Newly diagnosed breast cancer awaiting further tests

Hi all,

I have posted in other places on the forum but this seems like the most appropriate place now I have been diagnosed. It will also be helpful for me to type out my story and appreciate it if anyone reads this. 
 

I'm 36 and had a baby in December 2020. I had difficulties breast feeding and noticed a lump in my left breast. I was told repeatedly it was a blocked milk duct and given massages/ pumping advice. I phoned the GP as they said they didn't need to see me and could give me antibiotics, I did ask if I could come in and be seen. They saw me, said the lump moved and it was a blocked duct most likely and I was given antibiotics. I went back a few weeks later as the antibiotics did nothing. 
Another GP examined me and said they weren't satisfied it was a blocked duct and referred me for a scan. I had an untrasound a few weeks later and the lady said it looked like a lactational adenoma and said it was benign and to come for a biopsy 6 weeks after I'd stopped breast feeding.

I got a call a few weeks later saying a Dr requested I gave the biopsy now. I had it and was told again not to worry and it looked like a lactational adenoma.

So I went back Friday for my results and was told I have cancer. The Dr said it was small and said it was an inch (which seems big to me). They told me I'll need chemotherapy which will start in about 4 weeks time. I had an MRI when I was there and have to go back Wednesday. From what I remember (it was a bit of a blur) they are going to put a clip in me and I'll have lymph nodes taken from under my arm. They said it tested positive for eostrogen and HER2. They have also recommended genetic testing due to my age and the HER2. My mum has also had breast cancer in both sides but had it in her 60s.
 

Everything seems very strange at the moment, I was due back to work the end of this month after maternity leave. I'm also in the process of moving house. Have felt a bit numb which I know is the shock. Just trying to keep busy before Wednesday. 

I don't really know what anything means at the moment or what to expect. Has anyone had /experienced anything similar?

 

Parents
  • Sorry to read your story, it is very tricky for anyone receiving this news but with a new baby too I dare say you are all over the place.

    what I can say is, everyone's journey is different, but there are amazing teams to support you all the way. The clip is possibly a marker, some receive treatment pre-op and so they need to know where the cancer is because the chemo will shrink it so the surgeon will use the marker to guide them.  With you being young and otherwise healthy, this should stand you in good stead and hopefully you will cope well with any side effects, for me personally, I would feel very sickly following chemo and eating little and often would help with this, also, regardless of how tired you may feel, especially with baby, getting up and having a little walk around the house or in the garden regularly following treatments does help, it isn't pleasant, but it is something you can get through, talk to your team and make sure you tell them about the niggles, honestly, they can probably help and they will be happy to do so!

    Good luck to you and Sarah below, your kids are probably more resilient than you realise (my kids were 10 and 13 when I was diagnosed). XXX

  • Thank you Cherry-Blossom 

    It was good to read about your children. I think you are absolutely right. Far more resilient than we give them credit for ️ As I said, my results app is on Wed morning. As much as I am dreading it, I am far better when I know what's what. Once I know what the diagnosis/plan is I can get stuck in to sorting it out! 
     

    Sarah xx 

Reply
  • Thank you Cherry-Blossom 

    It was good to read about your children. I think you are absolutely right. Far more resilient than we give them credit for ️ As I said, my results app is on Wed morning. As much as I am dreading it, I am far better when I know what's what. Once I know what the diagnosis/plan is I can get stuck in to sorting it out! 
     

    Sarah xx 

Children
  • Thank you for your responses it's much appreciated. 
     

    Sarah, sorry to hear what you are going through. The waiting is the worst part. I have just been trying to keep busy and do things for myself when I have the time. Telling people was hard but I just kept it factual and what I knew which made it a bit easier. Hopefully you will know more on Wednesday and it's good to note down any questions that you may want to ask. 
    It sounds like as Cherry-Blossom mentioned everyone is supportive. 
    Let us know how you get on on Wednesday. My next appointment is also Wednesday but in the afternoon so I've tried to plan things for the week.

    x

     

  • Morning. 
     

    Thank you for advice re writing any questions down. I have been told to take someone with me to the app. I'm divorced from my husband so I'm taking a bestie!  Unfortunately she was diagnosed with bc a few years ago. Thankfully she's out the other side now  She's fab and will be able to be my voice and ears if I need it. 
     

    Lots of love. Sarah xx 

  • That's great you have someone to take with you. These appointments are always a bit of a blur so it's good to have an extra pair of ears. I'm taking my partner this time, I wasn't told to bring anyone with me the first time which they were suprised about. I forgot almost everything aside from the major bits. I think I'll take in some notes thiss time to ask as I just couldn't think in the moment before.
    It's not too far now from Wednesday so hopefully we will both have more information by then.

    x

  • Hi Honey 

     

    Thought I'd update you ... Unfortuatejy the lump is cancerous. I was pretty sure it would be so it didn't feel too devesrating to hear. If that makes sense?!?! 
     

    it's a 5cm Grade 2. HER 2 Negative apparently! And hormone responsive so I will be on hormone blockers after treatment for 10yrs. I think that's what the consultant said. Both he and the nurse were great. I took a friend with me too. 
     

    I thought I would come out having been bombarded with info and untold decisions to make but that wasn't the case. I feel so relieved and grateful that it's treatable. 
     

    First treatment for me will be surgery in around 4 weeks time. I do have to decide this week though whether I'm going to have a lumpectomy or a masectomy (cannot actually quite believe it's me I'm taking about!) I think I'm going to go for the lumpectomy first. Although it will be a big chunk of boob, the nurse said that whenever possible they try to encourage patients to hang on to as much of their own boob/s as poss. 
     

    I will then have a course of radiation. 
     

    All the nasty bits and pieces removed during the op (they will take a lymph node too) will get tested. If they get the margins they need that will be it. If not I will need more taken away and deoebding on how much boob is left I may have to go down the masectomy road. But cross that bridge as n when. If anything does show up in nodes then chemo will be discussed. As yet it's not been talked about but consultant said not ruled out at this stage. 
     

    Although it's a hideous situation to be in I left the clinic feeling remarkably ok. I was so relieved to know what I'm dealing with. 

    How are you doing honey? Thinking of you  

     

    Sarah xx 

     

  • Hi Sarah,

    Sorry to hear about the diagnosis, like you say I was also kind of prepared for the cancer diagnosis. It sounds like they gave you lots of information though which can make you feel a bit more in control, it's the not knowing sometimes which is worse. At least you know more or less what's next.

    I had my appointment on Wednesday and took my partner. They said my MRI picked up another small lump in the same breast but they don't know what it is but it could be benign. I wa la relieved there was nothing in the other breast. As mine is HER+ and E+ I am having chemotherapy which will start in about a month. They were really nice and honest about the chemo. I've booked a haircut this weekend as unfortunately my hair is down to my waist so I'll get it into a bob first, my hairdresser was super understanding. 
     

    They are going to put a clip in me next Wednesday and unltrasound under my arm and the other lump. Then they will decide if they need to biopsy the other lump or take lymph nodes. They did say my nodes looked ok on the MRI but they will know more on the biopsy. So far they are saying I'll have surgery around October/ November time. 
     

    They also suggested genetic testing because of my age which I said I'd be interested in. They did speak a bit about a possible mastectomy if the other lump is cancerous. My mum has had a mastectomy so in some ways I feel I have a lot of information about that. 
     

    Like you say at this stage it feels like there is much more information and just knowing what the next steps are is more helpful.

    Im relieved I've told family which was the hard bit, just got to tell my work now. 
     

    Sending well wishes your way.

     

    x