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