Hi Gem,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear of the uncertainty surrounding your recent breast checks.  This does happen and it is worth taking a bigger swab to be sure that nothing untoward is lurking.  It is normal to wait 1-2 weeks for the result of any biopsy. When it comes back, your consultant will first of all discuss the findings with his MDT (multi-disciplinary team) at their weekly meeting. These are all of the different professionals who are involved in your care. If there is cancer present, they will discuss any surgery or treatment needed, so that your surgeon can discuss a treatment plan with you. If it is just a fibroadenoma, then nothing is likely to be done, unless it is very large.

Once this meeting has taken place you will normally have a face-to-face with your consultant. It is impossible to tell what your nurse meant by 'discussing a treatment plan' and does sound as if they expect to find something. I do hope that this is not the case. Even if you do get a cancer diagnosis, don't despair. Breast cancer is much more treatable now than it used to be. I have had 2 bouts in the past 13 years and am still leading a busy and fulfilling life.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you for your reply. I've calmed a little now. I'll update around the 23rd when I've had the appointment to discuss results

Aww really, you've done so well and yeah you're right, even if is more sinister it's much more treatable now.

Thanks again

Hi Gem,

I'm glad to hear that you are a little calmer now. This is always a worrying time and you are bound to have more lows before you get to 23rd. Try not to worry. We all tend to lose the plot at this stage.

I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer and there was just no comparison between both of our experiences.

I look forward to hearing how you get on on 23rd.

Regards,

Jolamine xx

Morning Jolamine,

I got my results yesterday. I have stage 2, they are looking to do surgery within 4 weeks followed by radiotherapy, they did a mammogram whilst I was there to check its nowhere else in the breast and they will check my lymph nodes when they do the surgery. 

I also need some other therapy due to estrogen levels being high and I'm having further checks due to protein being borderline. If I'm honest all that part was a blur. I'm going back Monday so she can talk to me again xxx

Hi Gem,

Thanks for getting back to us. I'm sure that this is not the news that you'd hoped for and you are probably feeling somewhat shell-shocked at the moment. It is hard to take everything in, when you have just been given news like this. It also takes some time to come to terms with all of the terminology used.

It is good news that they haven't found the cancer anywhere else in the breast. Your ER (oestrogen) and PR (Progesterone) levels are routinely checked at this stage.  It is usually a good result when your oestrogen levels are responsive and this is normally treated by hormone therapy. Don't be afraid to ask your consultant or nurse all the questions you need to ask. 

Do you know what type of breast cancer you have? There are many different types and some are more aggressive than others. What type of surgery are you going to have? - so many questions to ask at this stage. I hope that you get more answers on Monday. You may find it helpful to write down any questions you have and take them with you to your appointment. It is all too easy to forget something important in the heat of the moment.

I am glad to hear that they plan to start your surgery soon. Although not the most convenient for Christmas, you will feel better once you start to treat this. How are you coping with the hydroxycarbomide?

Please rememer that we're always here for you and are happy to try and answer any questions you may have.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hey, sorry I've been having down Time with friends and family this weekend.

I have DCIS, and they've moved the surgery forward to within 2 weeks now, I have an appt tomorrow to sort the exact date, I'm hoping this is just as they have availability and not because theyve seen something on the mammogram. They think they need to remove my implants due the radiotherapy but have said they'll explore my options. So will see.

I'm also having the genetic testing to see if any links.

I'll know more tomorrow and have done a list of questions today ready to ask them.

I hope you're well.

Thanks

Gem xxx

Hi Gem,

Glad to hear that you've managed some down time. I very much doubt that moving the appointment forward has anything to do with any urgency. They have quite a number of changes and cancellations in this field.

I hope that all goes well for you tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you, it went fine and my surgery is Monday. I feel really positive . Thanks for your information and support :) xxx