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
4 Likes
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.
7 Likes
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
2 Likes
Thank you julesjp for your kind reply. Its to reassuring to know others are going through the same thing xx
3 Likes
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
2 Likes
Thank you Julesjp, I hope your recovery continues to go well xx
1 Like
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
3 Likes
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
3 Likes
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
2 Likes
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
4 Likes
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!!!
Wishing you good luck with your results!
2 Likes
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
1 Like
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
3 Likes
We will all be thinking of you
1 Like
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.
At least the wait is over now! Hope it went well and remember we are all here for you, regardless of the results xx
So it was confirmed on Friday. Its cancer. Two lumps in the breast, but one of them was okay and it has spread to the lymph nodes, dont know how many as they only biopsied the swollen one. It wasnt a shock and I feel strangely okay about it. Feel more for the people around me to be honest. Have to see the oncologist in the next 2 weeks and then start 4-6 months of chemotherapy after that. Then surgery. At the moment they are looking at a lumpectomy, not a mastectomy. Its HER2 Positive I think, as I have to have targeted therapy injections alongside the chemo. The only thing that is worrying me now is the lymph node, as they hadnt had my CT results back, so I dont know if it has spread xx
1 Like
Hi @cheryl2109 at least there is a plan of action now which should give you some certainty. I hope the other results come back quickly.
As you are HER2+ I’d like to recommend the thread below which will put you in touch with many other women who have trod the path you’re about to set out on. They’re a great bunch. Good luck and let us know how you’re doing on this, your own, thread. Big hugs.
1 Like
Hi @cheryl2109
Looks like you have a lovely, supportive thread going here but please do come and meet the gang on the ‘HER2+ and need some buddies’ thread if you want to journey alongside us on our treatment paths. Also lots of great info from women who’ve been there and come out the other side. We all know what you are going through and I hope you can feel my big hug from here.
Thank goodness it has been found and you will be starting out on the treatment path.
Salbert
x
2 Likes
I’m sorry you’ve had this news, but glad you at least know what you’re dealing with now. Really hope the CT results are back soon. Will they give you those results over the phone when they’ve got them? Hope you’re doing ok. Thinking of you and sending you best wishes. Please keep us updated when you can x
2 Likes