I just wanted to pop on here for a bit of a chat as I’m finding everything a little overwhelming at the moment.
I found a “thickening” in my breast around 10 weeks ago and after a few weeks (as I thought it was nothing), I went to the GP who didnt seem too concerned, but referred me to a breast clinic. I had to cancel my first appointment as I was on honeymoon that week, but had my second appointment a few days ago. I had a mammogram and then an ultrasound with the consultant. She said it was suspicious and took a biopsy from 2 areas of my breast and one in my lymph nodes. I’m now awaiting the results, but I have already had a CT scan. . She seemed pretty convinced that its cancer so I dont think it can be benign and having been sent for the CT already, I’m really worried that the consultant thinks its spread already.
I am finding this all a little scary. I’m only 46 and got married in April. This isnt what I thought married life would start like. Because there was a lymph node biopsy, I’m now totally overthinking and convinced its spread and they wont be able to do anything about it. I know I shouldnt be thinking like that, but every little niggle or pain is making me wonder now, even though I am completely fit and healthy. I don’t feel like there is anything wrong with me at all, so it all seems very unfair. I hate telling people, especially my two children, as although they are 22 and 25, its still hard for them and I wish I didnt have to put anyone through this. The best I can hope for is that its localised in the left breast (my right was clear) and hasnt spread through my lymph nodes to anywhere else.
Strange thing is, I feel really well in myself, even better than I have for a long time with iron tablets from the GP for my anemia
What a lot to be processing at the moment! This is definitely the right place to come to voice those thoughts and find support.
I do hope you find the forum helpful and others experiences help you to process all of this and to know how to move forward whatever the outcome of the biopsy.
Hi. My cancer was only picked up by first routine mammogram. I felt fit and health prior to this. I got a call back as it was unclear. On examination, the nurse said I had an area of thickening but no lumps. They did ultrasound and biopsy. After diagnosis, I had mri and they said it had not spread. Had lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy. Results showed cancer cells in first node. As it was very small, I got away with just having radiotherapy and tamoxifen. It sounds as though yours has been caught early too. If it has, it has more chances of being easily and successfully treated.
No time is a good time to be going through this. You have family for support. Hope all goes well and let us know how you get on.
Welcome to the group no one wants to join. We are here to listen to your worries and help you through. The first few weeks after the initial findings can seem a whirlwind of appointments and waiting for results.
Don’t read anything into the fact that you have been offered further scanning. This is a fairly routine option so your treatment team can get the full picture. I had no evidence of anything in my lymph nodes and was still given a CT scan. It meant the surgeon could give me the best treatment for my particular tumour.
Hopefully you will soon know exactly what you are dealing with, and what your treatment plan is going forward. Many people find it easier once they know the next stage. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you for your kind words. In a way, I can’t wait for Friday’s appointment to see what I’m up against, as it will be better than second guessing everything x
Hi @cheryl2109 you ask if anyone else has been through this and I would bet most of us would say yes. Feeling healthy - tick, absolute shock to be diagnosed - tick, told its cancer at biopsy stage - tick, mind goes to the darkest of places - BIG tick. The truth is, whatever you are told at your results appointment, there will be a treatment plan made specifically for you that will deal with the cancer. The journey through treatment isn’t always easy but it is doable. The only way out is through unfortunately. Along the way, you will encounter loads of lovely, kind, empathetic, funny, supportive people both in the medical side of things and in the community who has been through what you are about to embark upon. Lean on us when you need to. Do let us know how you get on.
Its awful the waiting, i had a contrast ct scan before my results were back, i was told when i had biopsies it was cancer and lymph nodes nodes suspicious. Ct results just confirmed it had gone to 5 lymph nodes so just had mastectomy and full node clearance, it was also her2 positive so will have chemo when recovered. I was pleased to have cy scan when i did as showed exactly where it was so no back n fore to surgery . Good luck with results sending live and positivity xx
Honestly when you get all results you will feel much better as uou will have a plan. I had my surgery last monday i was dreading the drains but it has all gone amazing, no pain at all. Everything coming back to life slowly so just a little pain but im staying on top of pain meds . You are a warrior you will be amazing xx
I am sure everybody here felt as you feel, the waiting between appointments is the worst bit and our brains go into overdrive and every twinge is immediately self diagnosed as another cancer. Once you have a definite diagnosis you will find yourself more in control. I’m not sure if you will get a treatment plan on Friday depends on if your team will have had time to hold a planning meeting.
If your diagnosis is positive try to just concentrate on the next step in your treatment, don’t try and handle it all at the same time.
One thing I did was to keep a journal, I started it on the day of my diagnosis and finished it on the day I got to ring the bell. I put all my worries and darkest thoughts in it and found it got them out of my head and was extremely helpful. I started a new journal and three months later still find it helps although this one is happier. Wednesday marks six months since my surgery and it has gone really quickly.
Will be thinking of you Friday and wishing you good results. Please let us know how you get on x
I think others have already said everything but I just wanted to say that I too was 46 when diagnosed - felt fit and healthy, none of the risk factors, came completely out of the blue. Cancer does not discriminate sadly. Mine was in a lymph node when I was diagnosed so they removed all of them but fortunately it had not spread any further. My cancer was triple positive, which is an aggressive but curable one and I am three years on and have had no recurrence. As others have said, the treatment is tough but doable. Hoping you get your plan soon as then you will have more certainty over what is going to happen. Sending love xxx
Hi Cheryl , aww it’s just so scary as you are entering a world that you do not want to be in , it is very normal to do biopsies of the lymph nodes and the lump so please try not to fret … easier said than done I know … please god it’s not cancer but If it does come bk positive they seem to have got it early , I promise you will get the best care as they seem to be on the ball with you.
It’s amazing how your head changes thought and I remember my oncologist had written down a plan and every time I done something either chemo / surgery / more surgery / radiotherapy tablet I just kept ticking and that helped me . Wishing you all the best and you’ll do this girl xx regards Deborah x
Thank you everyone. I love how everyone is so positive on this forum, it has really made me feel a whole lot better about everything. It really helps to talk to people who have been through, or are going through the same sort of thing, otherwise you would think you are going mad with all the overthinking and self-diagnosing xx
Hi @cheryl2109 I was 43 when diagnosed with stage 3 lobular BC. It’s spread to the LN - I had 3 positive. It was very big tumor 12.5cm. I was also feeling really good. It was in 2021 and I’ve been walking a lot with my kids during COVID. I didn’t even have a lump. My nipple got a bit funny like ‘looking up’ and not down south anymore…
I was absolutely shocked when they told me that I need a mastectomy, full axillary LN clearance, 6 months of gruelling chemo, 15 RT, 2 years of Abemaciclib, 7 years of Letrozole, 3 years of Zoledronic acid, 3 monthly Prostap injections to keep me in the medically induced menopause…so yeah…life is a bitch…!!
Try and stay positive especially for your kids…it’s really important to show them that your diagnosis is not going to define you…they will still want their mom no matter what you are going through…
My husband was diagnosed with MS a year after my diagnosis and honestly, it does get better…it’s just it’s a different better…a new normal as everyone is calling it…whatever the new normal is enjoy every moment of it…
A very good friend of mine was diagnosed with secondary BC and it just hit me really hard…but life goes on and there is no way I am not going to live up my life to the max!!!
Hi @cheryl2109,
I’m sorry you’re having to go through this. As others have said, the waiting is the worst, and yes, it totally makes you over analyse the little niggles you wouldn’t normally even notice. I was diagnosed earlier this year (aged 39) with multifocal, ER+ BC. I went to the GP as I’d noticed a change in appearance of my right breast. They referred me to the breast clinic, where I had an ultrasound, mammograms and two biopsies from my breast and one from the lymph node. I then had an MRI scan. I had surgery (unilateral mastectomy and immediate diep reconstruction) almost three months ago. The results of the SLNB taken at the time of surgery found that it hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes. So the plan is Tamoxifen and radiotherapy. Sorry if this is too much info (!), I just wanted to reassure you that a) sometimes scans/biopsies are done just to be certain of the absence of things, b) even if anything is found, it could be very straightforward, c) you’re absolutely not alone in this and d) you will get through it. Sending you very best wishes and please let us know how you get on when you can x
Results day ladies! Can’t wait for 1.30pm to come and go.
I would say wish me luck, but I’d rather you wished me nothing on the CT and no spread to the lymph nodes. Best I can hope for is it’s contained in the booby xx
Here we go again. I found a lump on Tuesday in my axila. I saw a consultant privately who said it’s 100% a recurrence. I had a mammogram (showed nothing just been told) and a biopsy using ultrasound. Having a CT as a recurrence and to get more info then get results on the 9th. Hoping it will be an op and radiotherapy but depends on biopsy I’m told and if HER2 etc. Just got to wait now to see what the plan is.
