Hello Jax71

Welcome to the forum although I'm obviously sorry to hear about the problems that have brought you here. 

I think when a Consultant raises these concerns at an appointment they are doing so based on their previous experiences with other patients. It's important to remember however that every person is different and until your biopsy results come back nothing is for certain.

I know that many of our members here will be able to identify with your comment about this being the "longest wait of your life". We know that it can be a difficult period of time and that it really can leave you feeling drained. Although it's natural to worry and think the worst do try to stay positive and just take each day at a time. 
I'm going to tag in two of our members [@Jolamine]‍ and [@Magpiemaggie]‍ to your post. I'm sure that they will pop along to say Hello! and share their experiences with you before long. 

Keep in touch Jax and let us know how you get on at your appointment next week. 

Best wishes, 

Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator

Hi Jax,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry for the reason that brought you here. Most surgeons who are dealing with cancer day and daily can be pretty sure that some people have cancer without doing a biopsy. This comes from years of experience, although they will still carry out a biopsy to back up any suspicions. Your biopsy is the only definitive way to be sure that it is or isn't cancer.

My surgeon told me that he was pretty sure that I had cancer and, unfortunately, when the results of my biopsy came back, he was right. Your biopsy will also tell you what grade your cancer is. It is graded from 1-4, with 4 being the more advanced.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. The first was 10 years ago and the second was 9 years ago. We all tend to think the worst while we are waiting for our results. Fortunately, this seldom turns out to be the case. With so many suspect areas, it sounds as if your consultant is trying to prepare you for a positive diagnosis, but I sincerely hope that he is wrong. It does occasionally happen!

Waiting seems to take forever at this stage and, your emotions will be all over the place, but this is perfectly normal. It really is a rollercoaster! Try to keep as busy as possible this week to distract yourself from the wait.

Even if it is bad news next week, remember that things are not as bad as they seem, as treatments for breast cancer have come a long way in the past few years, so try to think positive.

Please let us know how you get on next week. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jax71

Not sure what I can add as Jenn and Jolamine have said it all, so I just tell you my experience. I was initially called back after a routine screening and was shown my mammograms, there was a cluster of calcifications in each breast. There was a debate between the doctors as to whether they were normal or not and the decision was made to do a core biopsy on one breast as the other looked normal. However, between walking out of the room and going into another for the biopsy, the decision was made to biopsy both breasts. So glad that decision was made as it turned out I had high grade DCIS in both. Then came the agonising decision on what type of surgery I wanted, I opted to have wide area incisions due to the possibility that among the DCIS was also invasive and I treated the operation as one giant biopsy.Post op found invasive in each breast. I was releived that they had found this as it meant nothing could be hiding and its all out of my breast and I could get the treatment needed to try and ensure it wont come back ie radiotherapy and estrogen blockers. If they had offered me chemo I would have taken it gladly as I would want to throw everything at it. 

Everyone who has been through this has experienced the same emotions you are going through now, but feel better once they know what it is they are dealing with and what the treatment plan will be, after that emotions change to fight mode and focus on getting through the treatment that will get rid of the cancer. 

I would say that I am now back to my old self and have got on with my life, my fantastic surgeon, oncologist, nurses have made that happen. So although you are at the early stages, there is light at the end of the tunnel and you too will get through this. x

Thank you everyone - it really does help hearing from people who have been through this! I think from the way the appointment went and what the consultant said I am fully expecting to be told it is cancer as there does seem to be too many suspicious sites :( - As you have said once I know for definite and can discuss treatment plans at least I will be able to plan which has to be better than this not knowing and imagining every scenario. I have been trying to distract myself by taking my dogs out and luckily I have a great employer so have had the luxury of having quite a bit time off this week (my head was surprisingly not into work!). I am emotionally drained and feel exhausted from all of this ‘imagining’ and ‘what if’ scenarios - not to mention crying at the least bit thing but I am also trying to keep positive most of the time and it really helps hearing from people who have beat this.  I will of course let you know how the appointment goes and it is good to hear that you are all doing well - I suspect that I may be back asking for your advice once I am armed with my diagnosis but one step at a time - thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post and I hope that you have both now fully beat it x

Hi 

This forum is great for advise/support, so anytime you need to chat just come on here - we are here for you. x

Hi - thanks again for all of your advice during my long wait. As you suspected - consultant was preparing me for positive result :( . I have cancer in both breasts and lymph nodes on each one too. Have been through some treatment options but need one more biopsy on calcification lumps to determine of there is another cancer present too (if there is it will mean mastectomy but if it is not yet developed cancer should be able to go with lumpectomy and restructure of existing breasts followed by radiotherapy and probably chemotherapy too. Nurse has said treatment expected to last 1 year so I have a long 2020 ahead of me but you know what? It is treatable and that is all that matters (you were right ‘fight mode’ kicked in!). On the bright side - I have big boobs that I have always hated so might end up with nice little cups after this :) . Am sure shock will set in soon as only got diagnosis today but actually feel like a weight has been lifted as the not knowing and imagining the worst was killing me. I am having a wine and gonna enjoy Xmas and not think about this until the new year as they are starting my treatment in Jan! Thanks again for all of your advice - it really does help!

HI Jax

Sorry to hear of your results. it is still a shock even if expecting it. Apart from DCIS I also had lobular and ductal - so 3 different diseases but thankfully that did not change my treatment plan. Your lymph nodes have done their job and kept it from spreading - the body is wonderful :)

I had 'c' cups but post op ended up with 'd's - but they are very pert. The things surgeons can do now blows my mind.

My treatment lasted 10 months but within those months I packed more into them than I would have done if I didnt have cancer - I was kind to myself and did things that made me feel better about the situation and about myself. I have to say prior to diagnosis I didnt take care of myself, I had let myself go, wrapped up in supporting family members problems. So I took time out to look after me. I got my hair done, manicures, facials, got my teeth whitened, exercised, lost weight. Drove to the beach, long country walks etc, it picked me up, got the most out of a bad situation.

So although your looking at 12 months (sounds like a jail sentence) ;)  try and look at it positively, let the professionals heal your health and you concentrate on doing whatever makes your soul feel good. At the end of the 12 months there will be a whole new you, ready to take on the world.

I hope you have a great xmas and keep in touch, always interested to know how others get on - I'm so nosy :D xx

Thank you Magpie - it certainly sounds like you put a positive spin on this! I am going to try and follow in your footsteps - I am going to get through this 12 months and hopefully embrace a new me at the end of it :) you are an inspiration and it is really good that you still use this forum to advise women who are starting this scary journey. Hearing stories like yours are such a great help :) x

Hi Jax 

Thank you for your kind words, positivity goes a long way. I just took it in steps, the first and most important is surgery to get the blasted thing out, once that happened I felt huge relief, it meant it wasnt the first thing I thought of when wakening or last thing before going to sleep. Then my focus turned on the other treatments and saw these as an insurance policy to help minimise the cancer ever returning. 

After that I made a concerted effort to move on with my life - no point going through all of that just to worry myself sick about the 'what ifs' again.

I do hope my posts on here help those in similar situations - take care x