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

So glad for you @spartanrunnergirl, and wishing you peace to process this stage.

I have been so thankful for this thread and am glad for the plan to continue.

I am 2 months post diagnosis. Second surgical procedure is on Monday and I am waiting for a decision about chemotherapy (sample went for Oncotyping from first procedure). Radiotherapy will be after that.

I already feel like I want to step off, so can only imagine how you feel @BatshitCrazyWoman. Sending you best wishes.

@quietmaelstrom Have I remembered right that you are about to go in for round 2 on Monday? Wishing you all the luck in the world with that- and in the meantime I hope you are able to have the best weekend to set you up well for the next step. 💐

All the very best for round 2 on Monday @quietmaelstrom and for the outcome of Oncotype testing (I know what the wait for that feels like).

I’m on the cancer thread in general health but it has been good to share concerns specific to breast cancer here. It’s also good to have a place for those going through the various early unsure days to have support from those of us who also thought we would never be here.

@BatshitCrazyWoman it seems never ending an you are a bloody legend, even though you’d never choose to be one in this context. It’s hard to keep going with it all some days. Sending you all the very best.

Oh FFS. So as some of you might remember I'm waiting for my reconstructive surgery. Cancer diagnosed December 2021, radio in Feb 22.

I had my routine annual mammogram on Christmas Eve. Yesterday the breast nurse called to say they detected dense tissue in my breast (the cancer/radio/damaged one) and I have to go back next Friday for a 3d mammogram and ultrasound.

She said it might be scar tissue from the original operations (I had two lumpectomies) - but my annual mammograms in 22 and 23 came back clear? I'm obviously thinking all sorts of bad things now 😭

How did it go?

Wow you're a trooper. Sending positive vibes

@catin8oots oh god that is so worrying. Keeping everything crossed for you that it’s scar tissue xx

@catin8oots flipping heck! That must be such a worry. Here's hoping it's scar tissues xx

@catin8oots Oh no - that is so stressful. Hope you can manage to distract yourself a bit over the next week, and the scans really are just showing scar tissue.

Thanks for asking, catin8oots.

Yesterday went as well as it could have. Rain had cleared the snow so the drive in was straightforward and everything went well. The surgeon said all looked good from before (healthy flap etc). They have now removed all the breast tissue from the margin that wasn't clear, so hopefully that will be the surgical stage over.
As it was a much shorter procedure and I mustn't have needed much in the way of opioid pain relief, I have for the first time in my life not had horrible post-op nausea/vomiting, which has been great!

My lovely surgeon also phoned this morning (during his clinic!) to say that my Oncotype results were back and were low so I shouldn't need chemotherapy. I will still have the appointment with the oncologist and the full discussion about them but hopefully after healing from surgery the next stage will be radiotherapy as previously planned.

Question for anyone who has been here before: I'm assuming that even if there are abnormal cells still in the final breast tissue sample it will only affect the radiotherapy dose, as there is no breast tissue left to remove?

Oh I'm not sure @quietmaelstrom

Have you still got some breast tissue left or has it all been removed?

I have some left at the other margins (that were clear at first operation). This medial margin was the only one that had cancer cells left on microscopy, and they said yesterday they have now removed all the breast tissue medially.
Just wondering what they do if there are still abnormal cells there.

@quietmaelstrom Glad your op went well and this time you didn't suffer with the after effects of nausea and sickness!

@catin8oots Hope it is just scar tissue and they're being extra cautious to check it all out.

I'm now 3 weeks post op today and they still don't have my results at the hospital and no follow up appointment made for me either. I'm so anxious about the results as right now I feel in complete limbo about what happens next and what they found in the op. Seem to be healing ok although my breast is lumpy, bruised and sore. Under arm scar seems ok. Dad also been unwell in hospital since Christmas so that's been an extra stress. Just very anxious for the post-op results right now and when I call the hospital they tell me I just have to wait.

Glad you're now healing well and your infection seems to have settled down @chococakey. Sorry you're having such a time getting results though - waiting for results is one of the most stressful bits of all of this. It's easier to cope with things when we know what we're coping with!
Hope your Dad starts to turn the corner soon.

I'm not surprised you're feeling anxious @chococakey, it's certainly taking some time to get to the next stage for you. I suppose with Christmas in between the surgery and results time is lagging and this is the first week back after the Xmas break for lots of people, but still you just want to know, so you can get prepared for what's next. I so hope you get some news soon xx

@quietmaelstrom good to hear the procedure was not too taxing physically for you.
I'm not quite sure what you mean re radio and the medial margin, but they will design the radio to deal with your particular clinical need. Eg I had 15 days, whole breast and also a boost to the tumour bed site.

Thanks @spartanrunnergirl I think that answers my (not very well put) question

Hi all, how is everyone doing?

I'm now 4 weeks post op and STILL no results or follow up appointment has been made for me. I'm so anxious it's really affecting me now.

I've chased up with the hospital and the breast care nurses so many times but they said there is a huge backlog of histology in the lab. They're so chilled about it - telling me to just wait, like I'm waiting for a hair appointment or something!

I just need to know the results of my op and what's going to happen next. My life is completely on hold until this follow up.

Healing is going ok, breast is very lumpy and bumpy and hard in some areas. Under arm scar looks ok.

Hello @chococakey. So sorry to hear you have no news yet. I saw your name crop up and was hoping you now had a plan - it's so frustrating that it's taking so long and as you say, doesn't help with the anxiety.

Glad you seem to be healing OK in the meantime. How is your Dad doing?

I'm doing generally OK after surgery but I think everything caught up with me a bit this week. Things had been pretty much non-stop since mid October everything and as you know I had been quite unwell before that. I think this week my brain had just had enough and I had a few days of horrible migraine symptoms. Thankfully that seems to have settled now.

@quietmaelstrom Sorry to hear you've had a tough week. I think sometimes our bodies do take a while for everything to catch up when it's been a bit of a rollercoaster few months. Then the brain realises how much it's been through and does just have enough. Glad the migraines seem to have settled down a bit now.

Dad is finally doing a bit better now thanks for asking. But he spent 15 nights in hospital in the end so that was rather stressful on top of everything else. He came home earlier this week. He's feeling quite weak though after spending a couple of weeks in hospital he feels like his muscles have seized up a lot so he's having some mobility issues. I'm hoping now he's home and he starts gently easing back into his daily activity he will start to feel a bit better in the coming weeks.

Been difficult as I'm still getting a-lot of numbness/pins and needles in my arm which means I don't feel confident driving which has made visiting difficult at times.

I'm just waiting for the phone to ring all the time waiting for my results. I really thought I'd have some news and a plan by now. Feel completely stuck in the mud right now waiting.

@chococakey Im so sorry to hear about the delay. This happened to me with my first op. As the breast team could see the stress I was under due to family circumstances (dad died) they requested that my results were expedited. You also have a lot on with your dad that is giving you additional commitments and stress. Is that something you could share with the team and ask them to get a rush put on results?

Glad you’re healing well. Once the scabs have gone do massage the scars. I’ve been told to do this by my physio as it helps to take down scar tissue.

I’ve finished the first 12 of my chemo (paclitaxel). I was due to start the EC component this week (4 rounds) but was very run down and had been very ill
with side effects at the weekend. They’ve delayed the first EC dose by a week to give me a chance to build up physical and emotional strength for the treatment. It pushes the finish back but hopefully I’ll be able to cope better with it.

Glad your Dad's improved and out of hospital, @chococakey

Good that you've finished the first lot of chemo @dancingwhilstfacingthemusic. It seems sensible to have a breather before the next lot. Sending best wishes for it all.

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic That's good you've reached the milestone of finishing the 12 chemo rounds. Sorry to hear you've been feeling so run down though. Not surprising though with everything you've been through. Give yourself time to build yourself up before starting the EC. Wishing you all the best with the next step.

I have explained about my dad (even breaking down on the phone at one point speaking to the breast nurse). But they just keep saying the results are taking a while and I have to be patient. They won't even see me for any kind of follow up/check up until they have the results. She keeps saying "give it a few more days". Every day waiting is filling me with so much anxiety. I've tried to be patient but 4 weeks on has felt so long so far. Just keep waiting for a call.

BRCA results finally came through, all clear. And all the follow up biopsies came back clear. So hopefully only the one early stage DCIS lump to deal with.

Posting from hospital where they’ve just inserted the wire ahead of tomorrow’s lumpectomy. Sending love to all.

Sorry for total silence. I need to read back about 400 messages - I’ll try to catch up tonight.