Have just last week been told I have breast cancer. Went back this week for results of biopsy. Have been told it is lobular cancer. Am now waiting for an appointment for MRI. Was all rather confusing listening to consultant and cancer nurse, couldn’t take it all in. Why do I need the MRI when we know what type of cancer it is? I think I know really but would be nice to hear from others who have been through this. Have very supportive partner and family, but don’t want to worry them. I will be 70 in a few months time (a young feeling 70, may not look it at the moment).
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Hi poodlepatch,
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums, you’ve come to the right place for some good support as the users of these forums have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them.
I have put for you below links to some of BCC’s publications which you may find helpful. They’re all free of charge, as is the helpline if you want to talk to someone in confidence. Hope these help.
Resource pack:
breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/quick-order-list/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/82/
Treating Breast Cancer:
breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/quick-order-list/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/88/
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
hey poodlepatch,
sorry you have joined our club, but glad you have, as we are all in the same situation. i hope you use the site and find it helpful and supportive.
i couldnt have got through the last 9 months without Breastcancercare.
mri, is usually to check the rest of your body
hugs xxxx
Hi poodlepatch sorry you’ve had to join but welcome, everyone here is so caring & supportive a great place to just vent laugh cry, talking to all the other lovely women here has been a God send to me. Im sure you’ll find it a great help, the help line is very good too.
PS don’t google full of old info that just worries you more stick with the real info from BCC
Your not alone
Hugs
Mekala x
hi, welcome to the forum, nice to find someone older than me.
do you think that the medics dont explain things as well to pensioners because they think we do not understand? I did find that the old bc nurse treated me like an equal and the young one was a bit more tippy toe around me.
Its such a lot to take in,and its great that you have a supportive partner and family and you can draw strength from them. but if you are anything like me odd doubts, questions and emotions pop into your head that they just would not understand and this is the place to come. Everyone is so supportive. I find it amazing that those that have lost their hair and fingernails are giving me advice about nail polish and sports bras. It seems that no matter how silly the question seems to me, someone comes on and says—yes, i remember about worrying about that.
Dont know about you but one of the sad things for me is that i am no longer the pert young thing that I used to be, and my husband still loves me,but to to bare my saggy all to these young doctors and nurses is motifying. Its not modesty, its pride!! silly thing to worry about in the grander scale of things isnt it.
If you look at the times of the posts you can see that lots of people are on here in the wee small hours, either those that are waiting for results or people who cannot sleep because of treatment. you cannot wake your family up at that time, but you can drop in here to see what is happening.
Hi everyone todays my first day on site and already I dont feel alone, although I have a fantastic family who I know are going to be very supportive its nice to speak to people with the same problem. Does anyone know how long you are in the MRI tube I have a fear of enclosed spaces so am already panicking and feeling I cant breathe
Hi PP, you’ll be ok sweetie. Don’t think anyone’s mentioned the helpline - see number above. Well worth calling them, they’ll be able to talk to you about all of your worries.
Lots of love
xx
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thanks eilidh7 but can you remember how long you had to stay in the MRI tube? I am told it could be anything in between 30 mins to 1 hour
hi pp it’s good to see another ‘mature’ lady here [I am 67]but sorry you have to join us.It’s a great site and you will find support and friendship whenever you need someone to talk to.We are good at cyber hand holding too 
I used the helpline a lot when I was first dx they are great at discussing little things that worry you as well as giving information on the bigger problems.
Good Luck
Valx
I didnt have an MRI so cant help you there I’m afraid
Hi Poodlepatch
I was dx with lobular cancer and had an MRI - the MRI is of your breasts and gives them a really good image of the tumor and is better than a mammogram at checking that there aren’t any other areas in the same, or other, breast that need checking out.
The scanner isn’t as enclosed as you might think - the one I was in was open at both ends. Just imagine that you are being put into a noisy doughnut!
Just one thing that may take you by surprise… My image of scans was that you lay on your back, but as I walked into the scanning romm my first comment was ‘ooh, tit shaped holes’! Yes, you lie on your front!
Just one other comment. Where I had my MRI the staff were lovely and very careful to help you preserve as much dignity as possible.
Good luck!
Hi Poodlepatch,
Try not too worry about the MRI - it only takes about 20 minutes actually in the scanner itself. I too had invasive lobular cancer and volunteered for a research trial that gave me an MRI after each chemo. As I am the world’s biggest claustrophobe, I must have been mad! My youngest son told me to pretend that I was competing on the tobogan in the Olympics, which made me laugh and worked every time (as long as I closed my eyes)!
will be thinking of you!
Hi DJoo7
Thanks for reply re MRI but can you remember how long you had to lay in the MRI tube? Have read somewhere it is anything up to an hour. If it is going to be that long think I will take a tablet to keep me calm.
A couple of things about the MRI that might calm you, and some tips.
The room the machine is in is rather cool, because of the machine, so bring with you some warm socks and warm trousers that don’t have any metal on them, so you don’t find yourself shivering. They will probably also put a blanket over you to keep you warm.
You are in the room on your own, but they give you headphones so they can talk to you, and you have a buzzer in your hand so you can stop things.
You lie on your front with your head resting on a soft foam block or similar, and yes, your boobs in a hole. It’s easier just to shut your eyes (there isn’t anything to look at anyhow) and imagine you’re waiting for the masseur to turn up! (Sadly, they never do…)
It’s very noisy, but it’s a rhythmic noise - bang, bang, bang, bang, with the occasional bit of loud buzzing. I found the noise almost hypnotic so that helped me to “zone out” and relax - I was almost asleep.
They might put a cannula in your arm so they can inject some contrast dye. Some people can feel the contrast going in but I have to say I really didn’t notice it, even though they did tell me when they were going to do it. Didn’t feel a thing. And you can press the buzzer at any time if you do feel uncomfortable.
If you have any favourite relaxing music you might be able to bring a CD with you, or ask for a radio station that they play through the headphones. They’re really quite good, I think they put some kind of “echo” so it sounds like you’re in a big space, even though the space is quite small, so if you have your eyes shut, it doesn’t feel claustrophobic.
After you’re done, the only question you’ll realistically get an answer to is “were the pictures ok?” The technicians are not allowed to say anything about what’s been found as they’re not the people who interpret the scans, so don’t worry if they don’t tell you anything.
Good luck, it’s really not that bad and doesn’t feel cramped.
Just to agree with everything that CM said - think I was only in the MRI machine for about 20mins.
D
Many thanks for replies re MRI. Think I feel a wee bit better about it now if it is only 20 mins. Will try and think DJ007 what your son told you about imaganing you are on a tobogan in the olympics. Am I being a wimp with ref to taking a calming tablet or has anyone else also taken one?
Hi poodlepatch - Re your MRI scan - I havent had an MRI - every other scan but that so can’t comment on how it is but I agree with the previous posts its a good scan to have prior to surgery as it gives a better image of how big the affected area is and how much they must remove to get clear margins. I am one of those ladies and there are a number on here who did not get the benefit of an MRI before surgery and hence have a WLE only then to have to have a full mastectomy. I was told with hindsight an MRI scan should have been done to avoid two lots of surgery in less than a month - obviously there is a cost to this both on NHS and on your mental and physical well being - I know it is a confined space but to be honest it will be more than worth it if it means you don’t have to go through the additonal trama of more surgery. I think you medical team are on the ball! As everyone says this site is a real support when you are going through treatment and afterwards. wishing you well x
Poodlepatch, how long you’re inside the machine depends on the individual scanning place. I can’t actually remember how long I was in there, because I think I did actually fall asleep.
If you are thinking of taking something to calm your nerves, make sure you check that it’s ok to take whatever you’re thinking of, just in case. Give the MRI place a ring and ask them.
I’ve had a bit of a look for pictures of what it looks like, and this site has a pretty good picture. Note the blankets to keep you warm, but I do advise warm socks and trousers with no metal.
acromegalysupport.org/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Imaging-Center/Imaging-Procedures/MRI/Breast/
I have NO IDEA what acromegaly is, so don’t spend time wandering around the site, just take a look at the picture. It’s an American site too, so there may well be differences in details between US and UK use of MRI. The description of the procedure might be a little bit different from what you have, for example you may be asked to put your arms above you rather than by your side, so this may not be a completely accurate description, but it may be helpful to give you an idea. (And the hour they mention could well include getting you set up on the table and comfortable).
Hi saffronseed and ChoccieMuffin
Thankyou so much I appreciate how important it is to have MRI and it was nice to see the picture of the scan and how when laying in it you can put your head to one side, I was imagining I would be face down and have difficuly breathing. It is all so much clearer now.
I am so glad I came on this site with all my (with what might seem
silly to some) worries. I don’t feel its just me on my own anymore. I am talking to such a lovely lot of understanding
people.