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💗

Hi @dibly and @Firework73 , sorry to hear you are going through this. It's horrible waiting for the results. I only had a week to wait for the first biopsy results, but then they sent me for an MRI and more biopsies and tests. Although the MRI did find another tumour, it wasn't the end of the world as it was a less aggressive and smaller type and hasn't changed the treatment plan.

I also have children who I had to tell and so far they have been absolutely fine. We told them fairly early on after I had the confirmed diagnosis. DC11 tends to worry more about it than the younger DC, but even so is not overly concerned. I think it's good to be open and honest with them, once you know what the state of affairs is.

Thank you for your comments . I can see on my patient records the blood results are in but make no sense even in google ! MRI is on Saturday and CT Monday morning . In one sense it’s good it’s all happening fast but on the other hand alarming . I just wondered if anyone experienced bleeding after the biopsy ? I have lots of bruising but there is a tiny cut which hasn’t stopped oozing though it’s getting less

No, I had three biopsies but no significant bleeding afterwards. One was a vacuum assisted biopsy with a 9 gauge needle too. I would contact the hospital if you are worried and it's been a couple of days.

I'm a few days post surgery now. I'm feeling much better than I had been expecting - I had thought I would be in more pain, though I am still taking painkillers. If anything, what is bothering me is just tiredness and feeling a bit weak. Next step is getting the surgery results, but that will be another 2-3 weeks I think.

Thankyou for the advice . Thankfully by Saturday it had stopped just in time for the mri and ct scan which made it all feel very real . This waiting is very hard . How are you doing Switchd?

Just catching up. Sorry for everyone struggling.

This week will be round 4 of chemo for me. Its weekly so feels relentless as I don't really get any recovery time. The side effects are piling up. I was dreading losing my hair and its started falling out now. I guess this week's chemo will finish it off. I collect my wig tomorrow but I'm really struggling with it.
I have joined a local support group but they only meet monthly and not until mid May now.
They are redoing the PET scan in 2 weeks, which will be after round 5. So hopefully will have some positive news by the end of May

@Ted27 I feel for you. Weekly chemo is tough. I assume you are having Paclitaxel?

Hang in there and keep ticking them off. It feels never-ending at the time but you will get to the end of this horrible period.

You said your hair has started falling out. Are you cold capping at all?

I managed to persevere with the cold cap and some weeks I lost more than others. Even though I lost quite a bit of hair, I managed to keep about 50-60% overall after 16 rounds of chemo.

@PoptartPoptart

yes, plus Phesgo.
i wasnt offered cold capping but to be honest the way I feel right now I think it would push me over the edge

Hi everybody, checking in with a fresh diagnosis after a mammogram recall. I have an appointment with a surgeon next week.
For now it seems to be “we found some breast cancer”. Not sure if I will read anything until then, I am already pretty freaked out.

@MidLifeWomanNo need to read anything. Most people on this thread would say you are in the worst bit, when nothing is really decided and you don’t know what’s going to happen. It will pass, try to do as many nice distracting activities as you can.

Hi MidlifeWoman . It’s strange how they differ when giving info. I got , the lump you have seems suspicious which is enough for me to freak out … the ct and mri have just topped things off . I can only my record the results are in so waiting now for the call …

@Firework73 I should have been a bit clearer - I was recalled after a routine mammogram. They did an ultrasound and then took biopsies of 2 “suspicious” sites in one breast. The biopsy came back with cancer in one place and nothing in the other.
Feeling a bit frazzled!

Very similar to my story I have a suspicious lump and the mammogram found something else in the other one which they think is benign. Every morning I wake up and dread the day because that’ll be the day I’m told o have a cancerous lump . I’m told to be hopeful but honestly at the clinic they knew but kept saying they can’t be sure …. I just wonder if it’s bad news how to tell my daughter

I had a mammogram recall in late January, more mammograms and ultrasound plus CT and MRI Feb/early March. Lobular cancer in one breast ( 3 areas). I had no symptoms at all. Had mastectomy 2 weeks ago. Still in shock at it all to be honest.

@rhubarblover im not surprised, that sounds so fast, which I suppose is good in one way but leaves no time to actually process such a major surgery.

@Firework73 i’ve got my consultant appt next Wednesday after the mammogram follow up tests last week. I told my daughter that they’ve found something, and have done further tests (she’s got adhd and is a very vigorous hugger!), and I’ll find out more next week- but that they think whatever they’ve found is small and very treatable. I was away at the weekend on a pre planned trip to Barcelona, and it all felt so surreal that I called the nurse yesterday to check I’d heard it right that they were just waiting for the biopsy results to know how to treat the cancer. And yes I had. This waiting is agony.

on a separate note I’m due to start dental treatment and have consultations for either root canal work, or possibly an implant. The nurse said I should be fine to proceed, but wondering what others have done? It will be £££so want it to have the best chance of working, but obviously my priorities have shifted now. Has anyone postponed dental treatment until after?

@diblyim glad they found it early it sounds … I can’t even give my daughter information like that as they said they couldn’t be certain hence the biopsy and other tests … Im sure I’ll be told in time but yes does feel it’s surreal . Meant to be going on holiday at the end of August but feel at the moment that won’t be happening. Sorry I can’t answer your dental query but if it were unless you r in pain I think I’d delay

@dibly @Firework73 the waiting for biopsy/scan results is the worst part. I just kept myself busy working so as not to think about it before the op.
Currently waiting for results of lymph node biopsy done during the mastectomy op. Won’t know results of that for another week and am off work currently so there is less to distract me.
I don’t have enough info re the dental issue @dibly to comment. I would wait until all the results are in though and you have a treatment plan and timeline.

I haven’t told my children yet, they are both at uni. I will tell them once I hopefully know a bit more next week.

I’m going for a CT this afternoon. Oncologist ordered it as my bloods had higher than normal liver enzymes. I’ve been a bit of a wreck ever since he told me about that. He said he just wanted to be thorough. Hideous scanxiety though. It was the bloods I had before any chemo, so chemo isn’t the reason. But I have another inflammatory condition and I’ve been comfort eating crap, probably too much fatty food. I don’t drink. Second chemo on Sunday.

I’m sorry to hear that but sending you good vibes @cancerycaramelbear.

Thank you. Hope everyone else is doing ok. How are all the recent surgery people?

@dibly i had to have all dental work completed before I started zolondronic acid bone infusions but i think it’s quite specific treatment that not everyone has. Im having it due to being on cancer number 3, all different.

Thanks so much, will make enquiries at my next appt and ser what’s possible about bringing dental appts forward.

I am so nervous about the appointment with the surgeon tomorrow. I have been crying on and off all day.

What time is your appointment @MidLifeWoman? I’m hoping it’s all treat able and early if they have discovered a bit as you say . My mdt is apparently on Friday as I’ve been waiting 10 days now for results to return and can really empathise . I’m sending you all the best vibes and wishes I can . Let us know how it goes xxx

Crying is allowed. There will likely be a breast care nurse there too, they are great at picking you up off the floor if you need it.