was diagnosed 23rd dec lobular cancer; they did MRI and have established its a 3cm lump and are doing lumpectomy on 24th jan. I am worried because it seems so long it was early dec when i first went to the dr so by the time the lump is out that another two months its been there. I also have and have had shoulder pain for over 18 months which has worsened since biopsy on the 18th dec. I have read shoulder pain is connected??? is this true?
A fine needle aspiration said no cancer in lymph and MRI said nodes looked ok; but a friend said thats no guarantee there wont be cancer there; and my underarm is still aching a lot since the FNA on the 18th is this normal. is 3cm a huge/ average lump sorry but my husbands away at the moment and i am alone a lot and just really getting anxious. can anyone help?
Hi hollygypsy
Please remember you are not alone. All the ladies here are with you. We are here with big shoulder. I cant help with your questons but someoner will be along soon.
Hugs
Maj x
ps dont google! wait for info on BCC.
hi there hollygypsy - sorry you find yourself on this site, but you have done the right thing, the ladies on here will be along to give you advice and support like me.
when they take a core biospy or fna it can make it sore for while. i had 2 core biospys and nurse said it could be sore for few days and may bruise. so the fna may have irritated things and made you a bit sore although i havent had one of them myself.
have you been assigned a breast care nurse, if not make sure you are they can be really helpful with your questions about treatment etc and will help you through this. why dont you ring the helpline on here as well to discuss your concerns and any questions - they are really good and i have rang them a few times since my dx.
it is really difficult at first, the first few weeks are the worst, once you start your treatment you gradually feel a bit better. i have had a lumpectomy and it was fine. i bit sore but nothing unbearable at all.
lots of hugs TTM xxx
Hi holly gypsy
I’m sorry that you find yourself on here it’s c&£p and such a horrible place to be. I don’t thik that’s that long to wait for your surgery and be reassured that they will be doing their best for you. I.e if they thougt you needed the surgery earlier I’m sure they would have squeezed you in. I’m not sure about pain in the shoulder but I know I had really bad pain when I was having rads from how I had to hold my arm maybe you’ve just pulled a already weaker muscle or something?
Are they doin a sentinel node biopsy? Cos that can be another sign that they don’t think it’s spread.
I think what I’m trying to say is try not to worry they really do know what they’re doing and they don’t mess around when it’s cancer.
Good luck try not to worry and call the helpline tommoz or even NHS direct they might be able to talk to you till the helpline re opens.
Good luck xxx
Hi may, TTM and Butterfly, thanks very much its just nice that you are there’ they are doing a sentinel node biopsy but i thought everyone has that done to check for spread to the lymph system?? i feel a bit better today, just what seems like endless waiting is getting me down but you will all have been through this i am sure. Im also terrified of anaesthetic which is not helping but im sure i will get over that. thanks again xxx
Hi Hollygipsy,
I was also diagnosed with invasve lobular cancer in November last year. I had felt a thickening in my breast that both I and my Gp thought was nothing!Luckily as I was worried he referred me when I went back a second time. My tumour was in more that one area, one bit was 2.2cm and the whole area over 3.5cm of cancerous tissue. I had core biopsies, then an MRI like you.
I went on to have sentinel node and x5 others ( all clear) and WLE. However there was tumour at the edges so I went on to have mastectomy. It all sounds horrendous, a terrible roller coater, but none of it has been as bad as I expected- honestly.
I’m now having chemo, as stage 2 grade 2, and although it’s not fun, it’s definitely survivable.
you will be fine and you get great support from here.
Take care.
Fiona x
Hi Hollygipsey
Sorry you are going through all this but remember everyone on here has too so lots of support to help you through.
There’s a lot of people that are afraid of the anaesthetic but i think the anticipation is worse than anything. Once you get into pre-theatre and the anaesthesists are chatting away to you you just go to sleep and wake up warm and cosy in a bed - lovely!! Drink lots of fluids after too - that helps with your blood pressure they told me.
I have a vomiting phobia which I know is totally irrational but I can’t help it - thats what is worrying me so much about the chemo.
Hope you are having a nice Sunday and take care.
X
Hi Hollygypsy
You are almost where I was a year ago. I found my lump at the end of November, and was dx with lobular cancer on 22nd Dec.
My lump was big - 5.5cm and so I had to have an mx right from the start. With Christmas in the way, MRI, etc, it was the 27th Jan before I had my op. I too was worried about what seemed like a long time, but my BS assured me that a delay of a few weeks wouldn’t make any significant difference to my long-term prognosis.
I didn’t have an SNB - a US showed a couple of swollen lymph glands, so they went straight for an axillary clearance and, guess what, 15 out of 15 nodes were clear! - The swelling must have been a reaction to the biopsies.
I had to have the ‘full monty’ of treatment - chemo and rads as well, but I managed to keep working throughout most of my treatment and was back full time by the beginning of Nov. I’ve just had my first annual check-up and mammo and everything appears to be hunkydory.
I guess what I’m saying is that this is the worst part - waiting for your treatment to kick off, but it does get easier and you will get through it. None of it is pleasant - but it is doable.
Take care and good luck.
Dx
Hollygypsy
I totally agree with all the other ladies, it is the unknown which is the worst, whats the diagnosis, whats the treatment, how will I be on the treatment.
Once you start going through it you tend to just get on with it (whatever it is) and deal with it. Whichever it turns out to be you will be able to go through especially if you use this site. There is always someone who can tell you what something is like, and provide advice and support and take away some of the nerves with the unknown.
Best wishes and take care
Alex xx
Thanks Alex, DJ007 its all confusing at the moment your story so similar in time of year and all; but if you had no lymph involvement why was treatment so aggressive? i am so confused by all of it but i am sure it will get clearer. Kiwijan i had a vomiting phobia it started after a terrible bug when i was retching nothing; cutting a long story short if i feel sick now i drink lots and lots knowing it is far easier to be sick with something to come up than nothing; i made the mistake of trying not to drink as i hated being sick. thanks again to all of you…now im convincing myself i have a brain tumour as im sure my vision has got blurry…so irrational but i cant help it; thanks all of you do not know where i would be without you xx
Hi Hollygypsy
Lobular cancer is a bit rarer than other types - I think about 15-20% of breast cancers are lobular. It’s also a bit sneaky; it often doesn’t present as a hard lump, which is why they can be quite big before they are found, and is a bit more likely to be multi-focal.
I was treated aggressively for a number of reasons. It was quite a big lump - 5.5 x 2.5cm, grade 3 (aggressive and fast growing), multi=focal and I’m relatively young - 49 (until next week 
). Unfortunately, it is also possible for cancer cells to spread via the blood system, not just the lymph.
However, despite all that doom and gloom, with all the treatment I’ve had my prognosis is pretty good. Certainly, given that I drive on busy A roads, ride horses and have slight adrenaline junkie tendancies, I think it quite likely that something other than BC will get me first!
Keep asking questions - there’s no such thing as a silly one!
Dx
Hi Hollygipsy,
I agree with all DJ007 has said. Lobular cancer is rare, only 10%, and often found late as no lump.
I was told I needed chemo even though my lymph nodes were negative because of the risk of blood spread, also because of the size,>2cm, grading- Grade 2, and still considered young at 49yrs (birthday 1 month after you DJ007- great way to spend our 50ths!) .
But chemo reduces my chance of recurrence by 15%, and tamoxifen by another 11% so although not much fun, ( I’ve had x2 of 6), worth every grotty bit.
I am sure you do not have a brain tumour, still very rare with BC, it will just be all the worry.
Take care.
Fiona x
Hi Hollygypsy
I’m sorry to read that you’re having such a difficult time at the moment.
I see you are getting lots of support here, but if you feel it might help to talk to someone, do call our Helpline. They are ther to offer a listening ear as well as emotional support and practical information.
The number to call is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open 9-5 on weekdays and 9-2 on Saturday. 0808 800 6000.
I hope this offers some support.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Thanks to everyone Sam,Ruth 13,DJ007, alex 23 i think i have thanked the others previously for replying. I had lumpectomy yesterday still bit groggy and feel a bit faint if i overdo it, a bit sore but not really bad pain like i was expecting. the results on the 3 rd feb. your comments really make me feel i am not alone thanks so much xxx
Hi Hollygypsy
Whew! First bit done. Glad you’ve got through it OK and you haven’t got too long to wait until your results. You’ll be given a good idea then of what further treatment they’re recommending.
Take it easy and be kind to yourself.
Ruth - I’m going to have a MUCH better birthday than I did last year - I was still in hosp after my mx and recon! Not much comfort for you if you’re still going through chemo, but hang on to next year being better.
Dx
Hi Hollygypsy,
So glad it has not been as bad as you thought it would be and I think you will find it is like that all the way along. Just take one day at a time.
Yup DJ007- chemo the day after my 50th was not quite what I planned, but that’s life. Roll on next year ( probably find my reconstruction date will be then!! LOL!!
Take care everyone.
Fiona xx