Diagnosed Today
WhimsicalBB76
Member Posts: 1 ✭
Hi all,
I'm new here. I'm 48.
I had my last Mammogram in November 2022, and was due for my next December 7th....however....
I went to the GP in November after feeling a breast lump for 10 days which I was hoping was hormonal. It didn't go away so I got it checked. GP didn't seem concerned but she appreciated that I was and ordered mammogram & ultrasound. Appointment was in 2 weeks.
On Wednesday 4/12 I had the scans, the mammogram lady went quiet, later with the sonographer I said 'I'm just not sure if it's in my head or if I'm being hyper-vigilant' He said 'I'd say you're being the right amount of vigilant', then told me he would go and get the Dr who would need to check me. The Dr started telling me that I'll need a biopsy and that the statistics in Australia in particular are very successful for treating breast cancer. He went on to say that he'll get his report to my GP straight away and if we decide to use them for biopsy they'll get me in straight away and to contact my GP.
So I drove home and on my way I stopped at the GP, the receptionist could not get me in till the next day to see the GP. I left in tears and went home. I decided to do some work and 2hrs later I got a call to say the GP wanted to see me immediately. I drove back and saw the GP who gave me a referral for urgent biopsy. I went straight to the local ultrasound place to see if they could book me an appointment at their sister site, that I attended earlier that day. They said they'd need to speak to their Dr and would call me.
Within an hour they called me, and said their Dr would come to my local clinic and do the biopsies there for me the very next day, saving me the 45minute drive.
Thursday 5/12 I had the biopsies of my breast and lymph node done. That was pretty smooth sailing and the Dr said he didn't want me waiting a week at the other clinic so came up here especially for me. All the staff were SO lovely and I'm eternally grateful for their care and concern - however the urgency is absolutely scared the crap out of me 🫣
Today 10/12 I got my biopsy results and am officially diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
An hour after j left the GP, the local Cancer Centre phoned me, so I have:
I'm new here. I'm 48.
I had my last Mammogram in November 2022, and was due for my next December 7th....however....
I went to the GP in November after feeling a breast lump for 10 days which I was hoping was hormonal. It didn't go away so I got it checked. GP didn't seem concerned but she appreciated that I was and ordered mammogram & ultrasound. Appointment was in 2 weeks.
On Wednesday 4/12 I had the scans, the mammogram lady went quiet, later with the sonographer I said 'I'm just not sure if it's in my head or if I'm being hyper-vigilant' He said 'I'd say you're being the right amount of vigilant', then told me he would go and get the Dr who would need to check me. The Dr started telling me that I'll need a biopsy and that the statistics in Australia in particular are very successful for treating breast cancer. He went on to say that he'll get his report to my GP straight away and if we decide to use them for biopsy they'll get me in straight away and to contact my GP.
So I drove home and on my way I stopped at the GP, the receptionist could not get me in till the next day to see the GP. I left in tears and went home. I decided to do some work and 2hrs later I got a call to say the GP wanted to see me immediately. I drove back and saw the GP who gave me a referral for urgent biopsy. I went straight to the local ultrasound place to see if they could book me an appointment at their sister site, that I attended earlier that day. They said they'd need to speak to their Dr and would call me.
Within an hour they called me, and said their Dr would come to my local clinic and do the biopsies there for me the very next day, saving me the 45minute drive.
Thursday 5/12 I had the biopsies of my breast and lymph node done. That was pretty smooth sailing and the Dr said he didn't want me waiting a week at the other clinic so came up here especially for me. All the staff were SO lovely and I'm eternally grateful for their care and concern - however the urgency is absolutely scared the crap out of me 🫣
Today 10/12 I got my biopsy results and am officially diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
No idea what most of it means but basically
👻 Invasive Carcinoma NST; and
🐝 Metastatic Adenocarcinoma
🍃 ER/PR Positive
🍂 HER2 Positive (Amplified)
🍃 ER/PR Positive
🍂 HER2 Positive (Amplified)
An hour after j left the GP, the local Cancer Centre phoned me, so I have:
Medical Oncologist Appt: next Monday
Radiology Oncologist Appt: next Thursday
I don't understand what NST means, and it wasn't staged on pathology...is that usual?
I haven't told my children, and am hoping to hold off till after sons' birthday and grandsons first Christmas.
One thing I have to say is that I am SO incredibly grateful for the swiftness of care I've received and am receiving.
It's a crappy club to be a part of 😭 but I look forward to 'meeting' you all xx
I haven't told my children, and am hoping to hold off till after sons' birthday and grandsons first Christmas.
One thing I have to say is that I am SO incredibly grateful for the swiftness of care I've received and am receiving.
It's a crappy club to be a part of 😭 but I look forward to 'meeting' you all xx
Tagged:
9
Comments
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Hi @WhimsicalBB76
So sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but it sounds like things have been moving along quickly for you, which is good.
I think NST stands for “no special type”.
Hormone positive and HER2 positive is also known as Triple Positive. There is a private group for Triple Positive and also a private Metastatic group which you may wish to join.
You may want to take a support person to your appointments, as there is a lot of info to take in.
All the best xx3 -
Hi @WhimsicalBB76
Absolutely agree with the advice given above to take a support person with you to the early/ important appointments to have another set of ears.
Also dont hesitate to call the BCNA hotline for advice and support.
You have come to the right place this website and forum is a place you can get lots of good advice and support.
There are also a number of private groups available in this forum to join depending on your personal circumstances.
Importantly there is no question you can’t ask on here , we all “ get it” in a way anyone who has not been diagnosed with this shitty disease never can.
I found the Dr Charlotte Tottman podcasts very helpful - she is a psychologist specialising in cancer related distress who herself got breast cancer .
Take care and let us know how you get on - we are lucky to live in a country with a world class medical system where treatment does not depend on your economic circumstances.
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hi @WhimsicalBB76 I’m so sorry you have had this diagnosis 🌷 sending you lots of virtual hugs. The swift diagnosis must have felt scary but on the other hand it is wonderful how your medical community responded so promptly, taking away the ordeal of waiting and the uncertainty, to give you an idea of where you stand.The comments above have some great tips already. 🌻🌻🌻@Suki about the Triple Positive group - a month or so after my diagnosis I was able to speak with someone who had been through the Triple Positive treatment and her insights helped me to feel more confident about the treatment and what to expect. I was slow to find the BCNA online network but have found it to be so very supportive.Telling family and friends is a very personal thing and I can understand why you’re thinking about that timing.You haven’t mentioned seeing a surgeon but if you are going to have surgery a tip is to see if you can find a surgeon who has a specific focus on breast surgery.
Thinking of you over the next few days and so glad for you that you have proactive and supportive medical community. 🌸🌸🌸
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Hugs 🩷.1
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best of luck for your appointments next week. I’ve just finished treatment for a very similar cancer to you. Invasive carcinoma ER/PR positive and HER2 positive
Most likely things will happen pretty quickly after your oncologist appointment
i did chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy and now on hormone suppression tablets for 5 years
It’s quite a long process over 12 to 18 months but it worked well and all my results show no evidence of any cancer at all now. HER2 is very treatable and responsive to chemo was told.Feel free to ask any questions here as there are a few people triple positive who have been through it all before
oh and I’m 48 as well, 47 when diagnosed with 3 school aged kids1
