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💗

I think I'll add these post surgical compression bras to the bonfire next weekend. I'm getting pain on my good side as it's had enough of being squished.

I still get the odd pain in the tumour site. I still get the odd sharp shock feeling too that came from radiotherapy. I don’t think they give enough information about how things can be uncomfortable even years later. Good luck with your treatment tomorrow. Keep going.

@chococakey I had my lumpectomy just after Christmas and it had a lump along the incision site which I expected. Then it got much more tender and achy about 2 weeks ago, I did some half hearted massage and it seems a lot better this week. I also got a different bra as I wasn't sure what was making it ache. I suspect it's going to be up and down a bit.

@chococakeyhello! mine 6.5 months later has a lump still, perhaps a legacy of a seroma which was drained. It sometimes aches, sharp pains occasionally. I am always just aware of it.. post radio it is still inflamed and bigger and heavier than it was before.

I saw my oncologist last week for my first follow up and listed all the things I wanted to know about - and just said I need to know if this stuff is within the parameters of normal, it’s difficult - I felt like I was raising a load of trivial things , but they aren’t to me, and as MrsC says there is not enough focus on the post treatment legacy to be confident of what is normal.

Hi everyone! I hope you don’t think it’s inappropriate but I wanted to share than not always it’s bad news. I had a mammogram which looked suspicious followed by ultra sound, MRI and biopsy, biopsy was benign but they were still worried as the shape of it it on the MRi showed up really jaggered edges… fast forward to me having a lumpectomy on May 6th and received the good results today that it’s not cancer! I was worried sick. Thanks for the hand hold even though I haven’t posted much it’s been comforting to read a lot of your advice and kind words. Wishing love and strength to all. X

@chinoisierychic. That’s wonderful news! 💐

@chinoisierychicBloody hell what an ordeal you’ve had! You poor girl! So glad you’ve had this amazing news 💐

Amazing news, @chinoisierychic , absolutely brilliant. Thank you for sharing- as you say, it's not always bad news. So sorry you had the scare though!

Morning everyone. My appointments are coming in thick and fast! CT scan early this morning then MRI at lunchtime. Cardiogram on Thursday then appointment with consultant. Very pleased with the speed things are happening. Still
can’t quite take it all in!

Morning, @mightneedalargesnifter , great that you are seeing rapid progress, as the waiting is so awful. On the original thread someone very perceptive said that you have to get used to handling big emotions, and these rapid fire appointments may feel overwhelming as you go from one to the next. But I'm sure it works on the ripping-off-a-plaster theory in that it's better than building a picture slowly. This way you and your medical team will have the critical information early and can start planning the best course of treatment if required.

Sending you positive vibes for the CT this morning and MRI at lunchtime. Take a good book, to relieve the awkwardness of sitting around for hours in a hospital gown!

Honestly been worried and sick to my stomach for months - they never fast tracked me either as wasn’t sure what they were looking at - had three opinions in the end to take it out… glad I did but I’ve believed I have had cancer all this time to find out yesterday… that I don’t! I am so so happy but also guilty to leave you all behind. Stay strong beautiful ladies it will all be ok.

@chinoisierychic I’m so pleased for you !
@mightneedalargesnifter Good luck with all of your appointments coming up

I had my drain out yesterday and I am definitely glad to see the back of that. Managed to sleep on my side a bit last night which was heaven after a week of back sleeping.
Moved onto my advanced exercises now. They were interesting yesterday. Felt like someone else had control of my right arm !

Getting the drain out is such a relief.

I have a blood test this afternoon, ahead of my bisphosphonate infusion next month. This morning I have a client - work! Gradually easing in.

Ah wow @chinoisierychic that must be such a relief! What was it that they removed then - did they say?

I’m hopefully coming to the end of my BC journey, last radiotherapy this afternoon 🥳
But I’m unsure about what happens next.
Do I just walk out of my last treatment and forget about it all?

TBH I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. Still have so many questions to ask about the future.

can I still phone my BC nurse about any concerns or have I been ‘discharged’?

@drivinmecrazy congrats on finishing your radiotherapy 🎉

it can be a weird feeling after so much contact with the medics and appointment routines. I felt quite adrift and only after treatment finished did I really begin to process the cancer and experience. I had a follow up with my oncologist about two weeks afterwards. Still could contact the BCN if needed, and I now have six monthly follow ups. Saw my oncologist a couple of weeks ago at 5 months post radio to see how breast was post radio and talk about tamoxifen etc.. I’ll then see my consultant in October for first mammogram and annual follow up.

Well done for making it through @drivinmecrazy . I finished a month ago, but have continuing 3 weekly herceptin injections, plus Zometa infusions every 6 months for three years, so I'm still a pretty regular visitor to the hospital! I'm also regularly seeing an oncology specialist physio. I am pretty certain that you can contact your BCN whenever you feel you need to.

To be honest, I don't know how to feel 🫤 I've signed up for the Breast Cancer Now Moving Forward course, which is next month. And a local breast cancer charity does a four week 'after breast cancer' course so I'm going to that, too. And I have acupuncture for lingering post-treatment issues. I've definitely not 'forgotten all about it' nor is it all behind me, really.

So it looks like I'll be getting 5 intensive radiotherapy sessions and 5 years of tamoxifen. No chemotherapy.

This is brilliant news! I had that radio regime too. Good luck!

Great news @chinoisierychic , what an ordeal to go through to get it! Must be a relief.

And good news on your no chemo result @MrTiddlesTheCat !

@drivinmecrazy I’ve been told I won’t be discharged for five years as I’ll be on tamoxifen and I can contact the BC nurse at any time.

That’s sounds like a great outcome @MrTiddlesTheCat . Are you pleased ? That’s what I am hoping for at my appointment next week.

question to those that had node surgery - how quickly were you exercising ?

I have been really slack the last couple of months but generally would exercise 3/4 times a week in the gym, weights, swimming, classes etc. I’m desperate to get my fitness back and look after my body. How long before you started easing in ?

I was told six weeks for weights or anything high impact but walking and yoga were fine. So I just carried on with those.

That’s really good news @MrTiddlesTheCat

ive had my blood test ahead of next month’s bisphosphonate infusion, another set of bloods for the liver consultant and yet more today at the go surgery to check other stuff. Nothing is joined up in terms of sharing or seeing results 🙄

off to get my brow tattoo topped up today and then, hopefully, I can avoid appointments until I have my infusion, although I think my mammogram is in a couple of weeks.

I’ve been told I’ll be signed off from oncology after my next phone consultation, which feels weird given I’m still under treatment by them.

I’ve joined a nice gym with a pool which gives me the incentive to get there and exercise, I think it’s helping with the letrozole aches.

Another question from me .. did you notice more swelling when your drain came out ?
mine came out Monday and have felt great but this afternoon it’s been really achey and feels slightly swollen.
I’m guessing it’s to be expected as even the 20ml of fluid it was draining, now isn’t. But how do I know when to be concerned ?

Hi. I’ve had a recent breast cancer diagnosis and having a single mastectomy and reconstruction in the next couple of weeks, plus one lymph node removed. The hospital have given me some info but I am feeling really anxious and just wondering if anyone who has had this operation had practical advice? Like how do I sleep propped up - should I get a special pillow? And will I be able to get up the stairs ok by the time I get home (after 3-5 days apparently)? Can I wear a seatbelt in the car to get home? Thank you so much to anyone who can help.