Recently diagnosed with breast cancer

Hi everyone , I’m 44 recently diagnosed with Breast cancer DCIS and also hormone positive . Its in my lymph nodes aswell . Had CT , Bone Scan and MRI . I’m back on Tuesday to find out results . I’m freaked out having pain in the middle of my back and kept thinking it’s spread . Everyone says it’s stress . I’m fairly healthy never smoked . Just wondering has anyone any advice please . Xx

Parents
  • Hi [@WarriorWilko]‍ welcome to the thread but so sorry you find yourself here . This group of ladies have been a fantastic support to me and will be to you also . 

    I’m 45 was diagnosed in March IDC her2 + , Ed &pr+ , and it’s in my lymph nodes . Had chemo and have had mastectomy and auxiliary clearance last Thursday. It’s a tough long road but you will get there . We have all been there when you feel every little ache and pain and you imagine the worst . I’m sending you positive vibes and support. 

    Hope all goes well for you with your results . 

    Take care 

    j xx

  • Hello BigJean

    It’s good to hear from you - thank you for replying. It’s so good to know we’re not on our own on this journey, although I wish none of us were on it in the first place. I really hope you get your drain out today or tomorrow and that you can catch up on some sleep. You sound very positive though and I know that will really help, both physically and mentally in our recoveries. I’m trying to get there and today has been fractionally easier than yesterday. 

    Sending you too my best wishes

    Helen xx

  • Hi Rosie , 

    thank you so much for your lovely words . 

    I still can’t believe it . It has been a very tough 8 months but with the help and support, especially emotional support I’ve gotten here has been amazing. 

    There is some amazing and courageous women here . 

    Im hoping that all goes well for you and sending you positive thoughts . 

    Take care 

    j xx

  • [@BigJean]‍ I have cried many tears over this journey but I have bawled like a baby after reading this. This is fantastic news and I am delighted for you. Sending you massive virtual hugs xx 

  • [@Rosie80]‍ hi Rosie so sorry to hear you going through a tough time with your wound and it becoming infected. Fingers crossed it clears quickly and you can move on with your treatment plan x

  • [@Woollylamb]‍ hi so glad your op went well although being in hospital awaiting your skin graft isn’t the best it be worth it on the end. Fingers crossed you can still get your results Monday will be thinking of you on Monday x take care and try and recover from op well x 

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    Oh BigJean,

    This is absolutey fantastic. It makes all the suffering you felt going through chemo worthwhile! -  I can only  imagine how relieved you feel today.

    Radiation should be a breeze in comparison to chemo. Have you been told when you are going to start it, or how many sessions you are likely to have?

    You were certainly due to get some good news and, I'm so glad that you got it.

    kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

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    Hi Woolylamb,

    I'm glad to hear that your op went well, but sorry to hear that you have to have a skin graft next week. You're quite right. An extra week is as nothing out of the rest of your life and, you're just as well to get things right from the start.

    It's just a pity that it had to be next week, when you are due to get your results on Monday. If they cannot give you your results over the phone, perhaps your plastic surgeon could tell you the results. Whichever way, I hope that your news as as good as BigJean's.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi mejules

    Thank you so much, I appreciate your comment wishing me well, it was lovely of you.  It's a hard place to be once diagnosed so it would be nice if everything was plain sailing thereafter but it seems that generally isn't the case,  Perhaps this is all just to make us stronger people!!  x

  • Hi Mejules, 

    thank you so much for your lovely post. It’s only starting to sink in now . 

    The best feeling was telling my children it was gone . 

    Take care of yourself 

    j xxx

  • Hi Jolamine, 

    thank you so much I’m just so happy. 

    As I said previously I wouldn’t have gotten this far without all the support and encouragement you and all the other ladies have given me . 

    They said at the beginning it will be 3/4 weeks of radiation. I’m at the hospital today for Herceptin so I’ll ask my onc what’s the next step. 

    Thank you again 

    take care 

    j xx

  • Hi

    So I managed to get my results over the phone from the breast nurse and I have mixed feelings about them for some reason. The good news is the cancer is out, the residual cancer they took out seems to be bigger than the original tumour which is confusing me as I was told they couldn't find the tumour after my last chemo session, so I am assuming that the residual is what's been left behind after the chemo (what do you think). There's some skin involvement but radiotherapy will be used to treat that (always knew radiotherapy was in the cards), and my nipple biopsy has come back to say I need to have the nipple bud removed (hoping they can do it at the same time as the skin graft next week). Then need hormone tablets, injection and some bone meds (again nothing I didn't already know). I've got a rescheduled session with my surgeon so I can clarify some of my questions as the breast nurse didn't know the answers.

    hope all is well with everyone.

    X

Reply
  • Hi

    So I managed to get my results over the phone from the breast nurse and I have mixed feelings about them for some reason. The good news is the cancer is out, the residual cancer they took out seems to be bigger than the original tumour which is confusing me as I was told they couldn't find the tumour after my last chemo session, so I am assuming that the residual is what's been left behind after the chemo (what do you think). There's some skin involvement but radiotherapy will be used to treat that (always knew radiotherapy was in the cards), and my nipple biopsy has come back to say I need to have the nipple bud removed (hoping they can do it at the same time as the skin graft next week). Then need hormone tablets, injection and some bone meds (again nothing I didn't already know). I've got a rescheduled session with my surgeon so I can clarify some of my questions as the breast nurse didn't know the answers.

    hope all is well with everyone.

    X

Children
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    Hi Woolylamb,

    I am glad to hear that you managed to get your results over the phone, but sorry to hear about the confusion with regard to the size your tumor and, the need to remove your nipple bud. When are you seeing your surgeon? It might be worth asking if they can do your nipple along with the plastic surgery next week.

    Radiotherapy is fairly intensive, but it doesn't last for that long. Your other treatments are all fairly routine.

    I hope that you are getting plenty of visitors while you are in hospital over the weekend. This always seems to be such a quiet time, as so many staff are off for the weekend, and you begin to feel that it is almost pointless being in hospital.

    Thinking of you and, hope that all goes well for you this coming week.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi WL , 

    Great to hear you managed to get your results over the phone . I know it can be a little confusing trying to take everything in especially on the phone . But the main thing she told you is the cancer is out . Could someone in the hospital you are in explain things to you ?

    if it helps you my original tumor I was told it was 4-5 cm but was told after surgery it was 8cm !!

    Keep focusing on what they told you it’s out . 

    I too will be kept on Herceptin injections for a year. He’s also started me on Tamoxifen tablets 1 a day and they still want me to have radiation,

    Try to get plenty of rest in hospital . Hopefully everything will be done for you together next week . 

    Sending you lots of love and hugs 

    j xxx

     

     

     

  • Hi Jolamine 

     

    I have done exactly that, I've asked for them to be done at the same time I order that I don't need to have 2 separate ops. I knew there was a risk that the nipple bud would need to be removed, so I'm not surprised. I think my confusion is because I was told I'd had such a good response to chemo I could have had a WLE instead of mastectomy and the MRI and ultrasound confirmed they couldn't see anything to then having a large amount of residual cancer removed was a bit of a surprise. I'm seeing my breast surgeon on the 18th so I can get him to talk me through it in more detail then. 

     

    I am quite frustrated being in hospital as I am well, just tethered to a machine. And I can't sleep as the ladies I'm sharing a bay with are checked every 2 hours.

    Thanks for checking in on me.

    wl

  • Hi BJ

    You are absolutely right I need to focus on the right things and it is out, and the remaining treatment will make sure it stays out and doesn't come back.  I just think my emotions are high with so much going on and I'm missing the kids and normal life goings on at home. Been a bit teary today.
     

    thanks for your message, gives me a boost knowing that you guys are there for support.

    wl

  • Of course you are tearful and upset you have every right to be . It’s been very tough on you the last couple of weeks and you have had a lot to deal with . Tears are good . 

    It is tough being in hospital and missing your family . FaceTime the kids I did that a lot when I was in hospital, also gave me a chance to check up on the house with my husband doing the housework

    I’m always here if you need to chat . Just keep thinking this time next week you will be home .

    Might be worth a try but could you ask the nurse if they have any rooms free could you be put into one as you are not sleeping and exhausted., never hurts to ask !!!!!

    mind yourself and take care 

    j xxx ️ ️ ️ ️ ️

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    Hi Woolylamb,

    If you have already asked them to do both ops at the same time, what was their reply? I agree with you, in that I am also confused as to why you were given the all clear, yet still had a large amount of residual cancer removed so soon after. It sounds like 'a rud** great shock', rather than 'a bit of a surprise' and, I would certainly be looking for an explanation.

    I have spent many weekends in hospital and agree with you about just how frustrating it can be. Isn't it strange that no matter what type of ward you are in, there is always something or somebody to spoil the peace and quiet at night? I agree with BigJean's suggestion. It's definitely worth asking whether or not they have a single room that they could put you in to.

    I hope that you do this and that you are successful.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

     

  • Hi Jolamine

    My plastic surgeon isn't in until Monday, however I think if he can do it together he will, the doc I saw today also thought the same but won't know till Monday when I am reviewed. 
     

    I will definitely pursue getting an understanding of why there is a difference  between scans and pathology results, doesn't change anything, but would be good know. 
     

    take care

     

    WL

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    Hi Woolylamb,

    You say that it doesn't change anything, but it could do so. These results seem so different in such a short period of time. What if the've mixed up the results and, given you someone else's results? It would certainly be worth asking your plastic surgeon before he operates on you.

    I don't mean to panic you, but these things can happen.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Thanks Jolamine 

    I've double checked this morning and they are definitely mine, I'm seeing the plastic surgeon in the morning and also talking to me breast nurse again to get some more clarity. 
     

    wl

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    Hi Woolylamb,

    I'm glad to hear that you have managed to double check, so the big question for tomorrow  - for both the plastic surgeon and the breast care nurse - must be why is this result so different from the last in such a short period of time.

    I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and, hope that they can give you some satisfactory answers.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx