Back in 2021!!! I visited my GP because I thought I felt a lump. Was examined and told nothing there, nothing to worry about just breast tissue, “you look healthy”.
Got on with my life and then 5 weeks ago (4 years later) I felt two lumps, one so big it took the GP by surprise (different doctor this time) was referred for a 2 week fast track ultrasound.
Before the ultrasound the consultant said it’s most likely to be benign lumps but let’s check it out. Straight away I’m told there’s not one, not two but three lumps and something in the armpit. Several Biopsies taken and I’m pretty much told there and then that it’s highly highly highly likely to be cancer.
Waited 4 weeks for the official results as it was deferred, now diagnosed with Grade 3 Invasive ductal carcinoma, Her2 positive. One of the lumps is 5cm or 7cm mass next to the other one. They believe it’s spread to lymph nodes in my armpit too so biopsy coming for that.
Had a CT scan yesterday due to bone pain in my legs been going on for a while.
And today I just woke up with swollen neck glands which made me cry for the very first time in this whole thing. I’m scared.
Two kids, three and six years old. Recently celebrated my 40th birthday.
Can’t help but think that they missed the cancer 4 years ago… When I asked the question I was told it’s unlikely to be from then…
I’m sorry that you have found yourself on this forum @bless2025. It’s a club none of us want to join.
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma 11 months ago and like you I am HER2 positive. I lurked on the forum for a month before posting on the HER2 thread. If you’ve not found it already, it is really worth a read. It took me 4 hours from start to finish. I reckon that may have doubled by now! The fabulous group of supportive women scooped me up in my low moments and gave me hope with their shared stories of getting through treatment. There’s lots of sage advice, kindness and humour alongside the reality of how crap it is.
I found it hardest at the beginning. Telling my children. Sharing the news with family, friends and colleagues. I catastrophised. I was scared. The uncertainty, lack of control, investigations, drip feeding of information at each appointment as results came in and then waiting to start treatment. Once I had a plan I felt so much better. Then it was head down and get on with it. It felt insurmountable at the beginning but it’s doable. I had chemo and targeted therapy from January till May then a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in June (I had ‘it’ in both ). My targeted therapy finishes in February and I’ve hormone blockers for 5 years as mine is oestrogen positive too.
My life has changed and I have changed but I look back and marvel at what my body has got me through. It’s been a lot but it’s not been as awful as I thought it might be. You will get through it too. You will have all of us on your side.
My dear @bless2025, it’s so scary to be at the stage you are at. @mrsjelly is quite right to say come on over to our HER2 thread. You will find lots of support, good news, relevant information and, dare I say it, humour in amongst all the horror and uncertainty of the nightmare situation in which you find yourself. See you over there.
@mrsjelly and @salbert thank you so much for your kind words and taking the time to reply. This little corner of the internet is so so great for us to support one another. I have been reading the posts in the her2 thread for the past couple days (learnt so much) and watching so many informative and inspirational videos on YouTube of people’s journeys from early to late stages has helped.
I think many of us when diagnosed go through a stage of asking how, why and when, and could I have done something different or in your case, was something missed. It’s difficult to know whether your past concerns are any way related to your diagnosis and perfectly understandable that you should be thinking about it. Unfortunately we can not change the past, and need to focus on getting through the next steps - and some how we do.
You’re worried about your neck which I think you should mention to your team. It may be nothing but you won’t settle otherwise. One of many problems with cancer, is that it triggers a reaction with anything that “could” be a problem. I’m 12+ months along, and still worry about twinges, aches or pain and since I am not a medic I don’t know what is or isn’t important. In which case it best to consult your medical team. You should (or will) have contact numbers and there are also nurses via this site for help and support.
We are all here for you, I can see you have had some lovely and caring reply. There are a great bunch on people on this site, together with our lovely caring breast cancer nurses, don’t hesitate to ask if you need help.
I’ve had both my CT and Bone scans now so just have to hope for the best and even if it isn’t the best somehow I know I will get through it.
My blood results did come back and liver (bilirubin level) was abnormally high above range. The GP rang me up whilst I was in the supermarket to ask if my eyes or skin looked yellow which it doesn’t really but my skin tone has always had a yellow undertone to it but nothing that seems off to me. I will be repeating these bloods tomorrow and it’s probably just a blip.
I’m sick right now with what feels like flu and I’ve had shoulder pain all weekend but I also brought the worlds worst pillows :).
Hi @bless2025. I’m so sorry to hear your diagnosis and your fears about whether it was missed 4 years ago. I had 4 lumps and 3 were missed initially. So I’m really glad they’ve located yours early on. I’m 2 years into this now so I remember the fear about every twinge, ache, pain being more cancer. Sounds like your team are being thorough and investigating it all. The waiting is a nightmare, but they will plan the best treatment for you and get that started asap. Keep us all informed on here and we will all help you through. There is also a group on here for younger women up to age 45. I was 46 at diagnosis with 3 young kids. They have amazed me through it all, and the time i had off work, for surgeries and chemo, was a blessing - I was able to be there for them and we had some great times. Hope you get good results fast.
I believe it will be Ribociclib as this approved under NHS for node negative. Abemaciclib currently isn’t.
Suggest you read through our past threads for our experience of being on this medication.
There will be other threads for Abemaciclib.
Hi, hope all goes well. I’ve just finished radiotherapy and have a meeting with oncologist to discuss targeted therapy mid December. I’ve been on letrozole since June, with few side effects. Keen to hear how you get on with your oncologist. Good luck x
Hi @bluesatsuma thank you for your kind words, I must have missed your reply as it seems my post has been taken over by someone else and gone off topic.
Wow can’t believe 3 lumps were initially missed How are you doing now two years on and since starting treatment? Glad to hear children are well, they really are amazing. I think mine are too young to understand anything and probably wonder why I’m always in bed being lazy .
I was looking through my medical records and realised I actually visited my GP in 2021 and 2023 but not once was I referred for a scan. I’ve had bone pain for years now, unintentionally lost over two stone in weight in the past 4 months, so fatigued and suffering from insomnia for years I had to leave my job, I noticed bald patches down to the scalp in my head a few weeks ago and drenching sweat from the left underarm only and I haven’t even started a single piece of treatment to consider these symptoms as side effects.
I have finally been sent an appointment to hear all my results next week, the wait has been so long that all the tests results have accumulated biopsy results from my underarm, biopsy results from other lumps in my breast, CT scan results, Nuclear bone scan results, lump in the back of my neck, repeated liver results… I expect to be given a lot of information in one go.
These appointments always clash with the school run so I’m planning on going by myself and leaving my husband to take the kids to school.
They advised me not to come alone but when I tell you I am so very mentally prepared and researched up for what they might say. X
@bless2025 no wonder you are awake with all that going on. I’m awake too, still prodding at sore bits on my ribs. My nuclear bone scan was normal but I’m still unsure. 2 years on, i honestly feel amazing! I went through so much but feel so grateful and lucky. Despite so many lumps, errors, delays at various stages, i received incredible care, compassion and treatment from every dr and nurse. I went to most of my results appointments alone too, for the same reason as you. I too was prepared mentally for the diagnosis. But take a notebook and pen. Even though you’ve had some symptoms,you may be getting good news. I will be thinking of you and keeping everything crossed. Sending hugs. X
Can you please start your own post?? I think it’s quite insensitive to dismiss what the original poster has posted about and start your own topic and or queries.
). My targeted therapy finishes in February and I’ve hormone blockers for 5 years as mine is oestrogen positive too.
How are you doing now two years on and since starting treatment? Glad to hear children are well, they really are amazing. I think mine are too young to understand anything and probably wonder why I’m always in bed being lazy 
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shouldn’t have posted it on this chat