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They say I have Breast Cancer from Calcifications

Rictina
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Im 44yrs old living in the Northern Scottish Highlands. It all started with me going to my GP last week as one breast felt tender & slightly larger than the other but no lumps at all. She told me its nothing to worry about but best to get it checked at the breast clinic. Went there yesterday, wasnt even nervous, the doctor checked me over & wasnt too sure so brought in the Consultant (her boss) to be sure. He thought it best to do a mammogram and ultrasound to be on the safe side. So had that done & back to the Consultant, they confirmed the worst. & something about finding Calcifications which I dont really know what that means. Then they did a Core biopsy via ultrasound which was painful & still is which they warned me of. They did about 20, they had to try to get some calcifications. I asked if the scan was going well as they seemed to be struggling, they assured me it was hard to target the calcifications for testing & they havent found any more baddies, only 1 I think they said was a nodule but not sure as Im still learning the lingo. Tears were just rolling down my face the whole time. Ive been given a dedicated Macmillan Nurse who will be with me throughout, she is lovely. My husband is being brilliant, absolute rock. They cant really tell me what type of cancer till the results next Thursday & the Consultant is on holiday till the week after but Ill still go to the Macmillan Nurse face to face for the results. They are talking of a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery taken from back muscle, chemo, radio therapy ect ..already. My head is a mess & I cant eat well, so scared as I dont know anyone with BC. Id love to chat with others in a similar position & others who have been through it. Just feel so lost & uneducated. One minute I think Im doing ok then the next I fall apart. Sorry for my ramble.

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine,

    You seem to helphelp so many people with your advice. I thought you could help me please?

    Im 35 we have the bracca 1 gene within my  family. 

    I found a lump a few months agoago, thought it was hormonal until it grown more. Finally went the gp, referred to the breast clinic. Mammogram and ultrasound done. Told i have alot of micro calsifications. Highly likely to be cancer. They mentioned nothing about finding the lump i felt as it didnt show on the scan although they can feel it. I was told if it was cancer it was the best one to have? I have no idea what that means. That id need surgery but we had to have the biopsy first. 

    I went for a mammogram guided vacuum biopsy yesterday. They said they got good samples they placed a marker but they said i had alot of them. Does this make a difference whether you have one or loads? 

    The waiting is the hardest part, Once i know what im dealing with i can fight it. I have the moto no point crying over split milk, as its already happened. I already have my appointment booked for the 10th December but it feels so far away. Will they ring before if they get the results, is no news good news. 

    Thankyou for listening. 

    Chel 

  • Offline in reply to chellou

     

    Hi Chellou,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am so sorry to hear that you have been having this bother for a while and still don't have a definite diagnosis. I am not a doctor, so am not sure exactly what treatment, if any, someone with multiple microcalcifications is likely to need. I suspect that it depends upon the extent of the microcalcifications. My surgeon wasn't too worried about mine and was more interested in removing my lump.

    I have a rare form of cancer, called Mucinous or Colloid breast cancer. I was initially told that, if I have to have cancer, this is the best type to have, as it is not as aggressive as some other forms of cancer. It is always a good idea to take someone with you when you go for your results and also draw up a list of questions for your consultant before your appointment.

    The waiting is a nightmare. It is so difficult to be positive when facing the unknown. Once you have a definite diagnosis, you will find it easier to cope with. All you can do at present is to keep yourself as busy as you can, in an attempt to distract yourself from the wait. Do you have a family member or friend who you can talk to openly and, who can support you through this challenge.

    I know that 10th December sounds like a long way away, but it is less than a week away. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

    I sincerely hope thatyour results are still benign.

     

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