Hi.   I know exactly how your feeling at the moment.... that desire to pre-empt everything that could be thrown at you and to try and anticipate treatment plan.   And it's horrible.  The mental torture of waiting and waiting!    The only advice I can give you is "try" as much as you can not to think about what might be.   Everyone's treatment plan is individual to them and although there are "some" things that will trigger certain treatment plans they aren't always for certain.  I am grade 2 ER+, PR+ and despite 2 tests HER borderline (now waiting for retest following surgery couple of weeks ago).  Invasive ductal carcinoma at 15mm.   I've just been told that I definitely won't have chemo irrespective of HER results - which actually goes against everything you read (HER2+ at that size is almost certain to kick in chemo and Herceptin treatment).   However oncologist has agreed I don't need as my ER and PR were 8/8 so the reality is I will respond VERY well to hormone therapy and they have decided to do 10 years rather than 5.   I was a bit concerned at first but after discussing with oncologist I am absolutely over the moon.   The oncologist is really the only one who can tell you what treatment you will need.   I would suggest reading the NICE guidelines but remember these are ONLY guidelines.   Whatever treatment you need you'll get through and whilst it's a *** old journey there is light at the end of the tunnel xx

Mine sounds very similar to yours digger girl, my er+ is 8/8 and today I recieved the news that mine is her2 negative so that's great.

Like moon puddle said it will be the fact that mine is grade 3 that might mean chemo. I think I'm just trying to prepare myself for how long this journey might last as if I have chemo I know it will be longer than radiotherapy alone. 

Digger girl you're right, the waiting is horrible, but I'll try to focus on the surgery and that's its for now.

Take care, 

Rachael x

God the waiting!!!!   I honestly think it is the worst part of all this and there is nothing that can prepare you got it.  I hope your surgery goes ok.   Best advice I can give you is post surgery make sure you take it easy but do your arm exercises  and if your feeling low .... get on this site and talk to people or talk things through with you BCN (don't be frightened of picking the phone up to them).   I've spoken to mine a couple of times and she is absolutely amazing at putting mind at ease and giving me a reality check everyone on this site is brilliant and such an inspiration!   
do you have a date for your surgery?  Xx

Thank you for the advice diggergirl xx

My surgery is scheduled for 12th October, wide excision and sentinel lymph node removal I think?! Does that sound right, I'm still getting my head round things! xx

Hi Rachel.   Yep that sounds right.   Isn't it funny how quickly we all learn the different terminology.   I had mine on 9th September.  Despite doing exercises religiously I still got cording under arm - which has been a nightmare.    Last night I finally maonaged to make them pop!   Hurt like hell but oh my!!!  The relief afterwards .   Still got some tightness but finally feel like I'm making progress.  For me the waiting after the surgery was the worst.   10 days and I thought I was going to go crazy,   Honestly I would recommend Finding something to keep your mind distracting during that time.   I finally found "paint by numbers".   As stupid as it sounds I could lose myself for hours in it and it stopped me from conjuring up all the worst case scenarios.   Have they given you an indication of size?     Good news that your HER results are negative xx

Hey diggergirl, 

Oh what is cording? It sounds painful though!

The surgeon said my tumor was about 1.5cm so not big at all. She also said she doesn't think it has spread to lymph nodes but the biopsy will confirm or deny this.

As you said, that part of the waiting for results will be difficult. If I'm able to, I'll crochet haha! I'm 36 but art is my passion and I love anything crafty and so crochet is my latest obsession haha! Xx