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

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

Morning Homey

i hope you slept ok. I have a 3cm cancerous lump in my left boob. I also have microcalcifications around it that take the total area to 7cm. All this is being removed on Tues. The cancer is invasive, grade 2, hormone positive, her2 negative. I could not feel the lump. I just felt an odd sensation in my boob occasionally and this prompted me to go to the GP. 

She referred me and I had a mammogram which picked up the lump. I then had an ultrasound which picked up some cysts and showed the lump was buried amongst those. I then had a biopsy. 
 

My treatment plan is lumpectomy on Tues. I have elected this as my nurse explained that they try to encourage you to keep as much natural boob as possible - if this is an option of course. Because the area to be removed is large though - if they don't get the margins and more needs to be taken then it's likely I will have to have a masectomy as there won't be much left to take - I'm not huge chested (36d) enough to get away with 7cm and have some boob left. Def no more than that though. Consultant who is also my surgeon (he does the lumpectomys) said size wise - lump and boobs - I'm on the cusp for keeping it. 
 

So... Lump etc removed. Healing time. Follow up app on 1st July to see whether they got all they needed to. Plus whether or not there are any cells in my lymph nodes - they will be taking a few on Tuesday to test. Nothing untoward showed up during ultrasound but some cells so small cannot be detected. Therefore they will be sent to USA for testing. Depending on what they find/don't find it will be decided whether or not I will have to have chemo. Hoping not! But whatever it takes! 
 

I am having an intense course of radiation (5 days). This is standard procedure following a lumpectomy. And then I will be on hormone suppressants for up to 10 years. 
 

Hope that helps. Ask away if you need to honey. There are so many people on here with many different experiences. I'm pretty sure there will be some who have very similar experiences to you xxxx 

Thank you for sharing that, I will be much happier when have my surgery date, but like you said if this showed larger on my images, it didn't show on ultrasound, I would be going down a different route.  Consultant advised its small, I cannot feel it, nor could GP or bcn. I am still awaiting Her result but I know its hormone positive 8/8. So my final treatment plan after surgery will depend on my HER result.  xx

Yes! Having a surgery date is definitely good! It gives you something to work with. Rather than just waiting which is absolutely hideous isn't it! Keep me posted as I'll be thinking of you!

I'm just about to embark on cleaning my house! My Mum is coming to look after me for a few days this week after my operation. I'm 48 with 2 teenage sons but still want my Mum here for this! Just want everything clean n tidy for when she arrives. She won't expect it bless her but it will make me feel better. 
 

Lots of love xxx 

Yes! Having a surgery date is definitely good! It gives you something to work with. Rather than just waiting which is absolutely hideous isn't it! Keep me posted as I'll be thinking of you!

I'm just about to embark on cleaning my house! My Mum is coming to look after me for a few days this week after my operation. I'm 48 with 2 teenage sons but still want my Mum here for this! Just want everything clean n tidy for when she arrives. She won't expect it bless her but it will make me feel better. 
 

Lots of love xxx 

Thank you, hope your treatment goes well. So you would not be concerned that its not be sized properly, and consultant said its small, and you could not feel it. Is it my mind working overtime xx

Hi 

Yes your mind is probably working overtime but that is completely normal. Mine has been too since diagnosis! I'm now convinced they've missed something and that every ache n pain is more cancer. I've had to really get a grip! :))

When is your next appointment? I think all your questions are totally valid. When you go next get the consultant to talk you through it all again. Did they show you the scan pictures? I was shown mine with measurements on etc. That really helped me. The consultant also did some drawings for me showing the incisions he'd me making and where my scars will be. Nothing is too much trouble. Trust me. Or you could ring your breast care nurse in the morning and tell her what you're concerned about. She will be great I bet. 
 

Here if you need me. Sarah xxx 

Thank you so much, he showed me my images, was no measurements on it, I asked the question is that considered big, he advised its small, i have never been able to feel it, nor did the breast nurse on my my first appointment. Mine was diagnosed through a vacuum biopsy using mammogram.  So don't think it showed on ultrasound or they would of used that to guide them for my biopsy. What biopsy did you have please was it a core biopsy.  I am waiting for my appointment to see plastics consultant at the moment, I am speaking to my breast care nurse tomorrow regarding that tomorrow, shall I speak to her about my other concerns. Thank you for your support xxx

No problem at all. It's such a hideous situation to be in I figure the more we can support each other on here the better! It has been a godsend for me. I was in such a state initially. I still am really. Just a more under controlled state now! 
 

I had a core biopsy. They took three samples. They took quite a few mammogram shots! From lots of different angles. By boobs were really squished around! The lump was biopsied and the calcifications must've shown up on that I think? Or the ultrasound. I'm not sure. But I could see them when he showed me at my results app. 
 

Yes! Absolutely raise your questions and concerns with your nurse tomorrow. That's what they are here for. To support us and help relieve some of our anxieties. 
 

Let me know how it goes. I've sent you a friend request so you can message me via that if you want to. 
 

Lots of love xx 

Thank you so much, did you say you could feel your lump sorry, sorry to ask this but with what I have said about bout my tests etc so far would you be feeling abit positive, it's so hard to see the positives isn't it xx

You can ask whatever you like honey. 
 

No I couldn't feel my lump. I just had a weird sensation in my boob and they both felt more sort of bulky tissue/modular. I honestly thought if was due to my age, peri-menopause etc. Not for a minute did I think it would be cancer! I feel so lucky that I even went to the GP - I thought I was totally overreacting! She said that my left boob felt slightly different to my right one. But definitely no defined lump. It was buried amongst some cysts! I still can't feel it!
 

My boobs look totally normal! Can't get my head around having something so nasty growing inside me and knowing nothing about it up till now. Glad I know now though. God knows what the situation would be if it wasn't discovered until my first routine mammogram in 2yrs time. Doesn't bear thinking about! 
 

As far as breast cancer goes it sounds like yours has been caught really early. This is great! Are you worried that they've missed something? I really do doubt that. I think they are so used to seeing all the different varieties every day. They know how the different cancers present and what to look for around them. I'm trusting that they do! 
 

Once you speak to your nurse tomorrow hopefully you will feel a little less anxious. Yes it is hard to see the positives but it's definitely the best option. Positivity - as much as poss under these horrid circumstances is the way forward honey! 
 

Sarah xxxx 

Thank you for your support. Yh will phone bcn tomorrow and have a talk about what's causing me anxiety then hopefully will get my surgery date soon.  xxx

Fab. Let me know how it goes. Hope you sleep ok. I'm having marker rods insertd at 8.45am tomorrow. Apparently it's a bit like a biopsy but they're putting things in rather than taking something away - hoping not too painful. It's ultrasound guided. 
 

Dye going into lymph nodes tomorrow afternoon. It makes your wee blue and you cry blue tears! Totally joyful! 
 

Xxxx 

Hope you get on okay Sarah. Let us know how it goes xxx

Hope it goes okay for you, let us know how it goes. What is this for please  xxx