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

@StartupRepair that sounds very positive.

I just have to think about what last autumn was like sometimes to end up in a sobbing mess. Seems surreal now, all those appointments and treatment. Not surprised it was hard to walk back in the room xx

Mine was the same. He said I'm almost 100% certain that is scar tissue but ultrasound to be sure. It was indeed scar tissue. It has gone now several years later. Hope you feel reassured.

Glad he was able to be reassuring @StartupRepair but very sensible that they're going to scan to be sure. Hope all comes up clear 🤗

Another reluctant recruit to your troupe if you’re happy to have me?
Mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies taken today - Right breast and lymph node, and a coincidental one on left which consultant doesn’t seem as concerned about. Marker/clip put in Right but not left. Said there is a 4cm lump in Right. Awaiting biopsy results but in meantime have been sent for bloods and CT - is that standard as can’t seem to find anyone here who has been CT’d straight off.
BCN was in with consultant second time so that has definitely set alarm bells off.
A bit of a wobbly mess and not sure what to expect. Husband is saying it could all be fine, I’m more resigned to it. Just don’t know what I should be doing or how I should be feeling right now.

Welcome @PreVerbalGerbil - sorry you have to be here, but the company is great.

This really is the most horrible bit, waiting for results. It's much easier to deal with once you have a plan.

I didn't have a CT but did have an MRI after (repeat) biopsies, though mine was a lobular rather than ductal cancer. Will see what others have to say on that.

Hello @PreVerbalGerbil Im sorry you have to be here but the support is good at a horrible time. It is the worst stage whilst you wait for results and a plan.

I didn’t have a CT but had a recall from mammogram, which meant biopsy, ultrasound, clip and further mammogram. It’s my left that is malfunctioning and I’m a fair way down the treatment path. Mine is hormone sensitive ductal cancer, with some dcis (a field which “grows” a cancer). My lump was 4cm. Take each day as it comes, keep busy and do not google! Stats tend to be outdated and not relevant to you. Everyone will end up with a treatment path that is individual to them.

Being a wobbly mess is totally usual. It will get better when you have more information as there is then a clearer plan of action. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Hi @PreVerbalGerbil , welcome to this unwelcome club. I'm sorry if you're having to join but glad you found your way to this thread, which is absolutely MN at its finest.
As others have said, you are now at the scariest point when you fear the worst but don't have any way to narrow down your concerns or move forward. There has been so much investment in research and treatment for breast cancer, which enables every case to have individually tailored management- so we all have different clinical experiences but perhaps a lot of emotions in common, the wobbly mess part being chief amongst these- at least at first. Once you have a diagnosis and you know what you're up against, your medical team will swing into action and you will find you are able to deal with it. And you'll find sources of strength, support and love you never knew existed.
You absolutely need to do this your way and use this thread for whatever helps, whether it's telling us anonymously what you can't speak out loud to your loved ones, having a good old rant or asking for practical suggestions.
In the meantime, wishing you the very best for getting to grips with a diagnosis and whatever treatment plan might be needed. Good luck- you've got this. 💐

Thanks everyone. It was indeed scar tissue. The radiologist came to tell me rather than making me wait for her report . I have felt so teary and tired by the whole event, going back to the hospital Breast Unit where it all began. Makes me realise that I'm still pretty traumatized by the whole thing.
@PreVerbalGerbil I hope you feel the support here and we are all unanimous that the waiting and uncertainty is the hardest aspect.

@StartupRepair that's brilliant news- it's made my day. I'm not surprised you found the scare traumatic- good on your radiologist for cutting out the waiting and uncertainty.

Oh @StartupRepair bloody super news, what a relief.

Hope you are doing ok after this upset, it knocks you in unexpected ways.

Hi @PreVerbalGerbil the waiting is the worst and makes a wobbly mess of us all at times. A colleague of mine who has gone through breast cancer said the most useful thing to me early on:

you have to get used to big feelings

and it's true. Everything is illuminated and the mundane everyday suddenly now has you in tear or awe or anger... I hope you are coping with it all in the waiting time. X

So glad for you @StartupRepair. Please be gentle with yourself over the next few days.

That’s really good news @StartupRepair Glad we’ve all got the support of others here. Go gently.

I'm so relieved for you. I know exactly what you've just gone through so be gentle with yourself and take some time to recover ❤️

Really pleased to hear this and that's great they gave you the results straight away rather than making you wait x

Afternoon everyone. So I had my chemo pre assessment call today before my first treatment on Friday.

Feeling so nervous about starting I'm struggling to sleep so feeling very tired this week.

On the phone they said I need to decide if I want a Picc line. This is the first time it's been mentioned. Apparently Friday will go ahead just with a cannula but if I want a Picc line they will refer me to another hospital which might take a few weeks?! All seems bizarre as surely if they want you to have a line they just get it done?! I don't understand it at all.
They're saying they recommend a Picc line but ultimately the choice is mine. Anyone who's further down the line have any words of wisdom with Picc? Should I opt in to it.

Hope everyone is doing ok :)

Thank you all, will work out how to acknowledge individually at some point.
No news on scan date yet, I’m v impatient. Talked to a couple of friends today who are great but I feel like they think I’m jumping too far ahead. I’m thinking more that I am sure there will be a diagnosis and need to know the nexts (I’m clinical and not naive to these things or subtle nuances) I’m back to work tomorrow so hoping that will help time go faster.

Hello @chococakey

Sorry you're struggling to sleep - it must feel very stressful as the start day comes closer but hopefully it will feel better to be on the next stage of the treatment 'journey'.

Others will be able to speak from experience about lines but in general they have benefits (don't need cannulas repeatedly) and risks (clots, infections, difficulties at insertion) and the balance is different for everyone. It's probably worth chatting to your breast care nurse about that.

I don't know the set up at your hospital - perhaps they don't have people there with the skills to insert the lines so they are referred to a sister hospital? Your BCN will know.

@StartupRepair so pleased for you!

@Fillybuster the cording isn't really easing up, think I might need some physio. Giving it another week or so then I'll speak to the hospital.

@chococakey I'm glad you've got a plan. I had a picc line. The positives: no cannulas when you have chemo, they took my blood tests through it so no needles during chemo (apart from once when the picc wouldn't work), you can't feel it inside and it gives your veins a bit more protection. The negatives: you are at risk (low but still risk) of developing a blood clot, i creased risk of infection, you need to keep it covered and dry during showers so have to wear a special sleeve, you have to get it flushed once a week and the special dressing they use for it could give you blisters. I would ask about how blood tests work - would they do it through the picc or not during chemo?

On balance, I'd have a picc again if I had to do chemo again. But it was a pain in the arse not being able to put the shower sleeve on myself, or remembering to take it with me when I went to stay with my mum. I found it tricky sleeping on the picc line side as well, and you can't go swimming with one which is my preferred choice of exercise.
I don't think I'm selling it, but I'd have one again just for fewer needles with the blood tests and not having to have a cannula each chemo. If your veins aren't great they will want to give you one anyway, I'd have thought.

You could always ask about a port, too. My hospital said they wouldn't do a port, but I asked just to be sure xx

All my chemo was via cannula and then I got a letter about a picc line about a week before my last one. I declined it and they tried to say I should have it. I wasn't going to do that, it seemed mad. I mean if they can do it quickly, it does make a difference to how quickly you're hooked up and bloods etc are much easier to take. Also depends on how well your veins stand up. I had two treatments that were difficult because they couldn't find a "decent" vein. I think if I'd been offered one immediately, I would have taken it.

My veins are small (so I'm always told at blood tests!) and difficult to find. So the picc makes sense....I just don't understand why they haven't mentioned anything until now - when I'm 48 hrs away from the first treatment and then say the wait for one is weeks long. Seems bad planning on their part. Was referred for chemo 4 weeks ago.

I was told blood tests can be taken through it.
It makes sense that all the treatment goes through it to save multiple needles/cannulas.

I guess I'll chat more about it on Friday at my first session.

My bc nurse seems to have dropped me since oncology took over my care. Haven't heard from her and haven't found her very helpful in the run up to chemo. She couldn't answer my questions and told me to speak to oncology. Oncology are hard to contact. No dedicated person. Made to feel like a nuisance :(

Feeling unprepared and with little advice/support from the hospital.

I appreciate all you ladies here for the advice and support so thank you again xx

Hope you had a lovely time. So good to hear from you xx

@chococakey I'm sorry about your BCN, that was not my experience but I've heard similar from others. Macmillan have a helpline as do Breast Cancer Now. I'd also check if your hospital has a cancer information centre. However, in a honestly, I'd leave a message for BCN to contact you if you need to speak to her.

Just a quick check in from me. I’ve just stepped out of my 3rd radiotherapy session. Feeling pretty wiped out, and my breast is quite swollen and sensitive, & I’m feeling a bit anxious about the increased side effects over the coming weeks. I’m supposed to be going away this weekend (without DH or dcs) for a long planned visit to some friends which is going to involve late night dancing and a couple of parties..right now that feels a bit unlikely!

@StartupRepair im absolutely thrilled for you - seriously great news!

@quietmaelstrom Snowdrops and crocuses are finally poking their way through in my garden - made me smile to think of you wafting with your basket!

@chococakey you poor love. It does sound as though you’re really getting the runaround. Hopefully things will become a bit clearer when you go for the first treatment on Friday. Otherwise, as others have said, get in touch with your BCN- it sounds as though you need someone to be advocating for you, or at least able to help you understand the options and impact on timings and treatment.

@PreVerbalGerbil welcome to the thread, even though I wish you weren’t hanging out with us over here. Waiting is the absolute pits.

Sorry to be so brief. Sending loads of love and hugs to all 💜

Please post your question as one of us may be able to help from our experiences. Good luck 🤞

@chococakey I found similar from my BCN when I moved to oncology tbh, they just expect the oncology nurses to look after you. It seems a bit odd to me that they've left it so late too, but I do know others who had their first chemo through a cannula then the picc fitted after. Mine was fitted 2 days before from memory. Any other questions let us know!

@Fillybuster hope you manage to get a bit of a break, even if it's not quite dancing til all hours. I'm off to London tomorrow for a day out with my mum and sisters. Looking forward to forgetting about work and my pesky arm hopefully.

Sorry I've missed others, I have been reading the last few days but not replying!