Breast cancer diagnosis

Hi,

I was at the breast clinic last tuesday after finding a lump 2 weeks before, i had a mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy and a marker put in me. It was confirmed there and then after looking at all the imaging that I have cancer, I was gobsmacked! I was convinced it was a cyst or something. I have to wait until monday to get the results of the biopsy and a treatment plan but I was told it will definitely involve surgery to remove the lump and then a course of radiotherapy. 

I'm 44.

I was just wondering how usual it is to be told its definitely cancer without biopsy results?

And how did people find radiotherapy and what to expect from it?

Thank you xx

*update*

Had a chat with consultant today and I'm booked in for surgery Tuesday 20th!  She didn't give me much more info other than they are going to take a couple of lymph nodes out too, and also that 1 receptor is hormone positive so I'll probably need chemo too. Not entirely sure what that means?!

They cant tell me what stage or grade until it has been examined after surgery.

Its 3cm so I'll need a bit of reconstructive surgery as they'll have to take quite a bit of tissue out, feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the info, but I have a face to face appt Thursday so I'm hoping by then it will make more sense.

Any advice or similar experiences would be much appreciated xx

Parents
  • Hi,

    I am very similar to you. I got examination, mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy and marker left in 2 weeks ago all in one day. I was told at the end of the day it was cancer. I found that strange as I never had my biopsy results as I had just had it. I went last week again for another appointment to be told my biopsy was inconclusive and they Don tknow if I am her pos or her neg but def cancer. Its a tough time waiting. Wish you all the luck in the world. 

  • Hi 

    Thanks for replying.

    The waiting is the hardest, what happens now for you, will it be further tests? Did they mention surgery or radio/chemotherapy to you at your first appointment?

    Sorry for all the questions!

    Very best of luck to you too xx

  • Hi

    It's actually good to speak with someone who is in a similar situation. I have had 2 appointments now. The 2nd one never told me much only that My biopsy is being examined further & I have been given 2 treatment plans. If I am her2 positive I will need chemo before they would even consider surgery. If I am her2 negative they have pencilled me in for a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy in a few weeks time. Until I know the results though I am In limbo. The waiting game is just a nightmare and I sometimes think Google doesn't help either. It's also hard not being allowed any on ein when you are getting told the info as it's hard to take in or it was for me. I left the hospital in total shock. I didn't even realise there was so many variations of breast cancer and the diff treatment for each one

    X

  • Google is definitely not our friend! It's so hard not to look though!

    Gosh, at least they have got plans in place for either results, fingers crossed for the radiotherapy route. 

    I too had no idea of the different types out there.

    I was on my own too and didn't think they'd be able to tell me anything on my first appojntment,  so was like you just in utter shock, they have said they will tell me by phone my biopsy results and have said 4PM monday I will get the call and to have a pen and paper to hand if I want to take notes, my partner is going to be with me, which will be a help!

    Hopefully it will be the lumpectomy and radiotherapy route.

    Have you kept your family informed? I hope you've got some support.

    Please let me know how you get on.

    Good luck xx

  • Hi I will be thinking about you on Monday. Fingers crossed your results are clear and u get a clear idea of what path u r going on.

    I'm lucky my partners been great. He's been a god send through all this an its only the beginning.

    Let me know how u get on come Monday and try not to worry. Easier said than done I know but try put it to the back of your mind. 

    Good luck x

     

     

  • Thanks again x

    Yes we're both at the beginning of our journeys, I hope you get your results through quickly and start your treatment soon.

    Take care x

  • Hi how are you doing?

    Have you had any more news yet?

    I had my phone meeting with surgeon Monday and felt like I had more questions than answers, but then a breast nurse called me yesterday and was amazing, she went through all my results and told me everything! 

    So I'm triple positive er, pr and her2, I'm booked in for surgery Tuesday, the lump is 3cm, grade 3 and I'm having therapeutic mammoplasty as they'll have to take a lot of tissue out (basically reconstructive surgery), 4 weeks after surgery I've got to have 4-5 months chemo and herceptin, then 15 sessions of radiotherapy, then anti hormone tablets for 5-10 years...

    I'm in a bit of a daze to be honest, after initially being told lumpectomy and radiotherapy, it all sounds a bit much, they haven't mentioned what stage it is, but the surgeon said they'd get more details 2 weeks after removal.

    I hope you are ok xx

  • Hi

    That is so much info for anyone to take in. I hope you are OK with it all? Your info provided is much more detailed than what I have been told. I got my pre op yesterday and only got my biopsy results about an hour ago. I am her2 negative but highly hormone sensitive or something. Nit quite sure what it means. I know nothing about size, grade etc. I'm getting surgery on Friday morning for lumpectomy and removal of 4 or 5 lymph nodes. I have 2 go to 1 hospital in the morning to have dye in my chest then head 2 the 2nd hospital for the op. I asked what treatment I am getting after surgery and she said I would be told what's ahead of me in 2 weeks time. I'm now at the stage where I am glad at least that the surgery 2 get the cancer out of my body is about to go ahead. How are you feeling about it all? Xx

  • Hi, 

    It was a lot to take in but I'm glad I know what's coming! I will get more info 2 weeks after as well, when they get more tests and info from the tumour, they are taking 2 lymph nodes too to check. I guess they base what treatment we need on these results.

    I think as I'm her2 positive that's why I'm having chemo, im not 100% to be honest!! I've got a face to face appt tomorrow with surgeon tomorrow so I can ask more questions then.

    I'm glad its moving fast for us though, I'll be so glad when it's out of me!! 

    Very best of luck for friday, what a polava though going to 2 different hospitals! I'll be thinking of you 

    Zoey xx

Reply
  • Hi, 

    It was a lot to take in but I'm glad I know what's coming! I will get more info 2 weeks after as well, when they get more tests and info from the tumour, they are taking 2 lymph nodes too to check. I guess they base what treatment we need on these results.

    I think as I'm her2 positive that's why I'm having chemo, im not 100% to be honest!! I've got a face to face appt tomorrow with surgeon tomorrow so I can ask more questions then.

    I'm glad its moving fast for us though, I'll be so glad when it's out of me!! 

    Very best of luck for friday, what a polava though going to 2 different hospitals! I'll be thinking of you 

    Zoey xx

Children
  • Thanks ever so much and we will do this. You seem to have consultants that are keeping you well informed so Keep positive and all will be OK...best of luck for Tuesday. I am focusing on the sooner they operate the sooner its removed from us and keeping my chin up. 

    Best wishes 

    Nikki xx

     

  • Hi,

    Just wanted to say I've had my breast conserving surgery and lymph node removal and the surgeon seems happy enough with everything. I don't know if You are having the dye injected around the nipple before surgery but if you are I wanted to let you know that it wasn't as bad as I imagined it to be. It was over and done with in seconds.

    Also after the surgery I felt OK and luckily for me I was allowed home around 5 hours later once I'd shown I was OK and could eat and drink.

    I was given 3 different pain killers home and some pairs of lovely white blood clot preventing socks to be worn for the next 6 weeks.

    I feel OK this morning although I am taking pain relief. My arm has limited movement and across my shoulder blade feels sore too but generally not so bad after only a day after surgery. I have now to stay isolated incase I require anymore surgery once the results come back from the bits they have remove. If if I do require surgery it will be immediate. Fingers crossed I don't. From there I then get my treatment plan as I don't know what I'm getting next.

    I hope this little bit of info on my experience yesterday may be of help to you and again all the best for Tuesday. Hope everything goes well. We can do this.

    Nikki x

  • Hi Nikki,

    So glad it went well and you're feeling ok, thank you for all the info, it really does help!

    I only researched the dye injection today and did freak out a little when I realised what they did! so that's a relief thanks!

    Yes fingers crossed your lymph nodes are clear and no more surgery in the pipeline!

    I had my covid swab and mrsa swab and 4 lots of bloods today and I'm isolating now ready for Tuesday.

    Wishing you a speedy recovery, thanks again for the updates, take good care of yourself and I'll let you know how I get on after Tuesday,

    Stay strong,

    Zoey x

  • Hi Zoey,

    Just a little message to say that I hope all goes really well today and I will be thinking of you.

    Once the surgery Is over don't try and do everything all by yourself and take all the help you can get. I've found it takes so much more effort to do little things. Blow drying my hair with the left hand has been a disaster . 

    I will hear how you have got in when you are able too.

    Best of luck. You can do this

    Nikki x

  • Hi Nikki,

    Thank you for your kind words.

    I am home and feeling ok, not too much pain, thankfully, I'm just on paracetamol.

    It was a bloody long day though, arrived at hospital at 7.30am but I was last on the list and didnt go down to theatre until 4pm, fortunately all went well and I was discharged just after 9pm.

    I too have the lovely socks, but only for 2 weeks, follow up appointment in 2 weeks and I have to take all the dressings off 2 days before.

    I'm feeling really well in myself, I'm just very tired, I don't think the 8.5 hour wait without food and drink helped yesterday!!

    I hope you are feeling ok and looking after yourself x

    We can tick the first step off now!

    Take care,

    Zoey xx

  • Hi zoey,

    Absolutely brilliant news hearing it has all went well for you. As you said that's us both got the first step out the way and hopefully the cancers cut out us both.

    I was phoned yesterday to be told I will have a letter in the post for an appointment next tues/wed. Hopefully my results are in by then and I can be told my treatment plan and get out of isolation.

    I think the waiting is the worst in this full situation. 

    Take it easy zoey and remember your arm exercises

    Nikki x

  • Hi Nikki,

    Hope you're having a good weekend. How are you feeling, are you healing up ok?

    Did you get your appointment through for your follow up? I've got mine thursday if labs are back, which is quicker than expected!

    I've been doing my exercises and feeling quite normal again, except the weird numbness in my armpit which feels a bit freaky!

    Take care,

    Zoey xx

  • Hi zoey,

    Glad to hear your doing great. I'm getting on good too. I feel with every day that passes my arm movements are becoming more like normal.

    I have an appointment tomorrow and the dressing is being removed. I hope my results are back too and that I will maybe be given my treatment plan as this hasnt been discussed with me. Very different from you as you seem to be kept more in the loop than what I do with your consultant but probably just the way different areas work.

    It's great you have your follow up on Thurs too as I think it's the waiting times between appointments and not knowing how the lab tests have went that is the hardest part of this full situation.

    Heres hoping both our results show clear margins and we can move onto our next step and hopefully get on with our treatment.

    I shall keep you posted with how I get on tomorrow.

    Take care

    Nikki xx

  • Hi zoey,

    That's me had my follow up appointment and dressings off. Firstly quite shocked at how big the scar is and my boob is brick hard and very lumpy. It feels like the lump hasn't been removed.

    I have been told I got clear margins so no more surgery. The only thing I now need 2 wait on is test results to decide whether I am getting chemo before radio or just straight onto radio. I won't know that for 3 weeks and will meet with an oncologist. I have also been told my tumour was cm and grade 3. Then after radio it will be 10 years of tamoxifen.

    Fingers crossed you get on OK on Thursday

    Nikki x

  • Hi!

    So glad you got clear margins, no more surgery! Were your lymph nodes clear too?

    Another 3 week wait, ridiculous isnt it! Do you know what results they need to determine whether you need chemo?

    Mine was 3 cm and grade 3, what size was yours?

    I'm presuming I'll need chemo as mine is her2 positive.

    24hrs and I should know more hopefully.

    Lets hope you hear before 3 weeks!

    Zoey x