I've just been to get all my testing done (mammogram, ultrasound, fine needle biopsy of lymph node, core biopsies of 2 lumps and a clip mammogram) and the doctor at the clinich told me I have breast cancer. Both lumps and calcification between the lumps on chest wall and a suspicious lymph node. He told me to book into see a breast surgeon as soon as possible but what I'm finding frustrating is that I don't have the biopsy results so I don't know what kind I have. I'm finding it hard to believe I have anything but I know a doctor would never say I have it if I don't. I'm just scared I guess as I'm only 35 with 3 yoing kids- I get the results either this afternoon or tomorrow.

Try not to look too far ahead at the moment. Easier said than done, I know. Things are overwhelming enough without doing that. And take someone you trust to the appointments with you - someone who can listen and ask questions without having a bias one way or another. I know that having young kids puts another dimension on things as all you can think about is being there for them.

@MaryB83 Good luck today! Take each step at a time & deal with the things you DO know as goal posts constantly change. I had invasive DCIS & had a lumpectomy with clear margins so only had to have 16 doses of rad as a precaution. I worried about things that never eventuated so hopefully you will get a good result too. I am back at work & have recovered completely. Think positive & let us know how you got on. Hugs xx

@Jenny004s I had a tumour deep in my right breast. When it was removed my surgeon did not get clear margins so a week later he did a re-excision. The tissue removed this time had 4cms of what they call "occult" cells, DCIS that had gone undetected in all the mammograms and ultrasounds I'd had by then.My sister died from BC and my mother had it at my age. My breast surgeon said "One is bad luck but not unusual. Two is really bad luck and maybe a coincidence. Three is no coincidence at all." So genetically there is something going on in my family.My breasts are dense. This makes detecting cancers & DCIS more difficult. The jury is still out on whether it predisposes you to developing a breast cancer in the first place, but it looks like it could .I am raising my own two children and my sister's two. And looking after my 85yo father-in-law. Responsibilities!Plus you know, I want to live! My chances of developing a new breast cancer in my other breast were 25%. There were some other reasons on the list, and going with my surgeon's advice, I had the bilateral mastectomy. The histopathology on the right boob discovered another previously unseen 8cms of DCIS, just under the nipple, a skip lesion. I would never ever ever have trusted any mammogram or ultrasound I would have had. For me, two weeks after taking them both off, it was the right decision.It's about the most personal choice you can make. Get some counselling, talk it through with your doctors, you partner, know what you're heading into as best as you can. K xox

Thank you. Not knowing is making me feel so strange- in limbo- and I just want to wake up from this. I just need a game plan so I can get my head around it all

Hi and welcome @MaryB83, I was diagnosed last September with triple negative and still remember that scary and unknown feeling. I am 39 and have a 4 1/2 year old son, I have completed six months chemo and three weeks ago had a bilateral mastectomy. I found getting my friends and family on board really made a difference at a challenging time. I broke my treatments up into parts so that the hill didn't look so steep and I could focus on one step at a time. I wrote everything down and had prepared lots of questions for oncologist, etc. Take one day at a time and like the ladies have said this forum is brilliant - I have gained so much knowledge and advice from reading other people's stories :) xx

Scared! | BCNA Online Network

56 Replies

kezmusc
Member
8 years ago
Unremarkable is excellent!! That's awesome news.
jennyss
Member
8 years ago
Dear @MaryB83
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
@MaryB83 - isn’t it funny how we get so excited to be unremarkable - that is amazing news - very happy for you. Xoxo
MaryB83
Member
8 years ago
So I have my scan results and I've never been more happy to hear the other areas in my body are 'unremarkable'. Have to have a bone scan Friday and also see my surgeon then. I do have a triple negative though
Eastmum
Member
8 years ago
Hi @MaryB83 - wishing you all the best with your scans today. So much great advice here already for you - this is the most amazing community. I had a double mastectomy just over 4 weeks ago and have had expanders put in with a view to reconstruction down the track. There are so many options for reconstruction these days with incredible results and foobs that look so very much like the real thing.

Absolutely the most turbulent time is when you're working out your plan of action, and that's largely because you have no control. As soon as you're on track and know what you're going to have to do, it's much easier. You're back in control, you can get as much or as little information as you like, and make decisions.

I remember my first full body scan like it was yesterday. 'Scanxiety' is the absolute pits. I sat in the waiting room and took two tamazepam to calm myself down - I could feel my heart pumping somewhere around my throat and thought it was literally going to burst out of my body! But one of the best pieces of information that was given to me is 'don't write the chapter until it's happened'. It's so, so hard to do but one baby step at a time and you'll get through this.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you're doing. xxxxx
Anne65
Member
8 years ago
@MaryB83 Good luck today! Take each step at a time & deal with the things you DO know as goal posts constantly change. I had invasive DCIS & had a lumpectomy with clear margins so only had to have 16 doses of rad as a precaution. I worried about things that never eventuated so hopefully you will get a good result too. I am back at work & have recovered completely. Think positive & let us know how you got on. Hugs xx
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
Good luck today @MaryB83 xoxox
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
@MaryB83 Good luck today. Remember, don't cross those bridges until you get to them. Big big hug. K xox
kezmusc
Member
8 years ago
Hi @MaryB83,

You've got some great info from everybody already. Just wanted to wish you good luck with the scan. I remember being too scared to ring for the results of this one. I made my husband do it and just sat there crying while he did it. Thankfully it was ok.
Try not to think too far ahead. Just get through today lovely.

xoxoxo
MaryB83
Member
8 years ago
Thanks primek I hadn't thought of that. Can't think much past this full body scan today...

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Scared!

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