Hi everyone,
After a core biopsy, I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer a few weeks ago and was told it was stage 1, grade 1.
No lump visible on ultrasound or clinical examination. Just a slight change in the breast tissue which was noticed on the ultrasound.
I was told a lumpectomy would be envisaged followed by radiotherapy and hormone treatment.
I was of course fully aware that the final staging of my cancer would only happen after surgery once the tumour would be tested.
However I wasn’t prepared for a change in diagnosis so soon. I had an MRI to try and get a clearer picture of the tumour and it’s size. And it is large. The size puts me in stage 2 already… that was a blow, it felt like a new diagnosis and the raw emotions resurfaced.
This also means that whilst waiting for the results of the MRI, the timings for surgery have shifted to 2023… and a lumpectomy is borderline, might have to consider a mastectomy instead.
I was also told that as we really needed to get moving, which I totally agree with - I want to get this thing out! - but the surgeon who will operate will therefore be whoever is available on the day. Not someone I would have met before.
Lots of tears again yesterday. I felt I had ‘come to terms’ with my diagnosis and now feel I’m right back to that dark place where I was 3 weeks ago with lots of uncertainties again and no clear plan yet.
I have a young child and care for my mum, so always juggle lots of things and this feeling of not being in control of anything right now with so many uncertainties, is crippling.
i know it could be worse, I am very aware of this of course but it’s still hard, really hard.
Hope a better day is around the corner.
Hope everyone is doing ok.
take care.
xxx
Does it really matter who the surgeon is? I am sure they are all qualified to the same levels. The main priority is to get rid and one hurdle over. I’m sending you a big virtual hug and hope your surgery goes well 