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💗

Hello everyone, thanks Spartan for the new thread.
Sorry I’ve not been online in a while, I’ve been struggling a bit recently. Hello to the newcomers.

To reintroduce myself to the new thread, I was diagnosed in Nov age 40. Came as a complete shock, I was offered early mammograms from age 40 due to family history - went along to my first one in Nov and was recalled because they found something! I did not feel a lump.

Grade 3 invasive ductal ERpos/HER2neg. I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy in Dec. Lump was removed with clear margins but they found 1 node was positive.
Started adjuvant chemo last month, I’ve now completed 3 out of 8 cycles. After chemo I’ll be having 20 radiotherapy sessions and then hormone suppression.

I have a 6yo and have found the last few months very tough, the chemo has really hit me like a bus. Trying to stay positive but it’s hard.
I lost my mum to cancer last summer so going through this myself so soon (and without her) I think has made it all the more tough.

Have been trying to avoid Google and the news, I’ve also not been on here as much lately as I’ve been trying to keep my head down and power through.

I hope everyone is doing ok and it’ll be great to keep in touch. I’m hoping to feel a bit better and brighter soon to keep in touch more x

Evening ladies, I’m after your wisdom please …

What post surgery bra’s do you recommend ?
Should I wait to find out if it’s a lumpectomy or lumpectomy and lymph node clearance ? Will that change what I might need ?

Was thinking seamless for sure and also maybe front fastening so don’t have to go over head.

Any tips welcome

I'm probably in the wrong place but I hope you'll understand. I'd been recalled after mammogram 3 times. Each time it was fluid, which was drained. All good until next time.

Had my 4th call back last week. I wasn't bothered, I'm used to it now. Except this time they surprised me by saying there was a lump and I had to have a biopsy. Now I have to wait for the results. I know it doesn't necessarily mean cancer, but I caught a look between the dr and nurse during the ultrasound which with hindsight was very concerning. The nurse immediately started gently rubbing my arm in a soothing action, but I didn't understand why as it was only an ultrasound.

I'm besides myself with fear right now.

You’re in exactly the right place @MrTiddlesTheCat and I’m sorry you’ve had to find yourself here. Did they say how long the wait might be?

I'll get a letter within 2 weeks which will either say 'normal, no further action required' or will have an appointment time 'to discuss the results'. I'm panicking every time I see the postman.

Waiting is such an awful time. Bad news is much less likely but it’s of little help when our minds are worrying on overtime.

Try not to google.

5 years clear over here.

Come on over to the best supportive club www.breastfriends.co.uk

Too late. I already googled. I think the only reason I'm getting through the days is that my brain can't even begin to process it, after the absolute nightmare of the last year. It just can't be real. So far I've:

• tripped over my own feet and fallen down some stairs
• shattered my shoulder in the fall
• had reconstructive shoulder surgery and am still in rehab
• scanned because of the fall and diagnosed with severe osteoporosis
• scanned again connected to fall and found tumor (unlikely cancerous I'm told) on kidney
• diagnosed with severe anxiety/trauma because of all this.
• scanned again 6 months after fall because hand still hurting, found a torn tendon they missed. Waiting for surgery to reattach.
• saw the hand specialist who says actually there's 3 injuries, requiring 3 surgeries. And one of them can't be fixed,so will involve fusing bones together instead which will mean permantly loss of movement and disability in my wrist
• my shoulder surgeon now says the roughly 40% range of movement I have back is likely as good as it gets

and now this.

And it's my birthday.

That’s bloody awful, @MrTiddlesTheCat You’ve been through the mill.

What a time you have had and now waiting for results which such a hard place to be.

Diagnosed in May 22. Lumpectomy and radiation. Now on Letrozole.
Think the hardest part for me was the waiting for results.

My oldest friend from primary school had mastectomy and reconstruction 11years ago. She is absolutely fine and no further treatment.

My breast cancer nurse recommended the front fastening one from Cancer Research. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal. It was comfy, although not particularly attractive!

Gosh@chococakey you’ve had a rough ride. I hope you start to feel a little more positive soon.

I am 40 too and also lost my mum (10 years ago now) but I’ve thought about her and my Dad (who I lost 4 years ago) so much over the last few weeks. It’s really tough.

Sending you a big squeeze

You are definitely in the right place @MrTiddlesTheCat . I found this thread when I was also in the multiple ‘waiting’ phases and it’s just awful.
Really hoping you have a positive outcome

@chococakey I’m sorry it’s been so hard. It’s a bloody cruel disease to our bodies, minds and lives (Dancingwhilstfacingthemusic ).

@chococakey I've been thinking about you, glad to hear from you. It is tough, but you are getting closer to the end of chemo now. Hoping you feel a bit better soon and get to spend some time in the sun with your little boy (but don't forget the suncream!) lots of love x

Hi @AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc my breast care nurse gave me one of these for after surgery and I wore it home. Obviously everyone is different depending on the procedure but this one was good and the key things were soft and compression.. and front fastening.

https://www.amoena.com/uk-en/accessories/post-surgery-recovery-wear/?pk_source=google&pk_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10627136090&gbraid=0AAAAADrMNIcB6f8NfW3wEoNJqDg_z0QE2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi7-r0PzUjAMV4YFQBh2-oie_EAAYASAAEgKh0vD_BwE

This was the one I got https://shop.cancerresearchuk.org/products/cancer-research-uk-post-surgery-comfort-bra

Hello to all the lovely & positive women on this thread. I’ve dreaded opening this thread but I’m so glad I’ve found you.
Felt a small solid lump in my breast about a month ago.My Dr saw me the same day and referred me to the local breast clinic and assured me that most lumps were non cancerous. 2 weeks later I was seen by the Breast Unit at hospital. Mammogram clear but referred for an ultrasound which showed 3 small(8mm masses) Biopsy taken on all 3 and some lymph nodes. The ultrasound specialist indicated that they looked cancerous though I don’t recall this at the time. I remember just thinking WTF? .Never been really ill or had any operations. No history of cancer in the family and parents going strong in their 80’s.
Last week I saw the consultant who confirmed stage 2 cancer hormone driven. Recommended mastectomy rather than lumpectomy due to the placement of the lumps plus possible lymph node removal.The Dr said they would operate at the end of the month but phoned last week to say that they could now operate this Thursday. Had my pre op today.
Can’t recall a time like this when I’ve felt so scared and emotional. Feeling fine one minute then overwhelmed with fear.
Telling my teenage daughters and remaining positive was very hard .
The Dr thinks that my outcome is v good as it’s been detected early. I know all this but still can’t stop the night time gremlins from telling me otherwise when I can’t sleep at night!
Hearing all your stories and realising that I’m not alone has been so very helpful.
Thank you to all the brave & wonderful women who have shared their journey and thank you OP for starting this thread. It’s helped so much ❤️
Ps- my username is a very old one & based on a favourite Smiths song not my current circumstance:)

@Iknowitsover, glad you've explained your user name because it most certainly is not ❤️ though as a fellow Smiths fan , I've had more than a few "Heaven knows I'm miserable now" moments.
Please read this thread and join some of the UK FB groups, there are so many people going through this and out the other side who can give you practical tips, support and company. It's very much a conveyor belt process and you have to go for it one step at a time.
It sounds as though they have caught it at a treatable stage and you just need to get through the next few months, then you can get on with your life. This group will be an immense support to you. Good luck with your operation.

Hi @IknowitsoverI love that song and think I’ll put on The Queen is Dead this morning when I start work.

All moving quickly for you and that ok one minute, overwhelmed the next is familiar to everyone here. It’s almost like life stops just for a moment whilst everything recalibrates and what you thought was certain becomes less so, for a while. The waiting and wondering is the worst and minds go overdrive. take heart from your doc - your prognosis is very good and it’s been caught early. The treatment is well research, funded and excellent.

Get used to big feelings was the best thing a fellow BC friend said to me and it has helped me enormously. I let those feelings happen and know that it’s normal.

All the best for your surgery xx

How do/did you all cope with the waiting without losing your minds?

Morning @Iknowitsover , that is a quick turnaround. This whole thing is extremely overwhelming but that time frame must be even more so.

Good luck with your surgery on Thursday. Be kind to yourself.

Those of you that have had a lymph node biopsy ... I'm now a week on and the last 2/3 days, above my bruise has been really tender. It's more uncomfortable now that it has been the whole time. I'm guessing inside is probably a bit bruised, just bizarre it's only come on the last couple of days.