Hi,

I know people can tell you not to worry but that is easier said that done!! If they didn't find a mass in your armpit, that is positive!! And really, all you can do is now sit out the wait. I went to get my results with the idea that it was going to be bad news - so actually felt ok when they confirmed it was cancer. You have to hold to the fact most of the breast cancers are now found so early that they are very treatable. The fluttering in your chest is probably anxiety.  Let me know how you get on.

Caroline x

Thank you for your reply, how are you getting on? I am thinking all sorts that it's spread and imagining in my chest and bones. I am being very dramatic I know it's just such a shock. It's definitely cancer just need to find t stage and next steps. Am I right in thinking the op they may remove a lymph to confirm things? 

I guess it never goes far away from our minds, at least we are more conscious and would get checked quicker. Well done on being so calm and positive. I'm going to try and be the same. I feel much more positive tonight. The chest flutters have stopped for now anyway. Thanks you. Claire x

Hi Claire,

Brilliant to hear. Breast cancer today is one of the cancers you are more than likely to survive. The survival rates are in the 90 percentages. Try not to google too much - I found it all a bit overwhelming! But found talking to friends and family, helped. Telling my kids was the hardest thing but once they saw I was carrying on as normal and wasn't poorly, they started to relax and stopped worrying so much. Always here if you need a chat. Caroline x

Hiya, how are you? I got my results today, 19mm ductal cancer hormone pos and herceptin neg, it's grade 3. I'm getting a date for a lumpectomy and 1-2 lymph nodes to be tested and take it from there. Not sure how to feel claire x

Hi Claire,

So, look at the positives - it's HER2- and hormone positive. That means that they will give you tamoxifen after treatment to stop recurrence. And size wise, not too big. Mine was 35mm. I think now, until they have removed it and checked your lymph nodes, you are in limbo. Did they mention chemo? My tumour was sent off to be oncotype tested, which tests how well chemo will work. My friend went through the same as you. Small size, grade 3, hormone related. They did say she may need chemo as the grade was high but her oncotype score came back as 23. The chemo cut off was 26! Her lymph nodes were clear.  Try not to over think everything and focus on the fact that they will be whipping it out very soon!!!

let me know when you have a date? Where do you live? 
Caroline xx

Yes two weeks after surgery to find out more so definitely still in limbo Altho I guess it could have been a lot worse? So this is possibly something I can survive? They mentioned possible chemo before radiation then the hormone so it sounds like an awful lot. But if it works I'm up for it.. just need to take one step at a time. I like in the north west of Scotland. Have to travel to a hospital on a mainland as we live on a small island so that's making it a bit less likely that I can avoid telling my 5 year old. Although not sure he needs to know anything at this point. Thank you for your replies. It's good to talk 

Hi Claire,

Of course this is something you can survive!! Breast cancer, caught early, like ours, means we have a survival rate of in the 90%'s!! One of the worse case sceneries is that they find some cancer cells in your lymph nodes but then they will offer you chemo, which, with the radiotherapy and tamoxifen will ensure that the cancer is eradicated.  Please don't think that this is going to kill you!! Breast cancer nowadays is one of the most treatable and has the highest survival rates. I work in palliative care and they say that breast cancer is classed more as a chronic illness these days as survival is so high!! It never even crossed my mind that I wouldn't survive. I knew that I would be fine.  Like I said, I was lucky to avoid chemo but did have radiotherapy which apart from making me tired, wasn't hard. I worked all through my cancer and the treatment. I have 3 boys, aged 21,19 and 15. We did tell them after my diagnosis but they are older than your 5 yr old. I told them I would be fine and once they saw that I wasn't any different to normal, they soon became a lot less worried. I would say you don't really need to say anything until necessary and even then, dampen it down. You need to focus and believe that you are going to be absolutely fine!! XX 

Thank you ️ This is so good to read. I am overthinking everything and scared. But I hope you are right. Thank you it's all just so new and still a shock. I am meeting a Macmillan nurse tomorrow and just waiting in a date for the op. Once that bits done I'll be able to cope with whatever the next step may be. Did you make any diet changes or anything lifestyle wise that you recommend? 

Hi Claire, 

I've always been a bit of a social butterfly so my weekends usually involved alcohol. Alcohol is linked to breast cancer so I think I've become more mindful of how much I drink now.  I haven't stopped it altogether but have cut down. I also tried to cut down on my sugar intake. But I firmly believe life is for living so everything in moderation!!  I also try and ensure that I go to the gym a couple of times a week, as exercise is also a good thing in fighting breast cancer. I'd been going for a couple of years but put it off if I could!!  Now I make sure I go. Your Macmillan nurse will be a wonderful support and will be able to answer questions and give you booklets about different aspects of the journey. I was determined that it was going to have a minimal effect in my life, so was determined to carry on as normal as much as I could. I met a lady in the breast clinic, when we were diagnosed on the same day. We have become really good friends and I found it a huge support, to have someone who was on the same journey. Xx

It definitely helps having someone who has been in a similar position to talk to, friends and family just try their best and say what they think is right. I've gone off everything and thought all I should eat is veg and have lots of healthy supplements, that probably hasn't helped how I'm feeling. I've got an excersise class tomorrow with my baby so I'll go to that and carry on with some other excersise classes too. It helps the mind. X

I've just seen the Macmillan nurse for the first time and actually feel worse. She fell covered my results again and told me the underarm ultrasound wasn't reliable so they may find cancer has spread. Also talked about genetic testing as my mum had ovarian cancer at 45. I feel way less positive after the meeting, actually thought I was going in for pre op tests rather than a recap of everything plus some extra risks

I've just seen the Macmillan nurse for the first time and actually feel worse. She fell covered my results again and told me the underarm ultrasound wasn't reliable so they may find cancer has spread. Also talked about genetic testing as my mum had ovarian cancer at 45. I feel way less positive after the meeting, actually thought I was going in for pre op tests rather than a recap of everything plus some extra risks

They have to prepare you. They told me the same thing. You really need to wait till the op, to find out for certain. My sister died of breast cancer at 32 so I had to fill in a genetic questionnaire, turns out I'm just unlucky!!! Did she give you any idea of when your op will be? 
xx

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about your sister, that must have been so hard for you, and then to be diagnosed yourself. It's so scary. So were you genetic tested? I haven't had any word of my op yet, it's been 2 weeks since the mammogram, one week since results, I was told it could be 2-6 weeks so just a waiting game. I am having ok days but very anxious and finding it all very hard. 

My sister died in 2004, so quite a while ago. After she died I was sent to see a genealogist and had to go through family history. They felt I wasn't really at any more risk than anyone else - I was 33 when she died. This time, I just had to complete a family history questionnaire bit no tests.

I got my biopsy results in the middle of July and had my op on the 15th August, so a 4 week wait. They will have to do it within a certain amount of time so I'm sure you should get a date soon. Keep your chin up hun xz

Ah thank you. Hope you are feeling ok yourself? Has life returned to some sort of normal for you now? X

I'm good!! And yes, life is back to normal but to be honest I tried to make life normal throughout the whole process. I had my op in August, then another one in Sept. I had radiotherapy in November, for 3 weeks. Now on tamoxifen - which makes me feel pretty exhausted but take it before bed. I have my first check up in April. I do worry about it coming back but try to not let it over power me and I know it's unlikely. Im sure as April approaches I will start to get a bit more anxious but my mantra is to focus on the positives everyday. This is a wake up call and life is for living. I am determined that cancer will not get the better of me - mentally or physically.

xx

That's so good, You have such a good positive outlook and I appreciate your messages. They make me feel better. Thank you! I'm glad you are feeling good x

Hello, how are you? I've got my date for lumpectomy and senital node op it's 9th March, so quite a wait then another wait for results. I'm struggling with positivity at the moment x

Hi Claire, not too far away - 3 weeks.  It's the waiting and not knowing that is definitely the hardest. I've been out with my friend from work today. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a few weeks after me, but she's only 29. She has had to have chemo, which made me feel really guilty about, as she's had a much harder journey than me. But she's got chemo no.5 on Tuesday and then just one more, 3 weeks after that. She's had a mastectomy and will also need radiotherapy, but she's so upbeat!! The chemos been hard but she's been a trooper and made it look easy!!! So, please - even if you need chemo, it's not the end of the world - they will sort you out and give you the best treatment you need. My friend has even embrassed the bald look and looks amazing. Try and focus on positive things - don't dell on what might be!! Xxx

That's so good she's getting on well. It can't have been easy. There's so many different journeys. Waiting and not knowing is proving to be hard so I only hope I can cope with the rest of the journey. I've been reading lots again tonight. I really wish I hadn't! I was meant to be having reiki tomorrow which I was hoping would ease some of the anxious thoughts but we have lots of weather warnings here and the place I was going to is affected by tides so will need to re arrange. My poor husband is doing his best and it's so hard for him seeing me down. Tomorrow I'll be positive thank you for your reply 

Claire,

This is beyond a doubt, will be one of the hardest journeys you will travel in life and will give you lots of ups and downs. Stop googling and start thinking of the battle and that you will be stronger than cancer. Don't let it win!! Hope you manage to get your reiki tomorrow!! I'm off to London for a chocolate afternoon tea, with unlimited Prosecco - so food and alcohol that isn't good but life is for living!!! Hope the storms aren't too bad up there xx