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 am really blown away by everybody’s kindness and taking the time to post.
I am so sorry you have all had to go through this / are going through this too x

Poptart coming on to echo what others have said. Recovery from lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy usually quick and uncomplicated. I was given liquid morphine to help with post operative pain but didn’t use it all. Do you have a designated breast care nurse? Ask them to make a note to the anaesthetist about your anxiety. Maybe write it down so you can show the anaesthetist when they see you pre-surgery.

The time between diagnosis and treatment starting is really hard. Focus on the fact
in just over a week that damn thing will be out of you, and being blitzed to bits to inform your ongoing treatment plan.

Hello All, sending lots of love and hugs to you all. I am struggling at the moment. I am due to have a therapeutic mammoplasty on Mon and axillary node clearance as cancer was found in my lymph node. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I am so scared about the cancer having spread to my lymph nodes. One minute I am getting on ok and the next terrified and in a panic and unable to focus on anything else.

@BettyMagoo I have no real advice as I am new to all of this myself, but I didn’t want to read and run.
I can relate to being fine one minute and the next terrified and in a panic and unable to focus on anything else. Again, I haven’t yet found a solution to this, I just allow myself to feel what I feel at the time and cry (there’s been a lot of crying).
Hopefully someone with much more knowledge will be along soon.
Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts x

@PoptartPoptart thank you so much for your response. I managed to speak to my breast care nurse who was very reassuring so feel in a better place than I did. Just need to focus on tomorrow's surgery now and get stage one complete. I know you are not far behind me in terms of that so I hope I will be able to share with you my experience and offer some reassurance. Look after yourself xx

@BettyMagoo I’m so glad your breast care nurse was able to offer you some reassurance and I hope all goes well with your surgery tomorrow. I will be thinking of you xx

@BettyMagoo good luck with your surgery today. I didn’t comment as I don’t really know anything about the op you are having but thinking about you and hope it all goes well 💐

Hope all goes well for you today @BettyMagoo I'm sorry I can't offer you any advice as I am very new to this journey, but wishing you all, and everyone on this thread, support and best wishes in your journeys through this awful disease.

I was diagnosed on Friday. I am now waiting for the MDT meeting and to find out how my life is going to look for the foreseeable future. My next appointment is on 10th. I wasn't expecting this. I have been in and out of hospital this summer for various tests and scans for suspected pulmonary sarcoidosis which is an autoimmune disorder. My breathing is extremely limited and my heart rate really high and I'm struggling - DH is doing everything in the home and I can't help and am felling guilty and frustrated.

Anyway, one of the tests was a breast clinic referral. On Friday I went for a mammogram at the hospital. I was then called back for 3D pictures, ultrasound, biopsy and needle tests. The nurse specialist said probably surgery then "treatment" but obviously nothing confirmed yet. It's going to be a long wait until 10th.

I'm not sure where my head is at the moment. All over the place really. I feel horrendous guilt that I'm putting this stress on DH (he lost his mum to breast cancer when he was 12) and DS who is just going back to school for year 13 with A Levels next summer. Neither of them need this. We've had a horrible year of bereavements and illness and now this on top feels like a kick when we are all very down.

My biggest concern at the moment is my breathing. It is appalling and I'm very worried that my lungs won't be strong enough to cope with the general anaesthetic required for breast surgery.

I'm going to see my GP today I hope - I don't feel able to go into work so I'm going to ask for a sick note for a few days. Luckily I WFH and have a really supportive manager.

Sorry about the brain dump. I have read all of your posts and you are all so strong. I'm reminded of that wonderful quote by Eleanor Roosevelt "A woman is like a teabag; you never know how strong she is until you put her in hot water".

All the best to you all

That sounds like a lot to be dealing with at once @Ventress - hope your GP was helpful.

Best wishes for today @BettyMagoo - you may be safely back on the ward recovering by now. Hope all has gone smoothly.

Best wishes also to@PoptartPoptart @Lovewine1975 and @xplodingkitten for surgery soon.

Thoughts with @AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc @mightneedalargesnifter @MonOncle forging their way through treatment

Thoughts to everyone stuck in the wilderness that is the waiting zone - even if the news is difficult it does get easier when you have a treatment plan.

So sorry you've been hit with another nastiness out of the blue @MrTiddlesTheCat - hope the results show nothing worse than some thickening as others have had.

Things here have been slowly improving - radiox fatigue had settled and some glimmers of my brain starting to work a bit (for newbies - was off with severe burnout when diagnosed).

However, it looks like I might have to grit my teeth and jump back on the merry-go round. Have been feeling some 'lumpiness' where there wasn't any before (but finding it hard to tell given reconstruction and radiotherapy) but now have to admit that it probably is something I need someone else to look at.

@quietmaelstromthank you, starting to feel a bit nervous about the surgery but sure it will be fine! Most exciting thing my post surgery bras arrived today, they look like something from the 1950s 🤣🤣

@Lovewine1975 you are spot on about the post surgery bras looking like something from the 50’s 😂
Im feeling nervous about the surgery too. I just want it to be over and ok.
@Ventress that all sounds very hard, I’m so sorry

@quietmaelstrom hoping and praying it is something and nothing and the lumpiness is due to after effects of the surgery and radiotherapy x

Glad you’re feeling better. You will probably have a lot of scar tissue lumpiness for a while. I found one that really freaked me out and it turned out to be radiotherapy damage. No denying it’s frightening though. Best get it checked but it’s more likely to be something normal post surgery/radio.

@Lovewine1975@PoptartPoptart I was so anxious the week leading up to surgery especially regards the anaesthetic but it was ok - suddenly they are waking you up in recovery. I was very emotional afterwards, a mix of the anaesthetic and pure relief that it was done. The recovery has been ok, I am 3 weeks post op and both incision have healed really well with no additional complications. I made sure I wore the post surgery bra 24-7, def helps ease the pain in the early days. I have done very little though & rested as much as I could and have kept on top of the exercises - definitely don’t push yourselves to do too much, wear the bra and do the exercises is my best advice - hope both your surgeries go smoothly.

I have a surgical review this Thursday to get my results and already have my oncology appointment for 1/2 hr after results appt.

best wishes to everyone stuck in the middle of this huge life curve ball, thinking of you all.

@Sunshinesmilingthroughthat’s really reassuring thank you, what was the pain like for first few days did the hospital give you anything for it? I’m not great with pain so another thing I’m a bit worried about

@Lovewine1975It felt quite painful when I first woke up so they gave me some additional pain relief then but after that hardly any pain. I wasn’t discharged with any pain relief and just took paracetamol for a couple of days. The SLNB incision was slightly painful but not as bad as I expected.

@Sunshinesmilingthrough thank you for posting - it really helps to hear positive stories. I’ll be thinking of you on Thursday.
One more question - did you have a drain in afterwards? I’m a bit worried about having to change it / pulling on it accidentally / getting infected. Any tips?

@Sunshinesmilingthroughdoesn’t sound too bad then, best of luck for Thursday hope it goes well for you x

With regards to pain, I took paracetamol for the first 24 hours but not because I needed to, I stopped after that as there was no real pain. I did take it really easy though and watched a lot of TV. The pain was minimal though. Hope it goes well for you

@PoptartPoptart and everyone else thank you for your messages of support.

So yesterday I has a therapeutic mammoplasty which is primarily a breast reduction to remove the cancer in lower breast. I also had all the lymph nodes removed in my armpit.

In terms of anaesthetic I did not have any issues, I actually woke up feeling really good. Almost a bit high. Appreciate everyone has different reactions. Hopefully if you can tell what has caused you a negative reaction previously they can adjust appropriately.

In terms of pain since. This has not been anywhere near as bad as I anticipated. I was so worried but so far it has not been too bad at all. Slightly more painful today but I am able to get around fine and get comfy. My armpit is the most painful part. I have been told to take paracetamol and prescribed codeine.

Finally one of the parts I had been dreading the most was the drain however this is also much easier than I had anticipated. I have a drain bag to carry it around with and just have to check how much liquid is coming out each day. I asked the nurse to write detailed instructions down for me even though it is not complicated I was still feeling a bit zoned out.

I hope this all helps @PoptartPoptart and any others soon to experience surgery. Please let me know if you have any questions. Xx

@PoptartPoptart I had a drain for ten days after my mastectomy/ reconstruction. It helps to have extra pillows so you can get comfy. I needed to be propped up a bit at first. I had a couple of leaks - could just be my bad luck, so ensure you have a change of clothes and pop some pee pads on the bed. I found loose pyjamas the best as the button fronts were easier to get on. They should give you a little bag to put the drain bag in.

@BettyMagooPleased your surgery went smoothly and you are now home resting & not in too much pain . I was on a high after the surgery for a couple of days, apparently not unusual. I crashed quite a bit days 3/4 and slept quite a bit those two days.

Rest up and try not to do too much too soon x

@BettyMagoo so glad to hear it all went well. 💐

Evening everyone, sorry another lumpectomy question. How did you get on with sleeping afterwards, I always sleep on my side but read it’s best to sleep on your back for the first few
weeks. Any tips for getting comfortable and managing to get some sleep? Thanks