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

@spartanrunnergirl I was told something similar "it's curable, like a cold". I mean 18 months of treatment wasn't exactly trouble free but he was right. I've tried to compartmentalise it as a "blip" and manifest that it will remain as such.

@quietmaelstrom Really pleased you've got clear nodes. That's really good news.

Thank you all - I do appreciate your calm words bringing a sense of perspective.

I am genuinely grateful that the team is being thorough. Everyone has also been very good at explaining exactly what is being done and why at each stage.

I think I'm just exhausted after each visit and probably need to unwind a bit before thinking it all through (not helped by being a clinician, currently off sick with burnout, and having investigations in my own hospital 🤦🏻‍♀️)

The whole process of diagnosis and treatment s wearing in a way you just don't realise until you are going through it. All the waiting combined with surges of adrenaline and fear combined with stuff like trying to find parking at an unfamiliar hospital...

@quietmaelstrom that is good news. I'm just taking the small wins along the way, and just taking everything as it comes. Which is NOT me at all, I'm a planner! It is easier when you have a treatment plan, I know we keep saying that!

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic I have everything crossed for your blood results 🤞🏻

Someone on this thread likened all
this to like being on a fairground ghost train and it did make me laugh .. you are slowing creeping along on the train feeling the fear and then suddenly BOO! the next scary/nuts surprise around the corner!

@quietmaelstrom Pleased to hear your news that the lymph nodes and other breast are clear. Sounds like a treatment plan is coming together.

I've still got another 10 days to somehow get through until I get my appointment. Last Friday was when I was told likely cancer following an ultrasound and the biopsy was taken. I'm struggling to get through the days. I'm not googling but in my head I'm going through all these worst case scenarios. I keep feeling weird pains all over my body. Probably just stress/anxiety but my mind is in overdrive.

I'm hoping once I get to my appointment I get a plan and then can start to make sense of it all. Right now I'm just terrified but trying to put a brave face on. Haven't told anyone in real life yet (only my DH) knows. Feel like I want to get my appointment/results/plan first.

I'm struggling with eating and sleeping. I'm just bubbling with anxiety it's making me feel really quite ill.

This is a great safe space to put those feels out. Thank you all and all the best to everyone here x

Thanks @chococakey - things are gradually slotting into place, though I will be glad when the repeat biopsies are over

Sorry you are feeling so much on edge while waiting for the appointment. Do you have a number for the breast care nurses? I'm sure they'd be happy to chat to you, even if there isn't anything specific they can tell you at this point. They will be used to how people are feeling in this horrible waiting period!

Family have been updated here and I am now thinking about how to let close church and work people know (now that I have a surgery date confirmed)

@chococakey Sorry you're feeling so anxious. Please speak to your BCN, they are there to support you and will be able to help, even if it's just talking! I know what you mean about weird pains etc. I get this still. Sometimes I get pains and think terrible thoughts, recently a friend posted about knowing symptoms of secondary BC and of course I suddenly got them all. It's a very normal response to a traumatic event. The mind is a bloody miracle and a curse at times.

To add, exercise helped my mental health a huge amount. It really made a difference so if you don't do that, try and include it if yo can.

Chemo went ahead and I’m bouncing on a steroid wave today! 1/4 way through chemos. I’m cold capping and have just started with cold mitts / socks (suzzipad) as a couple of my fingers are feeling painful. They’ll give me a short break to head off neuropathy if need be - although I just want to crack on I’ve got to be sensible about long-term effects.

Glad the blood tests were good for chemo to go ahead @dancingwhilstfacingthemusic. Do you feel hyper (in a good way) on steroids?
Hope the cold treatment helps your fingers.

I feel boingy like tigger. I’ve given myself my two things to do - a daily walk and I’ll do the longer loop today and a bit of light housework. Then I’ll make myself rest before carrying on pottering on housework/ food. Otherwise I’ll crash for days.

It’s been hectic here with hospital appointments etc since I last posted .. I’m now seven weeks mastectomy and when I went to get my post surgery results , it turned out my entire boob had been full of DCIS high grade and five seperate teeny her2 pos invadives hiding in there . So it was on to the consultant to discuss chemo and I’m starting next Friday , plus herceptin for a year .
I was due to have paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks but I’ve been changed to nab paclitaxel three weekly .
what chemo regime are you on @dancingwhilstfacingthemusic ?

Ha ha ! That was me 🤣 it does feel like a jump scare ride ! However to anyone still going through the biopsies and results waiting stage , I will say that once you get a treatment plan .. things go start to fall into place a bit more , once things are actually “happening” x

Cor, @Rockschooldropout that is quite the ghost train swerve. Glad you’ve got a plan but sometimes don’t you wish we hadn’t quite excelled ourselves this way?!!

I’m on 12x weekly paclitaxel, then 4x fortnightly EC. They’ll throw in 3x bisphosphonates during chemo and then 6 monthly for 3 years. I’m then on 5 years hormone suppressants. I’m cold capping and that’s going well. I started to use cold gloves / socks this week (suzzipad) as my fingers are starting to feel different. Wish I’d done that from week 1 tbh. Very glad I got my brows microbladed ahead of time. I’ve had my fourth treatment this week, heralded by losing almost my entire ladygarden that morning - quite the experience. I guess head hair thinning will now start in earnest even though I have the cold cap. From the way my nose is running, I’ve lost quite a bit of nostril hair too! Still smiling and still KBO

My mum had this they caught it on a mammogram, had a biopsy and it was stage 3 I think. She had the lump removed and then had her chemo and radiation and came out the other side . If it is cancer you need to look after yourself and make sure you have a support system as chemo will knock the stuffing out of you but I would be very optimistic. Wishing you all the very best xx

Flip @Rockschooldropout….well, at least you know for sure that the mastectomy was the right thing to do!

Sending love to everyone dealing with the weirdness of uncertainty and waiting, and thinking of you at the moment @chococakey It’s doubly shitty to have to deal with the stress of not knowing, and waiting for results before you even know exactly what you have to worry about, on top of all the crapness of the actual treatment process too.

@spartanrunnergirl really glad you’re in a better place. Been rooting for you all the way 💐

I finally got my updated 3T MRI results through. The really good news is that they show my 2nd set of biopsies (which came back clear) as concordant with the area that lit up on the first MRI. So, super thankfully, it looks like the only thing that requires any actual treatment is the early stage DCIS that showed up on the original scan and biopsy.

A few weeks ago I was slightly freaking out at being told I might require a lumpectomy, but after the last few weeks of additional tests and concern, and discussion of whether I have sufficient tummy fat for reconstructive surgery following a possible mastectomy (oh, the irony, after 5 years determined gym work to get my post baby tummy into shape….), I’m very very grateful to be looking at something so straightforward. I’ve been told get to tested for BRCA1 & 2 before finalising surgery, in case that changes anything. BC doesn’t run in my family, but apparently my ethnic background puts me in a higher risk group. Fingers crossed it will come back clear.

@quietmaelstrom good luck with telling people. I’ve found it really hard to talk to my friends and family during all of this, as I felt like I wasn’t ready to engage. On the other hand, it’s so good to know you’ve got that support network there for you and your family when you need it 💜

That is really good news about your follow-up investigations, @Fillybuster. All the best for the genetic testing and surgery.

Husband has been a huge support for result appointments, but I have found telling others difficult. I feel like I haven't processed it properly myself yet!

@Rockschooldropout thank you for giving me the best analogy 🤣 hope the next steps in your plan a bit smoother ..

@Fillybuster I'm so glad to hear your news. I was so impressed with my lumpectomy, another experience where the thought was worst than the reality. I do feel sorry for my poor battered about boob though, so many injections and biopsies, mammograms and manhandling! But healing quickly and well with wonderfully placed incisions to minimise scars.

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic that list of treatment sounds unreal! I am very grateful that my plan has been so simple, I know it's not the case for everyone, hope you continue to cope well with it all x

Thanks @spartanrunnergirl throw in three operations beforehand, culminating in a clearance mastectomy and reconstruction and it’s been quite the party!

I'm nearly 6 weeks post double mastectomy and feeling physically much better. It is now that the emotional side is hitting. Got rid of all my bras the other day (I am staying flat) which felt very sad. Also now the initial crisis has passed I find I am irritable and teary with my close family.

Very early days and a lot to come to terms with. Please do take advantage of the easy access to counselling that you will have while you're going through this and remember that your family can't possibly know how you feel. It's all normal but a lot to come to terms with. Breast Cancer Now forums are also a fabulous resource. You will get there, one foot in front of the other

It’s one hell of a swerve ! My surgeon said mastectomy had been the best choice as lumpectomies would never have given clear margins . My nodes were clear but my cancer is her2 so chemo and herceptin for a year .
your treatment sounds quite intense , I’m guessing you are ER+ . I’m quite looking forward to not having to tidy my herbaceous borders tbh 🤣 I’m not cold capping and have some wigs already ..
where do you get the cold glove things from ?

I’m a similiar time frame to you , I had single mastectomy though with no reconstruction.. like you initially I was relieved to get the op out if the way but I do now feel sad and somewhat mutilated .. my husband said he still loves me no matter what but it’s normal to feel grief for what is essentially an amputation . My hospital haven’t even given me a prosthetic , I’ve had to buy one 🙄.. do reach out to the breast nurses for support as they can refer you for counselling x