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

Both my daughter and I had breast cancer . Both tumours didn't show on mammogram but did on ultrasound. I'd always ask for an ultrasound but radiographers should not be telling you anything.
Look on your NHS app as our results were on there a few days later before the next apt.
Try to not worry until you know.
There by the grace of God we are both now cancer free . The NHS were amazing 👏

Thank you @BeingMeFinallySlowly .... but things have moved on a bit since this post!!! And hopefully tomorrow I'll be out the.other side of this cancer x

Ah sorry I didn't read the whole post. Well done. Remember self care is important x

Last one! 🎉🎉🎉❤️

Thank you @TheFormidableMrsC

Felt a bit tearful on the bed for the last time, then the cheesiest Xmas tune came on over the speakers (Here Comes Santa Claus by Alvin and the Chipmunks 😂) while I was being zapped and it just made me laugh at the bonkers-ness of it all.

The lovely receptionist ran round from her seat as I was leaving and gave me the biggest hug .. and that did set me off!

A blessing of all this is you realise the limitless extent of love in all its forms.

Love to all xx

Coming very late to the thread. Do take care and don't hesitate to seek support over next months. You may well need to as once out of active treatment I found there was a lot to process.

Wishing you good health and positivity and a renewed love for and appreciation of life.

Well done @spartanrunnergirl ! The kindness of strangers has pulled me through some tough times this year. Enjoy your Christmas knowing you've done all the hard bits now 🎄 x

Well done for being out the other side @spartanrunnergirl - does it feel a strange mixture of great and a bit of an anticlimax?

Thanks for the good wishes @chococakey. Results today were a bit mixed. Vacuum dressing came off and everything has healed up beautifully - yay, my turn to be able to have a proper shower!
Good news is that sentinel nodes were clear. Tumour size was bigger than initially thought, as can happen with lobular cancer, and it is being sent for Oncotype testing to see if I will benefit from chemotherapy. Less good is that one of the margins has disease so I need to go back for further surgery. They have managed to squeeze me in on 6th January for that.

Happy Christmas to everyone navigating the twists and turns of this road.

It's such a weird feeling. I had nearly 18 months of treatment and formed relationships and bonds with the staff at the unit. At my last Herceptin injection, not a single familiar face was there and I had taken loads of cakes and a card in and I felt a bit gutted! It is a very strange anticlimax.

I'm glad you've got Christmas to distract you but you have got a lot to process so be kind to yourself and seek help if you need it!

Wishing you and every other goddess on here a very happy Christmas! 🎄 ❤️ xx

Oh that's brilliant, @spartanrunnergirl . Have a lovely, lovely Christmas.

Sorry to hear that about the margins, @quietmaelstrom , when you are gearing up to finish this stage. Not long to push til 6 Jan though, and clear nodes must be a great relief.

congrats @spartanrunnergirl what an achievement. Happy Christmas!

@quietmaelstrom enjoy your shower it’s such a lovely feeling after having not been allowed to have one for so long. Fingers crossed for the oncotype testing but so pleased to hear of the good news that comes along with it. So sorry to hear you have to go for another operation, I really hope it does the trick for you.

I have now done 10 out of 12 packlitaxel with another four of ec to follow after Christmas. Today they did not have the right size of cold cap for me as somebody else was using. It is a busy Christmas Eve. They suggested using a size smaller and this fitted snugly, however was a mistake. The poor nurse could not stop apologising as I was rather poorly all of the way through treatment as a result, and I’m now home feeling way better and full of additional meds to combat further nausea. I hope I don’t get the same side-effects next time and that it was really the impact of a cold cap that was slightly too small, as I’ve used it now with previously no issues through 10 treatments and just have another 6 to go. It was worse than the cross channel ferry!

Hope today went ok @SunnyValemin hugs to you too as a compatriot in grief and cancer treatment.

@quietmaelstrom Sorry to hear you had mixed results today but the nodes being clear is a good result. Not great having to go back in for my surgery at least it's been booked in quite quickly for you.
Wishing you a peaceful Christmas 🎄x

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic Sorry to hear your feeling poorly after the chemo and cold cap. Hope your feeling a bit better now your home.
Wishing you a peaceful Christmas 🎄x

@spartanrunnergirl That's great you've reached the end of the radio treatment. What is next? Will it be hormone therapy?

I've been told a 3-4 wait for my results post surgery (taking longer due to Xmas delays apparently) before I know what my next treatment is but my consultant said if my margins and nodes are clear then like you I'll be only radiotherapy. Just got the waiting period over Christmas.

I hope you have a peaceful Christmas 🎄x

To everyone on here who has supported me over the last crazy month and a half thank you so much, it means a lot. Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas 🎄 xxx

Hi @chococakey yes I'm er/pr positive so tamoxifen for five years. I actually started taking it 6 weeks ago and so far so good. No discernible side effects.

@quietmaelstrom sorry to hear you'll need more surgery, very frustrating for you - two steps forward, one back. Here's trusting it will be all good second time around.

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic everytime I read about the trials of chemo I think how incredibly fortunate I have been to have missed that part of cancer treatment, all good wishes that you feel well soon.

Finally I must echo @chococakey - when I started this thread back in October I never imagine it would be active here in December. I have genuinely taken great strength from you all, knowing that I can pop up here and either post support for someone, or ask some questions to get support myself has been invaluable, thank you all so much x

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic thank you, it was all fine apart from needing the extra blood test. Feeling ok so far (touch wood).

Sorry you've had such bad side effects today. I lasted one day with the cold cap, couldn't do it again. I'm impressed you have persevered with it.

Hope Christmas isn't too difficult for you and I'm sorry for your loss xx

It's Christmas morning here in Australia. The first without my Mum. I am getting stronger every day since my double mastectomy in October- had a beautiful swim yesterday. I'm not sleeping well but don't know if it is due to grief, life or letrozole.
Wishing you all a peaceful day.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas 🎄

Happy Christmas everyone. A brand new year beckons, one that I hope will bring good things to each and every one of us.

@spartanrunnergirl glad you’ve missed chemo too. To be honest it’s much a mixed bag and for any lurkers reading I want to give some reassurance. Every one reacts differently and some do have a rough time and it’s just not fair. I’ve found it ok in the main and honestly do get through each day. I’ve had an occasional sicky day but then there are better and really good days and overall, I know I’m getting through treatment. I’m a little in awe and pleased for a couple of mates who sailed through the same chemo I’m on with zero side effects, so apparently it can happen! Just how it worked out for them and no rhyme or reason to it.

My next chemo is New Year’s Eve, leaving 5 treatments left for 2025 (apart from bisphosphonates and the 5 years of hormone suppressants). My mind is starting to turn to things after treatment once I’ve had recovery time. This seemed a far horizon back in October, after 3 surgeries and facing something I had dreaded. Thanks to the support at home and in threads like this, it’s been manageable.

Just a little moan from me, if I may.
This all (by which I mean the diagnosis and everything since) happened as I was starting to recover from a horrible episode of severe burnout. I was worried how it would affect that recovery.
The psychiatrist said that the actual physical illness wouldn't, but the surgery/anaesthetic might well do. She was right. I've probably been knocked back about 6 weeks or so. Sentence structure, thought processes and concentration have all deteriorated - and I'm not safe to drive again (had got back to driving safely again after needing to stop for 6 months).
I do know it's a minor problem, and short-term when looking at the overall picture. I just really could have done without having to have another procedure.

Sorry to moan. I really am so grateful for how well I have been treated by the hospital team, and my husband has been an absolute star over the past difficult year, so I preferred to mention it here rather than elsewhere.

We have had a lovely Christmas - peaceful, just the two of us. We've managed not to stress about things and have had lovely check-ins from family.
I hope everyone else has had some peaceful and enjoyable moments.

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic glad you are beginning to fell like you're properly in the 'counting down' phase. I hope the next 5 treatments go very smoothly.

@quietmaelstrom you've really been through the wars. I think there's a danger of seeing virtue or worth in how quickly we bounce back after illness, rather like post-childbirth, and if you're not immediately back to your old self it's somehow a failure.
I'm afraid the truth is that it takes up residence in your mind long after the treatment leaves you cancer free. The positives about that are (I think) an increase in wisdom, perspective and empathy, the down side is losing the ability to be carefree- and that is emotionally tiring. I now know I have the 'bad' BRCA gene and to reduce the likelihood of recurrence have willingly submitted to a decade on Tamoxifen and removal of my ovaries, because oestrogen is my enemy, with all that entails.

I say this not to depress you, but to encourage you to take things at the pace that suits you. The future will be different from the past- maybe use this period to re-think how you want life to be, where you want to invest your energy and where you can cut yourself more slack.