It’s been about a week since I went to the hospital for my biopsy results. The news wasn’t great, I have grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, oestrogen +. I had a mammogram and ultra sound last April for a lump about 2cm, this was not cause for concern and put down to being normal tissue. I felt the lump getting bigger but put it down to intentionally losing weight. After the new scan and mammogram the mass has grown to approximately 4cm and is definitely in the sentinal node. My new consultant did say they were going to review the original scans to see if anything was missed. I still don’t feel like it’s real. I’ve got a couple of appointments next week, one to get a tag fitted and the other for my pre-op assessment. I wonder if it will start to feel real after that. I’m worried that they will find something else when they do the operation. The consultant has said I’ll need radiotherapy but probably not chemo, when we spoke to the breast cancer nurse after the appointment she said that I would more than likely need chemo. I really struggle with not knowing what’s going on due to my current mental health. Before this diagnosis I had a very stressful life caring for my disabled daughter and husband, I’m worried that I’ll break under the pressure.
Hi @minahmoo
So sorry that the news isn’t better and also for the situation you have been in. i don’t know if stress is a massive contributor to diagnosis as I hear this a lot - people getting diagnosed after a bereavement / divorce / providing long term care to a sick relative . It also applies to me as I was diagnosed a few months after my Mum died and my Dads health was also failing and I was doing my best to support him in his own home 80 miles away from mine . I had also spent a lot of time looking after both of them in 2019 which had a bad effect on my health as well and there were times I felt very alone . I didn’t break but I had a retinal vein occlusion…
I’m glad that they’re looking into your previous films - you will need to be able to process how that has happened but it’s sounds like they are moving quickly to surgery at least . They may be able to tell you immediately after your surgery if they’re confident in regards to the findings - the uncertainty is awful and makes it impossible to plan which I imagine is probably more important in your situation.
Please look into getting some support for yourself and your family . Maybe contact the Nurses on the helpline here and see if MacMillan can offer any advice . Forgive me if you’ve done this already but have you applied for Attendance Allowance for your daughter and / or partner - this is not income dependent and there might be other benefits that would allow you to have help with care .
I will be thinking of you . Xx
Hi minahmoo
Firstly, I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis.
This part is the hardest I think, when you have recently found out and before there is a definite plan.
It must be especially hard when you are a carer and have worries about that too.
Make sure you take up any offers of help and ask for help from friends and family when you need it. You will have bad days and better days but I truly believe you will find strength when you need it and things will get easier when there is a plan in place.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you that you won’t need chemo.
Take care.
Lisa x
Hi, I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Am glad your original scans are going to be reviewed.
I’m also a carer to a disabled child so under your worries. My first thought on finding out I had cancer was how I was going to organise treatment around him! Thankfully my husband can take some of the strain short term, but there is always a worry that either the treatment or the illness will reduce my energy levels longer term. Can only second what others have said about contacting macmillan.
Hope you get some answers at your appointments this week, I have my pre op this week for surgery on the 17th so hoping for some clarity about timescales myself.