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 have done the Moving forward course - the first week was harrowing hearing everyone's stories, but the second week was a lot less emotional and I do think helped me move forward in a way. I am huge believer in peer support too - considering setting up a support group in my town as there isn't one, and I can't really understand why not ! X

Hello everyone. I ve been diagnosed with stage 2 ductal cancer, er +ve, pr -ve and her 2 -ve. I ve had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. And now I m waiting for the results. Hope to get them in the next week. My poor boob is battered and bruised, hypersensitive and itchy. Having shooting pains in boob and under arm. Has anyone else had this? I m doing the massage of the scar and applying moisturiser regularly. Did anyone else feel numb while waiting for the results. I just need to know if its spread.

I'm at the same point, sitting around waiting for the results. I don't have shooting pains, just general soreness and like there a big, annoying lump under my armpit. That's probably not helped with my infection paranoia. Every time the dressing gets a bit loose I stick another over the top to secure it. I'm covered in the bloody things.

The shooting pain in the axilla is probably nerve pain where they removed the lymph node.
I had it & it settled within a few weeks.
Poor boob is still lumpy and tender 4 months on from lumpectomy.

Thanks for the replies. Really appreciate it. I ve taken all dressings off and wore silicon nipple pasties for the last week as I couldn't stand the feeling of my clothes touching my skin. Today I ve gone without and it's been ok, some soreness but less electric shock feelings. I expect it's part of healing.

When did you have your surgery?

Lumpectomy 9 April 2025. I suppose it's early for things to feel normal.

Hi @DeedeedoeI had all you described plus numbness on back of arm. Lumpy where internal trauma happened and very tender. Took a while to settle down. About a month maybe and then I developed a seroma which had to be drained. I leaned on the breast care nurse and asked lots of ‘is this normal’ questions. It’s a very vulnerable time because you’re sent home to heal and you don’t really know what normal is like. All the best for when you get your results, and to you too @MrTiddlesTheCat

Thanks that's really helpful x

Have any of you had other health niggles prior to diagnosis that you now think were connected but were dismissed at the time? I have a whole list.

I had some weird stomach pain. Not bad pain, just niggly. I did go to GP who was thorough and nothing came up. Latterly I read an article where it was found that a lot of people with cancer have low level stomach pain and it’s due to lymph nodes. So I suspect it was that.

Sorry you’ve joined the club. I saw you mentioned shooting pains. I still get those five years on. Not often though. I was told it was nerves repairing and also radiation can cause this but it does settl down.

I don't think so particularly. I had noticed that my bras had been feeling uncomfortable and the lump is just where the underwire is so that explained it. What sort of health issues do you think might be connected @MrTiddlesTheCat ? Hormone issues?

I hadn't heard of that one. I've had sore patches on my face that never quite go away. Really annoying but GP just said to keep using steroid cream. 5 days post op and they've all gone.

I've also had bladder issues, balance issues, concentration issues and major fatigue. All finally seem to be lifting.

It will be interesting to see if there's a sudden improvement in my shoulder rehab, one I recover from breast surgery. My orthopedic surgeon couldn't work out why I couldn't progress. She said that something is irritating the muscles and preventing them from healing, but she couldn't work out what that something was. I guess I'll find out soon enough ...

Hormone issues, immune system doing mildly annoying things, and just generally feeling meh. Like my whole body knew something was off and just couldn't quite settle.

I didn’t have anything like that, just the niggly upper tummy pain. However, my cancer appeared very quickly so maybe there was no time. I certainly didn’t feel tired or anything like that. Have they scanned your shoulder?? That sounds horrible.

I've had so many scans and xrays over the last year or so I'm surprised I don't glow in the dark.

@MrTiddlesTheCat I had hives for a couple of years before I was diagnosed. Came out of nowhere, couldn't get rid of them, doctor couldn't work out what it was. Completely gone now. I also smelled differently, my sweat smelled sweeter and I thought I must have diabetes. Also gone completely now. I'm sure there will be other things I just didn't think of at the time! X

When I told my daughter I had cancer, we had a brief serious chat about it then she paused and said … “do you think the dog can smell it?!” And we both cracked up laughing 😂.. I do wonder though!

It’s funny you should say that. Before I found my lump, my cat jumped up for a stroke and climbed on my lap, sniffed me and pulled a face like he’d been sucking lemons and jumped off sharpish. He didn’t come near me until after I had surgery. Admittedly I’m always slightly nervous when he jumps up now.

There is a lot of info out there about animals being able to smell cancer!

My cats have been very clingy since my operation and I like to think it's because they sense what's going on, but I suspect it may just be because they know DH doesn't know where the dreamies are.

Is it normal to feel normal ?

I have had 2 weeks with no hospital appointments, no phone calls, nothing and I feel like me. I know it's going to be short lived but everyone seems so surprised that I am actually OK and I'm not just trying to make them feel better.

Yes it is, it’s a good thing. It gives you time to recover and reset. I felt like this between my surgery and radio where I didn’t really have anything to do except recover and enjoy the lockdown sunshine. Enjoy it is my advice ❤️

Thanks @TheFormidableMrsC. I have definitely been enjoying it.

I have my surgery next week. Does anyone have any top tips / recommendation for me ?

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc my top tip is don’t worry. I had mine last week and it was so much better than I thought it would be. The worst bit was racing round in the days before doing as much gardening and heavy chores as I could get out of the way.

Have you got yourself a post surgery bra? I got a V shaped pillow which has been quite nice (although definitely not essential) for back sleeping.