Likely breast cancer after ultrasound- thread 3

[SpartanRunningGirl]

Welcome. Previous threads :

Thread 1
Thread 2

The original thread 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).

Two full threads 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 💗)

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 breast cancer diagnosis.

You are not alone.

This is the awful club - full of awesome women💗

@cantbelieveIamherewell done getting your last chemo done, at least it’s finished now are you having radiotherapy next?

Following two adverse reactions on initial chemo drug l have an appointment with my caring oncologist on Monday. Considering allowing Oncologist to put in place hydrocortisteriod and antihistamines drip and give bastard drug one last try. If that does not work oncologist will look at other chemo options.

So damned fed up and trying to remind myself the oncology nurses were all over me like a rash both times and it might just be my body is going hell no to this particular chemo drug. Going to ask on Monday if others have had similar problems and how successful the extra drip is in managing it all and trust oncologist.

@triballeader - didnt they have those in place before the last attempt?
I was given those as standard each time I think.
Have they mentioned reducting the dose to 80% - which is what happened with me, I still was given the chemo in several stages at reduced amounts - so some infused for 15 mins, then a bit more for 30 mins and final amount so that my body could cope with it.
Its definitely easier for your body to cope with if its reduced and if its given in stages - is this what they plan to do?

Hope that you get some reassurance before they go ahead with anything and that it can go ahead this time as this must be very upsetting for you when you cant even get started with the wretched treatment. I am sorry you are having all these problems but as I say I think its not unusual and its definitely not you - because it was me as well!

@triballeader I’m so sorry to hear of your struggles - it all sounds very stressful and upsetting.

Like @cantbelieveIamhere said, did they not give you the hydrocortisteriod and antihistamines drip as a matter of course? I thought that was protocol with the taxine drugs?
I had both of those for my first two Paclitaxel infusions, and when they did start the taxine drugs they had to administer them more slowly the first two times in case of reaction.

I’m so sorry you are having all these problems and I really hope your oncologist can help reassure you and come up with a plan.

Been struggling physically since Saturday. Not a cold. But respiratory type symptoms which seem linked to radiotherapy but last night I read can cause pneumonia. Breathing is ok but not great.

I’ve got oncology appointment tomorrow or should I try (laughs a lot here) and get an appointment with my doctor today?

Try and get a doctors appointment today - you should be prioritised due to being a cancer patient.
Or could you try a walk in centre if you have one near you?

Thanks. I rang oncology helpline this
morning and the dr has asked me to go see him today.

@cantbelieveIamhere & @PoptartPoptart
Lovely oncologist has organised a steroid/ antihistamine infusion and the drugs to run at 50%. Did the blood tests today to try chemo again tomorrow afternoon. She has promised a nurse will be with me all the way and if there are any signs of a reaction the drugs to run will be stopped and she will look into possible alternatives. having a dr who listens to me helps make me feel a bit safer.

began to work out some of my collapsing in the hospital from trauma comes from growing up with a younger brother with antisocial personality disorder that led to him stealing, intimidating and manipulating everyone in the family, using every gas lighting technique like a pro leaving me paralysed with fear at anything that even hints to me of him so I have also disclosed to her how psychologically, finanaicial and physical violent my bloody now dead younger brother was to me before he died. been feeling guilty that he died at the height of covid and my reaction was one of thank God rather than grief. HE had guilt tripped me Ìt was my fault everyone I sent to hospital at the height of covid had died. HE lied. I suspect that antisocial behaviour disorder/psychopathic arsehole is one for the stately homes thread when I get past the careful rage cleaning response. Lovely friend who is a trained CPN pointed out my body is responding to the trauma he inflicted at the time and it was not safe to show it. That had never even crossed my mind as l never thought I was bearing the effects of abuse inflicted by another person who had the same family, same opportunities, same encouragements and support that I had. My parents were lovely and good people who did not deserve what he did to them and yes they tried numerous times to get him help but he would never engage with anyone. I tried to more fool me.

I finally feel my voice is being heard and am working on stopping stepping back and checking if my response is one of HE IS DEAD and is it his voice in my head and if so what do I choose for me. going to look into some serious trauma support once I can get chemo sorted into some kind of pattern.

Dead brother can go do one as the shadows his ghastly car crash of a life have left on me has been making cancer treatment so much harder.

@triballeader hope all goes smoothly tomorrow - at least they will be prepared so will be keeping a careful eye on you. best wishes for it all going well.

@triballeader I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow - fingers crossed all goes smoothly.

@Thirdtimeunlucky2025 how did you get on at the doctors today?

Looks like I'm here to stay. Biopsy results today - G3, ER+ HER2-. MRI booked for next week plus another biopsy for another dodgy looking area. After that I'll know what surgery will look like.

Sorry you need to stay but there’s loads of experience on this thread to draw on. Your initial profile is the same as mine. Looking at your first post again, my lump also felt hard and sausage shaped, like it was tethered.

Sending strength and hoping things move quickly for you to start treatment.

No real updates from me, oncologist on Monday to discuss chemo.

Lots of swearing?…..guess whose body still went ‘HELL….NO.’

Third adverse reaction to dexatacal when on 50% at a very slow rate and with extra hydrocortisone and antihistimes before and within minutes of them setting Ìt up. Again.
Lovely ward sister has assured me I am not the first who has done this and I have another appointment to see the oncologist of Monday to come up with a treatment plan B. I may be very belligerent over any suggestions of related taxines as once I have reacted to one drug (medic alert listed allergies) I tend to react to any that are closely related too but I am not anti chemo. the treatment plan is neujunctive pre masectomy and lymph node clearance and aimed at fully curative but heck Ìt feels like going back to square one.

Going to have a latte made by lovely DH, then some food made by lovely DD from her chemo tempt you to eat recipes ( she is a chef) and get some rest then try again tomorrow so I can try a new regime next week.

@Thirdtimeunlucky2025 ,
Hoping your okay and, especially if you have ended up needing to be in hospital, that you are being well cared for by others.

Sorry that you’re not having a good time @triballeader. Makes me realise that my current troubles are not really that bad in comparison to yours and what I did in 2009.

The doctor gave me antibiotics more as a just in case than anything else because he was concerned about it developing into pneumonia. I am at home on my own, but I’d rather be like that at the moment.

I’ve also got a lot of anxiety I need to unpack for a variety of reason and I had my first cancer counselling this morning which to be honest I didn’t think was going to be of any use whatsoever but actually was amazing

Mainly because it made me realise that I am not okay and there’s a lot I need to do or think about to help me be okay

I came home and made two major changes to my working and private life, which should give me a bit of respite.

I’ve also explored not doing the Zolandronic or at least putting it off. Putting it off is not an option as it’s a timed treatment. So I either do it or I don’t. With my cancer history, I’m still erring on the side of I need to do it. I’m hoping to speak with some of the other Oncology team later in the week to understand the percentage over years in Number stats I got quoted and don’t understand. I’ve got a friend coming to stay for the next three days of my next one if I go ahead with it.

I should be out with my friends tonight planning a Society event we do each year for a local charity. They are currently texting me what they need to know as I haven’t got the energy to get off the sofa.

I was called back to oncologiy yesterday and had a long talk with the doctors. DH cried. I have no options. I will still have Zoledronic acid every 4weeks but all anti hormones is over. Just chemo now.

my sister called DH this morning- my fault. I text her and gave her the low down. I got a care package today from a friend at work 😊 which is very kind. I have shared it with DS and DH as they have only got the morning at school/work. We go to offer holder day at Durham on Friday night and I will take the rest of the treats with me.

@Ventress do you mean there are no aromatase inhibitors to take? or you are stopping letrozole because of the aches and pains?
i might be being a bit dim about your message so forgive me if i am

there is a book that i am reading at the moment which tells you about foods that reduce your hormone levels - i borrowed it from the library, it might be helpful
called Eat to beat disease, he does you tube videos too

I hope you have a good trip to durham, i am sending virtual hugs i wish i knew what to say

@triballeader well you definitely arent meant to have docetaxel, i hope they can find something that will work well for you

I feel bad asking this question because I’ve only had five rounds of radiotherapy and that blooming awful Zolandronic. Yesterday I felt quite good.

Today I can’t get out of bed. I can’t think straight. I’m in the most awful mood. I’m supposed to be working but so far all I’ve done is bite people’s heads off so I’ve decided I’d better stop.

Tomorrow will be four weeks since the Zolandronic. I finished radiotherapy two weeks ago.

How long does it take for us to get over this treatment? Does anyone know?

In two weeks time, I’ve got another Zolandronic and they seem to think it’s likely I will have similar but hopefully not as bad side-effects as round one

I really do hope that everyone else’s day is a good day 💐🌺💐

Feeling very frustrated and fed up.
I went through all the tests they wanted, for a wig fitting and had day surgery yesterday to fit the port. Hoping to start chemo next week.
Then they call - CT scan has shown a node they want to look at further before I start.
So wait for another scan, then another week for them to look at it. Can't see it being less than 2 weeks.
I just want to get on with it. I feel utterly useless, powerless and bored.
I do have wonderful friends for whom Im very very grateful. My two cats newish cats have finally decided I'm their human and follow me around looking for fusses.
Ive lost 3kgs since Christmas, I have a lot to lose - who knew cancer would finally be the answer.
The daffodils are wonderful.
And Ive discovered M&S flex fit bras are the most comfortable bras ever

Hope everyone is al least managing to enjoy some spring sunshine today

@Ted27 I hope you are managing to enjoy the sunshine too. It’s a bit windy where I am and the poor dog won’t get a walk today, unfortunately.

I think the hardest thing about treatment sometimes is the unknown of what’s coming next and then the difficulties of things that change. I had forgotten since cancer Number two that we have to navigate this difficult path between everything that goes on.

I hope that you have a restful day and that you can try and find time to do something you may enjoy. This week I looked at how to give yourself a hand massage on YouTube and I found it strangely comforting.

@Ted27 Totally understandable you’d feel fed up. It’s awful how out of control this can make you feel. I hope it moves forward soon.

Question for the post surgery people… I have developed spotty boobs! The nurse thought it was a sweat rash. Right enough I am sweating at night. I’m treating with a zinc barrier cream and will ask them again if it gets worse. Anyone else have this issue?

@cancerycaramelbearYep. I'm going through the sudocrem at quite a rate of knots.

I've just got my appointment for my 1 year mammogram. Anyone any idea how it works? Is it like when the truck comes round and you get the results a few weeks later? Or is it like when you get recalled and you find out there and then? It's at the hospital.

Crappy for us both but good to know I’m not alone! Thank you x

I got my results a couple of weeks later x