Hi Sez,

Welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear of the reason you've joined. Your experience at the breast clinic sounds fairly normal. Although they don't routinely carry out a mammogram on someone of your age, they do still do them when they want to clarify something that is not as clear as it should be on ultrasound. This often gives a clearer picture of all that is going on. They quite often carry out a lymph node biopsy too, so that they can rule out lymph node involvment.

While you surgeon can possibly diagnose cancer at 20 paces, because he sees so many people with it, you are right that even he cannot be certain until your results come back. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years. My surgeons told me at my first appointment that they were pretty sure that I had breast cancer and, unfortunately, they were right. It sounds as if your consultant has worded this a little more sensitively, but, as you yourself say, he is possibly better to err on the cautious side, so that you don't get too great a shock if something is found.

He will have a chat with his MDT(multidisciplinary team) at their weekly meeting. They will discuss your case here and, by the time you get your results, your consultant will let you know what they have decided to do.

I know that waiting for results is one of the hardest times in our cancer journeys. There are so many unknowns that you tend to think the worst. Fortnately, this seldom comes to pass. Treatments are advancing all the time and outcomes are better than they used to be, so it is all quite manageable.

I shall be thinking of you on Wednesday and, hope that the news is better than you're expect. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you. In the meanwhile, keep busy and try to distract yourself from the wait.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi, 

Had results yesterday and not good news. 

I have breast cancer with lymph node involvement. 

I had a magseed marker fitted yesterday and bloods taken. I am going for a CT scan later today.

My treatment will be 6 chemo sessions (one every 3 weeks) with surgery and radiotherapy at the end.

I just want to get started now. I was told the stage and grade of my cancer but am too afraid to google it.

I'll just take all the treatment they throw at me and hope it works x

Hi Sez,

Thank you for updating us on your test results. I am so sorry to hear them, but it sounds as if you have the right attitude. The sooner you start your treatment, the sooner it will all be behind you. Were you told what type of breast cancer as well as your grade  and, were you given any indication about how widespread the lymph node involvment is?

You are in for a difficult few months, but it is all quite 'doable' and, a positive mindset is what you need to get you through. I hope that your CT scan went well. Have you been told when these results will be back? You do right to avoid Google at the moment, as this will only scare you more, for no good reason.  Getting the marker left in is the norm, as this helps them to locate the problem area. Are they hoping to start chemo fairly soon? - Sorry that there are so many questions. You don't have to answer any of them if you don't want to. We are here for you whenever you need our support,advice or information.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

They did say it is stage 2 grade 3 but again, I've not googled it as I don't want to know what thst means. I'm just going to trust them and take whatever treatment they think I need and hope it works. They seem confident that a combo of chemo and "pagetta?" will work well, hence inserting the marker as they said in some cases the tumour shrinks away to nothing.

They will operate after chemo (one dose every 28 days) followed by radiotherapy and oral meds.

The lymph node they tested does show spread so they will be removed during surgery too I think. 

CT yesterday didn't quite go to plan. 4 people tried to insert a cannula to inject some dye but I have rubbish veins and they couldn't get one in anywhere, they even tried my foot! In the end they did the scan without the dye which isn't ideal but should hopefully still show everything they need. No results yet so fingers crossed.

Thats all I know for now, waiting for a call from the oncologist to discuss next steps. 

I'll keep you updated, thank you so much for your time x

Hi Sez

Sorry to hear it didn't go well with the CT scan, it's stressful enough as it is isn't. 

You sound like me ...since I found out about cancer at the beginning of July I just want to get treatment started but unfortunately my scan showed up something in my stomach so just had MRI for that yesterday. Fingers crossed its nothing.

Looks like we're both having the same treatment. I'm just waiting for a call from the consultant to hopefully answer the 110 questions I've got for her !! 

Take care   

Hi Sez,

You are quite right to stay clear of Google. Write down every question that comes to mind and ask your care team foe answers. I do this for every appointment to ensure that I don't forget anything important. I hope that you have a good team that you can totally rely on to get you through your cancer journey as quickly and reliably as possible.

I have bilateral Lymphoedema in both arms and hands and have to have any blood pressure, blood tests, injections, etc taken from my feet. I can empathise with your probems with the canula, as I've already got that T Shirt. Still, let's hope that they can get everything they need without contrast.

Look forward to your updates.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi K70,

I hope that your MRI results come back soon. You are quite right to have a list of questions for your consultant. She is in the best position to answer them for you, as she has all your medical history and results to hand and should be best able to give you answers for you and you alone - so much better than scaring yourself rigid on Google!

Please keep us informed of your progress. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi K70,

Fingers crossed for your MRI results. 

I'm still in the "it's so unfair", "why me?" stage at the moment. I don't drink or smoke, I'm not overweight, I do regular exercise and have no family history of BC. 

My family and friends have all been so supportive and strong since I told them but it is nice to be able to chat to people actually going through the process. Interesting to hear your treatment is the same. The consultant made it sound like it's a fairly new treatment and was very positive about potential results so hopefully it will work well for us both. 

Hope your results come back soon and are good news x