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

primek
Member
8 years ago
You can always have your single, have your treatment then look at having the other removed with reconstruction at the same time. The most important thing is to tackle this. I had mine both off with tissue expanders inserted. I didn't require radiotherapy which can make reconstruction more complicated.

Your breast surgeon will be the best to advise all this. I hope by now you have your GP appointment. Sonetime initial pathology shows cancer and the type takes additional testing. Hopefully by now your GP has that info.
Finch
Member
8 years ago
Thinking of you @MaryB83, it's all far too much to take in at the moment . Don't look to far ahead. Big hugs xxxxx
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
8 years ago
Good luck for tomorrow @MaryB83. Lots of positive thoughts and support here for you. J xx
Sister
Member
8 years ago
Good luck, tomorrow.
arpie
Member
8 years ago
All the best for tomorrow, @MaryB83 .... one step at a time. xx
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
You don't have to go to nothing. There are lots of reconstruction options if you want to go down that path. When you see your surgeon he/she can explain what and how and in what order to do it all. Hang in there. K xox
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
Good luck @MaryB83. Sending u all my positive thoughts and big hugs. xoxoox
MaryB83
Member
8 years ago
So I have ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma grade 3 with malignancy in lymph mode. Going for a full body scan tomorrow.
Sister
Member
8 years ago
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
Member
8 years ago
My kids are 8, 6 and 3. I was told mastectomy would likely be the treatment followed by radium. My mum is wanting me to have a double (she did after battling for 10 years) but I can't fathom it. I'm a 10G and it's not that I want to stay that size but Going from big to nothing seems impossible... I will do what it takes but yeah I don't know..

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