Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi, I know exactly how you feel. I had my 2nd year routine mammogram and ultrasound and cancer was found in an axillary node (which was originally node negative). After CT and Bone scan which came back clear, I had an axillary clearance 2 weeks ago and was told 3 nodes out of 20 tested positive. I've been told I need chemo again in January. I'm worried about what this will do to me second time round. And I don't want to have to explain to everyone all over again. I'm now 35 xx ... View more

Hi Sharon, Yes I have grade 2 multi focal in my left breast. I have a 3cm lump and a "dot" a couple of centimetres away. I was originally told I'd need chemo first to shrink the lump then lumpectomy but after finding the dot, I am now having chemo and then mastectomy. Do you have to have chemo or rads? Xx ... View more

Hi Sam, I have just sent you a PM for Facebook, thank you xx ... View more

Hi Jonamo and Sweets, I have also been told to expect a phone call within a week to get started on chemo. I know what you mean about starting to feel real. I went into town today and bought 2 new hats (oversized wooly caps) as there's no point putting it off. I'd like to join the Nov or Dec thread too, would be nice to support each other through this. Xxxx ... View more

Hi Jayneh, I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and I know how you feel. Please listen to these ladies, especially what Kam80 said, she gave me advice when I first came on here. Has your consultant told you any information yet, about your grade or hormones (ER PR HER2?). Xxxx ... View more

Hi L, My nurse made me promise not to go in google...which was hard! But I thought if I go on the official websites then they can't be wrong can they? The predict tool I use everyday, I also drive myself mad with that and type in call case scenarios. It's hard not to xxxx ... View more

Hi Lesley, I had my sentinal node op last Mon. I was in at 8am, given gown, knickers and socks to put on. The first needle in my hand was used to put me to sleep (it didn't hurt anymore than the other needles I'd had last week). Once I was asleep they did the blue dye...my nipple is still blue from a week and a half, but fading) but there wasn't any pain in my boob when I woke up, only soreness and swelling under my arm (nothing too bad, I still managed to get myself dressed and have my coffee and toast!). You will be fine xxxx ... View more

Hi sweets, I have been doing my homework on here too and found out so much in a short space of time. I looked at cancerresearchuk, Macmillan and NHS and they all explain the grades and stages. When I was first diagnosed (2 weeks after mammogram, ultrasound and needle biopsy), my doctor could tell me the size of the lump, the grade and whether my hormones were receptive. They now have to find out the stage by a process called TNM (tumour, node, metastasis). My doctor booked me in for a CT scan, MRI scan (this is because I already have breast implants) and a bone scan. All these freaked me out but I was assured that EVERY diagnosis at my hospital has to have them done. I also had to have the sentinal lymph node op (I was in at 8am and out by 2.30pm) and this was to see if my nodes under armpit we're clear. The ultra sound didn't pick up anything but this is routine to back that up. The first place breast cancer is likely to spread is to the nodes (I was told not to panic if it had because they would simply remove all nodes from armpit). There is a tool online called predict.nhs and my oncologist shoes me a similar prediction, where you can type in your age, grade, hormones etc and it will show you whether chemo would benefit. Everyone has told me to stay away from google so the best advice I can pass on is stick to the websites above and the booklets from the hospital then you will be getting reliable information. I was driving myself mad with survival rates and statistics but most websites are really outdated. I hope this helps xxxx ... View more

Hi LexyB, I am so sorry to hear your news, at a time like this you really need all the support you can get. Have you got family and friends around you who you can rely on? I have found these forums fantastic, I've noticed you wrote on here at 1am...I still wake up in the middle of the night and come on here for reassurance but it would be nice to have some support at home too. At the moment you need to concentrate on getting better. If your hubby isn't being there for you, please ask a friend or family member to go to appointments with you because you will need some support and I have found that as much as I am trying to take it all in, if someone else is with you they can understand what is happening with you. If you need any support on here, please always free to write, it has really helped me through the last few weeks xxxx ... View more

Hi Rowan45, you are about a week behind me with diagnosis. I had pre-op assessment where I had to have my height, weight and blood pressure done. An MRSA swab is done on your groin (nothing to worry about, just had to undo trouser buttons) and then loads of paper work about allergies, health etc. Have you been sent to have scans yet? Xx ... View more

Hi Kander, I just wanted to wish you all the best tomorrow, I will be thinking of you. I was diagnosed just after you and had all my tests and scans done last week and now waiting for Thur to get my treatment plan. As for hospital advice, do everything at your own pace. I am sure your husband just wants to see you better and he would be more than happy to do anything to support you. I have heard you will need to do your exercises once you get home too. Xxxx ... View more

I haven't checked our benefits or anything yet. My husband has taken 2 weeks off to support me at the hospital and I work part time and have a sick note for 2 weeks while I recover from my sentinal node biopsy op. But I need to sort money out too, I have no idea what, if any, we are entitled to xx ... View more

On Wed I had a phone call from hospital asking if I could go back to hospital at 12 on Fri (today) as the MRI has picked up something that wasn't picked up on ultra sound. I was told I may need another core biopsy too. This threw me into a complete panic and I just broke down. I am already having tests on a 3cm tumour and this has now popped up in my same breast. I have just got back from this appointment and they explained that there is a tiny inconspicuous area, approx 0.6mm in size that the MRI picked up but they wanted to ultra sound again to see what it was. The lady tried for ages to pick up what it was but said she needed the doctor to come and help her. So the doctor tried for ages too and he said the ultra sound isn't picking it up and he will have to discuss it at the meeting. Does anyone have any idea what this could be or has anyone had a similar situation? I asked if it could be cancerous and he said he really can't tell. I'm wondering if they may have to assume it is cancerous and perhaps I'd need a mastectomy now instead of neo to shrink then lumpectomy? Xx ... View more

I will be thinking of you on Monday xx and I am sure you will be home in time for your daughter's birthday xx ... View more

I too have been called back for another biopsy. I had my CT scan on Sun and my MRI scan yesterday and I got a phone call today asking me to go back on Friday as there is something unclear with the MRI. This threw me into a complete panic and so I called my breast care nurse who explained that as I am still very bruised internally, the MRI may be a bit blurred on some areas. I also have breast implants which the MRI can see more clearly so there may be an area that needs sampling that wasn't picked up before. My nurse told me that this has been found in the same breast and if it is anything, my surgery plan may need to change. Originally I would have needed chemo first then lumpectomy then rads am then tam. Not sure what's happening now xx ... View more

I am so sorry to hear that you're also going through a divorce xx I hope your breast care nurse helped. The first few days I found out, I couldn't stop breaking down. I seemed to walk round in a daze and felt myself being really low. I've been to hospital Sun, Mon, Tue, today and Fri this week for scans and tests which I have put myself into robot mode for. Last week, everytime I went to the hospital I broke down and everyone has told me this is normal. I really hope you are coping, if your friends and family want to help, please let them. I am usually so independent but I have had to except help with babysitters while I am at the hospital. Please feel free to talk anytime xxxx ... View more

Hi helenstevo, Just wondering how you are doing? I had my MRI scan today and my SLNB op yesterday so I am about a week behind you. I have my Echo tomorrow (heart ultra sound) and Friday I have bone scan. So everyday this week except Thur I will be up the hospital. Hope you are ok xx ... View more

Hi Minig, How are you feeling? I know, I think we are going to need a lot of help in the next few months. Try and pace yourself, I have had so much advice on this site, and it seems chemo has been different in everyone. I'm worried I'll be too tired to get out of bed in the mornings. I'm going to start accepting help from family and friends more as I'm usually so independent. How are you coping? Xx ... View more

Thank you xx ... View more

I have just been reading some posts on SNB, which I had done yesterday and I have read all my leaflets and paperwork but not been told about exercises. Could somebody please help me with this xxxx ... View more