Hi TRU64 .  I was diagnosed with stage 3, grade 2 lobular breast cancer.  I was ER, PR+ and HER2 - .  I had surgery (lump was 4cm).  Had chemo and radiotherapy.  It is very scary and waiting for results is very stressful.  Macmillan has a forum for breast cancer and lots of supportive people in the same situation so they all know what it feels like.  When are you getting your receptor results back?  I am happy to chat anytime.

Lee x

Good luck with your scan today x

Hi Lee thank you for reaching out to me. Is very scary. I get my receptors results hopefully friday next week. And my scan results will be back by then as well as they've put them through as urgent. Its knowing what all the receptor stuff means. Ive tried to get my head round it. As treatment seems a little different. And they told me I might need chemo 1st. Its facing the unknown that only those who have sadly faced this, know what it feels like. Mind bending scary! I know mine is a grade 3 aggressive but not sure on what stage yet. 

Hope you're doing well after your treatment xx

Hi Tru64, I was diagnosed last June or July with grade 3 invasive lobular carcinoma, 7.2cm, ER & PR+, Her2- (most ILC's are) plus another smaller tumour. I had a therapeutic mammoplasty, which was successful, with clear margins and only a few lymph nodes were positive, which is negligible. 

I then had chemotherapy then radiotherapy. Completed that a few weeks ago and now on hormone treatment (the receptors mean that the cancer will usually respond well to hormone treatment) 

None of this seemed possible when I was at the stage you're at, but now it seems it's flown by.  You may not have exactly the same plan as I did but I expect there will be some similarities. 

Once you have a plan the whole oncology system takes over and you feel very supported,  We don't often hear about all the folks going through this and living well afterwards, but you'll soon start to meet them.

Very best wishes to you. 

Thank you Quando. Im sorry for your journey too. Its the waiting & the unknown that is draining. My Consultant has been sent the scan results already, they did that before they took the venflon out my hand. He said he'd see me Friday for the receptor results & scan. But earlier if scan shows any spread. So I'm hoping there  wont be a phone call mon or Tues. But of course the brain doesn't stay with that thought. I just want to get on with treatment! My lump is very active & aggressive. 

There were no axillary lymph nodes on ultrasound but Dr said that doesn't mean they aren't affected as ultra sound isnt 100% acurrate. I found my lump as its really painful and pressing on a nerve. Its on my bra line tucked up inside. Im large busted. Dr said very hard to detect where its located, rarely shows up on mammogram and the I was lucky its pressing on a  nerve to find it. The pain isn't great. And wearing a bra is painful.

Thank you for sharing with me. It sounds like all the different treatments are doing what is needed. And you are almost a year on from starting these. I think when I meet other people who are further along like you and  some at a similar stage to me will help. Been through & going through, and truly knowing how Im feeling as they've been there or are there, is what I need. Im a social soul who loves people. I have a busy job, work with lovely colleagues  & am never ill. I like working. So being at home signed off isn't good for me. 

I wish you well on your recovery

Mine was very active and aggressive too, grade 3 is that very active differentiation. It wasn't seen on mammogram a couple of years earlier and no lump detected by myself nor GP right before diagnosis. I went because the aerola was denting inward. As soon as the consultant examined it it was obvious to her (and me) that there was definitely a mass and needed mammogram, CT scan and biopsies. 

As you say, ILC is often unseen on mammograms this can grow before it's diagnosed. Mine was behind the nipple this was pulling inward. Once the mass was identified I could feel it but it was more liked a thickening to touch as it was deep. 

I had a larger bust also, this the suggested therapeutic mammoplasty rather than mastectomy. Remove tumours, reduce size of both breasts (rearranging breast tissue as needed) 

I found the waiting bit you're at really difficult, all the what it's. Once the plan was in place it felt much better and far less isolating. 

I missed work greatly, did little bits from home and attended the odd gathering, tbh just finding my watt back now. 

All best, you'll have a good team around you x