Hi Badger,

Grade and stage are different.

Grade indicates how different your cells are to normal breast cells and how fast they are growing. There are 3 different grades of invasive breast cancer. Grade 1 is the least aggressive, whereas grade 3 is the more aggresive and fast growing.

Stage describes the size of the tumour, the number of lymph nodes affected and how far it has spread.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Badger. On the notes the nurse made, it says that if the Her2 comes back positive, they would recommend chemo in addition to surgery/hormone treatment. If negative, no need for chemo initially but maybe post-surgery depending on the node biopsy.  She did say the result doesn't change the prognosis at all, just the treatment. It would delay surgery for me if it's positive but I'll just have to see how it goes and try to be mentally prepared!

Jolamine, thank you for both your messages, it is so appreciated and helpful. I think you saying that having all the information about diagnosis and treatment is a really good way forward.  I've literally come off phone to my brother in Scotland, we are really close and I didn't want to upset him. But actually because I was calm, had all the information so far I was able to talk reasonably well about it all.   It actually felt that it went well, I did have a wee wobble but on the whole it wasn't as bad as I thought. 

Having this forum has been a godsend and I'm so glad I found it.  I am scared but feel more in control and every time I think about it I say .......cancer I'm going to beat you! I've never got this whole affirmation thing but I'm going to keep doing it as it comes naturally along side the word now. Might sound daft but it's helping. 

Thank you again x

Hi Case, yeah thats pretty much what I've been told too. Hang in there before we know it we will have our her2 results and we can start the battle x

Hi Badger,

I am glad to hear that you managed to talk to your brother tonight and that you were able to break the news to him in a positive way. You are allowed to have a wee wobble, given the circumstances. There are a number of people on this forum with grade 2, invasive ductal carcinoma , who have been in remission for several years and there's no reason why you shouldn't soon be one of them.

I'm glad that you've found this forum early on, as this is the scariest part of your cancer journey and it takes some time to get to grips with all of the medical terminology. I have found it a godsend too, as it's great to be ale to talk to strangers, with first hand experience of what you are going through, without having to upset family and friends. I can't say that I'm into the affirmation thing either, but if it's helping, keep on with it.

Please keep in touch. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Yes, I've been keeping busy today and it's flown by but still no word on my results. Not booked in until late March for lumpectomy so no rush. I'm getting quite good at waiting for results in fact! 

Hi. Had my results yesterday and I too am due lumpectomy on 28th march. Back to a waiting game. X thinking of you. X

Sounds like we are all going to be going through our ops together. Just seen a message below from Pauline to say she has had her diagnosis also. Re the her2 test I was told could be three weeks before we get results. You have a few days to keep yourself busy......I'm already thinking of painting woodwork in the house and spring cleaning the kitchen cupboards,  I know I will thank myself after op that it's all been done. 

Hang in there another day done x

Hi Pauline21, so sorry you got a diagnosis.  I was going to contact you yesterday, but thought you'd need time if you were positive. Are you the same as us or different?  Do you have to wait for her2 results too? You don't have to answer any questions you are not comfortable with, I won't be offended xx sending you big hugs xx