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My mum

Roo1991
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Hello,

i have been to a breast centre clinic with my mum today. She had breast cancer 16 years ago, mastectomy and radiotherapy for treatment with tamoxifen afterwards and has been all clear ever since. 
Last Tuesday, she found a large lump in her armpit, with no pain or other symptoms. 
the mammogram today showed up nothing on the actual breast, but an ultrasound showed 3 enlarged lymph nodes (1 large and 2 small). We have the biopsy results a week today to see if it is cancer, and what type (either secondary from the first breast cancer or something new). Possible surgery to remove lymph nodes and chemotherapy was mentioned but the rest of the conversation was a blur. 
I was just wondering if anybody has experienced anything similar, and if they have, is there a good prognosis? 
I just want to be prepared for my mum and we will get through this together. 
thank you for reading xx

  • Hello Roo1991

    I'm sorry to hear that your Mum is facing the possibility of another cancer diagnosis. We know that waiting for test results can be a difficult time. It's natural to want to know answers as soon as possible and to be as prepared as you can be to support Mum for whatever treatment she may have to have. 

    It's impossible for us to know what the results may be but I hope that the appointment next week bring some positive news for you both. You might find it helpful to write down any questions you have over the next few days so that you're able to ask the team. If you want to talk things through with one of our team of nurses beforehand then you can call them on 0808 800 4040 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). 

    Keep in touch Roo and let us know how Mum gets on next week. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Jenn

    Thank you so much for your reply. 
    I just wish I could speed up time to Thursday and hopefully get a plan in place so we can move forward.

    my mum isn't unwell and doesn't feel unwell which is great(the consultant said this was a good sign too) and if it wasn't for the lump where the biggest lymph node is we would be none the wiser. I don't want the worry and stress making her feel like she's ill. 
     

    it helps having someone to talk to who isn't directly involved so thank you very much for replying. Hopefully I will have some good news on Thursday.  Xx

  • Offline in reply to Roo1991

    Hello,

    just thought that I would update incase anyone has read this post. We had good news yesterday when we went to see the consultant. The breast cancer hasn't spread to any organs or bones. The cancer in the lymph nodes is triple negative but the very small area of cancer in the breast (that was only picked up through an MRI and would not have been found on a mammogram/ultrasound) is showing signs that it could be treated with Herceptin. 
    My mum can expect to start 6 rounds of chemotherapy treatment within the next 2 weeks to shrink the size of the lymph node. Surgery then to do a full lymph node clearance and either a lumpectomy/mastectomy and then possibly a year of Herceptin. 
    Now the wait for results is over we can concentrate on moving forward and getting treatment underway. 
     

    thank you for your support throughout this difficult time xxx

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