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Newly diagnosed 7/8mm lump in breast..how do I get through w

Dorestgirl
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Hi

I've had a battery of secondary screening at our local nreast clinic and it found a " highly suspicious " lump towards the back of my breast close to the chest wall. It is 7-8mm so not able to be felt by examination and in fact the scanner person took quite somr time to locate it both initially and when doing the core biopsies  I've had 4 biopsies taken

MDT is 16.11 and my appointment with the breast surgeon is on 25.11.  I'm fully expecting a confirmed diagnosis based on the scanographers comments 

I feel like my world has been turned upside down. I'm 57 in Jan and my partner had to take early retirement on health grounds this year as has severe fibromyalgia.. She's a fabulous support but I worry about the load for her if I'm unwell as her fatigue ans pain levels are very high constantly. I am a year into a job I love too after being made redundant after 31 yrs in local government last year and feel so upset that imy current job is mpacted 

I veer between feeling intense sadness  sheer terror and then fury at the way this has turned my and my family's lives upside down. We told my adult children and my 86 Yr old mother yesterday and no I feel responsible for making them worried

 I have 15 and 13yr old grand daughters who we are withholding this from at the current time but at some point they're going to have to know and the eldest in particular has had enough impact on her from covid and has her GCSEs this school year.. They have a close relationship with me and we have a planned trip to USA togethet next July that has already been cancelled twice due to covid

I know there are people in much more difficult situations than me.so I feel.im being self pitying. I know so many women that have had breast cancer and am in awe of how they got through it

I know this is very early days but how do I get through it ? 

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    Hello love, you're in the very early stages of this horrible nightmare. Where everything is overwhelmingly difficult to digest. Your brain is whirling. I promise this will calm down. Try to stop looking into the future...it simply hasn't happened yet. Just get through each day in bite size pieces.

    From experience, once there is a game plan in place life will settle for you. I'm a bit of a control freak and it took me some time to realise I had to literally hand myself over to the medical team but once I came to terms with that I found it easier to deal with.

    so, until the 25th ( which will be here before you know it) stop googling the worse case scenarios, stop planning your funeral ( I did this and actually chose my hymns)! Download a calm app and practice deep breathing...basically try and live in the moment and don't waste energy on second guessing the future...

     

    you will get through this...I promise ️

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    Hi dorestgirl,

    I'm in the same situation, I found what I thought was another cyst so stupidly didn't give it much attention, then October came and all the adverts on the radio and TV where all about breast cancer, so made appointment with gp who then sent me for breast screening, I was told exactly a week ago today I have breast cancer.im 45.. On my mammogram they found a 2cm lump that I didn't know I had, the 1 i could feel was a cyst.. I will have to have surgery and chemo, but my consultant can say which way round yet until he has my lymph node biopsy results that I had done Tuesday 3rd November, he is going to ring me next Wednesday after MDT and let me know but said my treatment will be starting in 3weeks time .  I'm so scared I can sleep, my own gp is ringing me today. I can't work either when I start chemo as I work in a nursing home.x

  • Offline in reply to ali76

    Thank you both for your replies Marilyn and ali76. It's such a difficult time isn't it? My partner and family have been amazing as have the small number of friends I have confided it which is such a lovely reminder of what wonderful things I have in my life

     I need to try to get back into a better sleeping and eating pattern which would help I'm sure and I'm very achy after all those tests yesterday no doubt due to the tension I've been holding for the past few days. Being outdoors and keeping busy is helping I find 

     

    Take care xx

     

  • Offline in reply to Dorestgirl

    Hi All. I'm a little further down the line than you too.

    im 42 and felt lump in boob back in august. Was referred to breast screening and told after my mamogram and ultrasound I had breast cancer -

    Biopsy results came back 31mm grade 2 invasive Ductal breast cancer -eostrogen positive Her2negative-had lumpectomy and sentinal nodes removed Sept 15th.

    results 28th Sept Clear margins and lymph. Nodes free of cancer -so I presumed radiotherapy and meds.

    however I was then offered an oncotype dx test- to work out a cancer recurrence. I thought 50/50. 50 percent get chemo so worth the test. Turned out of under 50years

    old Like me. It's 20% get radio and 21-100 get chemo radio and meds. Anyways my number came out at 22. 
    move been referred to chemo (getting four cycles every three weeks -starting next week. )

    Feels like a lifetime ago ( Aug 10th) and still not started chemo yet.  Over 3months.

    Try taking a day as it comes -set goals to achieve each day -even if that's just getting dressed.

    write down questions you need  answering for your next appoitment.

    ive worked out just today I've had 28appoitments since my diagnosis- information overload.

    it's ok to cry or even be angry.

    life is truely unfair sometimes ( my dad died in May and my uncle died in August ) so defo feel I've had enough of 2021- but it won't break me.

    Roll on Easter 2022 -when my treatments done and I can get back to a new normal.

    We are here for you x 

    much love Efffie x

     

  • Offline in reply to Efffie

    Thank you Effie much appreciated and wishing you hugs and healing xxx

  • Offline in reply to Efffie

    Hi all had my letter yesterday to confirm my lump is Grade 3 ducal cancer 20mm lump which is ER,PR,AND HER2 negative, Ki67 90% (havnt a clue what all this means)  just waiting for the cytology report from the axilla Then hopefully start treatment and get this bloody thing out my body. My mum passed away in March 2020 and I've never needed her more than I do now even though I do have good support from my husband and kids, but a little girl needs her mum xx love to you all

  • Offline in reply to Efffie

    Hi both..waiting is the hardest. I was diagnosed in December 22mm, hoped it would just be surgery, radio and meds but my oncotype score was 30. As just over 50 I was in a different banding for benefit. I feared chemo but started 2 and a bit months after surgery due to my agonising over decision. Chemo was not as bad as I feared. I had weekly taxol. Used the cold cap. I barely lost a hair..but I made sure hair was soaking wet each time to make sure it was cold. 

    I'm waiting though again..yr scans in december. If they are all clear  I think I will tell myself to relax and focus on 2022. 

    I wish you well..keep busy..early brc is very treatable. Xx

     

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