Likely breast cancer after ultrasound - thread 2

[spartanrunnergirl]

Welcome. The original thread (linked here ) was started after I had a mammogram recall and was told at the ultrasound that it was likely I had breast cancer - before biopsies were taken, and before I was ready to hear that (if you are ever ready to hear that).

I drove home gulping down tears with no idea what to do and no idea how to get through the days until my biopsy results. So I opened Mumsnet and made the original post, hoping someone might read it, and they did! One full thread later we are still sharing support, experiences, and advice. We’ve celebrated breast cancer wins and thrown virtual hugs around those who’ve needed it. (We’ve all needed it 💗)

For anyone opening this thread because they’ve found themselves in the same situation I was in … this is a hugely kind and caring bit of Mumsnet - where we’ve all felt that awful fear waiting for scans, tests, results, or with an early and uncertain diagnosis.

You are not alone.

This is the awful club - full of awesome women💗

Hey. Diagnosed in 2016, single mastectomy. Still here, all good,

Wishing you all the best .

Love hearing these good news stories @MrsSkylerWhite! I’m 3 months post treatment now and doing well 😁

Onwards and upwards sweetheart ❤️

Smashing intro to the new thread @spartanrunnergirl. It’s great to see a celebration already. We are here for those who find themselves in need of support and the sharing of small and big wins.

Lovely words @spartanrunnergirl ❤️

I'm here! DCIS removed 3 months ago with a lumpectomy and just finished radiotherapy. Cautiously optimistic that it's over but still have tenderness and restricted arm movements to deal with. So thankful that mine was an easier route and so proud of you warriors who have had harder battles.

Great intro @spartanrunnergirl

I'm on of the newbies on the old thread. Diagnosed a week ago IDC Grade 2 (might change once all tests results are in).
Lymph node biopsy a few days ago, surgery in the next 4 weeks or so then radiotherapy. If all goes to plan. I'm learning that plans go out the window.

I have already found so much support and guidance in my short space of time here. I'm sure there will be lots more to come

Lovely opening post. This is a nice part of the internet. I had a double mastectomy in October, decided against reconstruction. Cancer on both sides but very early stages so I have avoided chemo and radiation and now on Tamoxifen after not coping with letrozole.
Each of us has a different story but we have all felt the cold hand of fear and have had kindness here.

Thanks for the new thread @spartanrunnergirl

I was diagnosed in August last year, grade 3 IDC, I had four months of chemo, a lumpectomy and have now nearly finished radiotherapy. Not how I had expected to spend the last 8 months!

I had a single mastectomy 2011 no other treatment except tamoxifen. Everything still going well. Wishing you the best.

Lovely first post @spartanrunnergirl ❤and thanks to everyone for the positive support.

IDC grade 3, hormone positive, HER2 negative as well as some DCIS for me, all on the same side. Diagnosed last month and had a mammoplasty and lymph node biopsy on Friday.

A little win from me: i’m amazed at how I’m feeling less than a week after my surgery, I thought I’d be on my knees but it’s actually been very ok. I’ll see how things are looking on Friday when they change the dressing, but so far so good!

We aren't too far apart in terms of timings then @MonOncle .
So glad to hear you are feeling so well after your surgery.

Can I ask about your lymph node biopsy ? Was this the sentinel node when they inject the blue dye ?

I've got a bit confused with this part and didn't realise until yesterday when I was researching, just how different the clearance surgery is in terms of the drains / recovery etc.

So thankful for the new thread!

I was diagnosed in Jan 2024, stage 3 breast cancer which had spread locally to lymph nodes. Had my hospital treatment (surgery, chemo, radiotherapy) now and on various other targeted therapies for a few years. Currently deciding about reconstruction surgery.

Glad this little group of amazing women on the internet is continuing!

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc yes of course. I should say that they found nothing during the ultrasound on my lymph nodes so I’m guessing maybe that’s why mine happened alongside my surgery??? On the morning of my surgery I went and had the isotope injection at the nuclear medicine ward and then during my surgery a few hours later they removed the sentinel node for biopsy (and maybe some others - forgot to ask in the post-anaesthetic fog how many they took out). In the end she didn’t use the blue dye but another technique with a probe to find the sentinel node. My surgeon explained to me that she may use the dye as a back up if she couldn’t otherwise find it.

Thank you for the new thread @spartanrunnergirl
Diagnosed Grade 2 breast cancer in February. Oestrogen , Progesterone and HER2 positive. Had wide local excision, sentinel node biopsy and bilateral therapeutic mammoplasty just over 2 weeks ago. Back at clinic next week for post appointment to find out if they got it all out and what next step is re: chemo and radiotherapy.
Was really struggling last week with body image as still so swollen and bruised and boobs didn’t feel part of me as so numb. Felt like boobs had just been stuck on and weren’t mine. Feeling brighter this week though and bruising and swelling is settling.

Ah yes, that makes sense. I'm glad you are recovering well. Do you have an appointment for your results and next steps ?

One of my lymph nodes was larger than would like so they have already done a biopsy on that. My surgeon said if it comes back negative they will remove one or 2 during my lumpectomy / WLE to be 100% sure. If biopsy comes back positive then will be a clearance at the same time as lumpectomy / WLE.
I think I am glad it will be at the same time and not a further surgery.

Sorry you had a rough week @TheHonourablePenelopeBuntyWindermere but glad you are feeling a bit brighter this week.
Wishing you all the best for your appointment next week.
I should have the results of my biopsies and a surgery date next week

@MonOncleSame happened to me. It was complicated as it was literally a couple of days before lockdown when I was diagnosed but when I had the ultrasound and biopsy, the radiographer did say that my lymph nodes were clear which was really quite an indicator of what I had. It meant I had the sentinel node biopsy during my lumpectomy and thankfully that was clear.

My story: diagnosed last June after a mammogram recall. Lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy in July, nodes clear but not enough margin. Re-excision of margins in August and again not quite there so opted for a clearance mastectomy and reconstruction with implant on one side in Sept. Mine was IDC grade 2 with a patch of dcis. Mine is hormone related so I’m now on letrozole. I’ve had 16 chemos (12 paclitaxel and 4 EC) and cold capped - I’m fortunate to have kept a lot of my hair although had it cut short to help me deal with it.

I’m gradually getting back to work very part time and navigating life in the light of the last year.

Thank you @AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc . Hope all goes well with your biopsy results and you get your surgery date soon .

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc no date as yet but I’m expecting a three week wait. Will be crossing my fingers for you for a good biopsy result.

@TheHonourablePenelopeBuntyWindermere gosh it must have been really really hard dealing with both sides, praying to the clear-margin gods for you for your results appt.

@TheFormidableMrsC thank you, gives me hope!

@Bimblesalong , hope you’re feeling ok after what sounds like a really tough time.

Thanks guys - looks like I’ve got my original user name - also known as Dancingwhilstfacingthemusic. D’oh!!

As long as we know who you are! 🥰

I’ll get a different name down on the door now so I can come in 🙄🤣

Fingers crossed for biopsy results and hope that radiotherapy side effects are as kind as possible.

Evening you amazing bunch,

Not sure how I haven’t seen this thread before… diagnosed last March with Stage 3, grade 3 breast cancer. My biggest tumour, I had 3, was 15mm when diagnosed. When removed, I had a therapeutic mammoplasty, it had grown to 70mm and also spread to my lymph nodes.
I then had an axillary clearance. 8 rounds of dose dense chemo, 10 sessions of radiotherapy , which I finished last month. I’ve just started oral chemo. It’s certainly been one hell of a year, not one I’d like to repeat but I’m still smiling.