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

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

Yes sounds the Same as mine is having 8 cycles of chemo and then surgery... if you want to ask any young about the chemo please do.. do you know when you start? 

Good of luck tomorrow xxx

I've no idea when I start. I feel so in the dark at the moment. I don't have another appt with consultant till 6th Jan. When I've been told I'll find out more about my treatment plan.

Hope you don't mind me asking, what symptoms were you having prior to bone scan, ct etc?

Xxxxx

Hi Luna

It’s the not knowing that is the worst.  Once I knew what they were doing and I had a plan of action I started to feel calmer. 

I rang the breast cancer helpline a couple of times when I was first diagnosed and stressing out and they were lovely and really helpful. Their number is 0808 800 6000.

My sister’s friend went through the same this time last year. She had lymph node involvement too and had chemo first and then a mastectomy and was given the all clear in September.

I had a Diep Flap reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy and it is amazing what they can do now. I’ve got an appointment with the plastic surgeon at the end of Jan to discuss symmetry surgery and nipple reconstruction. 

Let us know how you get on tomorrow xx

I am so scared about tomorrow. I feel physically sick. I just want them to tell me it hasn't spread and then I can focus more and start concentrating on getting better!

Xxxxx

Hi All 

just reading all your posts, I had a mammogram & biopsy over a week ago and was told it is breast cancer and the lymph nodes that were taken were clear but that's not anything to go by, I have a coil fitted which they say can affect the readings so have to have it removed and have to go for an MRI @ CT scan, I am really scared it has spread as my back is in agony at the moment but wasn't there before so hopefully it is anxiety and stress. The doctor didn't give me any stage as to what it was at as she has said the lump is about 2 1/2 cms and they want to check it isn't any larger, are the scans standard at this stage and is anyone else at this stage as at the moment I am so scared it has spread and untreatable, don't think I have ever been so scared and cried so much.

lots of love 

Kerry xxx

HI Kerry,

The scans are perfectly routine and give a clearer view of the lesions. They probably want to wait until your coil is removed before giving you a grade. The way you feel is also very normal. It is impossible not to be worried with so many unknowns flying around in your head.

I have had a number of these scans within the past 11 years and cancer has only been present twice. We all tend to think the worst at this stage, but fortunately, this seldom comes to pass.

Here's hoping for a better outcome.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thank you for your encouraging words, hope you are okay x my middle of my shoulder blades are aching and just worrying it has spread, just feel so emotional at the moment and scared not sleeping xx 

lots of love 

Kerry xx 

Hi Kerry,

I am not a doctor, but I understand from the many posts that I've read here throughout the years, that pain does not usually accompany breast cancer, so let's hope that this is so in your case.

I wish that there was something that I could do to help you through this awful waiting stage. Unfortunately, we all have to go through these emotions, but things will improve once you know what you're dealing with.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Kerry

I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this but I echo what Jolamine has said. Whilst I was waiting for my results I had awful pain in my chest and neck and obviously thought the worst. I had never suffered with anxiety before so didn’t realise that it could cause actual physical pain. I made the mistake of turning to Dr Google whilst I was waiting for my results and disagnosed myself with the worst BC there is! I also had a MRI and CT scan before my op. It’s good news that your lymph nodes are clear.

The waiting is the hardest thing ever. Once you know what you’re dealing with and have a plan of action it will start to get better. 

Take care and stay strong.

Alison xx

Hi Kerry

I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this but I echo what Jolamine has said. Whilst I was waiting for my results I had awful pain in my chest and neck and obviously thought the worst. I had never suffered with anxiety before so didn’t realise that it could cause actual physical pain. I made the mistake of turning to Dr Google whilst I was waiting for my results and disagnosed myself with the worst BC there is! I also had a MRI and CT scan before my op. It’s good news that your lymph nodes are clear.

The waiting is the hardest thing ever. Once you know what you’re dealing with and have a plan of action it will start to get better. 

Take care and stay strong.

Alison xx

Hi All 

hope you are all well xx 

I have spoken to my nurse today and feel a little better. She said that the lymph nodes that were taken at the biopsy were clear but they had two areas of concern the lump in my breast and under my arm, but the tests were inconclusive not sure what that means. The other concern was they thought it was about 7 cms not 2 1/2 as originally thought that is why they want to do the MRI & CT scan also mentioned that they thought it was duct related. Got my blood test tomorrow so once that is done I can hopefully push for my CT scan and MRI just want to know what I am dealing with and get a plan had a couple of mini meltdowns today but feeling better tonight.

thanks 

Kerry 

Hi Kerry,

Many thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear that your chat with the nurse made you feel a little better today. It is great to hear that the lymph nodes tested at biopsy were all clear and, I hope that your blood tests tomorrow don't show up anything untoward.

It is always unsettling when your test results come back as inconclusive, but you shouldn't have too long to wait for your CT and MRI and, hopefully they'll help to clarify things for you. It will be so much easier once you know exactly what you are dealing with.
Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks, blood test done & CT scan booked for 15.30 tomorrow

Great - I'm glad that you've got your CT scan so quickly.

Keep in touch.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much, hope you are okay xx I am so scared at the moment so many secondary symptoms and my mind is doing overtime and think I am going to drive myself crazy a blubbering mess at the moment xx

HI Kerry,

I know that it's hard not to, but try not to overthink things. Most breast cancers are treatable and outcomes are improving all the time.

I hope that all goes well tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

MRI scan booked for next Tuesday then the results appointment, have to say I am absolutely petrified at the moment had a big meltdown yesterday and my head is swimming at the moment with so many scenarios flying around

Hi Kerry,

That's great. The sooner you have it, the sooner it'll be over. Try not to overthink things meanwhile. How did your CT scan go?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thanks for the reply, CT scan was okay only took about 5 minutes so really quick, not sure if that's a good or worrying sign, but have a bad back at the moment but heat pack is easing it so hopefully just stress and my head is really fuzzy at the minute but just putting that down to over thinking everything and lack of sleep.

Hope you are well xx

Kerry

Hi Kerry,

The CT doesn't take long, but I'm glad to hear that you've had this done. It's good to hear that heat is helping your back. It's amazing what sresss can cause us to believe and lack of sleep doesn't help either. It shouldn't be that much longer now until you know what's what.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx