Absolutely bricking it biopsy!

[PaperbackWrighter]

Absolutely terrified about getting breast biopsy results tomorrow at consultant appt! Told by radiologist it looked ominous at ultrasound. Just need my hand held! 🥺

Virtual handhold ♥️

Waiting is awful.

Oh all the best...hopefully will be ok x

Thank you all - much appreciated xx

How did you get on?

Thank you so much for asking @fudgecat Sadly, I was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer today and awaiting an mri for them to work out best treatment for me - hopefully a lumpectomy and radiotherapy only. Such a strange day I must say but am encouraged by the fact the consultant and nurse were both wonderful.

So sorry to hear that, but really good that you had wonderful nurses and consultant ,i 've just been referred to the melanoma clinic I'm feeling really bloody anxious about it . Wishing you the best with your treatment x

Wishing you all the best @PaperbackWrighter , and you also @OnAndOnAndonAgain .

Hello! This is exactly the same diagnosis I had on Wednesday. I am also awaiting mri at the moment. Also awaiting confirmation of her2 status which was inconclusive. How are you feeling today?

Sorry to hear this too - do you have a date yet??

Yes, 10th of next month. The date came through really quickly, the day after I went to the gp

Good that you have a date but the waiting is hard…. How can we best support you until then??

@OnAndOnAndonAgain Thinking of you and wishing you all the best - my neighbour was recently diagnosed with stage 1 melanoma and he's doing incredibly well. Had it removed and didn't even need any radiotherapy. And you may well not need anything removed and be fine. Waiting is crap though but you have lots of support here!

Hi @bewilderedhedgehog oh my goodness I'm so sorry that you are in the same boat but the miracle of modern technology means that we can chat to and support each other! I feel pretty shellshocked today to be honest, even though I suspected the diagnosis was coming - I'd hoped for DCIS and hadn't properly read about our one as saw it was the second-most common BC. 'Our one' - sorry that sounds awful! How are you feeling today?

@PaperbackWrighter Likewise - sorry we are all going through this, and there are so many of us! I am feeling quite resilient about it at the moment. Am sure there will be ups and downs though. Am trying to figure out my likely time off work, and keen to get a date for the surgery sorted out.. Do you have a date yet? Also waiting for the MRI date as well. Would be nice to know those dates before the weekend if possible.......

I keep waking up early which I think is to do with feeling discombobulated. This morning I was thinking about how to stay positive and what activities I might do to stay relaxed. Have you thought about that yet? Any ideas welcome! xx

Hi @bewilderedhedgehog I hope you're doing OK this weekend. I don't have a date for MRI or surgery yet. I was told on Thursday I'd have my MRI within 10 days, then results and another appt within a few days to work out type of surgery and treatment. I can't remember whether the nurse said my surgery would be within a month of that, or within a month of having the MRI. I work for myself, but often with another freelancer (she does the pictures, I do the words!), so it's all a bit tricky re work and clients and not knowing when anything will happen yet. But I'm trying not to think about that for now.

I wake up early too, and get to sleep late. Have always been a good sleeper, so am feeling a bit of a zombie on 4 hours' sleep a night, which has been the situation for about a week now.

My activities for staying relaxed (or trying to be!) are reading in the shade in my garden, walking the dog, and also just focusing on her at home and what she's doing / looking at etc - find it strange calming. I've been spending a bit of time one on one with close friends too. I live on my own so finding that bit important. But I am struggling at times - feel a bit poleaxed if I'm honest. How are you getting on this weekend? xx

@PaperbackWrighter I know what you mean about poleaxed - good description. I had a huge amount to do before this happened, and now I have more!! Not sleeping well at all. Had a good weekend, but busy week ahead and lacking energy. Have decided to make a plan tomorrow - buy some books etc to relax. Let’s stay in touch..

Oh dear. What a day…I feel awful. I never cry but can’t seem to stop. Am sure it will get better but hopefully soon!!

I’m so sorry to hear that @bewilderedhedgehog - I really think it’s only natural as it’s a lot for us to take on. And bit by bit I guess it’s becoming more real for us. I’ve had a lot of big weeps. But I’m also encouraged by so many stories of people who’ve been in the same boat as us and are back to health again. When you said you have so much to do in your post yesterday / busy week ahead, is this work / family commitments? Can you get some help with any of it? Let’s definitely keep in touch

@PaperbackWrighter
thank you. Yes, work and family. Am trying to get on top of things . I do feel confident about the treatment which is good but the lack of sleep is quite wearing…

I journaled my way through my cancer treatment (3 years ago now) which turned into a magazine column. When I go back & read them now I find them quite illuminating. Because when you are deep in treatment & just doing what you are told it becomes quite an out of body experience, add in the sheer exhaustion & overwhelming sickness & you generally feel like crap. BUT there are lovely moments where you meet strangers & exchange heartfelt stories or just see something in someone or the world that you’ve not seen before & recording those times is worthwhile. It makes it more than just a shit experience that you have to endure & a journey to remember which will ultimately redefine who you are. Because there is no going back to your old life after cancer, it changes you forever.

Just came across this thread whilst waiting for DS to get in (long story) - I'm sorry you've had this news.

I was in this position at the start of 2023 being diagnosed with invasive lobular bc so couldn't read and run.

I had my lumpectomy in mid March and was off work for 2 weeks and my radiotherapy started in July last year (5 sessions) and now I'm on a 5 year drug regime. In sone ways it all feels a bit of a blur - done it's I can really recall vividly and other bits I have to look up my consultant letters to make sure I get it right .

Sending you both positive hugs and handholds

@Waytogoidaho and @BeaLola

Thank you for your positive stories! Have had the MRI now and have a date for surgery.
There are some good ideas here which I am going to try and follow up, and am feeling better today after a very difficult day yesterday. I am still confident about the treatment, but am not at all used to being a patient and the whole process of control being in other people's hands. That is very hard for me (and many other people too I am sure). And the sheer number of contacts - calls etc - to organise the whole thing is exhausting. My partner is being very supportive but also slightly frustrated that I am grumpy. And I am trying to organise my work around this, but then appointments change and I have to reorganise everything. Today I decided I was having a non-cancer day which lasted until about lunchtime (when I had a call from the hospital).

I had a moment yesterday of thinking - well, why don't I just not have any treatment. Not helpful, of course, but the thought of taking back control was really quite tempting!

@PaperbackWrighter
How are you getting on? If you can, please update xx

Hey hope you're doing ok?

Just wanted to share my story. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and extensive DCIS in early December.

I had a mastectomy in Jan, started chemo in March, course 5/6 next week. This bit can't wait to be over. Next step radio and hormones as mine is oestrogen positive.

@bewilderedhedgehog I know what you mean about the hospital phonecalls, that's in some ways been the worst bit, not being able to plan anything. I am feeling a bit relieved now and looking to the light at the end of the tunnel now.

Just to say you're not alone, and sending best wishes to you both

@bewilderedhedgehog wow that’s brilliant you’ve already had the MRI and have a date for surgery. Have you also had the results and know what kind of surgery? I still haven’t heard, they said within 10 days for the mri then a few days later to have my appt with consultant and nurse again. I hope you don’t mind me asking but are you doing on health insurance? I don’t have this but my mum has offered to pay for tests / op privately. Consultant says will make little difference though. However friends keep asking have you heard re mri which then stresses me out!