Sorry cancer sucks...

lara that is good news! I had my CT scan yesterday and have my oncologist appt Tues. Praying the CT scan is clear and the MRI says the cancer isn't big but I can feel it my self and its like the size of the yellow middle section of a kinder egg. It was the size of an acorn a month ago and couldn't even be felt two months ago. 
Trying to think of this time next year and imagining this all behind me and my family, apart from the hormone tablets. Hope you are all ok ladies!! Xxx

Gosh I have just caught up with this. Sorry to see we have more new members to our club but I am now 9 weeks post initial diagnosis and 2 chemos down. 
 

I'm Kelly, 44, married, 2 kids aged 16 and 12 and 2 x English bulldogs :-)

I have suffered with lumpy boobs for years! Always cysts. I have actually been the breast clinic 3 times since last November. First 2 times, new cysts. The third time, I actually delayed going because my thought process was "I've been twice in the past 6 months, had mammograms and ultrasounds already , surely they would have already spotted it if it cancer". Anyway, I was wrong. It was BC. Stage 2 HER2+. My treatment is 15 chemo cycles then surgery
 

[@LilLoops]‍ my lump was huge! (Well to me it was!). When I turned sideways in the mirror, you could see it swelling above my nipple. When I initially went the breast clinic, the consultant who did the breast exam said it was a "classic cyst" then needed to be drained, it was that big! When I was diagnosed, I never had to point it out (if you know what I mean), you could see it! I was told like you that it wasn't that big and I should stop messing with it! Anyway, I am now 2 chemos down and you cannot feel or see it at all. 
 

I see someone else has posted about their breast MRI flagged up additional areas of concern. Mine did too. I had 3 areas flag up that needed rescanning and biopsies taken. All 3 came back as fibrodenomas. Even whilst waiting for the results though, my oncologist was totally unphased and just said "Don't worry. We will just tweak  your treatment plan". 
 

I read all your posts and I know EXACTLY how you feel. It takes me back to August when I was first diagnosed and waiting on results. Without a doubt, that is the worst part of all this.

i started chemo on Sep 6th. I am on EC and then moving to paclitaxel. I have had 2 EC chemos so far. I am also using the cold cap and so far kept the majority of my hair with just some thinning. The EC does knock you off your feet for a few days but then life just goes back to normal....just a new normal. I'm back going the gym on my good days, running  round after my kids. I have been signed off work and they have been amazing. I have more pj days than normal but at least it's the weather for it! I am actually out for a bottomless brunch tomorrow with my friends!!
 

Nobody wants to be where we are but I am at the point where I think I have no alternative but to just crack on. So that is what I am doing. Some days are challenging but now the good days far out weigh the bad. It's not all sweetness and light but it's weird how you adapt - or that's how I've found it anyway. This is just a short chapter in my life. By this time next year, i will have moved onto the next!

Hope you are all ok. There is lots of support on here and the BC now forum. I am happy to answer any questions also if I can. Just focus on getting through each day and ticking off appointments as they come along .

Good Luck everyone x

Hi Kelly,

Your post has really helped me. Very encouraging!

Thank you ️

How are you all getting on?

I have my first oncologist appt tomorrow... dreading it but wanting the low down on what I am facing now. I wonder when I shall get the MRI and CT scan tesults from last week - the CT scan is the one I lose sleep over. 
 

Hi LilLoops, 

Ah bless ya thanks for the message. This past week has been a rolletcoaster of emotion. Having good days and bad. I feel like its only now starting to sink in. 
 

Met with new Consultant on Thursday - he says scans are really clear and just wants to go straight to lumpectomy without a MRI as he doesnt think it will give him any more info. He called another specialist in for secind opinion and he agreed. He examined me again took bloods and said he would call me this week with a date for the Lumpectomy so im litetally sat with phone in hand waiting on his call. Not sure how i feel about no MRI but i feel like i need to trust the dr's plus he will need to take to Multi diciplinery meeting so if it gets approved it must be the consemsus ‍♀️

I can imagine how you will be feeling ahead of tomorrow you will be worrying yourself sick but i think you should take some comfort from Kelly's post above. I desperately hope its good news for you tomorrow. I will keep evetything crossed for you my lovely. Il be thinking about you all day xxx 

Hi Kelly, 

Thank you for your post! I think its helped a few of us. I know its defimitely given me some comfort xxx

Hi Lara, 

Yeh hopefully things will start moving quickly now
how things with you?? 

xx 

How did you get on [@LilLoops]‍ ? x

Hiya,

so I have stage 2, grade 3, hormone receptive - jury is out on Her2, been sent for more tests as I was borderline before. CT shows a dot in my lung but they aren't concerned however will monitor purely as I have cancer - no other spread FEEKIN YAY!!! Lump has shown in my other breast, not surprisingly as I have felt something twice - so I need a biopsy on that. 
 

Treatment - chemo - 7 cycles commenced in 10 to 14 days. Then surgery and radiotherapy and then hormone pills. The chat about infection is scary. I am wondering whether trying the cold cap is worth it but tbh I am ELATED that I am not riddled with it which is what I had struggled not to convince myself of! Still scared but feeling MUCH better.

How are you all??