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Breast cancer - introduction

layney_1
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Hi, I’m Elaine and I’ve just joined the forum as my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer just over a week ago and I have no idea what to expect. I’m hoping by joining, I can find out more about people’s experiences and what to expect over the coming weeks and months.

So far, all we know is that it is breast cancer. Since then, she has had an ultrasound and biopsy and today she received a call advising that she needs an MRI scan too. Her appt with her consultant is scheduled for next week.

What I’m really wanting to know is why the MRI? Does this mean that they have found something in the ultrasound that requires further tests? Like perhaps it has spread further?

If anyone has been through this before I’d really like to know what we can expect in the coming weeks, what tests are likely, any side effects etc so I can be as fully prepared as I can so that I can support her every step.

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    Hi Elaine

    you sound like a really caring daughter and obviously concerned about your mum. I obviously don’t know why they have asked for an MRI but I am getting one soon to see if there is any other cancer in the breast as some cancers don’t show up in either mammogram or ultrasound. If they were looking at spread I would assume they would order a CT scan and not a MRI but I may be wrong. when your mum’s appointment letter comes through it should say what the MRI is for. But your mum will also have been assigned a breast nurse that she can call and ask all the questions she has. 

    The process is well defined and you mum has went through the first couple of stages

    1) scanned

    2) biopsies

    3) followup scan to make sure they have caught everything

    4) surgery

    5) pathology results from surgery

    6) could be further op if the surgeon hasn’t got all the margins

    7) treatment

    I went through surgery 5 weeks ago and about to have further surgery. It was easier than I thought and was in no pain and no complications. The scars have healed but obviously have to go through the whole thing again but that’s okay as I would rather that than have cancer left behind - they are very thorough. 

    As a mum, I have not told my grown up kids everything as I don’t want them living with worry, your mum might be the same so I would allow her to lead things and just be there for her when she needs it.

  • Offline in reply to Magpiemaggie

    Thank you magpiemaggie for taking the time to respond. I’m sorry to hear you are going through it as well, but your positive attitude makes me feel a bit better about what we are about to face. I understand what you mean about not telling your children everything, but I want mum to know that I am willing to be involved as much as possible so I can support her in every way, but I will understand if she wants to do some of it by herself. It’s still a huge shock, we have the meeting with consultant on Tuesday so sure we will hear more but no idea how quickly things progress from now. How long was it after you found out that you had your surgery?

  • Offline in reply to layney_1

    Hi Elaine, glad I could be of some help. 

    I was given about 10 days to decide on surgery and went with my gut rather than surgeon’s options. I am fortunate to have a first class surgeon and we met halfway.

    it took ages to have my surgery as I was not a priority - so from diagnosis to surgery took 4 months. I have to go back and get more surgery in about 4 weeks time. my case turned out not to be as  straightforward as they thought as they found other cancer in there that did nor show up before.

    im glad you are going with your mum and will be there for her. If you can, write down all the questions you can think of, no matter how silly you think some will be. There are websites that list the type of questions people ask, I found this helpful when I met with the consultant. 

    I would like to reassure your mum that surgery is nothing to be scared of. She will be in safe hands. 

    I hope she gets her operation soon as the waiting difficult, the quicker her treatment begins the better, that way you both know what the plan is and can work together to get through it and come out the other side.

     

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