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💗

It’s probable you will have medication. Which one depends on whether you are post menopausal. I’m an old bird 😂 so Letrozole.

No advice really. I tried tart cherry capsules but not sure they helped. I have joint and back pain but wonder if that’s just a sign of aging. I’ve lost weight and try to do my 10000 steps a day and I find if I keep moving pain is less.
For me the biggest side effect is fatigue. But again could me age related. 😫

I'm 53 and don't know if I'm post menopausal as I never had periods due to my contraceprion. I stopped taking them a couple of years back to see, and was rewarded with the period from hell. But the breast dr said I have to stop taking it now. I'm more scared of that than anything else.

I also have severe osteoporosis which I'm now learning also effects treatment options.

@MrTiddlesTheCat they checked my menopause status in one of my blood tests so it’s likely they’ll do the same for you. It’s a whole barrel of “fun” eh?

thanks for the tip @Bitezbabe I’ve heard of others taking these so will give it a go. I can’t help thinking that a prescription to live in a sunny, warm country would help too!

How are you feeling now you have a plan in place? I strangely felt calmer once I knew what they were going to do to tackle it. I also waited a long time for my results in terms of the receptors. Sounds like you might wait until post op to get them. My WLE was just a day stay op, home by about 7pm. I got some zip front bras from Primark which I found easy and comfy to wear post op. Wishing you all the best.

………….

Happy Easter to all you lovely ladies on the thread. Feeling a bit better myself today so enjoyed a lovely Easter egg hunt in the garden with my little boy followed by a lovely roast beef dinner. First meal I’ve had for ages that I’ve really enjoyed!

I’m heading into round 4 of chemo on Wednesday. The half way point in the chemo journey for me so feels like a bit of a milestone to mark.
Suffering with a terrible cough right now caused by post nasal drip. My nose will not stop running out my nostrils and down the back of my throat making me cough! Chemo nurse said it’s because all my nose hairs have fallen out and some people find their noses become running taps. Who knew how much I’d come to appreciate and miss nose hairs! Tissues constantly in hand and up my sleeve right now.

So glad you've had a happy Easter with your family, @chococakey , and thank you for giving me a chuckle about nose hairs!
Best wishes for round 4 on Wednesday and YAY to the chemo-halfway-complete milestone.

I've been lurking and learnt so much from this thread. Thanks you wonderful women.
There seem to be a few of us at the same stage as me......on Tuesday I have a lumpectomy for invasion DCIS & node biopsy.
I've not been able to think about it much over the last week as I'm concentrating on keeping my elderly dog out of pain. Poor darling has a large deep eye ulcer after also having 19 teeth out on the 1st. The medication regime is crazy but definitely keeping me busy along with driving the 45 minutes to the vet every two days.
I've been using the awful pre-op body & hair wash and have washed my dressing gown. That's as far as I've got with preparing for the surgery.
Thanks again for being here and I feel much better in my head now that I've 'shared'.

Hi everyone, I hope it’s ok to join?

It’s been nearly 2 weeks since being diagnosed with IDC stage 2/3 Her2 positive with lymph node involvement.

I’ve got my heart scan this Friday, MRI next Monday then meet my oncologist next Wednesday. I’ve been told ill be having chemo first then surgery to remove the lump and all lymph nodes under my left armpit.

ive gone through denial and now I’m going through a stage of not sleeping and talking myself into it being terminal. I’m absolutely terrified! how am I going to give 100% to my 8 month old daughter throughout this hell! I’m scared I’ll be too tired to play, too weak to pick her up…. My mind is going 100 miles an hour right now and I feel talking to my partner he just doesn’t understand and keeps telling me not to worry.

@2025GoodGrief and @Longtobe2023 you don't need to ask- welcome, I'm glad you found us. I think the timings of your postings tell their own story about what it's like to get a diagnosis then have to wait for more clarity and treatment to begin. It's extra hard if you have responsibilities toward others you love because it's so natural to catastrophise.

I'm not going to promise you everything will be alright because I don't have a crystal ball. But there are three things I believe I can promise. Firstly, you will start to feel better, more on top of the situation and more hopeful once you embark on treatment. Secondly, you will learn things about yourself you didn't know beforehand, chiefly how strong and capable you actually are. And thirdly, you will discover that there is a world of emotional and practical support out there for women with BC, that the kindness of strangers is a reality and that if you allow them, others will help you shoulder your burdens.

I am six years out the other side so my technical medical advice isn't very helpful because this field moves so swiftly (a good thing). But there are many others on the thread going through early diagnosis and beginning treatment who will be happy to share what they know from a few steps ahead.

Sending you both love from afar.

Welcome to the club nobody wants to be in.

Glad that you have found us @2025GoodGrief and @Longtobe2023 as there is good support here. Sorry you have had to find us.

It’s almost a year since I had the mamogram that found my cancer. I’m through surgeries and 16 rounds of chemo, now on hormone surpressants. It was overwhelming thinking about it all at the start but taken a day at a time is doable. I kept a diary throughout - mostly practical and dates of different appointments and procedures. It helped a lot to pinpoint patterns in chemo cycles. Sending you strength and steadiness.

Sending you strength @2025GoodGrief and @Longtobe2023 - you are at the worst point right now, I found once treatment was decided and started I could focus on that. Step by step, one day at a time. Kept doing that for 7 months, and here I am! Makes me quite teary to think about it, frankly. This is a brilliant place to share, vent and ask questions

Thankyou so much for welcoming me! I’m hoping each step will be easier. The wait after my ultrasound was by far the worst because as much as family/friends told me not to worry, deep down I knew it was bad news. Since I’ve found out I’ve been better but it’s still the waiting game which I’m guessing is making me more nervous?

it took me all these years to conceive (unexplained infertility) and finally at 33 had my daughter and I can’t help but feel angry that this has happened :( but I need to remind myself just how lucky I am because after treatment this would of been impossible…. I don’t know. I’m hoping next Wednesday when I have my plan ( I want everything done yesterday) I’ll feel better!

I hope you’re all doing amazing and I’ll keep my hopes up by reading all the positive stories 💕

The waiting is the worst bit @Longtobe2023 so you’re almost through that. I found the unhelpful thoughts calmed down once I had a plan in front of me (similar to yours, I’m half way through 6 months of chemo), but they do rear their head every now and again. I have young children too, and so far their day to day lives haven’t changed much. I upped nursery hours as it was hard to find last minute childcare for appointments, but for me side effects have been very manageable so far. Over Easter we still did days out, Easter egg hunts etc., we just focused on outside activities to avoid infection as much as possible. Everyone is of course different, but don’t panic and take things one step at a time.

@2025GoodGrief I hope your surgery went well yesterday and you are not too uncomfortable, bit if a wait for results now and then next steps x

@Longtobe2023so sorry you are dealing with this. It’s so tough anyway just to focus on yourself and own needs while waiting or in treatment, and having a family also to look after is difficult, particularly emotionally. Big feelings take over 💗

@chococakeylovely to read your update and I’m pleased you are feeling a bit better in yourself, and getting through the chemo. Am I right in remembering that you change chemo drugs after four to a different one?

Sending love to all. Xxx

Going to have the marker thingy inserted today and then the radioactive isotopes injection. Do either of those procedures hurt? I'm very scared.

I had markers with the biopsies and it was a bit uncomfortable but passed quickly. You will get through this.

I had both @MrTiddlesTheCat and was comfortable. Can’t remember if I had numbing for the marker insertion or whether it was just an injection.

It’s another step towards being through this.

I also had both @MrTiddlesTheCat and don't remember any pain.

Hi @chococakey ,

I'm feeling OK really. In-fact, I feel remarkable normal. I wasn't thrilled at the prospect of lymph node clearance tbh but it is what it is. Just got to get on with it haven't I.
Everyone else seems far more worried / concerned / shocked that I had a positive lymph biopsy. I think DH and I are just adjusted to taking it in our stride and preparing for the worst really.

New bras arrived yesterday. Might move into them now. They were super comfy. Fear I may never move back though !

I'm glad you had a lovely easter with your little boy. I hope your chemo goes well today and the nose drip isn't too frustrating.

Thank you.

Good luck today @MrTiddlesTheCat

@2025GoodGrief I hope you are recovering well after your surgery

All done. Now I'm radioactive. Hoping to gain the superpower of unbroken night sleeping.