Likely breast cancer after ultrasound

[spartanrunnergirl]

Hi all after routine mammogram I was referred for an ultrasound, which I had today and the radiologist said it's likely a cancer, thus did a few core biopsies. I did not know that cancer could be detected at ultrasound stage but she was pretty certain it was cancer and said the biopsies were to see what they were dealing with. Has anyone else had this? Thank you

Thank you all.

Yes they have given me a named breast cancer nurse for any questions. Which is good as I felt in shock in the room I couldn't think of what to ask really. So need time to process and then ask questions.

Going to a Christmas market and light switch on with my husband and son tomorrow. So trying to look forward to that.

Just can't believe I've been given this diagnosis. Still a lot of unknowns I know, don't know what the post surgery results will be. But at least I can take some comfort in there being an imminent plan for 3 weeks time to have the lumpectomy. X

@chococakey Ahh love I'm sorry you got that news today. However, rest assured that you've caught it early. The rest of it will depend on your HER status I imagine. I presume radiologist didn't say anything about your lymph nodes during the ultrasound when you had it? If you have the same treatment regime as me, you will get through it and we'll cross the advice bridge when you know. I am glad they're doing the BRCA test. My tumour was the same size. I thought it seemed massive but it had stayed completely contained and I hope that's the case for you too.

On a positive note, you'll be feeling a whole lot better and more normal by Christmas. The relief of getting rid of the tumour is huge. Also, don't feel pressured to tell anybody until you've got all the information you need and a full histology. I will be honest and say that I chose not to read anything that I was given. I know that sounds ridiculous but I put my trust in the team looking after me and asked questions of them as I needed. It was the best way to protect my mental health. Wishing you a peaceful evening

@chococakey horrible to hear the diagnosis but hopefully better than the feeling of dread you've been carrying around - at least you now have a plan and someone at the end of the phone to talk to when you need to.

Hope you have a good day with your husband and son tomorrow. Think of this weekend as a breathing space before you need to get to grips with everything.

@chococakey sorry to hear your diagnosis. Take your time telling people - I did it in stages, mum and dad and sisters first, then some friends, then a few more. And there's no rush or need to tell anyone if you don't want to.

Take it all one day at a time. I felt so relieved when I was given a surgery date and the post surgery recovery wasn't too bad. I had a mastectomy and was surprised at how little pain I felt tbh.

Enjoy your day today ith your husband and son ☺️

Thank you all for being so kind. Much appreciated at this difficult time.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend x

Try and enjoy your day today. If you're able, flip it on its head and think you're on the path to recovery and it will end!

How's everyone today?
I had a nice weekend out with my family going to the Xmas lights. Despite the heavy winds!
Felt fairly calm but yesterday had major wobbles. Keep feeling pains in my arm and shoulders and thinking this has spread. I'm sure it's all just muscle tension and anxiety but it's hard to shake off.
Just want this surgery over with.

Hi @chococakey ! I'm so glad you had a good time this weekend. Wobbles are completely normal, I went from being very rational to having complete panics and melting into a mass of tears on a very regular basis when I was at your stage of diagnosis. Those weird pains I remember having as well, I went from not really being aware of my breast at all, to feeling all kinds of weird aches and pains all over it 😂 So crazy what your mind can do.

I started running again yesterday four weeks post surgery and I'm feeling really well. I start radiotherapy next Monday and I'm hoping that I will get through that without too much trouble. Then fingers crossed that will be the end of my treatment apart from Tamoxifen for five years.

Have you told your family or any friends yet about the cancer? I hope that went okay if you have. I found it very helpful to tell some close friends because it gave me an outlet to talk about it.

I imagine in the run-up your surgery will have various medical appointments to get you ready - if you have any questions at all do just reach out and ask. Xx

Five years on, this thread is like regression therapy. I went through everything virtually alone- due to Army service my DH couldn't be with me for appointments- I had to give him my news by phone. I (foolishly) didn't tell friends or colleagues as I didn't want to become 'cancer lady ' at work. I still haven't told my mother or children. I moved my radiotherapy to a London hospital so I could continue commuting and working through my daily treatments with no-one any the wiser. None of this was sensible or kind to myself- I don't recommend it. I wish I'd had a community like this to talk to- it's wonderful to see and feel the mutual love and support pouring out to total strangers.

Everyone's case is individual and I'm not going to advise or predict anything based only on my experience. But I do urge you to work out what makes things better for you- a genuinely bespoke plan- there's no template for how you do this. Cancer can be exhausting so you need to find whatever recharges your personal batteries, from fell running to fly fishing.

I've shed so many tears over this thread (even now) but it's also uplifting because of the hope, kindness and courage I see. I'm wishing you all ever so much luck: Here's to our futures.

Something in my eye @PemberleynotWemberley huge hugs to you.

Oh gosh @PemberleynotWemberley that's brought a tear to my eye 💗

So right about working out what works for you. I've said a few time recently that how I imagine I'd react and deal with this is totally different to how I am choosing to deal with it. X

Wow @PemberleynotWemberley - good to hear from you and hope in some small way this thread has 'helped' even now.
Interestingly all my instinct is towards doing as you did, and I have had to be sensible and tell family/work (in stages as it has worked for me).

Repeat biopsies were this morning: a bit of a drawn out affair, as the areas involved were calcified, so it turned into ultrasound-guided biopsies followed by waiting for the fancy machine to do mammogram-guided vacuum biopsies. Safely home and curled up on the sofa now with no more investigations planned pre surgery.

Glad you're able to get back out running again @spartanrunnergirl

Thank you @quietmaelstrom and very best of luck for those biopsies.

Hi all, how is everyone this week?

I'm a bit confused, after attending my diagnosis appointment last week and being told I had lobular cancer I've had a call today to say that was a mistake and it's actually ductal cancer with ER8 and HER2 negative. Looking at @spartanrunnergirl 's post it looks like we have the same diagnosis!
Apparently treatment is the same, I'm still having my lumpectomy and sentinel nose biopsy on the 17th and then have to wait for the results in Jan before planning more treatment.
No explanation for the mix up. Anyway, I'm not googling anything as that is protecting my mental health right now.
Just trying to power through to the 17th to get this out and then a quiet Xmas period to recover.

I had my MRI yesterday and am being called back for a biopsy. No diagnosis yet but am really worried and anxious. Here for support and to read about the experiences of others. Hope that's ok with everyone. X

@chococakey what a shocker they had that mix up! You have the same diagnosis as me and to my very limited knowledge I think it’s a “better” situation.

I’m doing well, rumbling through chemo (decided by Oncotype testing) and drove the car for the first time in ages today. Little steps!

@iloveburmese3 welcome to the chat, I found the waiting part between the scan and biopsy the results the hardest part. Now I have my diagnosis and a treatment plan in place it's made it slightly easier for me to deal with.

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic shocking isn't it! Can't believe they mixed things up like that. No real explanation or apology from the hospital. They just kept saying it didn't change anything with my treatment plan. Nice to know there's another person with the same diagnosis on here and that you're doing well. Sounds like a good little step by driving today!

@iloveburmese3 you've come to the right place- welcome. So sorry you have this worry hanging over you. I hope they can give you some answers very soon so you can put your mind at ease or if necessary get underway with any treatment that's needed.
I don't expect anyone on here is going to tell you that BC is the best cancer- but what is clear is that treatment has evolved enormously over the past few years. And that BC services look at the whole person, not just the treatment site. So things you might be worrying about that aren't so much life/death but quality of life isues are also taken seriously. If you need it you can be confident they will work to help you be your whole self after whatever cancer throws your way has been dealt with.
That said, I've crossed all my fingers and toes for your biopsy result. In the meantime, don't Google!
ps I really love Burmese too!

Welcome@iloveburmese3 - sorry you are here but there are plenty of us to hold your hand and wait with you. As @chococakey says, this is the difficult bit - things are much easier when you have results and a plan.

@chococakey that mix-up is a bit of a shock! At least, as you say, it doesn't change the immediate plan. Hopefully someone will explain properly when they see you.

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic congratulations on being out driving again!

Hi @iloveburmese3 ! Welcome to our shitty club full of awesome women 💗. The wait is torture, sorry you are going through it. I still think back to that time and ache for myself, it's so tough.

@chococakey that's nuts they confused your diagnosis! Yep mines invasive ductal grade 2. Er/pr positive and her2 negative. The ER positive means hormone therapy is effective at reducing risk of reoccurrence, which is good x

Welcome. Wishing you well and we're here if you should need us

@chococakey Good Lord, that is not great that you got the wrong diagnosis. Please ask about this and what happened because that's really not on. Sorry this happened but hopefully straightforward going forward! I had IDC but fortunately contained. Mine was HER2+ so I had to have a year of Herceptin and that also meant chemo. So grateful for such amazing treatments.

It was a surprise to get the phone call to say they had given me the wrong diagnosis. On the phone they were so adamant it made no difference and likely treatment plan was the same I just kind of said "oh ok" and that was it. My husband thought I should have pushed more for an answer on how that mix up happened but the phone call (whilst I was shopping in Tesco!) took me by surprise.
I have a pre assessment appointment next week so I'll bring it up then.

This weekend I've bought myself a couple of soft front closing bras and also button up front PJ tops in preparation for my surgery.

Then later today we're going to put up our Xmas decorations and my son is very excited about that.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend so far x

Yep @chococakey the right treatment plan is the main thing (obviously!). Those front fasten bras are great, I also found a couple of soft crop tops were really good after the first couple of weeks, to sleep in.

Lovely you have some nice Christmas things to do with your little boy. Whilst I was naturally worried in the run up to my op, having some lovely things planned with some family and close friends made all the difference.

I was doing some similar shopping @chococakey - bought some soft nonwired bras but forgot to think about front opening ones. Ah well - these ones will do. Also bought PJs but with loose Tshirt tops rather than button ones. Probably not very sensible - I feel I'm usually more sensible or prepared than this!

Hope you have some good family days. My husband and I have planned a few nice Christmassy things over the next few days before the 'onslaught'. The appointment to discuss the repeat biopsies and plan the surgery is Thursday, and the surgery is the following Monday, so this feels like a little breathing space first.