recent diagnosis

[DestinyIsAll]

Hi Lucy,

My experiences are different from your so no specific help there, hopefully someone with better experience will answer that for you, but I just wanted to say hi and offer some support. 
I know that two different cancers can be found in one breast, so logically you could have two different on each side, or maybe as likely that it’s the same type, your physical tendency has meant that rather than it spreading, you were predisposed to developing it on both sides. Either way, I’m sorry you’re in this situation, it’s a huge shock and so hard to get your head around. 
From what I’ve read on here (I was diag June ‘20), lots of people question their onc teams approach, ‘have they missed something’ ‘is this the best option’ and so on, I do the same.  For some a second opinion offers much needed perspective but if you don’t go a second opinion route,  I think you have to try to trust your team. Everything with BC is easier said than done though. 
It looks like they have a plan for double checking which is reassuring. I was told research is okay, but stay off US sites and random stuff, this website and Macmillan were recommended to me at my hospital. I really need to understand things fully, that’s how I work, so I read up on things related to my personal circumstances and worries, write any questions and concerns I have down and then go through them with my onc and BCN in more detail which is usually helpful. I’m a ‘questioner’ thoughI question everything and always have a long list 😊. Phone your BCN to ask anything you need to. 💐

[lucy53]

Hello everyone again

had ultrascound scan tuesday & they informed me that the MRI had found additional lump on right side & carried out 7 biopsies. was in complete shock as i thought that all the scans had been done & come out all clear. started round 1 of chemo yesterday. they said today that they want me to do genetic tests as bilateral is rare..

has anyone else had similar? i'm now worried that its spread from one to the other & wondering if this should of been checked before chemo started.  i cant find much info on it or what happens if its different type of cancer on both sides?  

lucy x

[lucy53]

so saw the consultant today and things are lot more clearer - don't seem to have same language that many of the threads have on here but thought i'd post update anyways for if anyone else is in similar situation for future reference/questions.

MRI showed the lump is larger than they expected - its in different areas but not showing up as something that has spread. they explained that as i am small the size is concerning for my body frame. i've to see oncologist thursday and start chemo in 10 days. the chemo is for 4-5 months followed by surgery - whole breast to be removed & reconstruction from back muscle. they said the surgery will take at least 3 weeks recovery.  radiotherapy will be last. also they will carry out CT scan and another ultra sound scan on nodes just to double check,

a lot to take in but feel way better know exactly whats to come now there is a plan in place.  

cant thank you all enough on here for the info and support. it seems unbearable the wait between diagnosis & results etc i'd of been freaking even more if there wasn't so much wisdom shared here. hope i can contribute equally over the coming treatment xx

[lucy53]

Thanks Mo - things are slowly starting to make sense! xx

[BluebellTime]

Hi Lucy, I was told if it's HER2 positive its best to have chemo first, before op, and it took 2 wks to get the HER2 result. I think 2 wks is pretty standard as they have to culture the biopsy I believe. They  do know what they are doing and its all for the best. Hope you get more results soon and can start to plan. There is a lot of hard waiting at this stage. Love Mo x

[lucy53]

yeah thanks Charlotte - it nice having someone who is at similar stage to chat to. will keep you posted 🤞❤️xx

[charlotte3112]

Hi Lucy af least you’ll get more information tomorrow. Good luck and remember once it’s all sunk in you’ll start thinking of how you can and will get through it. But let’s hope it’s positive news xx

[lucy53]

thank you for responding. 

i'm getting frustrated as none of the the results they have given so far match anything on here. all they have said as its in 3 areas and they need to get more results from biopsy. it says grade 2 non specific ER8 on the form they gave me.  i'm due back to see consultant tomorrow & hope to have MRI results back for then. i'm really sorry to hear you are in same boat & hope you are coping ok with it all x

[charlotte3112]

Hi Lucy

Ive just Also been recently diagnosed Late July with IDC and also in lymph’s. The consultant told me I had cancer before the biopsy results, the biopsy results for him was just to confirm stage/grade etc. I was shocked but he was right, the biopsy’s confirmed what he’d already told me and the worst part was knowing it’s in the lymph’s but now I’ve got my head around it all I’m quite positive. I’m just counting down the days to 13th Aug for my Op now so I’m shielding because of covid I would hate it to be cancelled. Consultant has said he’s not sure on Chemo yet until after Axilla clearance and lumpectomy but be prepared. But definitely Hormone therapy  And Radiotherapy. The lump is 4.5cm so he’s taking lump first then doing a breast reduction same time. 
If it’s a consultant that’s told you they’re usually quite positive as they wouldn’t risk false positive information. stay positive we can get through it and keep us updated as it seems we’re at similar stages 😘 Xx

[lucy53]

Thank you Jan and Mo for the honest and supportive response.

i went back for biopsy results where they confirmed its cancer in 3 areas of breast - they are still waiting for more results before they can make treatment plan. also have MRI today. i'm confused as at the start of the consultation they stated that i'd need operation, radiotherapy and hormone therapy - no mention of chemo but they threw at the end saying they might do chemo before op.  only info i got was its grade 2 non specific ER8 - they said not to google but given the info cant help myself.  they are waiting on HER2 result - has anyone else had to wait 2 weeks to get full biopsy results back?

[BluebellTime]

Hello Lucy, sorry you find yourself here. I've had bc 3 times, so had quite a few ultrasounds and in my experience the radiologists have said Don't know, have to wait for the biopsy result, or they knew, and could either tell me it was just scar tissue (from previous surgery) or they said Really sorry, we need a biopsy, but it looks like cancer, and it was. So I'm afraid I agree with Jan on that. Jan's  given lots of good advice, its such a shock and the waiting is horrible, but it does get easier once you know your treatment plan and lots of us on here have been through it and are fine now. Take care and good luck, love Mo x 

[Jaybro]

Hi Lucy

I’m so sorry you’re in this situation. My experience was the reverse: told there was nothing to worry about and then one thing after another. From speaking to my GP much later in my treatment, she said that most breast cancer lumps have a distinct feel to them, compared to fibroadenoma and cysts (hence her being surprised at my diagnosis). If a consultant has stated a lump in cancerous, it is cancer. I would be amazed at any specialist risking a patient’s fears and emotions by saying something so devastating and then retracting it. 

A cancer diagnosis tends to change one’s outlook on life and priorities change, including work. You are immediately protected by the Equalities Act 2010 and your employer must register you as disabled. This provides you with essential rights and is one thing worth looking up on Google. Apart from that, my advice is not to google anything relating to the cancer. Each diagnosis is unique - Google cannot adapt its information, let alone take feelings into account, and the result is a lot of unnecessary fear. If you need information ring the nurses at the number above. They are very helpful - and human!

Treatment will vary, dependent on the diagnosis so you can only be patient - there is a LOT of waiting involved now. If you require chemotherapy, you will probably need to be off work for months. You may be fortunate and bounce back quickly; you may be wiped out like I was. It is nothing to do with age, health or attitude - it’s just down to chance, though positivity and a desire to keep fit help. Sometimes they make no difference though so it’s wait and see. If you don’t require chemotherapy, treatment is shorter but not necessarily easier. I found radiotherapy a doddle but some people find it very hard. BUT all of the treatments are manageable and there are many of us here who have got through it in our own ways.

You sound as though you have your feet firmly on the ground, focusing on the shock rather than terror. This pragmatism may hold you in good stead but I would tend towards accepting your initial diagnosis now and hope that the finer details of the diagnosis after the MRI and biopsy results are back are encouraging. They may well be. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. 

Jan x

[lucy53]

Hi everyone, new to this so sorry for any noob questions.

i found a lump 3 weeks ago - breast clinic appointment was this week. i expected to be in and out but was there all day. i had mammogram, ultra sound then 3 biopsies then more mammogram- consultant said there were cysts all over & two lumps on left which are cancer & possibly one on right - got to go for MRI scan & results of biopsy next week.  largest lump is 5cm. can they really tell its cancer without the biopsy results? anyone had similar and then biopsy come out clear? i'm a bit in shock over it worried about work and how long likely to be off for if have to get treatment. i keep reading online but its all so confusing & everybody seems to have different experiences. i'm just looking for info on what to expect & what reality is.

L x