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 was warned before my MRI that there is quite a high chance (I think he said 50%) chance of an MRI showing something that needs to be looked at further because they are so sensitive. I also had my planned lumpectomy delayed because the MRI showed something in the other breast that hadn’t shown up on a mammogram. I had to have an ultrasound (which showed nothing) then a biopsy under mammogram (originally was going to be a biopsy by MRI) which fortunately ended up being clear. The waiting
for results was hard of course.

The lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy then went ahead as planned.

Hi everyone, can I just ask how long do you normally wait to see the consultant after you have had an MRI, I had a scan yesterday and already the waiting is stressing me out, thanks

I had an MRI last Wednesday and was initially told the results would not be discussed in the MDT until the following Tuesday however the Breast Clinic nurse actually called me on Fri to tell me that the MRI had pick some things up. The waiting is really hard. Sending hugs.

@Lovewine1975 I had a breast MRI on the 11 July and didn't hear a thing until this week. Think they contact you quickly if there are concerning findings so seems to be a case of no news is good(ish) news. It's horrible how your heart starts hammering the minute the phone goes.

Thanks, so glad I found this group it helps so much to have somewhere I can ask questions or talk about what’s happening xx

My thoughts are with everyone waiting it out for test or scan results. It is a really hard time to get through.
Did anyone have a gynaecological check up before starting tamoxifen? If you went privately do you know if your insurance covered it? I should have started my tamoxifen now but put it off due to going on holiday, now thinking I’ll wait until the end of the summer holidays…Is there a best time in the cycle to start? I’m 46 and still regular periods so I’m wondering how quickly I’ll feel the effects.

hi @CheerfulcharlieI started tamoxifen in Nov 2024, and it didn’t occur to me to have a gynae check up first. In hindsight I think it’s a good idea if you can, to benchmark your gynae health. I am perimenopausal and my periods stopped when starting T and came back for + 8 weeks continuous bleed earlier this year. I got the GP to refer me for an trans Vaginal ultrasound to check out my womb because of the known risk of tamoxifen and uterine problems/cancer. I intent to have that scan annually now.

with regard to early symptoms, I think I have been pretty lucky. My sleep was impacted quite quickly after taking it- broken sleep through the night, which has settled down a bit now, and I started getting hot flushes also quite quickly after starting taking it. Nothing much to report apart from that.

Morning everyone . Hope you are all doing ok @AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc and @MonOncle hope you are ok after your treatments. I have my third one today. Nice and early. Hardly slept last night due to steroids😬 I met with oncologist on Monday and discussed letter where there seemed to be a difference of opinion on size of first tumour so they will do another MRI and if not shrinking or indeed growing they will stop chemo and go straight to surgery. Hoping that can be done in next couple of weeks. My wig came and I haven’t tried it on yet. I’ll have to ask hairdresser to cut the fringe. I’m too scared to do it myself! My hair is ok so far so fingers crossed the cold cap is working.

Well this is really the unwanted gift that keeps on giving isn't it. I thought I was done. Just need time to recover, especially from the radiotherapy which was difficult for me. But no. I'm now bleeding after just 2 months of tamoxifen. FFS.

@MrTiddlesTheCatSo sorry to hear this. I hope they can sort treatment out for you 💐

This is more common than you think and I’ve known a few people this has happened to. Two months of Tamoxifen is unlikely to have caused anything sinister. I’ve got a friend who has just started flood bleeding after being on it for five years. It’s fibroids. Another who started bleeding again after a year. It’s settled. Get it checked but I’d be surprised if it were anything abnormal.

@mightneedalargesnifter mine has been pushed to Monday afternoon. Bit frustrating as I’ve started to need to psych myself up for them! Hope yours went ok today. That’s amazing news on the hair, I think I’ve only got about 20% left. I must admit I’m struggling with the wig, it’s got way more hair than I do naturally and it’s quite itchy. I don’t quite know what I’m going to do but I might order some online ones to try and see how I get on. How are you doing @AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc ?

Hope you can get some help soon @MrTiddlesTheCat , it must be so upsetting.

@MonOncle know what you mean about psyching yourself up. At least you’ve got a weekend to try to take it easy. The cold cap was bloody cold today. At the end I couldn’t prise it from my head because the hair on my head was so icy it had stuck to the cap. I had to wait until it thawed 😂. It’s early days it may fall out yet! There weren’t many having the cap today. I’ve got a wig and as you say it’s very ‘full’. I can imagine it will be itchy! Good luck for Monday.

I've messaged the breast clinic, so we'll see. I don't think I'm seriously worried, more upset at realising I'm not done with being poked and prodded.

I don’t know if this is helpful to anyone but you can download one of these or order a card through McMillan. I could have done with one the other day to take into a place at the beach with a sign saying for customers only. Public loo's were a long way back down the esplanade!

@Sunshinesmilingthrough hope your op went well today, and you recover quickly

Well wishes from me too @Sunshinesmilingthrough and fingers crossed for good results.

@Lovewine1975 have you had a date come through for your consultant appt? Waiting is so hard. 🤞

@mightneedalargesnifter how are feeling? I thought of you today as I really struggled on Mondays (day 3) after the previous two EC and it’s been a hot one today.

@MrTiddlesTheCat I think I know what you mean, whilst I know we aren’t really “done” for years, I can’t wait to move on from active treatment.

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc how are you doing, hopefully recovered from the first round?

Hope everyone is doing ok, wishing speedy test results, appts and answers for all waiting.

I had my third/last EC chemo this afternoon (ding ding) and I really struggled with the cold cap this time. I wore a surgical cap to cover up my bald bits but I guess because my hair has thinned it was just that much more intense. I’m not sure I can cope with 12 more when I move to the weekly sessions. I saw two fabulously beautiful bald women outside the oncology centre when I arrived which may influence a ‘fuck it’ moment from me. They both looked so good. I’ve also
got new meds this time for anti sickness so hoping for a better first few days!

@Sunshinesmilingthrough best wishes from me too 💐
@MonOncle thanks for thinking of me . Spent today in bed mostly sleeping. Sure the heat makes it worse. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.
Hope everyone is doing ok.

@MonOncle sorry I meant to say hope the new meds work for you 🤞🏻

@MonOnclethank you for asking, hospital rang this morning seeing the consultant at 11am tomorrow, pleased but terrified at the same time, suppose that’s normal though, hopefully I’ll get op date and treatment confirmation as well

Hi
thank you for asking ladies. It all went smoothly. I was checked in at 7.15 had my appointment at nuclear medicine at 9.30, but didn’t get seen by them until 10.30, I was a bit stressed then as I was second on the surgery list but was so quick once called through it all worked out and was back at the surgery hub by 11am. Went down for op at 11.45 and when I was coming round I was told it was 1.15 - all so quick. Very sore when I woke up so they gave me additional pain relief. I found once they helped me put on my bra the pain really eased. i was home by 5pm.

i didn’t actually sleep afterwards and was awake until 2am, no pain keeping me awake so much of been on some weird high. I thought I’d feel more groggy. Def more pain and sleepy this morning though. Absolute relief to have this step out the way.

@Lovewine1975hope your results appt today goes ok, thinking of you.

@MonOncleI hope the new meds work out better for you and you have a better few days. Good luck with the ‘fuck it’ moment I’m sure you’ll rock it if you decide to.

@mightneedalargesnifterhope you have a better day, it’s very warm again.

Sending lots of love & good vibes to everyone

That all sounds good @Sunshinesmilingthrough , hope you can take it easy today. Did they give you codeine? That always helped me at night.

@Lovewine1975 Good luck today, hope it’s the best news possible and you get all
the answers that you need.

Anti sickness meds are good so far, still
feel quite nauseous but not as bad I was.

I wasn’t discharged with any pain relief - just told to use paracetamol & ibuprofen.
i have some panadol night, I think they finally helped me sleep last night.

@Sunshinesmilingthrough glad your op went well, and I hope you get a better nights sleep and not in too much pain.

@MonOncle that must be a relief your new meds are making you feel a bit better, and I love the fact your thinking of a fuck it moment, you should just do it!

My appointment went well MRI was clear didn't show up anything new and its not spread, that was such a relief as I had been really worried about it. And my op now is hopefully going ahead on 5th September so not long, and then some radiotherapy after that. You all said I would feel better once a proper plan was in place and I do, anxiety has completely disappeared thank goodness - sure it will come back at some point.

Hope everyone is coping in this heatwave, 31 degrees where I am its absolutely ridiculous heat!

Hey @MonOncle & @mightneedalargesnifter , thanks for checking in and apologies for the radio silence. I'm doing well but it's been a bumpy road. I got an infection in my PICC line so there have been many hospital visits, blood tests, IV antibiotics and everything else in between. Finished my last dose of AB today ready for my 2nd cycle tomorrow (providing my bloods come back OK).
In terms of the chemo, it's difficult to know what was infection and what was general side effects but to be honest, if they are all like this one, it's manageable and i'll take it. I haven't felt overly unwell at any point. The worst for me was the extreme fatigue for 3/4 days, I didn't realise how awful I felt until I felt better again.

Sorry to hear you are both finding the cold cap tricky. Hopefully it's something you can persevere with.

I'm off to catch up with everything else I've missed in the last 2 weeks.