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💗

@TheFormidableMrsC glad things have mostly settled down. I hadn't realised about your Dad - I'm very sorry 💐

Best wishes to you and @spartanrunnergirl for the hysteroscopies

@cannaecookrisotto@cantbelieveIamhereI had surgery first as it was only 6mm, mine was grade 2, my surgeon didnt mention chemo at all until after I’d had my op, I had just been told all along it would be radiotherapy. I had been doing a lot of Googling on TNBC and saw that it was pretty common practice to have Chemo, so whilst I was shocked when she told me I going to have it I wasn’t surprised. I’m not looking forward to it in the slightest but if it keeps it from coming back I’m grateful I’m going to have it, if that makes any sense!

Morning everyone. I’ve just completed my 6 rounds of chemo so will have another MRI and then surgery. I’m hoping for lumpectomy but we’ll see. Want good margins! Three weekly Phesgo Injections will carry on but don’t need bloods before treatments that will cut down on hospital appointments. Will also get my picc line removed soon so that will be good. They don’t use it in surgery apparently. In other news I bought a robovac and I love it! One less job. Best wishes to everyone. It’s a great thread for support 💐

I've been referred to a lymphatic physiotherapist, but the waiting list is long.

I'm still waiting for the results of the hysteroscopy. They said 8 weeks.

In other news, I was told I had kidney failure following osteoporosis treatment. Then a week later told they'd made a mistake and I was fine. Which was fun.

I got to see a second hand specialist this week. He is horrified at the surgery the first was planning and has ordered more tests. Good job I'm fat so the first hospital had to refer me on to this one for the surgery.

Tomorrow I'm back at the orthopedic clinic to beg for an mri on my shoulder and elbow. I'm praying that they don't try to fob me off again saying this is normal. It bloody isn't. The hand special did suggest that some of the hand issues may be caused by unresolved issues in the elbow and shoulder rather than the wrist injury. I'm going to use that to try and lever them into doing it.

It's been quite the emotional rollercoaster.

@MrTiddlesTheCat sounds like an awful
lot going on. Glad you got a second opinion as such. We’ve got to keep
pushing for ourselves x

@MrTiddlesTheCat
sorry to hear you are in pain, and its the waiting and waiting for everything that drives you mad

sorry i read you got a secondhand specialist and not a new one!

🤣

Glad you're through the chemo rounds @mightneedalargesnifter

That's a huge amount of stuff going on @MrTiddlesTheCat

Can I please join you?
I noted a dimple and a small lump recently ( quite a while ago to be honest but thought it was “nothing”)
attended gp last week and she felt “something” so referred me straight away to the breast clinic. Appt came through Friday for today
I have been to the breast clinic this morning. The doctor felt my breast and confirmed he could feel something by where the “dimple” is. He sent me straight for mammogram which noted a small 2cm lump in my right breast. It looks like a marble on the mammogram. From there I went into another room and a female doctor did a biopsy and put a small piece of titanium into the lump? I think it’s so they can see the lump on any subsequent scans? I then went back to the doctor who saw me earlier in the morning, he was very matter of fact ( but still compassionate with it). He said this doesn’t look right so let’s see what the biopsy says and I will hear back within 2/3 weeks to discuss the “management”. He then said don’t worry we will look after you. I don’t know what to think. I’m trying to be positive but I suppose in reality I’m a bit scared. I have been looking about to see if there are other threads on here that give some advice post biopsy etc. thank you for being with me this far

@LoudSnoringDog Sorry to read you are having to go though this, I haven't been super active on this thread since joining in August but it is supportive to read.

Since my diagnosis in August, I have had an MRI, 4 biopsies, markers put in, another MRI and many other mammograms (ironic as my May mammogram was clear!). Saw the surgeon again last week and she confirmed I have two types of BC, main lump is ductal and two smaller ones are lobular - this is unusual I'm told. This also means the scale of the lumpectomy has increased and I had to choose between reconstruction using abdominal skin and tissue or a single mastectomy. I've chosen the former, however they can't get me in before the beginning of Dec so I've started Tamoxifen in the meantime. It still feels completely surreal.

Welcome @LoudSnoringDog - this is the group that no-one wants to join but is full of lovely supportive women
We all know how stressful waiting for results is - feel free to come here with questions or just to voice worries you don't feel you can mention in real life.

@MissFizzyPop that sounds really difficult - so many repeated biopsies and scans. I had lobular cancer, and had some extra biopsies and scans as not everything showed up initially - but they allowed for that at the time of diagnosis so my surgery was only delayed by a couple of weeks. Sorry you've been circling in the holding pattern for so long 🤗

Thank you all for the welcome into a club I wouldn’t ordinarily be wanting to join! I’ve felt very odd all afternoon. Just struggling to concentrate and not able to easily distract myself. I hope that the results come back quickly so I don’t have so much time to ruminate over it all and can crack on with whatever the next step might be. Thank you so much for the welcome x it is so much appreciated as I am avoiding mentioning this to anyone in real life until I know what’s happening next.

@LoudSnoringDog the waiting and over thinking is the hardest part. The only advice I have is to just be kind to yourself - it’s ok not to be ok sometimes. Like you, I didn’t tell my family until I had the results as I didn’t see the point of worrying everyone at that point. It is hard though.

@MissFizzyPop it sounds like you have been through so much already and none of it sounds straightforward. I have no real advice but sending positive thoughts your way.

@MissFizzyPop and @LoudSnoringDog How are you both doing? ❤️

I am so preoccupied @cannaecookrisotto. Thank you for asking. This wait is hard.

Thank you for asking @cannaecookrisotto
I'm not too bad, concentration has gone to pot but equally because nothing is really happening and apparently I'm quite good at compartmentalising, sometimes I even forget about the diagnosis.
I usually run three times a week so I'm keeping up with that and I think I will continue with the plan to train for a half in Dec even though surgery may mean I can't do the actual event, so I've got something else to focus on and count down to.
I've enjoyed reading your updates on this and the Cancer Support threads and hope you are OK today.

@LoudSnoringDog
The waiting really is shit, I’ve got everything crossed that your biopsies come back as much ado about nothing, but even if they don’t, I know this sounds a bit crackers, once you get the full picture and get steaming ahead with a treatment plan, you won’t feel as lost as you do now. There’s other feelings yes, but the not knowing is so hard. Please stick with us on these threads as it really does help talking to others going through the same thing. We’re here for you.

@MissFizzyPop
I hear you on the concentration going to pot! Continuing to run and train sounds like a great distraction plus it will keep you fighting fit for your surgery and other treatments if needed. I keep saying I’m going to start some gentle swimming (I can’t run, I’m too lazy 😂) but I’m waiting for my port to fully heal and I just love my couch too much.

I’ve been compartmentalising too. I’m at a stage where I’m going for Chemo (or Chemu as my 8 yr old DD calls it and I kinda like it better) once a week for the next 7 weeks then every 3 weeks for the next 12 weeks after - so all I really need to do is keep turning up on a Wednesday and take the drugs after. I’m trying to just carry on as normal as possible in between. I’ve been lucky so far with side effects and haven’t really had any. Mentally I’m ok I think, I have my moments of anxiety and worry but I’m trying my best to not let it become the elephant in the room. More for my kids sake. I fantasise sometimes about spending a few days in bed and hiding under the covers then remember that the kids would end up eating Heinz Beans for days on end and look like Stig of the Dump if left solely with DH. So the show must go on.
Aahh have you popped into the general cancer thread? They’re a lovely bunch. It’s nice over there too.

Thinking of all the ladies in the group who have had to deal with this shite, and those currently going through it now ❤️.

Ffs, my knee gave way on Friday. No warning, just completely collapsed under me. Thankfully I managed to avoid falling. Ive just read this is a fairly common side affect of tamoxifen. It never ends.

@MrTiddlesTheCat that sounds scary, why are women having to put up with these side effects.
I have seen loads of stuff on tamoxifen, I really dont think I am going to go there at all. Have you thought about a lower dose or a swap to something else.
No good if you end up breaking more body parts.

@MrTiddlesTheCat gawd it never ends. I hope you can get some help for this.

I’ve been on anastraolze for a few months now (initially letrozole). A few of my friends are on these with no particular side effects. I seem to be taking the knocks for them as my joints are so painful. Yesterday, I was getting something out of a low cupboard and couldn’t then get off the floor. Dh has to come and lift me up. I use a stick some days. Plus my mouth is a lot drier and has some of that icky chemo feel most days. 🙄

I’m seeing the consultant in a few weeks about Ribocyclib and will raise all of this other nonsense with her.

This happened to me and I tore my cruciate ligament and had to have physio. I also developed plantar fasciitis. Tamoxifen can soften your ligaments apparently. This is why I lift weights to try and keep as strong as possible.

I'm going to contact the breast clinic on Monday and see what they say.

That's scary @MrTiddlesTheCat - you are going through it!

Sorry you're having side effect issues too @Bimblesalong. I'm due to go on to letrozole after 2 years of tamoxifen - was the plan always for you to change to anastrazole?

Thoughts with everyone

I had a call completely
out of the blue yesterday. I’d really appreciate your wisdom and thoughts. I’d had a heart MRI about 6 weeks ago, due to an irregular heart beat. I’d been wondering when I would receive the results, when I received a random call yesterday from a lovely Dr who informed me that my heart was in excellent shape ,.. BUT. …
the MRI has picked up two nodules in my left breast. They measure 17mm and 19mm. He kindly explained that he didn’t want me to receive this news via letter. He has referred me on the 2wk pathway. To say it’s a shock is an understatement. I literally went into shock, all cold and shivery. Once I’d put the phone down I remembered that I booked a GP appointment 18 months ago, because I’d been experiencing breast pain for a while (and still am) . The GP examined me and couldn’t feel any lumps, she put it down to hormones.

I’m 47 and had a premature menopause at 39 and have been on HRT for 5 years. Im
so scared. How do you all cope with waiting for the tests and results? I’m finding it hard not to think about the worst case scenario, thank you for reading and sorry this is such a long post!