Hi all, My name is Danka, I am 31 yrs old, mother of 2 cute kids. I have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer 8/ 01/ 2015, grade 3, Her2+ , 19mm tumour and 2 of 3.5mm. I am not sure what stage I am in yet, but I have a swollen lymph note under my armpit. I had an appointment today and they had a blood test and a CT scan done, will have a bone scan done couple of days after my surgery on the 27/ 01/ 2015. I am sooo scared now, does it mean I have cancer in my armpit as well??? or is it normal that they do all of that tests and scans for everyone who has breast cancer??? or because they are looking at a high stage of cancer thats why I need all of those tests to be done?????Pls help me out!!!!! I know still a long long road ahead but not knowing my stage making me worried alot.....first step is my opperation next coming Tuesday! At least I think I am a very lucky women to have a beautiful husband and lots of wonderful friends and family around me and doing their best to support me! :) P/S : English is my second language :D

Hi Danka Your cancer sounds almost identical to mine so far. I also have invasive bc, Her2+, big tumours, probably a bit bigger than yours and also problems in the lymph nodes. I was disagnosed in November. When you have a swollen lymph node it could mean that it is inflamed due to the other cancer, or it could mean that you have cancer cells there too. When they do your surgery they will probably sample some nodes there and test them and remove lymph nodes that need to come out to help treat you cancer. I had 13 lymph nodes positive for cancer cells and the surgeon took out 24 which was all the tissue that he could see. They don't count the lymph nodes in surgery. That happens later in the lab. He just gets out what he needs to. The bone scan is to look for cancer in other parts of your body. Hopefully there will be none. Mine was clear. The bone scan isn't that bad to have done. They usually give you an injection that highlights any cancer in your bones, you drink a certain amount of liquids and then you have to lie in the scanner for a while. It's hard to stay there for so long but nothing really hurts which is important when you are going through so many procedures. Don't be scared of the bone scan. If you have big tumours in your breast, they normally do a mastectomy but everybody is different. If you have any cancer in your lymph nodes, they usually remove some of them. Once they know exactly what you have, they will refer you to an Oncologist who will recommend a treatment plan for you. I would expect that you might be looking at some radiotherapy and possibly some chemotherapy if the lymph nodes are bad. That's what I'm doing. It is great news that you are Her2+ I was so happy when I found out that I was. That means we are both one of the lucky ones who can benefit from a drug called Herceptin which can halve the chance of cancer returning somewhere else in your body. The operation is scary and the recovery takes a few weeks. You will be ok. Lots of people say the mastectomy was nowhere near as hard as they expected. My operation was six weeks ago and I am starting to feel much better. I had my first chemo yesterday and it was ok too. You will be worried, scared and anxious. That's normal. At least, that's what I felt like. It gets a little better all the time. When they can tell you all about your cancer after the operation is over and you know what is ahead, you will feel a lot better because you can plan. This is not a death sentence. You can survive this. Good luck. Natasha

Yes, I heard about those tablets we have to take, too. Will know more about my treatment plan after the surgery ! Hope you are doing well xoxo

I am so sorry to hear you have breast cancer at such a young age. It is so unfair but this cancer doesn't discriminate.Welcome to this network where you will get lots of info and support and also the platform to vent your fears.We try to put on a brave face for family and friends but here there is no need to be brave.You are at the scary stage but please believe us,you will feel better when you have all the facts and know your plan.You will find the strength to face it all and lots of love and support will help you through. Natasha has given you good information.It is normal to have body and bone scans if they suspect cancer cells could be in your lymph nodes.These routine tests make us anxious but they are necessary.I've had breast cancer twice.First time was in 2003 and then again, in the same breast,in 2010.Each time cancer was caught early so I am fine now.The majority of women survive and go on to be ok.We are here if you need to talk about the surgery or anything that worries you.Staying busy will help to distract. Stay strong and stay at this network. Big hug,Tonya xx

Thanks Natasha , I am still overwhelmed with everything I guess... with try to take one step at a time! The information you shared is very very helpful , I feel a bit more relaxed now! I know that whatever happens next, its already there anyway. My tumours are: 1 about 19mm and 2 about 3.5mm, sorry for the typo in the post earlier! I just have to be strong and fight against this thing. I hope you are doing well and pls keep in touch! Xoxo

Thanks Tonya, as a mother of 2 very young kids I am super busy, which is very important to help me to get through this! xoxo

I am scared .... | BCNA Online Network

32 Replies

breastcancerrea
Member
11 years ago
all the best with your surgery Danka. I will be praying for you.

My Tumour turned out to be different from what the biopsy originally said, so try not to worry till you find out for sure the doctors will give you the best treatment possible for your type of cancer. The surgeons meet up and discuss all the different cases in Western Australia so yours probably do as well, so you know you will have the best medical advice possible. Lots of love Yvette
Danka
Member
11 years ago
I think mine is ER positive (2+). Does it mean I will have to take the tablet?? :D . Having my surgery tomorrow, very hard to discribe how I feel now :). Thanks alot again xoxo
LilyFeb61
Member
11 years ago
Oh, I meant to say, my surgeon found an enlarged lymph node in each of my armpits, but they were not cancerous, so in spite of your enlarged lymph node, it may not be in the lymph nodes. And even if it has got into the nodes you may well still be fine.
breastcancerrea
Member
11 years ago
Hi Danka

Just wanted to encourage you to focus on the huge number of women who survive breast cancer and are still here many many years later. It can be depressing to keep reading facts about medical stuff. I have had all my tests now, CT Scan, Bone Scan, Heart Scan before Chemo and now only have a couple of blood tests. None of them are frightening or painful. Everything can be terrifiying until you actually experience it and find out it wasnt that terrible after all. I really enjoyed looking at You tube videos of how to wear head scarves etc. as I will probably lose my hair in the next few weeks. I start Chemo in 10 days Im trying try and keep a handle on my feminity during all this. Your family look lovely and I am sure will be a great support to you, Bless you heaps
Danka
Member
11 years ago
Very long road for all of us, isn't it? Just trying to stay strong and happy to fight this! Xoxo
Danka
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Alex xoxo
Danka
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Yvette, I do feel better after reading your comment. I know its already there but sometimes I get really stressed and worried when I went through a few stories people post up on to the internet. I guess I will try not to read around too much more until my surgery on next Tuesday! Love xoxo Danka
rowdy
Member
11 years ago
Hi Danka welcome, I was diagnised about this time last year so I'm coming closer to the end of treatment. It is a long road and I know I felt I would neverr get to the end. But I have survived 6 surgeries in 1 year, chemo and still on herceptin and on Tamoxafon for 10 years.

Make some time for yourself, laugh and play with your kids and husband.

Except help when offered, it is hard sometimes.

This site does help, it has made me feel like I'm not alone, I also go to a support group with a great bunch of ladies.

Take 1 day at a timexx
rowdy
Member
11 years ago
Hi Danka welcome, I was diagnised about this time last year so I'm coming closer to the end of treatment. It is a long road and I know I felt I would neverr get to the end. But I have survived 6 surgeries in 1 year, chemo and still on herceptin and on Tamoxafon for 10 years.

Make some time for yourself, laugh and play with your kids and husband.

Except help when offered, it is hard sometimes.

This site does help, it has made me feel like I'm not alone, I also go to a support group with a great bunch of ladies.

Take 1 day at a timexx
alexinbrisbane
Member
11 years ago
Hi Danka

It's a lot to take in isn't it? And it seems that it's the waiting (the unknown) which is the worst. As mentioned, you need to take one step at a time. Each time you get a result, you and the medical team will be able to go forward and make decisions about what treatment / course of action will be next. This helped me a lot because you know what the issue is, then what the next step will be. I have been through radiation, 7 surgeries and chemo - now on tamoxifen. It's tough and especially with a young family. Yes, take the help you can get and take care of yourself.

Thinking of you. Alex xx

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