Hi Janeylou. I know how you feel. I'm 51 and received a recall letter on Christmas Eve (great timing) saying an abnormality was found on my first screening mammogram. My clinic appt is 5 Jan and I can think of nothing else at the moment. I'm trying to keep distracted. My teenage daughter and husband saw me open the letter but I haven't told my teenage son or anyone else apart from my best friend. Kind of want to know what is actually the outcome before I worry other people. Will tell my boss (she is lovely) though as need time off work for the appt. My Mum and her mother (so my maternal grandmother) both had breast cancer. My grandmother died years ago from another cancer in the end and my Mum is doing fine, four years on. I had three (one per year) mammograms up to the age of 50 on the familial screening programme (which were all clear)but the last one was nearly two years ago (I'm 52 in February). When I  had the recall letter last week I then took a close look at my breasts as I hadn't noticed any lumps (I am a bit rubbish at checking though) and was horrified to see a considerable area of dimpling/puckering under my left inner breast - quite obvious lines and indents when I raise my arms. I have no idea how long they have been there as I don't go around with my arms in the air staring at my boobs Kind of wish I had now though. I can really understand what you are feeling and the waiting is awful as every scenario goes through your head. All I can say to you (and me!) is that most cases referred aren't cancer so let's hold onto that thought!! Good luck for tomorrow. X

Hi Kiwirunner, just wanted to let you know....my circumstances very similar to you, age 53 years, referral letter arrived the day before Christmas Eve.....not sure how I've got through Xmas as no extended family around to keep me busy as usual, due to their health issues (my sister has secondary breast cancer) Just myself, hubby and teen daughter, who, as you, saw me open referral letter, which I managed to play down.

Attended my appointment first thing today (my birthday) I was told that there was a change in one of my breasts so I had a more detailed mammogram and an ultrasound. After the ultrasound the consultant told me that I am absolutely fine and can go back to three yearly mammograms. 
 

Just wanted to give you some hope and let you know that things can still be okay even though you might think the worst....I found it so difficult to.stay positive. I was sooo scared, i am a bit of a glass half full person. It's awful having waited over Christmas, I can't tell you how stressed I've been. Good luck with your appointment and fingers crossed for you xx

Hi guys, 

Sorry I haven't been on til now, I was just trying to get on with things and that has been successful but now it's dawning on me that it's very real and surgery is next I'm just waiting to find out if there is anything in the right side before they operate. I have a meeting on the 6th to find out and then I think I will get a surgery date. 
 

One thing stressing me out is the idea of losing my hair during chemo so I think I'm going to try the cold cap! Has anyone heard any success stories with it? 
 

Wow [@kiwirunner]‍ you've been through so much too, nothing is ever simple is it! I keep neatly passing out with biopsies! 
 

Stay strong everyone xx

Hi [@KimMarie]‍ hope your meeting goes well on the 6th and you find out more about surgery date. Not surprised you are finding it a lot to take in and thought of losing hair is a hard one too on top of loss of a boob. Hopefully you get some feedback on the cold cap idea.
I have my (finally) results appt tomorrow and actually already have a provisional surgery date (16 Feb) from when I went in for the original results appt on Jan 15 where it was complicated. I think that is on basis of lumpectomy and I guess tomorrow I'll find out if still that or mastectomy. Been doing pretty well but now feeling really nervous! 
 

Hope you are doing ok xx

KimMarie

I have been thinking about you and hope you get some positive news on 6th. 

I imagine you just want to know your treatment plan and get your surgery done. 

Take care xxx

Hi kiwirunner

Just to.say i am thinking if you tomorow . Hoping you get some positive news. 

Glad you have been doing ok 

Take care keeping everything crossed  xxx 

Oh my goodnes, could this experience get any weirder? So, yesterday I was set for my results appt at 11.30am. Had a call at 9am to say my breast surgeon was off sick and would I mind meeting instead with another surgeon I hadn't yet met, at 2.30pm. I was relieved that the appt wasn't cancelled so was happy to go. 

Unfortunately, my husband couldn't come in with me, as the decision is down to the individual doctor. At the results meeting that turned out to not be definitive on 15 Jan, she was fine to have my husband in the room but not the new surgeon I was seeing. So that was already off to a start that felt less good than I hoped.

Anyway.. (he turned out to be as lovely as the other surgeon I am assigned to) he cut to the chase and said both biopsies from last week came back with no cancer in them. What?! All the medical  staff from consultant radiologists to the surgeon have been telling me it looks like cancer and to prepare for that. I mean this is good  but also so confusing.

And it is not as clear cut as that as I am having ANOTHER biopsy next week and still having surgery as originally scheduled on 16th. Apparently the MDT are not too happy as the histology results (no cancer in the biopsies) are not really marrying up with what they are seeing on the imaging (MRI, ultrasounds, mammogram) or the clinical presentation (I have quite an area of tethering on the lower inner quadrant) so they want to get it out with a wide local excision (lumpectomy) and send off for pathology assessment.

The second area (upper outer quadrant on same breast) that they did the biopsy in the mammogram last week is the one they want to do again (ouch - I am still so bruised and have a massive haematoma still :-( )to rule that in or out for once and for all. At the moment that area is showing as a complex sclerosing lesion which can mimic cancer but can also be hiding little bits of cancer potentially and before they do a lumpectomy on the bit they do want out on the lower bit of the beast, they want to be more certain about this on the top of my breast. If two areas are still problematic, that may change the surgical approach.

This all feels totally weird when I was told to expect it was cancer, then told it the biopsies don't show that but everything else is not stacking up quite right. However, I am super impressed with how thorough they are being and they are very apologetic at how many tests I have gone through: assessment clinic, with mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies, MRI, two more biopsies, now back for a third round and then surgery. I get it though - medicine is not an exact science and they can only go on the evidence in front of them and I have confidence in their leve of skill and care.

My surgery will be in a private hospital due to Covid with the NHS team from where I am being seen now, doing the surgery.

So, much better news than I was expecting but also not clear really with more to follow!

Will pop back with an update after Thurs biopsy (have had core needle, vacuum assisted and now this one is stereostatic what ever that means but sandwiched back in the mammogram machine again for 45 mins or so. Nice. Then they are going to prioritise the histology report so it is back before my surgery and we either a) go with the 16th as planned or b) delay by a week or so to discuss new options.

Mentally and emotionall draining but it could be worse when I see what so many lovely women on here are doing through xx

I admit it. I am incapable of writing a short post haha.

Aw [@kiwirunner]‍ ive just logged on to see how you are doing and you've updated. What a tricky scenario you're in but hopefully you are now closer to getting some answers about what it all is. Hope you are feeling ok and the biopsy isn't too sore with already bruised area. 
 

I find out tomorrow if there is anything going on with the right side as well. To be honest it doesn't matter to me what the results are as ive still got a massive ordeal ahead! Xx

Oh [@KimMarie]‍ even though it is a big ordeal already you could do without the other side to worry about too! What has sparked the need for that investigation? Have you got any dates in place yet for the start of your plan? If you feel up to it, do pop back on here to update as you have been in my thoughts xx

My goodness what an ordeal you are having . I cannot imagine how much you must feel like your on a roller coaster of emotions. Gosh you have been through so much already , but as you say they are being so through and it sounds like your going to get the best treatment with lovely staff. Pleased your getting to go to a private hospital. 

I hope thursday goes well and you finally get all the answers

 You take care you are dealing with everything amazing xxx

Hi kimMarie 

I hope today went well and you have had good news xxxx

Hi, my goodness what a lot to take in, nothing is ever simple! At least they are being extremely thorough and not just sending you away at this stage. Good luck with the extra biopsies. Thinking of you all on here at the moment xxx

Hi, my goodness what a lot to take in, nothing is ever simple! At least they are being extremely thorough and not just sending you away at this stage. Good luck with the extra biopsies. Thinking of you all on here at the moment xxx

Another update - my case is dragging on with all the extra testing. Had a third biopsy yesterday afternoon. Redoing the second area of concern which is a 15mm spiculated area of distortion without a mass at the centre. This time they used an even bigger needle for the vacuum assisted biopsy while lying down clamped in the mammogram machine than I had last time. 12 samples taken this time unlike the last time with six samples. Because I stil have a massive haematoma and bruising from second round of biopsies two weeks ago (apparently I am 'very vascular' - not one for the LinkedIn profile haha), it was hard to get the local anaesthetic to where it needed to be. Two samples in and I squealed in pain. Turns out the haematoma absorbed the local, rather than the surrounding tissue, so they gave me masses more local anaesthetic. They wernt around all the 'spider legs' twice to get as much sampling as they could as it does look suspicious. Have taken the other biopsies in my stride but yesterday's was tough.

Now a rush job on the pathology as I am booked at moment for lumpectomy on Tuesdsay to take the other area out that has the spiculations and a mass at the middle and looks cancerous.

Two biopsies so far that are inconclusive but they don't match with the radiology (mamogram, ultrasound, MRI) and the puckering on my skin so they are keeping at it.

If latest pathology comes back with it dodgy then surgery on Tues will be postponed for a week or so while we revisit surgical options as that would be two different areas of the breast that need sorting out,

Add to that an infected tooth this week with antibiotics that can't be mixed with alcohol, and tooth pain, ,made my 'dry' 20th wedding anniversary on Weds a bit different to expected. Sigh. 

They will call with results on Monday as no time to get me in before the surgery on Tues, assuming that still goes ahead.

Considering this started with a recall letter on 24 Dec it is starting to take its toll somewhat. BUT I do feel under amazing care with my NHS team. xx

Oh my goodness, it's sounds horrendous. Damn the antibiotics for not being able to have a drink at the end of THAT day as you sound like you needed it! Can't imagine how stressful it is....please let me know how you get on next week. Sending you positive thoughts. You're in the best hands, no matter what xxx

My gosh what a terrible time. You have been through so much. You really could have done with a drink after everything.  I am keeping everything crossed for some good news you really deserve it so much. 

Hope everything goes well next week and i hope your family are doing ok and you all pull together 

Big hug xxx

Thanks so much for the support [@Janeylou]‍ and [@Mumofteen]‍ I really appreciate it xx

Good luck for tomorow thinking of you i hope you get some good news and things go well xxx

Thanks [@Janeylou]‍ ! Had some good news today that the third biopsy that was a repeat biopsy on the second area of concern came back as benign - wahoo! It is definitely a radial scar. They look just like breast cancer on radiology and other imaging so they wanted to be sure. Now just to focus on the bit coming out on the lumpectomy tomorrow. Surgeon phoned me today to tell me about the other good news and said she definitely wants this bit out to look at further in the post-op pathology. Feel so relieved that one area is all clear :-) Just the final hurdle to get over xx

Aww that is amazing you really deserved the  good news i am so pleased for you. Good luck tomorrow im sure it will go well. Thinking of you xxx 

My mammogram showed distortion, nothing showed on ultrasound, had a vacuum biopsy and diagnosed with idc. It's messing with my head because I cannot feel it. Bern given no proper sizings, consultant advised it was small on my mammogram image. I had an enhanced one as well. Can I ask abit more about yrs please and test you had xxx

Hi [@Shazlarr]‍ thanks for your message. I know it does tend to mess with your head but it is good news that they have found things early by the sound of it. I had loads of tests because mine was picked up on a mammogram recall assessment. The area of concern I was recalled on turned out to be fine but they spotted a new area on the more enhanced mammogram and then ultrasound. I was told on the day it looked like cancer but we needed the biopsy results to know what it was exactlyThey biopsied it on the day but the results were inconclusive so I had an MRI which then showed the original area of concern also needed to be looked at again! Then I went back for two biopsies on the same day - vacuum assisted while in the mammogram machine for one, and with the ultrasound for the other. Those results came back then showing no evidence of cancer in either but they weren't convinced as histology results from first biopsy indicated there was probably malignancy but inconclusive. They decided that area did need to come out with surgery but before that they biopsied the second area again to see if I need a mastectomy or just wide local excision for the first area of concern. That one came back benign (radial scar and sclerosing adneosis). I then had the surgery and it wasn't until the results from the surgery that I was finally diagnosed with cancer. It was absolutely tiny though - 3mm of  Grade 1 Tubular Carcinoma (very rare), with 5mm of Intermediate Grade DCIS next to it, all hidden behind another radial scar (different to the one that was considered benign). Like you, I couldn't feel anything, although I did have some tethering where my skin was pulling in over the dodgy area when I put my arms over my head.

What have they said is the next step for you now? xx

Thank you for sharing that.  Just been informed of my sizing I know its a rough sizing of 11mm, I do have another area of dcis whic is small but just over 5cm away from my invasive, I have decided on masectomy with reconstruction.  Was referred to plastics team,  last Wednesday and my bcn has chased them up this morning so I am hoping it won't be long. Think I have to be seen in clinic to be measured, then surgery booked. What your next step pls xxx