got this far! Good luck, feel free to keep in touch. We can do this! X
Hello, I’m 46 years old with 2 teenage boys.
I found out today that I have a grade 3 15mm invasive ductal breast cancer in my right breast. It is er+ and not in my lymph nodes.
I’ve been a total mess, was not prepared mentally, had no idea what the results were going to be as the locum consultant told me it felt like a cyst.
I’ve got an MRI on Monday the 27th to find out if it will be a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. Surgery is planned for the 11th of December. The consultant and Nurse were fantastic and talked me through it.
All I can keep thinking is that I’m going to die!!!
I’m trying to be positive.
I need reassurance xx
Hello @positivepants1
I’m so sorry you find yourself here.
Being diagnosed throws so many emotions at us, trying to rationalise our feelings is very difficult at the best of times never mind being told you have breast cancer: I’m not sure anyone can be prepared to hear those words.
Unfortunately, in the big wide world the word “cancer” leads us all to fear the worst because they are the stories you mostly hear, it’s only when you start inhabiting this world you come to appreciate how many people you walk past every day who have been through a cancer diagnosis.
Breast cancer is one of the most common and therefore one of the most treatable, and is not a death sentence. At the moment I’m guessing your mind is wondering off in every direction most probably into the darkest of places, however please believe me when I say it does get easier. It takes some time to process what you have been told and once you have a treatment plan it becomes much more manageable knowing what you have got to tackle.
If it helps there is an absolute wealth of information available about breast cancer and the available treatments if you know where to look. Please don’t just Google but do take a look round the main Breast Cancer Now Website, have a scroll through these forums (it may help to read other’s stories) there are Instagram posters like Dr Liz O’Riordan and Tickingoffbreastcancer who provide really helpful practical advice (they also both have super helpful books).
Most importantly please remember you are not alone, the breast cancer community is there for you both online and also in real life and please don’t ever be afraid to reach out
AM xxx
Hi there. I am 43 with 3 kids (eldest 12, youngest 6) and was diagnosed with ER/PR positive in September. I had am MRI too which is great just to make sure of the extent. Mine was 15mm too but they found a bit more DCIS around/next to the invasive stuff. I had lumpectomy and node biopsy on 31/10. It has been an emotional rollercoaster but I am healing ok (bit of a haematoma issue aside). It sounds like they have caught this early which is really good. You are in good hands and I promise once you know exactly what is happening it will get easier. Hang in there. Lots of love xxx
Thank you @blue80 
Yes it’s still a shock!
I went back into work today and I feel I just want to keep everything normal.
How have you been feeling? Are you well enough to carry on “with life” if you know what I mean.
Do you know what grade your cancer was ? And what’s the next stage for you ?
Xx
Totally get the trying to be ‘normal’. I found it hard to concentrate at points but work and kids did help! I walked like mad, lots of calming baths and lots of camomile tea which all helped. I had a bad few days back end of last week where I got myself in a stress over what to do next but that has calmed down a little bit.
My cancer was a Grade 1 but I think the thing I am learning quickly is how individual everyone’s journey is. I would be really reassured by the small size of yours and fingers crossed they get it out very soon. A good friend of mine had 2 grade 3 tumours and is now cancer free and doing really well. Another had a horrid triple negative in her 30s and again is still really well years down the line. This is all treatable and fixable xxx
My plan at the moment is tamoxifen and radiotherapy. Due to start radio in New Year. Took my first tamoxifen last night! Hoping I don’t go totally doo-lally! Xx
Yeah I’m a walker and I also go to the gym 3 times a week so I really want to keep myself busy.
My brain just keeps going to really bad places and the anxiety is really bad.
The plan is to have the MRI on Monday then depending on results have surgery on the 11th December.
Radiotherapy starts the new year with Tamoxifen.
They did mention it hadn’t gone to my lymph nodes, but although they said it’s a grade 3 they didn’t say what stage it was.
Will I have to wait for the MRI to find that out ?
I was on HRT just over a week ago and I’m terrible with my hormones so I really worried about starting the hormone drugs.
Can you let me know how you get on with the Tamoxifen and how they make you feel ?
How did you feel after surgery?
Xx
The exercise will really help so that’s great. Good for you. Your mind will play tricks on you. It can’t be helped at times but it sounds like you are doing the right things.
The MRI will show anything missed on mammogram/ultrasound as I think a bit more accurate (albeit mine said 22mm and ended up being 15mm so it isn’t perfect). I think the staging is more after your operation. That said, I still haven’t been given mine officially. It’s never been mentioned!
Great that you have your dates for MRI and op. That gives you something to focus on…and hopefully by Christmas Day you will be more like yourself.
The op really isn’t that bad. Just take painkillers round the clock even if you think you don’t need them. The only time I struggled was when I forgot and it took a couple of hours to get comfy again. I also bought a v pillow to prop myself up a bit in bed for the first week as was too sore to lie flat or sleep on my side.
I did get a haematoma (happened the night of the op) which has slowed my recovery a bit. It doesn’t hurt anymore but still having to have that drained every few days which is a faff but I am being looked after by the nurses so I don’t mind.
On the HRT, loads of women take it and never get cancer so don’t beat yourself up. The risk for most is very small - unfortunately now no good for us. I took the pill for years, I had the Mirena coil, drank loads in late teens/twenties…most of my friends did the same or worse and none of them got cancer!
I am only 48 hours into tamoxifen. I was really nervous the first time I took it. Not noticed anything at all yet but I suppose it takes a few weeks to properly get into your system. Will keep you posted! A good friend says she is a bit achey first thing in the morning and she gets hot flushes but nothing too horrendous and all manageable. I do worry about it but I will try and deal with what comes as it happens. I know caffeine and alcohol are meant to exacerbate the side effects so I don’t have too much caffeine…and haven’t touched a drop of booze since the biopsy as just scared of it!
Hope Monday goes really well and gives you something positive to focus on. Xxx