in doctors words - grade 3, invasive carcinoma of non-specific type, partly mucinous and focal micropapillary morphologies. All the medical speak is freaking me out !!
I was diagnosed with Grade 3 Brest cancer last October. Invasive ductal and invasive lobular. my cancer was estrogen positive and HER2 negative. I have had a lumpectomy and then second surgery which was successful in removing cancer
The waiting can be scary.
I now have a treatment plan which although harsh will be doing its very best to prevent cancer returning in my body.
have you been offered surgery
this chat forum has really helped me gain perspective, just to talk to others who understand
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It doesn't sound as if this has been explained to you in layman's terms. It is all too easy to get totally lost in all the medical jargon. I have had 2 bouts of pure mucinous breast cancer, within a year of each other. Although there is a mucinous component to yours too, I don't know enough about it, to offer you an explanation. If you're still feeling somewhat flummoxed, why not phone your specialist breast care nurse and ask for clarification? You may need to leave a message initially, but she'll get back to you as soon as she can.
Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on We are always here for you.
Hi, I have just been diagnosed with Grade 2 ER+ invasive lobular Her2 negative also. At the moment they are saying it might be possible for a lumpectomy but consultant is concerned as the tumor whilst 3cm does not have defined edges, it looks possible it will need to be a mastectomy. Could I ask why you needed the second surgery if that's not too personal? My husband and grown children are hoping I will opt for the mastectomy as they want best possible option of all the cancer being taken away (they say this without putting pressure on me). I know the consultant promised to look after me but I would like to be as prepared as possible when having my surgery. Thank you so much.
my tumor was around 3 cm in the end - initially consultant thought it to be about 1.2 cm so that was a shock I had a lumpectomy at first but the margins were not clear and the consultant therefore wanted to take more to ensure no rogue cancer cells left behind. I therefore had re excision.
initially I was thinking just take the lot. However what I would say is there are no guarantees with either. My cousin had identical cancer to me some 30 years ago and she had a mastectomy. She had chemo Radiotherapy and letrazole for 10 years
the cancer returned in her lymph nodes - she is doing amazing though and has managed this with tablet chemo for past 8 years
I had the oncoxtype test which has determined risk of recurrence hence I’m on course of chemotherapy with the preventative aim of destroying any potential cancer cells in my body I will then have radiotherapy at site of cancer in breast and then letrazole for at least 10 years I’m also having zometa bone therapy
my second surgery re excision was successful and did return clear margins but it was a rollercoaster emotionally between surgeries
I hope your consultant can answer all the questions you may have to help!you make informed decision
Thank you so much for being so open and honest. I have a meeting after my pre-op tests tomorrow with my Macmillan nurse. Lots of questions bouncing around in my mind so going to write everything down. My husband and sons are not coping very well at the moment, it has only been 1 week since diagnosis, so i am hoping given time their feelings will settle. Whilst I am prepared for either option (lumpectomy or mastectomy) I feel I would rather know before hand what the surgeon will do so it is not a shock after. xx
Hi Gail, I am so sorry I kind of hijacked your thread by asking NGS some questions. I am so sorry for your diagnosis it is such a shock no matter how much you think you are prepared. I also was diagnosed a week ago and it has taken the whole week before I finally slept - my mind is just constantly active. Have you been given a Breast Nurse/Macmillan Nurse yet. I have had a quick chat over the telephone but having a face to face meeting tomorrow after my pre-op tests. Hoping that lots of things can be cleared up. Could you also reach out to someone. x
All of what you are feeling is perfectly normal. The waiting is the very hardest part. Writing down all of your questions and thoughts is an excellent idea. You will be given so much information it can be overwhelming. Once a decision is made on surgery and then treatment things do become clearer. You will have a focus then and a pathway. It is the unknown that caused me equally sleepless nights and frankly to think the very worst.
macmillan have a fantastic counseling team. They will talk to you and your husband and your children too if this will help. It’s natural to be scared but honestly there are so many treatment options nowadays. There is a chat forum on this site for partners as well. I have planned small goals which we work towards as a family. A caravan holiday in September. My treatment should likely end in august all being well. A theatre trip next February. I have been honest with my family. There will be days when I feel dreadful. And that is ok.
do you mind me asking how old are your sons ?
am I right you have had your face to face meeting today How has that gone ? xxx
Hi my sons are 31 and 25 and so very different in both looks and personality. My oldest is very gentle and quite sensitive whereas my youngest is very factual and methodical in his thinking. My oldest is so scared that the wait for surgery will allow time for the cancer to spread - this is terrifying him. My face to face appointment with nurse is tomorrow so my husband is taking a step back so my son can come with me - our thinking is if he is more involved and can ask questions he might accept it better.
I am just trying to keep everything as normal as possible and will carry on working right up to surgery date. Luckily I work in a school so have 2 weeks off for Easter - I can prepare everything then - pj's, post surgery bra etc.
Hi. Been thinking of you and your family today. I hope the appointment has gone well and you have been able to make some clear decisions. I was also scared about the cancer spreading whilst I waited for surgery but as hard as it is the surgeons do handle this daily and would never put someone at risk by delaying things. In total it was 3 months between diagnosis for me and my second surgery and my cancer was Grade 3 very aggressive. The margins were clear second time round.
wishing you all the very best and do keep in touch on here xxx
