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Original poster

I'm panicking, my mum has been recalled from her mammogram

57 replies

Loopylou6 · 26/02/2022 20:19

She's 70 and never had any issues before, she's up to date with her mammograms, but I'm so scared.
Anybody have any experience?

OP posts:
FizzyThinking · 08/03/2022 15:23

You're right to be prepared OP and I do understand why you feel like that, but not all hospitals work in the same way. Some insist on giving these kind of results face to face, even when good news. I had to go in for a biopsy result a few years ago, which was thankfully fine.

It could just be that they've had a cancellation. If it is bad news, as others have said, it doesn't have to be the worst.

user1498572889 · 08/03/2022 15:32

🤞 everything is ok x

Munchcrip · 08/03/2022 15:54

Praying for your mum

Interested in this thread?

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Women's health
fussychica · 08/03/2022 16:12

Yep been recalled twice over the years. Fortunately both turned out to be nothing sinister and the speed and standard of care I received on both occasions was excellent. Sounds like your mum is receiving great care. Sending positive thoughts to you both.

Original poster
Loopylou6 · 08/03/2022 16:36

It is cancer Sad it's 8mm rather than 1mm. She's having a tracker put in so the surgeon can find it. And on 25th of this month she's having it removed, but because its near the arm pit they're also gonna take a couple of lymph nodes out to see if it's spread. If it hasn't, then a blast of radio therapy and tablets for life, if it has, they'll remove the breast

OP posts:
FizzyThinking · 08/03/2022 16:54

I'm so sorry OP. Let's hope they've caught it early.

How is your mum taking this? Does she have a partner?

moonbedazzled · 08/03/2022 16:57

I'm very sorry to hear this news. Hopefully they've caught it early enough so that she can keep her breast. Wishing her all the best. x

octoberfarm · 08/03/2022 16:57

I'm so sorry, @Loopylou6. Thinking of you and your lovely Mum and hoping for the best for you both moving forward Thanks

weebarra · 08/03/2022 17:02

I'm sorry to hear this. I was in the same position as your mum at 36, nearly nine years ago. There's lot of support available, good luck!

TheFormidableMrsC · 08/03/2022 17:03

I was recalled and subsequently diagnosed. Two years on from surgery and a year on from active treatment, I have an annual mammo on Thursday. I understand your fears but even if it is cancer there are such amazing treatments available. I count myself very fortunate. Remember too that 9/10 lumps are benign. I wish mum lots of luck and try not to panic Thanks

gogohm · 08/03/2022 17:09

Sorry to hear that @Loopylou6

Pass on my best wishes.

There's so many options for treatment now, one developed by my ex actually

TheFormidableMrsC · 08/03/2022 17:09

I'm so sorry I've just seen your update! Oh bless mum! Please try not to panic. I found treatments were very manageable and I recovered very quickly from surgery. I hope it's the same for her. She'll be grand! Good luck Thanks

Original poster
Loopylou6 · 08/03/2022 17:19

How big was yours Mrs C and had it gone into lymph nodes? That's what's really scaring me incase it's spread.
Thank you so much for your comments everybody x

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 08/03/2022 17:25

@Loopylou6

How big was yours Mrs C and had it gone into lymph nodes? That's what's really scaring me incase it's spread. Thank you so much for your comments everybody x
Mine was fortunately contained although quite large. It was in an awkward spot under my nipple which is why I hadn't found it. They use a blue dye during surgery and check your sentinel node. Fortunately mine was clear. I had a lumpectomy and aside from radiation damage to my skin, my boob looks fine. Even if it has spread to the nodes it's not a death sentence by any stretch, it does mean chemo however. I hope that helps.
Original poster
Loopylou6 · 08/03/2022 17:34

Thanks Mrs C, I'm glad you're OK. What is a tracker that they're going to be putting in?

OP posts:
weebarra · 08/03/2022 18:03

Mine had got to my nodes but no further. I had chemo (nasty but doable), a double mastectomy, radiotherapy and have been on meds ever since. I also had my ovaries removed as I had a genetic type. The tracker is a wee bit of metal they put in your breast to pinpoint things.

WeAllHaveWings · 08/03/2022 18:10

@Loopylou6 so sorry to hear your mums results.

My mum had a couple of run ins with two different cancers (not breast) in her 60s-80s and she tolerated treatments really well. The old 'uns can surprise you at times with their strength and tenacity. One piece of advice for you is to take care of yourself, try not to think to far ahead to what might not happen, just deal with the next step.

Do you stay near to her? Are you able to be with her?

TheFormidableMrsC · 08/03/2022 18:16

@Loopylou6

Thanks Mrs C, I'm glad you're OK. What is a tracker that they're going to be putting in?
I don't know, I didn't have that, I hope somebody else can answer
AnnieKenney · 08/03/2022 18:20

The tracker is like a paperclip that they attach to the tumour so the surgeon can find it when they operate. I had one inserted last week. As long as tbe cancer hasn't reached the lymph nodes your Mum will be fine. My tumour was 5cm when first detected. After five months of chemo it is now 2.1cm and I am going to be OK. It's still touch and go whether I will have to have a mastectomy but that's due to tumour size - if it shrinks a bit more I will have a lumpectomy. Fingers crossed for your Mum - it is scary but it is also bearable. Very happy to answer any questions you might have if that's helpful.

AnnieKenney · 08/03/2022 18:23

PS Even if it has reached the lymph nodes, don't panic! I just meant that was beyond my experience not that your Mum wouldnt be OK.

TheFormidableMrsC · 08/03/2022 18:35

The best piece of advice I had from both my surgeon and my oncologist was to NOT GOOGLE. Both said it was absolutely pointless and often out of date and none of it applied to me as every case is different. I took that advice and it really protected my mental health. I'd advise the same to you. Speak to the BCN, use Macmillan who are brilliant with support for families. I hope this is a short and easy journey for your Mum!

Mindymomo · 08/03/2022 18:36

A friend of mine has had a similar experience. They thought all she needed was the lump removed, but found it had spread to under arm lymph nodes. To be honest she had a lot of pain for 2 weeks afterwards the operation and was taking painkillers every 2 hours, they didn’t remove her breast. She then had a once a day radiation treatment for 6 days, but she’s now just waiting for a check up to say no more treatment necessary.

poetryandwine · 08/03/2022 18:43

@Loopylou6 -

I am very sorry about your mum’s news. I know from experience with a beloved relative how terrifying the possibility of lymph involvement is. But I also know that nowadays treatments for it can be highly effective and cure is a real possibility. In my family so far, so good.

All you can do is try to keep that in mind and take it one step at a time. We will be here for you. I agree with a PP that you both, but especially your mum, have a challenging year ahead. Best wishes to you both

user1497787065 · 08/03/2022 18:59

I had a lumpectomy and lymph node removal in 2007. If I remember correctly five nodes were affected. I had six chemo sessions, 20 of radiotherapy and 18 infusions of Herceptin. Quite a journey but fully recovered. Weirdly I had a mammogram appointment come through today. I almost look forward to them now as confirmation of all being well rather than dreading that they may not be.

user1497787065 · 08/03/2022 19:02

Posted too soon....hope my story indicates that it may not be all gloom.

Your poor mum, it is hard to
Get your head round initially but the breast care staff in my experience were fantastic.

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