Hi, I’m 11 weeks pregnant today and was disgnosed with bc yesterday. I had an ultrasound and biopsys taken the week before. I was told yesterday that my options are to have surgery - either lumpectomy or mastectomy within the next 4 weeks(which is what they would do if i was not pregnant) but was told that if i go ahead with the pregnancy i cannot have surgery until i am at least 20 weeks due to risks to the baby from the anaesthesia. they said it was a moderate cancer, provisional stage 2 but they could not tell me anymore until after surgery, the ultrasound showed that lymph nodes appear clear but this may not be the case, they wouldn’t know until i have the surgery. i wasn’t given any further info but have been referred to see an obstetrician on monday. Obviously i don’t want to put myself at risk, i have other children that i need to be around for but i feel that im being pushed into terminating the pregnancy as the info ive found seems to suggest that i don’t have to wait for surgery it can be done at any stage of pregnancy. ive not been told whether i need any chemo or radiotherapy. my options are a)wait 10 weeks minimum for surgery and keep the baby (but they could not say what impact the delay in surgery would have) or b) terminate the pregnancy and have surgery within 4 weeks. Im in such a mess and wondered whether anyone had any further info.
thanks x
Hi diddy6 and welcome to the BCC forums, I am sorry to read about your diagnosis
In addition to the support you will receive here from your fellow users I am posting a link to the BCC ‘Breast cancer in pregnancy’ publication which you may find helpful:
If you wish to talk your worries through with someone inconfidence our helpliners are here to offer you further support and information on 0808 800 6000 weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2.
Take care
Lucy
Oh you poor thing, what a dilema you must have. My heart goes out to you.
I would not be rash in terminating the pregnancy, as cancer cells dont grow that fast generally. Most surgery is down within four weeks, but you are pushing it to maybe another five weeks, and I cant see that the cancer is going to suddenly really grow that fast in that time. I am no expert, but I am just going by what I have been told myself re surgery. I had my first cancer surgery in March, unfortunately the margins were not clear, so they went in again last friday. This was three months after my first surgery. I am under the Royal Marsden and they told me that cancer cells generally grow quite slowly and that waiting the three months until I had recovered would not make much difference.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
SGL xx
Hi diddy6
I would wait until you speak to your obstetrician on Monday as they deal with babies and your oncology team deal with cancer. You need to get both sets of doctors to work together though with you being fully involved and informed. I was 30 weeks pregnant when I was dx so in the third trimester which does make a difference. My baby had to be induced - they tried unsuccessfully at 35 weeks but were successful at 37 weeks. I then started chemotherapy two weeks after my baby was born.
From my surgery I then had to wait 9 weeks later until I started chemo and I had a Grade 3 cancer which was also HER2+ which they classified as an aggressive cancer - not what you want to hear especially when you know there is going to be a delay with treatment.
You may want to ask your oncology team whether they have dealt in the past with other ladies being pregnant and dx with breast cancer. If they haven’t, and there aren’t that many around but enough, then maybe ask to get referred to a hospital that does have this experience. It is going to be a tough weekend for you but hang on in there and see what the obstetrician says on Monday.
Good luck and keep posting. Love xxx
Hi. I was diagnosed at 13 weeks pregnant. My original surgery was planned for 15 weeks but when it was discovered that I was stage 4 they cancelled the surgery. I was told that at 15 weeks I was well into my second trimester and it was as safe a time as any. Yes there is a risk involved but it decreases after the first trimester. thats what I was told anyway!
There is no way I would wait 10 weeks. If I can help in any way please let me know. I’m 23 weeks pregnant now and I am on chemo since 17 weeks.
xxx
Diddy, please make sure you speak to your obstetrician because it’s my understanding from my experience that surgery during the second trimester is pretty safe. I think once you’re 13/14 weeks, you’re considered to be well into the second trimester.
I was diagnosed at 14 weeks pregnant and had a mastectomy and lymph clearance at 16/17 weeks. Admittedly, they wouldn’t have kept me on the table long enough for recon, but for a surgery of an hour or so, the oncologist, the aneasthetist and the obstetrician were all perfectly happy. Of course I was worried sick, but I now have a seemingly happy, healthy little girl of 8 months old.
Ask your onc how many pregnant women s/he’s treated. I think some are out of their depth. If you want a second opinion, there’s a doctor at the Royal Free who’s treated more pregnant women than anyone else in the country.
Very good luck to you. xxxxxx Jane
Thanks soooo much for all your comments and support. Its really appreciated. I spoke to the helpline here and have done some research myself and feel pretty confident about what i need to ask when i see the obstetrician on monday.
Thanks once again for responding to me. I will be back monday to let you know whats been said 
xxx
Its all gone horrifically wrong :(.
After lots of research and speaking to people I was pretty confident when i went to see obstetrician on monday that i was correct in that i did not have to wait for surgery until 20 weeks and that it could be done within the next 4 weeks. I was soooo confident and so sure that the pregnancy would be fine and that being pregnant would not affect my treatment plan.
The obs consultant blew me away when i was told that the cancer is extremely hormone driven, i was advised that to have a chance of saving myself i must terminate the pregnancy :(. They need to stop the hormones asap and if i kept the baby the likelihood of surviving was minimal.
I have 5 beautiful children already and the youngest is only 8 months old, the pregnancy was not planned and came as a huge shock but i would never have considered a termination.
Ive just done the hardest thing ive ever had to do and i dont know how im ever going to get over this, I know i need to be around for the kids ive got and i know my family and husband need me to be around, theyve all been so supportive but im devastated, i hate myself so much.
They carried out the termination yesterday.
Waiting now for the treatment plan to be arranged.
Ive probably posted this on the wrong forum, so many of you are having treatment whilst pregnant.I dont want to upset or offend anyone but I just needed to tell. Im sorry. xxx
Oh Diddy6, I am SO sorry to hear that. What an awful position to have had to have been in and what a bl**dy awful and horrible disease this is. I hope you have a good OH and friends to support you through this very difficult time - not only are you having to deal with the BC, but you need to be able to grieve too. Sending big, big hugs. xxx
Good grief Diddy what an awful situation to be in & your so right its grade 2 from biopsy but until its ALL out this too could be different, I can’t even imagine what you must be going through, I just can’t find the right words to say to make you feel better I wish I could, the BC is enough of a Cr*ppy bagage without the emotions of loosing your baby too. Ive got BC & I too lost 3 babies so well aware of the emotional strain of both BUT the two together I can’t even start to think of ‘where you are right now’ all I can do is offer you a BIG cyber hug & know that there is alot of support here for you when needed
lots of love
Mekala X
What a terrible situation for you to have been put in, and it sounds as if you really had no choices open to you. So sad for you - of course this is the right place to post. Big hugs xx
Oh Diddy I’m devastated on your behalf what a horrendous experience for you. Sending all my love and good wishes for your treatment.
Much love coming your way xxx
Diddy, I am so very very sad for you. You must be devastated. Please don’t hate yourself, you were completely backed into a corner and were given such little choice.
You need time to grieve your loss, and do give yourself that, it was the breast cancer that took your choices away.
Will pray that you will find some peace in all this, and you find the strength to fight this bc, horrible disease that it is
Much love to you x
I can’t say anything to help you feel better, but am sending you a virtual hug. Its good that you can come on here and pour it all out- please don’t hate yourself you were backed into a corner and didn’t have a choice. BC is such a crappy disease. Take care of yourself and have a good cry.
All the best to you and your family - keep in touch.
Diana xx
No words, just hugs for you.
(Xx) (Xx) (Xx)
Sadie Xx Xx
Hi diddy
I’m sure that this is a really awful time for you and, like others have said, words are not enough.
If you feel it might help to talk a little though and you are able, do give the Helpline a call. They’re great listeners and will also be able to direct you to other valuable sources of help and information.
The number is 0808 8000 6000 and they’re open 9-5 Weekdays and 9-2 on Saturday.
Very best wishes.
Louise
Facilitator
Hi Diddy
I am so sorry to read your message, it sent a shiver down my spine as I had to do exactly the same as you in December 2010. I probably know how you feel, its just an absolute horrific position to be in. The cancer I can almost accept now but loosing our baby will haunt us forever. If you would like to send me a private message I am more than happy to explain our story.
Take care you xxx
Hi Diddy.
So sad,sending you and your family a huge hug.
kerry xxx
Hi Diddy
As already said by everyone so very sad Sending very very best wishes and huge hugs to you and your family at this awful time.
Very best of luck with your treatment
Jill x x x
Nothing more I can usefully add really, but just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and was very upset for you when I found your update post. Huge hugs to you and cyber-squeezing your hand .