Likely breast cancer after ultrasound - thread 4

[spartanrunnergirl]

Hi all!

Thought I’d start thread 4. I’ll put links to the previous threads below.

Welcome.

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).

Three 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💗

Fabulous news @triballeader. Glad all those side effects have at least been worth it. Hopefully there is a lot of light at the end of the cancer tunnel now.
I am starting Radiotherapy next week so hoping my journey will soon be ending too

@triballeader so pleased for you!

Still in shock tbh, the results from surgery were so different to what l had been warned to expect based on CT scan. The MRI is to try and sort out the many scars etc I have that confused the CT and check on what the oncologist says look like cysts. Still crying and do not feel like celebrating. I know it’s still another 12 months of targeted therapy and possible radiotherapy hoping it’s not recommended as my skin is still hypersensitive from chemo. Will find out more on Monday when l see my oncologist.

@Ted27 I am on phesgo and aromatase inhibitor and I was given exemestane and have heard that its not as bad as letrozole so maybe you could ask to swap?.
I hope your lovely cats are well and wish you well.
I am still itching every evening from phesgo it drives me nuts.

@triballeader
I get the not wanting to celebrate. I had the best possible results from my last scans. I know some people think I should be happier about it.
But now I am consumed by anxiety about the next scan, and the side effects of my ongoing medication.
My hair is growing back and people are constantly telling me how great it looks but I look in the mirror and don't see me. Sometimes I want to tell them to go and shave their heads - very easy to achieve the same look. I know they are trying to be supportive.

I like the word discombobulated to describe how I feel. Cancer, and Im sure other illnesses, have a profound effect on you and its hard for others to understand.
@cantbelieveIamhere I did ask my consultant about alternatives but he wants to give the chemo a few more months. So will wait till Christmas.
Sorry to hear the itching is still bad. My rash has pretty much gone, I do have neuropathy instead and my toe nails are falling off !

@Ted27 yes I have lost two toenails and all of my fingernails are ruined i have nothing to scratch with!

@cantbelieveIamhere

Im hoping that now the toenails have dropped off, the regrowth will be healthy.

My finger nails looked shocking for months, they look more healthy now but still seem quite brittle, not growing very long before they break off

@Ted27 i most certainly hear you on the whole neuropathy thing. ITs taken 12 weeks for my fingers to come back except for the very tips and my feet still feel like wooden planks. Having to refuse commissioned bespoke hand broidery work as l cannot hold a needle.

Good morning! New to thread and likely the club, waiting for confirmation from biopsy, feeling okay, haven’t cried, haven’t told anybody, just know that our NHS (or private healthcare depending on what they recommend!) is wonderful and I’ll be fine. My question to anyone who’s had a lumpectomy is can be be done under local anaesthetic? I presume mastectomy can’t, but lumpectomy? I know I sound mad, but my fear isn’t cancer, it’s general anaesthetic!

@TwoNicePuppies sorry to hear you are waiting on potential cancer results . The waiting is definitely the worst bit . I had a mastectomy so can’t comment about a lumpectomy but most seem to be General anaesthetic. They often take the sentinel nodes out at the same time so I don’t think it is likely it will be local but it might be possible
I have never cried over my diagnosis and it took me ages to start telling people. I think it is largely because for a long time I couldn’t quite believe I did have cancer . It was only after my mastectomy when I discovered it had spread slightly to my lymph nodes and my treatment was going to be longer than I expected and was more difficult to hide did I start mentioning it to people .
Even now with radiotherapy starting tomorrow I keep forgetting and making plans then remembering I might not be available. It’s like my mind refuses to accept it . The only emotion I have ever really felt regarding cancer was annoyance when I found out it had spread I was just so annoyed this thing was going to take more time from me and stop me doing what I want to do and I still feel this now
You are right the NHS has been amazing though and I do feel fully supported by them which I am very grateful for