Hi

Again, not much more to add to what has been said already. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 weeks ago. I'm just sat at the clinic waiting to be seen for my pre-op app. My operation is on the 8th June. 
 

When I attended for my results the info they gave me was all really clear and straightforward. I thought I'd have loads of questions - couldn't think what they'd be but presumed I'd want to ask loads! I didn't have to ask anything. They told me the type of cancer I have. The size. What my treatment options were (lumpectomy or masectomy) I've opted for a lumpectomy initially. They already had the plan worked out. Apart from the news being rubbish! The appointment was really quite ok. 
 

After I saw the consultant I spent about 20mins with my designated care nurse. She just went over it all again and used more user friendly terminology to explain a few things. 
 

Hope your appointment goes ok. 
 

Sarah xx 

I'm so grateful to you all for your responses. Thank you all so, so much.

I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with this at the moment. I really hope that your treatment goes well for all of you. And your help and responses have made me feel so much more in control, so I can't thank you enough. 

Best wishes and thinking of you all xx

Think everything has been covered. I would just add, take someone with you. When I got my results they said they would call, but the hospital called to say I had an appointment that day at 4pm, so clearly wasn't going to be good news.

When I got to the appointment they asked me if anyone was with me, as they could go in with me (despite it being November 2020 and the Covid restrictions). I didnt think I  could so had no one with me.

The Breast Care Nurse, who I stayed with after the consultant delivered my diagnosis, couldn't stress enough how important it was to have someone attend those types of appointments with me. My sister has attended all further appointments with the oncology and surgeon.

I hope you get some good news. 

Thank you so much. 

I'm so sorry you were on your own when you received your news. That must have been so frightening and distressing for you. But so pleased you had your sister for later appointments. The radiologist and consultant really stressed the importance of bringing my husband with me. I'm not sure how it will work with Covid. They've said he might need to wait outside until I'm in the consulting room? 

I was copied into a letter today to my GP. It said that it was an irregular mass with calcifications. I'm not sure what that means really, but I'm sure they'll tell me next week. 

I hope you are all okay. Thinking of you all xx

Hi. Just reading your update. Mine is an irregular mass with calcifications. It's the calcifications that have meant the bit to be removed is bigger! Lump is 3cms. But the calcifications take it up to 7cms. From what I can gather, although the calcifications themselves are not cancerous, they can suggest that something is going on in cells around them?!?! So when occurring alongside a cancer diagnosis they need to account for them and take the area away too. I gleaned this from Google of course :)) 

Hope you're doing ok xxx

Thank you Slightlybewildered, that makes absolute sense. Really appreciate you replying. 

Hope you're doing okay too xx

Hi I am looking for advice, I have a very small area of dcis, but on Tuesday was diagnosed idc grade 2.  Because my dcis is just over 5cm away from my idc I am looking at masectomy I have chose with reconstruction.  The consultant was happy for me not to have an mri because I chose this and he advised it is small, plus I cannot feel it.  My scan on my nodes on 18.5.21 was clear, just awaiting my appointment with plastics for surgery.  Its hormone positive I am awaiting her.  Would consultant advised me if this was large. Thank you for advice x

Hi Shaziarr

Sorry to hear you are going through this too! It's pretty rubbish isn't it? Hopefully your appointment will come through soon and you'll be on your way to getting it all sorted :))

Just wanted to clarify ... Are you asking whether your consultant advised masectomy over lumpectomy? 
 

Sarah xx 

Hi I am having masectomy with reconstruction because my area of dcis is over 5cm away from my idc. My vacuum biopsy, showed idc, my ultrasound was okay, my mammogram showed breast distortion. I cannot feel the lump, my consultant showed me my mammograms I had an enhanced one, and advised this is small stage one.  Sorry my question is if this was bigger they would know wudnt they xx

Hi Honey

My opinion, one which I formed really quickly, is that the people in charge of diagnosing and treating us, absolutely know what they are looking for and exactly what is going on inside our boobs. I'm sure that what they've found and the treatment plan they have decided upon is exactly right for what you have xxx 

Thank you  I am not needing an mri because I am having a masectomy, with reconstruction , any advice on why it did not show on ultrasound pls.  What was your diagnosis and treatment please xx

Hi Shazlarr,

I'm not sure why it wouldn't have shown on the ultrasound. But I only know for me that I had to have an ultrasound and then a mammogram too to check the area they were concerned about and also to see if they'd missed anything else on ultrasound. I am also having an MRI scan soon to triple check they haven't missed anything and to decide my surgery. The breast clinic are usually very good and they're very experienced. But you said your lump was small so it may have been that. Did they pick it up on a mammogram? 

Just be assured, as Sarah said, that the consultants are very good at diagnosing and treating us. I learned that they have a panel who makes decisions too, it isn't just one person, which reassured me too. 

I hope your surgery goes well. When are you due to have it? 

Bethany xx

Hi Shazlarr,

I'm not sure why it wouldn't have shown on the ultrasound. But I only know for me that I had to have an ultrasound and then a mammogram too to check the area they were concerned about and also to see if they'd missed anything else on ultrasound. I am also having an MRI scan soon to triple check they haven't missed anything and to decide my surgery. The breast clinic are usually very good and they're very experienced. But you said your lump was small so it may have been that. Did they pick it up on a mammogram? 

Just be assured, as Sarah said, that the consultants are very good at diagnosing and treating us. I learned that they have a panel who makes decisions too, it isn't just one person, which reassured me too. 

I hope your surgery goes well. When are you due to have it? 

Bethany xx