I received by biopsy results on Christmas Eve, stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. GREAT!I was given a referral which was marked urgent and sent to the surgeon and told to call them on 28th December. That was a wonderful Christmas period, NOT. But once I thought I could get the ball rolling I felt a bit better. I rang to find they are closed until 9th January, and so is the other surgeon I am referred to. I cannot find anyone open, the GP is sweet but not helpful and I am going quietly mad.The receptionists say that is a problem at this time of the year, which is not helpful and I feel like screaming at them. This is cancer here, it doesn't pause for the Christmas period.Another 10 days waiting to even get to find someone let alone get an appointment.Keeping busy helps for a while but I just hope to heaven it is not progressing while I wait, it has already been over 3 weeks of tests and scans since I found it.I am so glad to have just found this site.

Hi Unicornkisses!!!! So sorry to hear you have found yourself here!! I totally hear you, timing is everything isn't it? Now you say you are Stage 2 IDC, this is just from the Biopsy. The hardest part is the waiting absolutely, but take a deep breath and know this for certain, the time between now and then is going to be OK! The Surgeon will most likely order a Lumpectomy based purely on those results, and until you get those results you won't have a definitive pathology. The biopsy is only a guide, so you will get a much better picture once that has happened. I know its incredibly hard with the urgency of it, but it really will be ok. Ive had BC twice in 5yrs, 2 major lumpectomies, radiation, tamoxifen, chemo and now Arimidex. If there is anything I can help with or answer, ask away!!! Hugs Melinda xo

Hi Unicornkisses. Sorry you had to join us here on this network but I am glad you did. The ladies here were such a comfort when I was first diagnosed at the end of last year. I was beside myself with worry because like you the christmas holidays interfered with the commencement of my treatment. I didn't have surgery until 5 weeks after diagnosis. Chemo started 10 weeks after diagnosis. The waiting is the worse!!! Take a deep breath. I know it won't take the anxiety away but trust me, a few deep breaths certainly help. Unfortunately it is out of your hands at the moment. It won't progress that much in 2 weeks. I know it doesn't feel like that, but I was told it won't make a difference with that little extra you have to wait. Once the ball starts rolling however it will be a whirlwind of appointments. For now, as you wait, take time to take stock. Do something nice for yourself even though I am guessing you'll be consumed with worry. It will help you later on. This is just something you cannot change at the moment, so take charge of what you can control. Go out. Do something nice. And come on here and rant all you want. We are here with you every step of the way. I pray that you get an appointment as early as possibleKeeping you in my thoughtsNadine

I have to agree with Nadine here! she is absolutely right, in 2 weeks it really wont change at all, so step at a time, we certainly are all here to help! Melinda

Thank you, ladies for your input. I will be leaning on you for a while, I think. My husband is great but overwhelmed too. I will take your advice and take the time to prepare for when the appointments start. I did not realise that the first biopsy was only an indicator. I am not sure that is reassuring. I have been told for so many years that I was low risk, no family history etc that it has come as a big shock. When I can concentrate for a few minutes I will read through some of the other posts related to mine and take in what is said. I am sorry too that you both have been through it before and hope you feel it helps to pass on your knowledge.

Ask away there is an enormous amount of wonderful ladies here sharing their experiences and encouragement xo I only had my Mum who had Breast Cancer, no other family history at all and I didnt meet any other criteria of being higher risk at all for it. Luckily Id been getting Mammos at my Mums insistence in my mid 30's my first diagnosis was in my early 40's, then at the 4yr mark last year. Its a terrible thing, and doesn't discriminate and strangely stats say only 5-10% is inherited. You're going to be OK! xx

Just diagnosed but cannot even contact a surgeon until 9th January. Stress levels high.

83 Replies

Mima
Member
9 years ago
Thanks so much @melclarity.
Didn't get a lot of sleep but should know outcome in a few hours if he is on time.
Fingers AND toes crossed. Know I can't change the outcome but here's hoping for positive results :-) :-)
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
@Mima just wanted to wish you well for your Path results, its one of the toughest parts of this. Wishing nothing but good news for you. Day at a time step at a time, lots of rest and healing to you, Mima I too am like you, dont have much support and go to all appointments alone. The nights are the hardest, I have a partner but lives far away so I do it on my own. xx Melinda
Mima
Member
9 years ago
Thanks @Unicornkisses really need that hug right now.

One daughter is coming with me and the other daughter who has to work volunteered her partner to mind her sister's children so she can come. They are trying to be supportive but know they are struggling to. Unfortunately don't have a partner to share this journey with, do have a good friend who has been offering what support he can by phoning each day but he lives over 100 km away. The nights are hardest when everyone has their own lives and you have only time to think.
Unicornkisses
Member
9 years ago
I am sure you will have an excellent result, Mima. It is surprising how little pain there is when you consider the bruising and wild colour across your chest, isn't it. I was sent home with Endone just in case but never needed it, just made sure I didn't over do things. The very best of luck tomorrow, I know how anxious you must be. What ever the results you will be strong enough to get through the treatment. The initial shock knocked me sideways and I was very emotional for a few days, still am sometimes. But really we do the treatment we have to have, there isn't any other choice.
Sending you a sisterly arm around your shoulder. ❤️
Mima
Member
9 years ago
@Unicornkisses
Hi @Unicornkisses
Thanks for your feedback on my wall.

I went with my gut and had my surgery 9 days ago. I
went for wide excision lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy and bilateral mammoplasty reduction. Has been healing well and my breast care nurse was very happy and surprised at how well they had healed on day 5 when dressing changed.

I go for path results and removal of dressings tomorrow morning! Hope my results will be ok but am feeling very anxious. Hopefully he will say he has got clear margins and sentinal node was negative for cancer cells. Hopefully right breast also healthy.

Not too much pain considering but have been keeping up pain meds.

Don't want to have chemo, hopefully will only need radiotherapy and maybe Tamoxifen if hormone receptor positive.
iserbrown
Member
9 years ago
That's right we get it and we're all in this together
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Haha Jennie!!! Ohhh gosh yes that forced inactivity was the toughest for me through Chemo having to stop work, Ive never been so ill in all my life OMG!! but once I let go and just listened to my body I was really ok. I kept stopping and focusing back to myself through that time, whatever I felt would nurture me as was bedridden alot! Uuugh. Now am kicking butt with my exercise physiolgist and loving it feeling all my muscles working again LOL. Ohhh to only be facing surgery in the weeks to come NOOOOOO!!! day at a time, thats what we all do!!! What I love about here too is, besides other research you can do, you can then get others experiences and all of that together I have found so invaluable. Honestly Id be lost without these ladies! As I talk to nobody else about it all, because NOBODY gets it. :) Melinda xo
Unicornkisses
Member
9 years ago
Hehehe, Melinda, I have a lot of time on my hands, I can't work and am not enjoying this enforced inactivity. I am also a compulsive list maker.

You, yourself have inspired me with your vast knowledge of the system.

And I am not good at waiting, I need to fill my time. Jennie
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Oh gosh Unicornkisses you are well prepared. Ask away here too, am sure as a collective there would be loads of information. Melinda xo
Unicornkisses
Member
9 years ago
Thank you, Kath. I am going to have to research that some more I guess.
if a silicon one is possible, I think that is more the way I would go.

My bone scan and CT full body are scheduled for next Thursday.

Oncologist closed today, so won't get an appointment day until Monday, I guess.
Are they usually quick to get into?

I have been researching the Chemo section now in my "bible" book from the my journey pack.
and referring to the pathology report, with the help of Mr Google to understand some of the words and terms.
I think I am actually starting to understand some of it.
so far two A4 pages of questions to ask.

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Just diagnosed but cannot even contact a surgeon until 9th January. Stress levels high.

83 Replies

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