Forum Discussion
Confussed and scared
Hello to all. I am new to this . I was diagnosed on Friday the 31st August with breast cancer. My story is as follows, In May I got a bad case of shingles which was on my left side of back went around under my arm and over my left breast. This was very painful. Rash cleared up but was left with bad nerve pain. So from May to August had this nerve pain. Then one night recently went for shower got a very strong nerve shot in left breast grabbed breast that is when I felt lump. Made appointment to see Dr next day, then went for ultra sound, mammogram, biopsy all that day. I also have had mammograms every 2years since I was 40 I am 64yrs now. My last mammogram was 1year ago. They say it is near my chest wall but not attached and is 10mm in size. Going to see specialist in 2 weeks. In both minds about getting boob removed . I guess Doctors will let me know more. All crazy things running around my head. Dr google is doing my head in. My partner has been really good as his mum had breast cancer many years ago. My daughter also has had her dealings with cancer lost her 14 year old son to a brain tumour. so she is a good support. The thing I am struggling with is emotions what to do what to think all over the place. I have died 100 times in my head. Feel things should move faster with Doctors etc. Just feel very lost and empty. Sorry if I went on a bit.
50 Replies
- Hi everyone, Just an update on what has happened over the last few weeks for me. I went to see my surgeon on the 18th of September. I felt very comfortable and relaxed with her. She came across as very confident and experienced and very passionate about breast cancer etc. I ended up having my surgery on the 20th September. I was so pleased it moved at a fast pace. I went private and the surgeon worked with me to keep costs down. I go back to see her on the 26th Sept to find out results and what treatment I will need. I have a wonderful support group who have been very helpful and of course all the ladies on BCNA. I have been working really hard at taking one step at a time and crossing bridges when I have to. The surgeon was extremely helpful at putting me at ease with my surgery. I have also been in contact with a breast care nurse. Thank you ladies for your support will keep you posted.
- Hi Gal, you will get a lot of support here. I only joined last month and have found it very valuable for information, after all, these ladies have been through this or are going through it. I decided to start sketching again after not doing it for many years. Perhaps try something new. It requires a bit of focus, gets the endorphins going, a bit like exercise. It stops your brain going into overdrive. Also headspace app is good for meditation. My Daughter suggested it to me. It's very easy to use and the guys voice is ok to listen to as well (bonus) haha.
Wishing you well and ask away on here for advice. - I just asked my breast care nurse at the time and she deciphered the pathology. Stage 2B grade 2 was the final result. It was borderline stage 3 due to the amount of nodes (over 4) but that the breast lesion was under the 20mm or whatever the cut off for that stage is it is I can't remember so they gave it a 2,
- Thank you ladies for your responses. I had a breast care nurse ring me today. She was most helpful.
- @kmakm @Sister at my first xo silt my oncologist said I was 2a grade 2. I had worked that out though as I did find a very handy chart somewhere
- @Sister My experience was similar. I had to ask my BS and I think he said something along the lines of 'we don't pay much attention to that'. It's never been mentioned since. Nor by either oncologist. That didn't occur to me until now. My cancer was smallish with no node spread so maybe that's why. Dunno.
- Or I may just be making that all up (except the bit about my onc) - I don't trust my brain for anything, anymore.
- Interesting - my onc has shown little interest in discussing stage of my cancer so I still don't know if I'm considered IIb or IIIa. I do know from my reading that many oncs find it not particularly useful - I'm guessing they mean in the finer detail staging.
- Hello @Gal, @kmakm
Thankyou for your query, I have found some informaiton explaining the difference between stage number and categroy number from the Cancer Australia website, hoping it answers your quesiton. There is also a bit of information on stage and grade in the BCNA factsheet also attached.
https://breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/stages-breast-cancer
https://www.bcna.org.au/media/2140/breast_cancer_pathology_fact_sheet_0.pdf - Hullo @Gal, although you can overdo the reading it is super-important to understand what your pathology report means. It affects totally your treatment options and choices. Until you get that you are in the dark about which way to go. Many people choose to just go with whatever your medical advisers say and that's fine if you are confident in them. Others need to know what the effects of their choices will be. Unfortunately nobody really knows for sure. But if you aren't clear, ask for more info through the nurses on this Helpline and read the various advice sheets online. It took me ages to understand how these various diagnoses determine what should or can be done, and by then it was too late to change my mind. You don't get a second chance with early breast cancer treatment, as each component affects the other ones. But as soon as you have a treatment plan you are OK with everything will fall into place. People on this forum will give lots of support and advice based on personal experience and a lot of compassionate understanding. Stay calm and focus on your own needs at this bizarre and stressful time.
