Hi Lilywhite,

Hope you're thriving and doing well 

Sorry to jump in, but ive read and read so many posts on here and your diagnosis is the closest if not the same as mine. I too have Invasive ductal carcinoma. Grade 3. They found another small lump close to a larger lump when i had my mammogram, ultasound and biopsy. My breast surgeon says i need another biopsy to determine the type and stage of the smaller lump, which when is added to the larger lump, measures 7cm. Ive been told, because its aggressive they are treating it aggressively with intraveneous chemo and surgery or visa versa, but they want the results of the small lump first!!

Lymph nodes are clear they tell me. I was given my first biospy results Dec 1st My second biopsy is Dec 22. 

Was yours aggressive? If so, did you have intraveneous chemo? I would prefer tablet form of chemo but, I was told chemo tablets isnt suitable for the type of b/c I have.

Sending much love xx

Hi you must be worried ,did you have any pain?I just brushed past my nipple on left and it felt brused.so after lots of poking went to see Dr she examined me with t.just 2 fingers which hurt both breast.she said lump present .so waiting to go breast clinic 15th Dec. I am terrified beyond words .I have pain in breast both at times feels like when you need to breast feed a stitch almost..I had mammograms last October all clear as have my others.but worry is it a gast cancer .they day pain not usual sine but inflammatory cancer painfull I am 63 .please help me .I think maybe should go on these sights feel worse now .

Hi I.love.life

im so sorry to hear that your in this awful situation. In regards to me , I don't recall anybody telling me that it was aggressive but I will check with my oncology team on my next appointment on 17/12. 
my tumour was 10cm in size and was a single tumour. However I did have lymph node involvement which led me down a different treatment pathway. I had intravenous chemotherapy. 4 cycles of A/C followed by 4 rounds of Taxol. I won't lie I found the first 4 sessions extremely hard to get through but I also know someone else who flew through it with no problems. I also had a full mastectomy (my choice as after chemo tumour had shrunk to 1.5cm)  

Currently I am on oral chemo for 8 cycles (24 weeks) as because I didn't have what they call a complete pathological response I.e there was some tumour left before surgery (got rid of by surgery) I am at a high risk of the cancer returning so the oral chemo and radiotherapy (due in March) are like insurance policies to decrease the risk of it coming back. 

The waiting is honestly one of the hardest parts. I was diagnosed on 22/12/20 and I didn't tell my daughter or parents until Boxing Day so I didn't ruin Christmas for them. It was hard to keep smiling but I managed it. 
 

I hope my story is even a little bit helpful. I'm here anytime if you want to chat or ask me I will do my best to help you. 
 

love 

Lillywhite x

Hi Esme, I know this wasn't to me and I'm sure Lily will respond, but I saw this and felt and recognised your anguish. I had a clear mammogram within ten months of finding a lump, which did turn out to be cancer and when I questioned that I was told that cancer can just pop up over night by a Breast Care Nurse. I had no pain with this lump and I await a masectomy and reconstruction which is due to take place on 14th December.  This week I had another scare and had to go to emergency apt at the breast clinic again yesterday morning because I found a lump in the other breast same area as the cancerous one earlier in the week. I was trying to stay calm about it - went to GP who said hopefully just fibrous (which is what they said before) but should get it checked out, phoned breast nurse who said I’d have to come in for 8.30 before clinic. She also said you only had a mammogram within 3 months which was clear on that breast and so it couldn't be cancer (this was the same nurse who previously told me that they could pop up over night. Saw consultant who said I’m probably just anxious and then examined me and said oh ok, there is a lump, we’ll try to sort an ultrasound asap, but probably not for a few days (trying not to panic) anyway I was told to wait and they obviously spoke outside and BCN went straight to ultrasound to ask them to see me before clinic, which they kindly agreed to. Upshot, scanner thinks it’s glandular tissue, which I could feel as close to ribs, she took some shots for consultant but told me she was satisfied - phew!!!  I guess what I'm saying is the fact you have pain is positive and most lumps are benign - I have only found two in my life and 50/50 for me.  I know you will worry, I did, we all do, but the signs are good and if it is cancer they will treat it and you will get support from this forum if you want it - sending you a virtual hug and positivity Mickey xx  ️

Thank you so so much for your reply Mickley m.i appreciate your comments.ididnt sleep last night .I just hope it is nothing.as I know shouldn't but googled all types and not really fit any. Have to wait and see I was so stressed in the night I think I would of rung breast cancer nurse if I could.taking naproxen and amytriptilyne tonight which he'll if inflammation and help sleep.

Hi again, I hope it helped a little. It is very usual to have sleepless nights at this point of waiting - I have had loads and still do as I await surgery. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to nap if you can, I have found it helps. I hope the prescription helps with the inflammation, so hard when you don't feel comfortable either. We've all done it, me too, but try not to Google again, it really does make you feel the worst and is not accurate either.  Try to do things you enjoy whilst you wait, it helps keep you feeling more positive, which really does help too.  I've put up my Christmas tree today, even though I know I will be in recovery over Christmas and not up to much - it helps me to think it will be lovely to look at. Sorry if I've waffled, I do know how hard it is and here if you want to chat again anytime. Take care - virtual hugs Mickey x 

Hello Esme,

I'm sorry we've met on here in these circumstances.

It's very scary when we find a lump and immediately we draw on the worst conclusions. I know that until you get the results from breast clinic that your mind won't rest. On average only 1 in 10 breast clinic referrals result in a positive.diagnosis. However, mentally, the waiting and not knowing are the hardest parts. I'm not qualified but know that pain in breasts can be as a result of lots of different things.

You have done the right thing by going to your doctor early and getting a fast track appointment.

I had 2 previous "scares" which turned out to be negative. They both involved pain and lumps which turned out to be benign cysts. This time I had no pain or lump, just an area of thickening. 

This site is great when you need some friendly help and support. However try not to read too many threads and remember that most people (the majority) who have been to breast clinic and had negative results don't tell us on here. So it's easy to get an unbalanced picture and scare yourself.

Wishing you well for your appointment on 15th. I hope you'll be able to come back to me with some positive news.

Sending you love and a virtual hug.

Lily xx

.

Thank you it's good to get support .as I said to lily Ann at 63 worry as mor likly as get older to get things.i have alot going as had blood test ce125 that was clear few month ago all mammogram clear last one 12month ago no family history don't smoke or drink not overweight although not size 10 more 12 ha ha .but still worry over both breast tingling .but checked all symptoms for inflammatory breast cancer and none . No red swelling dumpling orange peel ect. Hay who am I trying to convince here me me me ...I am a anxious person. Usual always up for fun but this isnot good for anxiety.i know lots ladies in same boat.so love to all and pray for strength that we need keep safe  

Hi Esme,

I just want you to know that I'm here (along with many others) if you need to chat some more, now or after your results.

It's not that long ago that I was in your place.Due to Covid restrictions, I couldn't get through to see my GP for a month. The wasted time drove me nuts. My first appointment at breast clinic was 21/10/2021. Once I was seen at Breast Clinic things moved pretty fast. (At the time each day felt an eternity). It's very much an emotional rollercoaster.

Inflammatory breast cancer is rare.  Many  things can have an effect on our breasts. Hormonal changes in our breast can result in lumpiness and tingling, mastitis, abcesses & cysts can too. If it is cancer you have acted quickly so hopefully it will be caught at an early stage.

It's a very anxious time and although we can't change the outcome, it can help to discusd things or just  blowing of a bit of steam +frustration  with people who understand what you're going through 

Love Lily xx