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

My skin was incredibly sore and broken under my boob for about 6 weeks after radio. I used sudocrem and soft gauze under my bra.

Over the next two years my boob shrivelled to half its size so I am just waiting for reconstructive surgery in the spring.

@catin8oots did you have an implant or was it your actual boob?

It was my actual boob. They were both size DD before and over two years the radio boob shrunk to a shrivelled B. They are so mismatched. Because of this my surgeon ruled out getting an implant so I'm having a complete mastectomy of the damaged breast, flap reconstruction surgery, then an uplift on the normal breast. I may need nipple reconstruction on the 'new boob'

This is NHS btw

@catin8oots wow that’s a lot. Wishing you all the best with that xx

Happy new year ladies. Just checking in. Had a tough week. My scar under my arm became very angry and inflamed on Boxing Day, my whole boob was then very red and sore. Managed to see out of hours GP who prescribed antibiotics. It's less red and angry now but feels really hard and lumpy. I'm now 15 days post lumpectomy.
Still no word from the hospital re my results either so very anxious.

My dad has also been hospitalised with Flu and isn't doing too well. He is 77 and has advanced prostate cancer and lung problems so the Flu has made him so ill they've actually kept him in.

Very stressful time, I'm trying to stay positive but I'm very anxious about my post surgery results and the added complications of the infection and my dad have made this a difficult week.

Chococakey you’re really going through it. It all seems to happen at once sometimes. Glad you got antibiotics quickly.

My histology results were delayed and I told them about how much stress it was causing. Dad died 3 days after my surgery so there was extra stress - similar to your concerns about your dad. Due to this they put in a request to expedite the results as it was a cause of backlog with mine rather than the time required to process them.

Thank you. I will start a new thread and uodate (so not to hijack OP's thread) when the surgery happens - to help anyone else going through similar

I can't speak for the op, @catin8oots , but I don't think you need to start a new thread unless you want to. This thread has become a community and everyone has used it for their updates, and that's been an amazing source of support. @spartanrunnergirl are you happy for other posters to do this without feeling your thread is being hijacked?

@catin8oots this is our thread not mine so please do stay here if you'd like! You are not hijacking anything x

Whst a time @chococakey! So sorry to hear about your dad.

It is such a vulnerable time this and to then have an infection whilst awaiting results just adds to it. I was always wondering what's normal (or in the range of normal) after my op, I had lumps and hard bits too, eventually went to have an ultrasound and I had a seroma which was drained. I still have a hard lump which is fat necrosis apparently. I will have a phone call follow up with the breast care nurse next week and have a list of thing to bend her ear about 😂

@chococakey do you still have access to the cancer/breast care nurse? Could they help re the histology results timeline?

I'm glad you feel like that @spartanrunnergirl - I for one have appreciated offloading here at times when things have been better not said in real life, and I have been thankful for posters' kindness and wisdom.

All the best with the procedures @catin8oots

@chococakey sorry you've been having such a rough time. Glad you're feeling a bit better and hope your Dad recovers quickly. I agree with @spartanrunnergirl - they should be able to give you an idea when they will have your results, even if there is a short delay due to the holidays. Do you have a follow-up appointment?

I have spoken to the breast care nurses but they said all lab results delayed due to Christmas. My lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy was done on the 17th Dec. So still no results or follow up appointment booked for me. Feel a bit in limbo at the moment.

No improvement with my dad either. He's still there. 2024 was not a good year as we also lost my mum in the summer.
Still trying to stay positive for a better 2025.

This thread has been very supportive and also informative. I think it's important all of us going through this whether we're in the early stages or further down the line to have somewhere to vent, rant, share news and advice for each other. I've really appreciated it so much so thank you everyone x

Wishing you a much brighter and happier 2025, @chococakey. Some years we are just glad to see the back of.

Anyone else on hormone blockers? I'm 6 weeks into 5 years of letrozole and beginning to feel the aches, hot flushes and disturbed sleep I was warned about.
Yes, I too am happy to see the end of 2024. I lost my Mum and my dog as well as having a double mastectomy. Hope 2025 is gentler on us all.

Not yet, @StartupRepair I will be once I’ve finished chemo. I’m post menopausal and already have had to crash off hrt and Mirena.

You’ve had a bloody awful time. I’ve had similar with cancer and losing a parent. Here’s hoping that 2025 is so much kinder to us all.

A little update from me. I saw my oncologist today. It is three months exactly since I was told I had cancer and today's appointment marks the end of my active treatment. To follow, five years of Tamoxifen (thankfully no side effects so far) and appointments with the oncologist and breast consultant every six months for however long that happens for.

No fanfare, no 'all clear' but I feel a sense of completion none the less. I am so grateful for the healthcare that has been available to me, and the multitude of friends, family and professionals that have made it possible and tolerable. Included in this super gang is all of you fellow thread buddies - your advice, empathy and understanding has been so valuable to me.

Once this thread is full it should be published or nominated for MN Classics- I honestly think it's a public service.

I hear your quiet celebration, @spartanrunnergirl . And I'm delighted this awful chapter is coming to a good conclusion. You still need to be kind to yourself though!

This is wonderful @spartanrunnergirl we are stronger together.

Once the thread is full, @PemberleynotWemberley our next one to support those coming along will be “The Shitty Club of Incredible Women dealing with breast cancer”. (Please correct me if I’ve deviated from the phrase as it was so marvellous but chemo brain looms).

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic Perhaps there's a calendar in it!!

@spartanrunnergirl well done for getting through it, what a huge milestone. I completed my active treatment on 13 December, 1 year and a day after I started treatment, and it’s a weird feeling isn’t it? Now the rest of forever starts. I would 100% recommend having some counselling as what we’ve all been through/are going through is a lot to process.

Oh that is a milestone, @spartanrunnergirl

I'm three and half months in, 4 more chemos to go, then surgery then ?radiotherapy. Ongoing immunotherapy, bone infusions, DEXA scans. All the fun. I'm very much running out of steam, and would really like to step off this rollercoaster, please and thank you! No chance though...

Just a klaxon that there is another worried breast cancer post on the cancer board if anyone can offer the poster some support.

Thank you everyone!

I love the idea of the next thread title 😂 the shitty club of awesome women rides again!

And a calendar - now there's a thought!

Everyone I have told my news to outside of direct experience has said things like oh good the all clear, and I have kept my gob shut, resisting the urge to correct them, because I am happy they are happy for me.

I am looking after myself and for the first time in my adult life I have deliberately given myself time, from work and other pressure, to process. It is quite a lesson for me, the earth turns, the sun sets, and rises in the morning. Life goes on and I'm happy on the sidelines observing for a while.

Really good to hear your positivity @spartanrunnergirl People just don’t get it and being generous, it’s because they haven’t had to go through the mill like we and close supporters have.