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💗

@Peachslice fingers firmly crossed for a good result 🤞🏻

Horrible to have another week of waiting @Peachslice but best wishes for a good result

Morning everyone. Just update from me. Saw oncologist yesterday, more cancer in breast found after the biopsy taken last week so she said I would probably need a mastectomy now, but that’s a discussion for another day. Advised they don’t offer a port so will just have the PICC line. She is trying to bring the date starting chemo to next week. Got some medication to start before chemo starts. My daughter came and we went to the macmillan centre after where she got some books to help explain things to my grandson. They were so nice she burst into tears 😞. This makes me very sad! Anyway got a clear day so meeting friend for coffee soon. Have a good day everyone.

@mightneedalargesnifter everyone’s journey does not seem straightforward, it can feel really hard to feel like you’ve any control in this. Has to be seen as a positive they are cracking on with it (chemo) . Enjoy your clear day!

@Peachslice Hoping for a positive outcome for you

@mightneedalargesnifter I'm really sorry. That's really tough to digest I can imagine. Be kind to yourself. It's awful seeing our loved ones so upset isn't it ? It's one of the things I find the hardest.

My results are in and I do not have the gene ! The relief is unreal.
Receiving some good news has made me realise the relentlessness of shit news after shit news for the last 3 months

@mightneedalargesnifter Sorry to hear this. Its so shocking. I'm still trying get my head around everything. Night time is the hardest when the house is quiet & dark.

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlancbrilliant news ! So happy for you 🙌🏻

@mightneedalargesnifter I’m so sorry it’s such a tough journey through. I had to have a mastectomy after two initial ops didn’t get clean margins. Then I had 16 rounds of chemo.

I’m now 13 weeks post chemo and out on a mini break with dh - both of us trying to process wtaf was that? Sending un mn hugs.

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc great news. Glad to hear of some sunshine amidst the storm.

@Bimblesalong Gosh you have been through it. So glad you are having a break away, I can only imagine all the feelings you are experiencing.
Thanks to everyone for your support, it means a lot. I’m very lucky to have lovely friends and family around me and that helps massively.

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc i don’t post on here very often but I was in the same position as you. Given three surgery options as all three had their benefits/disadvantages in my situation.
i chose to go with a therapeutic mammoplasty, meaning lumps (biggest which turned out to be 7cms) were removed from affected boob and the other “good” one was made to match!
A year down the line I’m still very happy with my decision. When do you have to decide by?

Sorry there was more unpleasant news @mightneedalargesnifter. Hope your day off is a golden one

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc great news - so pleased for you 💐

@Bimblesalong/Dancing - hope you enjoy your mini-break. You (and your DH) have more than earned it!

Hi @Alargeoneplease thanks for taking the time to reply.
I have my appointment tomorrow and my surgery is booked for Monday so I'm guessing they are going to want a decision before I leave there tomorrow afternoon. Hence why I wanted to do my research.

I'm really glad you are pleased with you decision and I hope you are doing well.

Ultimately, I want to do whatever I can to still be here in 20+ years (I'm 40 and the thought of only say 20+ years is terrifying in itself). If one option has a 10% better chance of success then I'll do that one, regardless of the cosmetic side of things.

is anyone currently on or had weekly paclitaxel and not lost their hair ? Had 4th dose earlier this week and no hair loss yet ? Not cold capping either. Has anyone else not lost their hair with weekly paclitaxel ? The condition of hair has changed and either dry or really flat. Getting fed up with the poor condition of hair at the moment but didn’t know whether to shave it or not if others have not lost their hair of paclitaxel! Hope that makes sense !

I didn’t lose my hair although I was told I would. I did use the cold cap though. I had some loss that was not really noticeable because I’ve got a lot of it and I did lose all my body hair. I kept eyebrows but eyelashes fell out two weeks after I finished! I had it weekly for four cycles.

Thank you @TheFormidableMrsC . My leg hair is still growing, was hoping it would slow down or fall out so I didn’t have to shave my legs but no luck at the moment !! Did your head hair loose condition at all ?

Hair was terrible. I had to have it slathered in conditioner for the cooling cap and then couldn’t wash to comb it for several days after so it was a
hideous mess. I bought a straw cowboy hat!

Oh gosh, I don’t think I would cope with that , although the straw cowboy hat sounds very stylish!!

It might have been different had it not been lockdown and the only people I saw were my kids and the treatment team. It was awful admittedly but, for me, it was worth it to keep my hair. That really was something I would have struggled with.

I decided on a variation of the therapeutic mammoplasty. I felt like this gave me the most options in the long run with no compromise on success in the immediate future.

I saw the consultant who did my last surgery this time instead of my usual one. He was amazing. His communication was clear and concise. I’ve asked to deal to him moving forward.

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc that’s great. Will make such a difference having someone you have confidence in on your team!
I had my kidney function test yesterday, was a bit disappointed that I didn’t glow afterwards 😂.

So glad you were able to make a decision you're happy with @AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc - and that surgeon sounds like a good person to have on your team.

(My surgeon was similar - consistently good at communicating.)

I had my first mammogram last week, I am 51, and got a recall two days later for further tests. I had breast implants about 15 years ago, but they were removed just two months later, and I had a breast lift at the same time. I’m wondering if the recall could be something to do with scar tissue from that? Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Sorry you have the worry. It seems that a lot of people have recalls from first mammos, including me (although I didn’t have BC that time, it was just an odd bit of tissue). They don’t have anything to compare it with if you’ve not had one before so any tiny thing that looks suspicious will be checked. As you say, you’ve had surgery and are probably still healing so it’s very possible it’s that. You’ve just got to wait and see, as difficult as that is. Good luck 💐

@NoLemonLemonadeSorry I’ve just realised that the surgery was 15 years ago. However, the same applies I think.