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💗

This is my feeling too , the care today was amazing in a dedicated breast cancer unit , in fact I found myself wondering if it was so good in other types of cancer which don’t have their own specialist areas. My experience of different hospitals with my father recent has been patchy at best, but I do feel when the chips are down you are probably best to stay in the system .

So I went for my CT scan yesterday as part of my radiotherapy planning. I had a mastectomy at the start of February and have had to have the former breast area drained 3 times due to a seroma the latest being last week. I didn’t therefore get my scan and radiotherapy is now delayed until whenever my chest has settled. I totally understand why it couldn’t go ahead. I’m upset as I seem to have had so many complications and the end of the treatment was in sight. Has anyone else had seroma issues?

@cyclamenqueen So sorry you’re in this position and have had to join this club. I was similar picture to you … breast discomfort for several months which I stupidly ignored ( thinking breast cancer is painless) then noticed an indent on left breast.

I can’t fault the NHS. I saw the GP with a same day appointment when I called. I was fast tracked for breast clinic within 5 days.Mammogram, Ultrasound and biopsy taken and like you was warned re a cancer diagnosis.
Results back just under 2 weeks later confirming two tumours to left breast.
I had surgery two and a half weeks after the diagnosis.
Communication between surgeon, oncologist, breast care nursing team and GP has been really good. I also have access to complimentary therapies like massage, yoga, Reiki and reflexology to name a few, via the chemo unit and my local Maggies.
So for me the NHS has been fantastic. The service may not be as good in all areas of the UK, though , so you should weigh this up before deciding whether to go private.

I’m currently having dose dense chemo, to be followed by radiation and aromatase inhibitor. I’ll
hopefully be done by end of May / June.

I can say, though, that where you are now is the worst. The not knowing and the waiting for results along with being bombarded with countless appointments. Once you have a plan it does get better. Meantime, stay away from Google. Stick to Breast Cancer Now and McMillan.
Contact your breast care nurses and McMillan for support.

I had lots of amazing plans for the year too… all gone to pot, because even when treatment is finished I’m not sure how I’ll be affected by side effects. So far so good but I’m dreading the hormone blocking med. So it’s a case of wait and see.
Just remember, it’s not your fault and you haven’t messed up.

@triballeader yes taste going is a horrible side effect and most food tastes awful. Sweet things seem to be better than savoury. At least your chemo has started now - I am on phesgo injections too and will be for a very long time.

@cyclamenqueen sorry you are here but the advice here is good, and hopefully you will get results soon. The waiting for everything is hard.

Today managed to achieve three small things today got up showered and dressed and downstairs. Some very light garden hoeing that was just for me and called the mcmillion support line to access some emotional support. Recognising bastard brother isolated me from family and friends so subtly over time means l do not have a wider support network. I know l need one to get through.
IF I have enough energy later this afternoon l am going to try and get to the shop before the schools close. That way l can buy some decent sugar based cordial to flavour water as l am nearly out. That and some ready made creamy based pasta sauces to dump on veg etc so it becomes edible.

Really pleased you felt able to do some gardening.
i just sat in the garden the other day with a drink and enjoyed the fresh air. Would have dearly loved to go for a walk but know i wouldn’t get back. 💐

I have been to see my oncologist today and its not good news.
A had a PET scan last week and it's shown secondary tumors.
I start weekly chemo next week but have gone from good prognosis for cure to incurable and the aim is remission.

Ted! My heart goes out to you.

I'm thinking of you @Ted27 that is brutally difficult news to receive. I hope you have support around you.

@Ted27Oh my gosh, my heart is breaking for you. I don't know what else to say.

@Ted27 so sorry to read your update. Sending you strength. I’m sure they will throw everything at you now. I hope you have some good real life support to help you navigate the treatment.

@Ted27 so sorry to read your update.,Do you have support in real life ?

PM me if you want to chat.

@Ted27 I’m so sorry, that is really awful for you.
Like others have said, I hope you have some good support around you.

I met a lady in chemo who had secondary tumours. She was part of a local support group and said how invaluable the support has been. I wonder if your BCN can point you in the right direction if this is something you think you’d benefit from.

@Ted27 so sorry to hear your news. Please reach out to your medical team and see if you can find some real life support.

I’m being helped by Penny Brohn which is Online, video and in person (Bristol)
💐💐💐

Im slowly getting my head round it
No one has used words like terminal or put time limits. But Ive gone from very positive talk of this is a curative treatment plan to this is incurable and we are looking for remission.
Id got my head around a 3 week cycle and am now on weekly chemo with different drugs. I have a pre treatment meeting with the nurse tomorrow so have lots of questions.
Also have to come to terms with probably never working again. Which would be ok if I was healthy and had money. Ive lost my income overnight and have 6 years to go until I get the rest of my pension.
Ive also had a falling out with my son today. We have sort of made it up but Im very sad that he was prioritising a friends birthday over an occasion that is special to us.
To cap things off, I am/ was a foster carer. The young person who was with me until a few weeks ago has made an allegation against me which has been referred to the police so I may be interviewed under caution. False allegations are not uncommon so Im not worried it will go far, just added stress I can do without.
I do have fabulous friends around me.

So sorry to hear that @Ted27 💐

All the best for your appointment with the nurse today @Ted27
It sounds like you have a lot going on at the moment, so be kind to yourself and lean on your friends and family for support

I've just had my follow up appointment with the lymph therapist. I now have lymphadema in my arm as well as my breast. But I am getting a made to measure bra as the off the shelf one they ordered last time does fit well and therefore doesn't work.

I'm glad I'm in Sweden and get the bra for free. I looked up the off the shelf one and it was almost £300 so god knows how much the made to measure one costs.

Zolondronic number 2. Spaced paracetamol started two days before seemingly helps a lot
i was awful on this day for first one
hopefully it continues

@Thirdtimeunlucky2025

Hope it goes well for you

Morning all, hope everyone is doing ok. I’ve been for chemo education session this morning. I feel pretty terrified. Having six cycles of EC-T. Three weeks apart. DD is back from uni and seems to have brought a stinking cold with her. So now I can’t hug my child, who is only here for a week. DH thinks he might have it too. Urgh. They would delay if I had a cold, right?

@cancerycaramelbear pop to Sainsbury’s and get everyone a Vicks first defence nasal spray . Hopefully it will be early enough for it still to work. It’s about £7 a spray but I’ve warded off a good few colds with it when my DH was in hospital where the flu was rife.

I keep one in my bag and if I get too close to someone looking ill, sneezed over etc I use it.

Hope you found the education session useful later on. Sending virtual support hugs.

@cancerycaramelbear
They won’t necessarily delay if you have a cold. It depends on the results of your blood tests and also if you have a temperature. If either of those aren’t right then they will postpone.

Obviously it’s best if you’re fighting fit to give yourself the best chance of recovery, but if it’s only a mild cold then chemo could go ahead.

Can everyone wear a mask when you’re all in the same room? Also, wipe down common surfaces with anti bacterial wipes and make sure everyone is hot on handwashing, throwing away dirty tissues immediately, etc.

I was pretty terrified before I started chemo too. Honestly (and I’m not just saying this to make you feel better) it is never as terrible as you think it’s going to be.

I have my last chemo session on Thursday (total of 16 sessions - 4x EC and 12x Paclitaxel) and while it’s had its challenges, it’s all been very manageable.

My best piece of advice is never suffer in silence. If a certain mediation isn’t working for you or if you have a particularly bad side effect, speak to the nurses. There is almost always something they can give you to help.

Best of luck and fingers crossed that you can avoid the cold lurgy 🦠

Thank you both so much. I’ve had such a shitty day and both posts are really helpful. I have the first defence and husband is going to sleep on the sofa, it’s too late for him, he’s caught it already. But got him on the sprays too because I’d like him to come with me to chemo.