Hi, I’ve been reading this forum for a few days and finally decided to post.
around 10 days ago noticed that my nipple looks down (different from other one) and it feels hard behind that nipple so I went to GP. He sent me for mammogram. After they looked mammogram, doctor said that “mass” looks very unfriendly, then she ckecked me on ultrasound. She said on ultrasound it looks much better but just to be sure she did core biopsy and sent me for breasts MRI tomorrow. I asked if she personally thinks it is cancer, she said yes. Also I’ve been having these night sweats for good 4-5 years now which GP always said due to hormonal disbalance. I am not on a pill and I never had hormonal therapy. I think she mentione dthat mass is one point six I just do not remember millimetres or centimetres.
I am 38 y.o. have two boys, 5 y.o. and 1.5 y.o. I just cannot stop crying because of fear not seeing them growing up. Thanks for listening to me.
Welcome to the forums, this is a very worrying time for you but you have come to the right place for support from our experienced users who I’m sure will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 to 2.00.
Barbamama, you could really do with a hug, couldn’t you. Sadly I can only send you virtual hugs so you’ll have to make do.
Waiting for results and the fear of what they might find quite terrifying, but we all know what you’re going through as we’ve been there. The Waiting Room is the complete pits. (I’m in there with you too, waiting for results. It sucks.)
I have also had an MRI, and you might find it helpful to learn a bit about how they do it. You lie on your front with your boobs in a couple of holes in the table, so you are quite comfortable. You may also have a cannula put in so they can inject a contrast during the scan. You will be told that it might be uncomfortable but when I had this I didn’t feel anything AT ALL when the contrast dye was injected though I am assured they did use it. You also have a buzzer in your hand so you can squeeze it at any time if you get panicky. Just having the buzzer to press helps a lot with nerves as you know you can stop it if you have to. It’s VERY loud, so they will probably put headphones on you so they can talk to you through the headphones if they need to speak to you, and may ask you what radio station you want to listen to, though you won’t hear much as it is very loud.
I didn’t find it even slightly uncomfortable, though you might want to make sure you have some nice warm socks and comfy trousers (no metal) as they have to keep the machine fairly cool and it’s not nice to be lying there shivering.
Regarding results, be aware that the MRI is SOO clear that you might be called back to look at things that are completely harmless. I was recalled for a “shadow” that turned out to be perfectly normal changes in breast tissue but I was really worried until that result came back.
Feel free to ask any questions on here and someone will have been through the same and should be able to answer, but we do understand how very worrying and scary it all is, as we’ve all been there.
I really hope that this turns out to be a false alarm for you, but if by any chance it doesn’t, you are far better to be dx, be treated so that you can get on the road to recovery and be there for your family, friends and lovely children. For now, sending you cyber hugs <<<<>>>> xx
Sorry you having to worry about this. I hope you get your tests and results soon. I was dx last year when I was 38 my kids were 2 and 4 at the time. It was v scary and for a while looking at them was painful but they kept me going. I really hope it does not turn out to be bc. Please ask any questions there are a lot of women on here who have been where you are now and know how it feels. Please take care of yourself and get support from family/ friends.
Hi Barbaramama,
Keeping everything crossed for you. Even if it is BC, many sorts are very treatable these days. Doesn’t seem much of a consolation, I know, but the odds are on your side.
Have a hug/cuppa
Ann
Hi Barbaramama, just wanted to agree with all the previous responses. I too had a MRI scan and as CM says it’s totally painfree and not as scary as I thought. I think its because your on your stomach you can close your eyes and not feel so claustrophobic. The waiting is horrendous, but you will get through it.
This site gives support to all, where you can be yourself and not worry about being scared, unhappy or sound off if you just want a good moan!! Take care of yourself, and please chat to your family and friends. Love Donna xxx
I can understand completely how you feel. I was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago with invasive breast cancer and lymph node involvement. I’m 29 years old with two children aged 3 and nearly 2.
Its an incredibly scary time but the experts know what they’re doing.
Originally I had examination, ultrasound and mammogram as they were not happy with what they saw (they said same to me about them being sure it was cancer without results of biopsy). The next week of waiting was living hell, never cried so much in my life and it hurt to even look at my children, thinking I’m not going to see them grow up.
However, just 3 weeks later I’m feeling much more positive. I do have my down days believe me, but once you know the exact state of play, its much easier to deal with it.
My next step is to have a mastectomy next Thursday, followed by chemo, rads, herceptin and hormone treatment (mine is er+, pr+ and her2+) but I don’t know the exact order yet!
Just know that there are so many people on here that understand what you’re going through, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and you’re never alone.
Thank you so much ladies for your kind and supportive responses. After I’ve read them all I do feel much better
I am not afraid of MRI or any further tests, scans, needles etc. I do not give a damn about my breasts or loosing my hair or anything else like that. I need to live for my babies, as simple as that.
I have not told anyone yet apart from my husband and my mom. I will, after I’ve done MRI and have biopsy results on Wed.
I think I just needed to hear that I am not going to die right away, right?
I hope it is ok to join your group even though I am not UK based. I’ve lived for 11 years in the UK and I’ve left so many friends behind. I live in Switzerland now and here people, including doctors, are very straightforward and to the point. No molly coddling or gentle careful wording. My doc just said it looks unfriendly I think it is cancer. My whole world just crushed that moment, I was alone quietly crying there if only she said don’t worry there are many things which could be done these days. but no she just carried on with biopsy. That’s why i felt so much better once I found this forum and read in so many posts that people actually live and enjoy their lifes. Forgive me my ignorance.
Thank you so much for you support. Will report tomorrow after MRI.
Good luck Barbamama, everything crossed for you. There are many inspiring stories on here from people who have been through this many years ago. You may find them comforting to read as I do.
Everyone here knows that the waiting and the wondering are the worst things, once you know and have a plan you WILL feel better. P x
Barbamama, have you seen how much the survival rates have improved? No, you’re not going to die right away and maybe not for many many years. You don’t have to pretend you’re not scared, although it’s a ssfe guess you’re hiding it from your children.
Night sweats sound more like menopause than anything else, although I had them after my first child was born as well, and that was a long time before menopause.
You’re doing the right thing to give yourself the best chance of seeing your children grow up. Many cancers only grow slowly, even if nothing is done. All these tests will show if it is cancer, what stage it has reached, whether it has begun to spread or is still just in one place. Then the doctors will suggest treatment to rid you of the cancer and to help prevent it from returning. There is no way of knowing whether you will get a gentler or a harsher treatment until the doctors know just what it is, but in any case your love of your children will help you get through it.
Do some nice things together while you are waiting to find out.
I cried uncontrollably right at the beginning, just after diagnosis. I don’t think I’ve been in that state where I just COULDN’T stop crying for quite a while, though I have had leaky eyes a few times and the tears do sneak up on me when I least expect them. (You do feel a bit silly getting weepy in Tesco over the frozen peas…)
You wouldn’t be normal if you weren’t terrified, I reckon! But you do find a way to get your head round it, because you’re a woman and that’s what women do.
The Waiting Room really sucks, and I’ve spent most of the past two months in it, waiting for one thing or another. But I’m piecing together what my treatment’s going to be, and knowing what’s what really helps me deal with it. I hope you find out soon.
As for telling people, take your time, there’s no rush. Once you’ve told someone you can’t “untell” them, so don’t say anything until you know you are ready for them to know. I still haven’t told my elderly father, or my sisters-in-law, for example, so I’m taking my time and thinking when is the best time to tell them.
Best of luck Barbamama and Mummy, it’s a very frightening time but you have lots of people on here who have been exactly where you are now, and we’ll be holding your virtual hands all the way.
Barbamama, the radiographers will not give you results on the day, generally. The best you can ask them is “are the pictures clear enough to give results”.
I’m very impressed that you have been able to get your results so quickly and I hope the results are good for you. Please let us know.
all results tomorrow.