Breast Cancer Care Forum

Nikki49 - thank you so much for the post, it helps greatly to know there are positive stories out there. Xena - yes I assume it is the cancer and the lymph nodes (I'm hoping more that they are just swollen due to trying to fight the cancer than that they are all cancerous, although I already know some of them are) that is hurting. It is what took me to the dr in the first place as my armpit felt achy/bruised for a few days so I had a feel around and found a lump in my breast! I think it had flared up because I had an examination at my oncology appointment on Wednesday and lots of prodding/poking in the area! Necessary evil I guess. My littlest is 16 months old (I also have a 13 year old and an 8 year old). I'll be thinking of you today and wishing you well xxx ... View more

Good luck Xena xxx ... View more

Also, my chemo will be given before any surgery so the sooner I start (and finish) chemo, the sooner I can get this awful thing cut out of me (and the lymph nodes too) xxx ... View more

Thank you for explaining. There is so much to learn isn't there? And on a subject I never wished to know anything about! Good luck with your chemo... I wish mine were starting soon. I may have another 3-4 week wait according to the oncologist yesterday. Although she has assured me that it won't make a difference in the scheme of things, it honestly makes me nervous just waiting around. Added to that my breast and armpit and side is all very tender and uncomfortable (especially when I lift things or raise my hand above my head - not easy to avoid when you have a toddler!), I'm just keen to get on with the treatment! There is nothing I can do to speed things up so I guess I just have to be patient (I'm not good at that!) Wishing you all the best xxx ... View more

Xena I have TNBC too and initially I felt pleased about this - I don't even know why! But since I've looked into it, I'm not pleased at all! I don't know about the basal bit as I thought I was told mine was ductal but I could have misunderstood or misheard (I've been known to get things in a bit of a muddle). Nikki xxx ... View more

Thinking of you Jencat and wishing you all the best for tomorrow and Sunday xxx ... View more

Thank you all for replying. It wasn't google as such - it was this very website (which I've been advised by the hospital has valid information) and it is a specific TNBC board on this forum that I was reading. I felt safe that the info I was looking at is all 'ok'. I think I will call the BCN later today (once my littlest goes down for his nap and the older two children are occupied with something - I don't want them to hear my call) and see if I can get some reassurance. Also, I was told I'm still looking at around 3-4 weeks before starting chemo?! I was diagnosed officially 2 weeks ago (but unofficially it was 3 weeks ago) so it may be 6 weeks from diagnosis until any treatment starts... That seems like a very long time?! Especially when it seems others are being rushed through. This whole journey has been a complete mind-f*$! so far!! My poor brain is fried! I hope you all have a good day xxx ... View more

Thanks all! Also to add (wish I could edit my other post!)... my herceptin came back as negative so I am triple negative (my cancer is not responsive to oestrogen, progesterone or herceptin). The stuff I'm learning about things I never wished to know!! Xxx ... View more

Jencat - try not to worry too much (says me!!). As stated on a few posts, the chance of it having spread is pretty slim. Keep positive. Let us know when you have a date. Sending you lots of love and hugs xxx ... View more

Not sure how to edit so had to add it here for anyone looking for people that match their own diagnosis: My cancer is stage 2b because there are 'multiple' lymph nodes involved and when I have the surgery (whatever that may be), they will be removing all the lymph nodes from my armpit. ... View more

Hi all, I am (sooooooo) pleased to say that the CT scan found no evidence of any spread (it did find a small cyst on my liver but I was assured this was very normal and wasn't cancer as cancers and cysts look very different on scans). I have been staged as 2b. The plan is chemo (FEC-T) and then surgery (not sure yet whether lumpectomy or mastectomy) and almost definitely radiotherapy. I'm 'ok' with that (as I knew upfront it would be this regime). No start date yet although they said, according to current guidelines I have to have started by 19th September (I questioned this as I thought I had to start within 31 days of diagnosis but apparently it is 60 days?). They have assured me that another couple of weeks won't make a difference to my cancer and that they don't expect things to change in that time but they will do all they can to get things started asap. In reality I am no better off than I was 2 weeks ago at diagnois (I still have a grade 3, 24mm invasive ductal carcinoma!) but in the last 2 weeks I had convinced myself it had spread everywhere and I was going to be staged as stage 4 with little/no options for treatment so I feel a huge relief after today's appointment and actually feel like I have an opportunity to fight now!! So, this marks the start of me getting better and I can try and put the crippling worry of the 'what ifs' behind me (for now ;-)) Xena, I hope your appointment went well. Jano, try not to worry too much. Easier said than done, but it really is tiring worrying 24/7!! Keep me updated with your progress. Nikki xxx ... View more

Thank you all for thinking of me. Yes, today is my first oncology appointment and I have no idea what to expect. I feel sick with nerves and worry (I *may* get the results from the CT scan I had at the weekend). I am so scared of what else will come up at this appointment. I was worried about all the waiting but I have managed to get through it mostly by ignoring all this and pretending it isn't happening (which is why I've not replied to any posts on here, although I have had the occasional read of the threads). I now can't 'ignore' it anymore if I'm seeing oncology - just makes it all the more real. Good luck with your appointment too Xena. And to anyone else waiting for results, appointments, surgeries, chemo etc Xxx ... View more

Thanks all. I had the CT scan this morning so now it's just a case of waiting until Wednesday for my first oncology appointment when I will *hopefully* get the results (and fingers crossed they will be 'good') and maybe even a treatment plan. This waiting is soooo hard - my brain doesn't do well with 'what ifs'! Xxx ... View more

Thank you all so much - just knowing that there are people who know what I'm going through and are wishing me well means a huge amount. I am dreading tomorrow's scan - even though I will not get any results for several days (hoping they'll be available for my first oncology appointment on Wednesday but not sure if that is too hopeful?!). I am tryinb to make myself think that if they find something, it is better that we know so it can be dealt with. But the reality that the situation will be so much worse if they do find anything else makes me sick to my stomach. I am convinced I have every symptom going (including what feels like my tongue is too big for my mouth so I stumble over words!). All of these have only come on since I was diagnosed 9 days ago!! And they could all be attributed to the situation (anxiety or the sleeping tablets or the antidepressants or a combination of all three!). It's such a mind-f*!# Thank you all again, your thoughts/good wishes are very gratefully received xxx ... View more

Hi, I don't know yet whether I am her2 positive or not - I guess I'll find out soon (have my first oncology appointment on Wednesday). They always make a big thing about 'catching it early' and how treatment is so much better if it's caught early - but they don't seem to know how long mine has been there so how do I know if I caught it early?! I caught it as soon as I found a lump, but I never religiously checked before so it may have been there and only became noticeable to me when it (and my armpit) became painful! I am feeling slightly less wrecked today! I tried to go to sleep without the sleeping tablets last night (as I was wondering whether they were part of the reason I feel so rubbish during the days (tired, lethargic, fuzzy-headed), but after an hour of laying there, brain spinning, I decided to take them and got to sleep pretty quickly afterwards. The doozy of a headache I had last night is nowhere near as bad today so that is good. Just 2 more days to get through until the CT scan and less than a week until my oncology appointment... I just hope the news is 'good' and I can start focussing on treatment rather than 'what ifs'. Thanks to all xxx ... View more

Again, thank you all. My littlest one is up from his nap and I feel bad that I can't take my middle child to her swimming lesson (as I'm unshowered and still in my pjs!!) I'm unsure what of my 'symptoms' are anxiety/stress related and what are actually me feeling 'ill'. I didn't feel at all unwell until I was given the definite diagnosis last Thursday but since then I have had something different every day to add to my list of woes!! Added to that my armpit feels really achy again and I am positive I can feel a huge lump there (which I wasn't aware of before) and assume it is the cancerous lymph node(s). I'm not eating much because I'm not that hungry but when I do get hungry and start preparing something, by the time I go to eat it I'm not hungry for it anymore! I know I must sound like a complete whinge-bag who needs to sort herself out and I don't know whether I need a kick up the a$$ to make me do that or whether I need sympathy/empathy or what ever else! I don't remember a time I've ever felt so lost or scared. Xxx ... View more

That makes me feel better but we have no way of knowing HOW long I've had the cancer. I only found the lump a month ago but one of the drs said it could've been growing in me for years!!! I've given into self-pity and spent today wallowing. The older kids have watched dvds and as soon as my littles went for his afternoon nap, I crawled back into bed myself. I don't feel any better for it and now need to try and rally myself for dinner, baths, bed etc! I want to be upbeat and positive, I just can't find the energy. I appreciate all your kind words though xxx ... View more