Hi @jobieejo
Welcome to the exclusive club we would rather not be members of!
My story is similar to yours. Mine was picked up on a routine mammogram mid October last year. I was called in for second stage breast screening. Had a 3D mammogram and USS followed by biopsies the following week. Called in to discuss results and was informed in November it was breast cancer. Initially I was told I was likely to just need breast conserving surgery but around 25% would have to go. Managed to get my Mirena coil removed the same day and stop HRT. Thankfully no menopausal symptoms since stopping. Informed that I’d need to wait for two weeks before having the MRI as the hormones affect the imaging.
Week after diagnosis called to see surgeon who informed me I was triple positive and as such I’d need chemo and targeted therapy and most likely mastectomy. Timing of treatment/surgery depended on MRI result. If it was 20mm or more chemo etc first then surgery. Otherwise surgery then chemo etc
MRI revealed it was more extensive so breast conserving surgery not an option. Would nee. chemo and targeted therapy. Unfortunately for me it also flagged up something in other breast so went to another hospital for biopsies under MRI guidance. Unbelievably that showed DCIS in both biopsied areas. As I have breast cancer in both breasts I was . referred for genetic testing - thankfully no genetic cause found. Just unlucky or I’d like to think very lucky that radiologists acted on what looked like subtle changes and the team kept on investigating.
The hardest part for me was telling my children, the unknown and the ever changing plan as I got more results. The wait and thoroughness is necessary so they have all the information to make the right decisions for my care.
I started my treatment mid January. Some 8 weeks after diagnosis. So far have had 2 cycles of 6. The 3rd due this Friday. I’ll have surgery in the summer. Likely to opt for a double mastectomy. Then I’ll need 12 more cycles of targeted therapy, though this might change if any residual cancer found in my breasts/lymph nodes.
I was and am not afraid of what is to come. It was a relief to have a plan and start treatment. It’s something I just need to get through as many have before me and are doing alongside me. I’m accepting and just embracing it all. I’ll be having zolendronic acid infusions and the hormone blockers too to reduce risk if recurrence. I’ll take what’s offered as I want to make old bones!
I continued to work whilst being investigated. I’ve been off since I started treatment. Many people carry on working as they have no option or have jobs that may allow them to work flexibly and perhaps from home. Not an option in my job. Fortunate to get sick pay.
I no longer have caring responsibilities so thankfully don’t have that additional responsibility to juggle anymore, had I, I don’t know how I’d have managed. I guess I’d have to have prioritised myself and would have had to have spoken to my parents about finding external support. They would have understood. They would have been devastated to know that I have breast cancer.
Once you start treatment join the monthly chemotherapy thread. As our treatment is long haul, I’d suggest you also take a look at the HER2 thread that’s been going for over a year. It’s invaluable. It was a 4.5 hour read when I found it but it was reassuring to read stories of marvellous women sharing their experiences and completing the treatment. It is positive and instilled in me hope.
It is all doable. We are stronger and more resilient than we think we are. X