Hi there
it is a whirlwind of tests and scans at first and a lot to get your head around, but you have come to the right place on this forum as we have all been there in one way or another.
I was diagnosed in August last year and ended up having a mastectomy and radiotherapy, although I didn’t need chemo.
I was grade 2, ER positive, 5.5 centimetres.
I did have a PET scan and it showed something suspicious in my thyroid and a biopsy confirmed a tiny cancer in my thyroid that was completely unrelated to my breast cancer ( ie: not a spread of the breast cancer which is stage 4).
I was of course completely freaked out but my Doctors were amazing.
the breast cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes and a few months later I had my thyroid removed and got the all clear.
It is most unusual to find a second cancer ( or a spread of the breast cancer- a metastasis) from a PET scan but I’m glad it was found otherwise it would probably have presented as a lump years later and ruined another year of my life!
My three pieces of advice are:
1.Take someone with you to all important medical appointments as you won’t take it all in.
2.Take things one step at a time.
3.Be kind to yourself and be a little selfish if you have to , the disease affects everyone differently but it is a tough time especially in the beginning, and it’s ok to cry.
