Newly diagnosed with breast cancer and waiting for Scans

I’ve just been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer but waiting for scans to check if it has spread elsewhere, I don’t feel well and feel like it has spread and am really worried what the results will be. At the moment it’s a large lump and has spread to the lymph node so starting chemo first, even though I pretty much knew it it’s been a very tough week 

I am positive about the treatment but just terrified this is going to change when they see if it has spread... the waiting is hurrendous... trying to have fun with my kids,work and keep busy but just walking around in a daze and trance... 

Parents
  • Hi Olivia

    I’m so sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis.  I have also recently been diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer and can totally relate with you on the horrendous waiting on test results. I’ve never experienced anxiety like it and my constant Googling hasn’t helped matters! I’ve two teenage daughters, 19 and 15 so with them being older have explained everything to them. It’s still very hard though keeping a brave face in front of them. 

    It’s looking like I’m going to be having a mastectomy and I also find out results on Friday. I’m hoping he will be telling me the next steps as I think I will feel a bit better for knowing what’s going to be happening and when.

    Good luck for Friday.

    Alison x

  • Hi Alison,

    I just wanted to wish you all the best for Friday. I am glad that you and Olivia have met up. You will both find it helpful to have someone going through the same thing at the same time and should be a great support for one another.

    As I have already told Olivia, I had a lumpectomy 8 years ago followed by a double mastectomy 7 years ago. I was terrified of what might go wrong with my last ops, but it was really straightforward.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

     

     

  • Thanks for your messages, so good to hear from others going through the same. 

    Good to hear your sisters friend has the all clear, and praying for good news for you tomorrow Alison.

    I have an MRI and CT scan tomoro but not sure when I get the results... 

    All the best, will update you on tomorrow’s progress 

    liv xxx

  •  

    Hi Alison,
    I hope that it is good news.

    Kind regards,
    Jolamine xx

  •  

    Hi Liv,

    Have you heard when you are likely to get the results of your MRI and CT scan?

    Hope all is going well.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi jolamine, 

    thanks for getting in touch, meant to update you both earlier, I hope you are well? I didn’t end up having scans last Friday it was just to meet the oncologist but had MRI and bone scans this week and ct scan tomorrow

    bone scan came back normal which was a big relief and not sure about the others yet. Started chemo today which was ok but made it all very real and feeling pretty rough but all part of the course. I have amazing support so will get through it together ️

    Alison, I hope all is ok with you? Thinking of you 

     

    Liv xx

     

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    Hi Liv,

    I am glad to hear that you have started chemo. How many sessions are you going to have? I know that it's tough going. Do your best to keep at it.

    Getting a clear bone scan must have been a tremendous relief - let's hope that some of the others show a similar result!

    Regards,

    Jolamine xx

  •  

    Hi Pposhes,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    Can you tell us a little about where you are in your cancer journey? Perhaps then we will find someone who can help you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  •  

    Hi Liv

    So glad to hear your bone scan came back as normal, that must be a huge relief. Fingers crossed for the MRI and CT results. 

    My third biopsy results came back as low grade DCIS and it’s confirmed I have to have a mastectomy as it’s a large area. I saw the plastic surgeon yesterday as I’m having an immediate reconstruction, a CT scan next week and then he said hopefully I’ll be able to have the surgery in a couple of weeks.

    I know what you mean about it feeling very real... I went home filled with fear! I just want to get on with it now and get It out of my body.

    Take care and please let me know how you get on. 

    Alison xx

  • Hi Alison, 

    sorry you have to go through that, must be very frightening for you, but just think it will be out and you can start recovery. Good that they are doing the reconstruction at the same time too.

    Keep strong and all the best for your CT scan 

     

    Liv xxx

  • Hi Liv

    How are you? Have you had your MRI and CT scan results yet and how’s it going with chemo?

    My op is on Thursday... feeling nervous now! I’ve been cleaning like a mad woman this weekend to try and take my mind off it.

    Hope to hear from you.

    Alison xx

     

Reply Children
  • Hi Alison, 

    i hope you’re doing ok, the waiting is the worst bit I suppose, prob best just to keep busy and It’ll be over soon! Let me know how it goes and  try and get rested before if possible 

    I had CT and bone scans which were all clear so that’s great, such a relief, still not heard from my MRI presume my consultant will discuss with me when I see him on Thursday. 

    Chemo was a bit of a shock to the system initially but feeling fine now, they said they will adjust some of the meds to stop me being so sick so will see how the next one goes just waiting for my hair to fall out now... wig at the ready

     feel so normal most days but not working now so all a bit strange 

    Will be thinking of you on Thursday 

    best wishes 

    liv x

  • Hi Liv

    That’s good news on your scans and fingers crossed for your MRI result. 

    Sorry to hear the chemo made you feel so sick. How long do you have to have it for? I won’t know until after my op whether I’m going to need that or radiotherapy, so don’t really know much about it yet. 

    I’m initially going to be off work for 6 weeks but it worries me if I do need further treatment that I won’t be able to work through it. Still not much I can do about it so I should stop worrying! 

    What part or the country do you live? I’m in London.

    Take care and I’ll let you know how I get on.

    Alison x

  • Hi Alison, 

    how are you doing? How are you feeling after the op? I hope it all went well and you are recovering...

     

    im half way through the chemo now which is great.. on count down now then will have to prepare for surgery which they are saying is likely to be a mastectomy so just trying to get my head round that and looking at options.

     

    im in Woodbridge in Suffolk. Have you gone back to wor or are you having more treatment? I’ve been working a bit on and off which helps a bit but hard to get into it mentally

     

    sorry not been in touch for a while. I hope you are doing well and can enjoy some Christmas fun! 

     

    Olivia xx

  • Hi Liv

    It’s lovely to hear from you. How are you doing?  I’m glad to hear you’re halfway through and hopefully the next half will speed past. I’m so sorry to hear it might be a mastectomy. When do you think surgery will be? My surgery was a Diep Flap, so please if you want to ask me anything.

    My surgery went really well.  I had a few problems with swelling and had to make a few extra trips to the hospital, but it’s all settled down now and I went back to work a couple of weeks ago.... that was a shock to the system, but back just in time for the Xmas parties I thankfully haven’t had to have any further treatment other than Tamoxifen tablets for 5 years. They’re causing a bit of havoc with my hormones right now, but I’ll take that! I’m seeing the plastic surgeon at the end of Jan, so I’m hoping it’s all settled down and he can tell me when he will be able to do the nipple reconstruction and symmetry surgery.

    I can’t believe it’s Xmas in 9 days, the past few months have been a whirlwind haven’t they?! 

    I hope you have a fab Christmas.

    Alison xxx

  • Hi Alison, 

    so glad to hear it all went well and you’re back to a. Bit of normality...the last few months have been so crazy

     

    the timing of my treatment have worked out well so feeling my best for the chisrmas period and looking forward to some fun with the family and get really for the next phase of treatment.

     

    have a great Christmas and a happy 2019!! 

  • Hi

    I really hope you don't mind me joining in on your thread. I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer on Monday with 2 lymph nodes. 

    I came across your post about waiting for more tests and I am feeling exactly the same way you did. I don't feel well, aching all over and terrified that the cancer has spread.

    Reading your posts has given me some encouragement. I am glad to hear that you are doing well. 

    Also I am 41, so just a little bit older than you. 

    Xxx

  • Hiya, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, such an awful thing to go through, I hope you and your family are ok. I was the same and didn’t feel well in myself and thought the worst but I guess a lot of it is psychological and all the stress prob causes some of it so try and not worry and all the best for positive results, the waiting is the worst  

    have they told you what your treatment will be?

    whtever it is you will get through it and get rid of it and anything you want to ask feel free

    take care and keep in touch xx

  • At the moment they have said chemo first before mastectomy. Is that similar to you?

    I have a day off from tests today, bone scan tomorrow.

    Very nervous about that as every bone is aching!

    Xxx

  • Hi Luna

    I’m so sorry to hear your diagnosis.  I agree with Liv re the stress. The shock and the waiting for results is such a stressful time.  I’d never experienced anxiety on that scale before and didn’t realise the physical pain it can cause. 

    I had a mastectomy 2 months ago and am doing really well, so if you have any questions on that please feel free to ask me.

    Good luck tomorrow.

    Alison x

  • Hi Alison

    Many thanks for your reply, it's so good to hear that you are doing well, gives me hope. 

    I've never felt anxiety like this before either. It's a journey into the unknown and I'm finding it hard to deal with. It's the fact that it is in my lymph nodes that is terrifying me. Does this mean its spread? 

    Coming to terms with losing my breast will be another huge obstacle. I have big boobs and feel like I will be losing half of me. 

    Will or are you considering reconstruction? 

    Xxxxx