Hi Jenny,

So pleased to hear that you're okay now.

My consultant was very good and I must admit that once I found out that it was treatable I did feel a lot happier. Just waiting for the MRI now to confirm the size of the lump and then hopefully he'll go through the plan of treatment. The waiting is frustrating but he's assured me that the outcome will be fine it's just a matter of whether it's a lumpectomy or mastectomy and radiotherapy and/or chemo. Mine's oestrogen positive and HER2 negative.

I do manage to distract myself during the day with work, reading etc but have to admit the minute my head hits the pillow it's the first thing I think of and the same when I wake in the morning. But, yes, sometimes I do feel as though my head's 'mashed'. It also feels quite surreal at the moment but I'm sure that will change once the treatment starts.

Thank you so much for your support - it really does mean a lot.

Deb x

Hi Deb,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

It must have been quite a shock for you to receive your diagnosis by post. Most surgeons prefer to give news face-to-face, irrespective of whether it is good or bad. The practice of informing people by letter increased during Covid, but has reduced since. Some busier hospitals do notify people by post, as it frees appointment slots in clinic, but this is not ideal. If you have any questions still, write a list. You can either phone your breast care nurse to ask her to explain what is happening, or take the list to your next appointment to ask your consultant.

I am so sorry to hear that your diagnosis is cancer, but glad to hear that it is treatable. I am sure that it was a great relief for you to discover that it was only stage 2. It is frustrating having to wait again for an MRI, but it is important for your surgeon to have all the right details before even discussing potential treatments. I do hope that you get it soon. You will feel better once you get the full diagnosis and move on to treatment.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

To be fair, the letter didn’t actually say that I had cancer but it did give the test results - U5, T5, M5 - which I looked up to discover that they showed it was cancer. The consultant did seem surprised when he told me and I said I already knew from the results letter. Weirdly, although it was a shock when I got the letter it did give me a few days to compose myself and think of questions to ask. 

I’ve now been given a date of 11 September for the MRI so not too much longer. 

I’ll let you all know when I have any more info!

Deb x

Hi Deb,  actually a CT scan is much easier and quicker than the MRI and not so claustrophobic.  I think it is a good thing because at least then it will give you peace of mind that it hasn't spread anywhere else.  I have a CT scan every three months and it only takes about 5 minutes.  It is good that they can still do the lumpectomy.  Good luck with your appointment and keep us updated.  Big hugs.

Lee x

Hi Lee,

Thanks, that’s put my mind at rest a bit. Is it only 5 minutes for a whole body scan? 

Deb x

Hi Deb,  thats what mine takes literally the machine says breathe in hold it and then it tells you to breathe out.  It really is very quick.  I have to have CT with contrast so they put canula in which puts dye in your body and that takes the longest.  The scan itself is quick and not very claustrophobic not like the MRI.  Good luck xxx

Hi Debs,

I'm glad to hear that you've had the MRI and just wanted to reassure you that what Leelaloo says is correct, If you managed the MRI, a CT scan should be a breeze. It is not claustrophobic at all and well worth doing. I'm glad to see that your consultant is being so thorough, although I imagine that you are desperate to start treatment. You'll be glad in the long run that everything is being thoroughly investigated.

Look forward to your next update.

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

I've had a quick google of CT scans and have to admit that it doesn't look too bad at all. I think it threw me into a panic because, as I said, I hadn't even considered the possibility of it spreading anywhere else in my body - probably naive I know. So at the moment rather than putting my mind at rest, it's opened up another can of worms. 

Anyway, I'm sure I'll get there in the end and I'll keep you all posted.

Debs x

Hi Debs,

You were probably so thrown by the cancer diagnosis that you never even thought about spread. This is not unusual. As with any cancer diagnosis, there is always this possibility, especially if any of the lymph nodes are affected. It sounds as if your consultant is being very thorough, which is reassuring. If there is any spread you would certainly want to treat this at the same time as your breast. Don't let this possibility throw you into a tail spin - it is only a possibility and one that has always been there - it's also reassuring that nothing showed up on the MRI!

I'm glad that you have looked at CT scans online and to hear that you don't feel so bad about them now - you'll have no bother with it. I hope that this comes through soon and that you can then put all of this behind you.

I look forward to your next update.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx