Hi Claire mine showed as approx 2cm on mammogram but when I had surgery it was actually 4.2cm which is not uncommon apparently. Mine was er+ pr+ and her2-. I had clear nodes . Because of my age mine was sent for an oncotype dx test to see what my chance of reoccurrence was. I was told anything 18 and under chemo would not be of any benefit 30 and above chemo was a given. Mine was 23 so I then had to make the decision myself if I wanted chemo or not. That was a tough time but after weighing up the figures I decided against it. My chance of reoccurrence was abou 5% which to me meant that 95% of people who had chemo with my score were potentially over treated. The effects chemo can have permanently just didn’t seem to add up for me. This is obviously a personal choice and I spoke to a lot of people about it and have to live with that decision but I still feel it was right for me. Chemo still wouldn’t guarantee I wouldn’t get it again. I am on tamoxifen for the next 5 years and then will switch to another drug after that. 

I know it’s hard to believe right now but once you know your treatment plan you feel more in control and ready to fight. When do you go back? Just to mention I had no palpable lump but noticed what looked like a bruise so mentioned to my go. I feel really lucky it was caught so early even though it was quie big. 

Keep strong and ask away if you want to know anything else xxxx

Thank you. I’m a mess at the moment and can’t stop crying. I can’t believe this is happening and I’m petrified. I’m scared of what’s going on in my body and I’m scared every minute that it could be spreading. They said they were 70% sure it hadn’t gone into my Lymph nodes from the ultrasound but that percentage scares me as 80% of breast lumps aren’t cancer and here we are!

I’m scared that as I’m sitting here it’s spreading to my nodes. How do they know for sure? I don’t understand how they can get that info from a lump biopsy.

We should have asked so many more questions but it was all such a shock even though I had an idea.

I know I will feel better when I have a plan as I hate feeling this out of control but Friday seems so far away and I’ve got week days at home alone as I work from home.

I really appreciate your experience and I hope this stuff doesn’t bring back too many bad memories.

xxxx

Hey,

It’s awful isn’t it. Working from home is really hard when there is something like this going on. I know exactly how you feel - I am dreading next week when my boyfriend is at work. 

That was my first appointment at the breast clinic, they did everything on the day and gave me the diagnosis the same day too. 

I really hope your situation turns out differently to mine. 

Do let us know. I find the waiting so hard. I’ve now got to wait until Friday to find out for sure if it’s spread, I feel like this thing is growing inside me. 

My fingers are crossed for you.

x

Hi honey I just wanted to reply to you to hopefully make you feel a bit better! They said mine hadn’t spread to my nodes and looked clear on the scan but they removed 4 during surgery anyway to be on the safe side. It has come back for me that it has spread to my first lymph node so the plan has now changed to chemo before radiotherapy.

whatever happens they are now looking after you and completely on top of it. That’s what has given me comfort through this whole situation. If it’s spread they’ll find it, they know exactly what they are looking for.

massive hugs to you because it’s a complete shock to the system but please please please don’t drain yourself worrying. You got this!!! And if you ever need to rant chat or just dribble out what’s in your head then feel free ️

Hi lovely , I cried constantly for the first week , couldn’t tell anyone without becoming hysterical. My surgeon said he was pretty sure it hadn’t gone to my lymph nodes and was so convinced he only took the 1 out during my surgery. Said if it came back infected he would go back in but was really confident that he wouldn’t have to and he didnt. I was up and about the next day but was signed off for 3 weeks , but really could have gone back sooner. I’ve tried to keep my normal routine all the way through and it honestly helped me. This really is the hardest time as once your on the treatment path, whatever that entails you will find the strength to fight. You’ve got this and we are all with you xxx

Hi, 

is your boyfriend going with you on Friday ? You feelings are the same as mine . I’m convinced it’s cancer and that’s it has spread  I did want to go to my appt by myself but the few people I have told said I can’t !

i am tired all the time but can’t sleep.. when I do drop off I wake up often . I am snapping at everyone and not a nice person at the minute.

I have read different things that say they don’t tell you the results  until biopsy results are back (about a week)  and I don’t think I can wait that long .. ( I’m not having any tests until Thursday )  I just need to know for sure . I feel that everything is on hold. 

Will be thinking of you this week .. and everyone else going through this awful time. 

X X X X

So, they won’t know for sure whether it’s spread until the surgery? Why can’t they just do the surgery now and take them both out anyway. I’m just so scared they are going to tell me it’s spread and that they can’t do anything. My mind is tourturing me. I’m not scared of anything but I now realise I’m really scared of leaving everyone I love.

I’ve lost half a stone already with worry. I feel constantly sick, I can’t sleep! I took night nurse last night and slept but if anything wakes me that’s it, I’m awake and imagining all the bad things that could happen next week. It’s like a nightmare every time I wake up.

xx

Janey,

They will tell you on the day what they think it is so you won’t have to wait. You may not have cancer at all so try and have hope. I know it’s hard. I watched box sets whilst I was waiting for that first appointment because I couldn’t concentrate on anything else.

Fingers crossed you get good news on Thursday.

xx

I’m so sorry I thought you had already been told it’s cancer. If you haven’t please don’t torture yourself. Even if it is don’t torture yourself!!! 

They were fairly certain that it wasn’t in my nodes and I don’t see it as having spread to my nodes. It was only found in one of them. That’s cause for celebration!

if you are really struggling maybe go back and see the gp for something that might help because it’s no way to live while waiting xxx