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? 

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

Well I'm here for you anytime xx

Thank you, so if my Senital nodes are positive could this mean it has spread through my body? 

No, not necessarily. They will take out between 2 and 3 sentinel nodes to see if they have any cancer cells in them.  If they find a small amount of cancer cells, which was what happened in my case, it is known as micro metastises. They won't worry about that. If they find a lot of cancer cells in the sentinel nodes, they will take out your anxillery nodes, which are further along, under your arm.  It may be that your anxillery nodes only have micro metastises but they will more than likely offer you chemo as this does mean that it has start to spread but chances are they have caught it early. Your lump is still quite small so that is a good thing. Try not to worry too much!! Stress won't help, so try and stay calm. Xx

Thank you, it's so hard not knowing and waiting. Did you have an ultrasound on your underarm that showed anything or was it at lumpectomy they found the micro metastasis? X

I completely get that. The waiting for all the appointments /procedures really is the hardest. The ultrasound didn't pick up anything under my arm. They tested 3 of my sentenol nodes and 2 were clear and 1 had micro metastises, but that meant I didn't need my anxillery nodes removed. Xx

Thank you, would a mammogram and ultrasound have shown if the cancer was in my chest wall or other nearby tissues? I'm back on google today feeling stressed

Don't do it to yourself!!! An ultra sound would have picked up if you had enlarged nodes or tumours in your armpit. I doubt very much it is in your chest wall, but I suppose they wouldn't know just until they do your survey.  My mammogram didn't even pick my cancer up. Stop googling stuff - focus and enjoy spending time with your family xx

Don't do it to yourself!!! An ultra sound would have picked up if you had enlarged nodes or tumours in your armpit. I doubt very much it is in your chest wall, but I suppose they wouldn't know just until they do your survey.  My mammogram didn't even pick my cancer up. Stop googling stuff - focus and enjoy spending time with your family xx

Thank you. Ok enough googling!

Good!! Go and enjoy your weekend xx

Hi Claire,

How are you doing?

Caroline xx