Hello All, A little over 3 weeks ago I saw a dimple on my breast that was only obvious when I raised my arm over my head. Since then I’ve had mammograms, ultrasound, biopsy, radioactive tracer injected and as of yesterday, a wide excision tumour and node removal. My breast, urine and poop are all bright blue 😆 Now the waiting for the results begins. I received the call to say that it looked like I had a malignant tumour while I was quite literally standing in front of 60 students on an excursion (as the lead teacher). It took every ounce of my willpower to hold it in until I got home!Since then I’ve had some very low moments but I’ve tried to approach this positively and with an attitude of ‘I can beat this’. Fortunately I’m surrounded by supportive colleagues, friends and family. With the support of my family, and if the biopsy is favourable, I’m planning a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. My surgeon says there are other options but I’ve lost faith in my breasts. For me I think this is the best path back to not thinking about this every waking moment. What a whirlwind it’s been. I’ve never had to make so many decisions so quickly. How I wish I had a crystal ball 🔮

Hi @Tracey2800, I’m so glad you found your way here. There are so many beautiful people here who can help you through this time. I’m relatively new and had my wide excision and node removal 9 days ago. My boob is still blue and thanks @kmakm I didn’t know it will take 3 months to fade!Wow it’s such a whirlwind and how awful to receive the news in front of a group of students. You must have really had to hold it together, you were amazing to do that. I’m glad you’re surrounded by family and friends. These are the people that you have to allow to help you. Many strong, independent women find it hard to accept help. I’m one of them! But over the last week my friends have dropped off dinners every day for my family of 5, and I never realised how much I would appreciate it. Tonight the freezer is empty but my heart is full of gratitude.The decision of mastectomy is a really confrontating one. First reaction is to get rid of everything so this horrible thing is gone. Once you have the full histapathology results your surgeon will have a much better idea of your unique situation and will be able to provide pathways for you to consider.The waiting time is tough and I often found myself on this site as I fluctuated from being positive to sometimes just feeling really low.We are all here for you and will support you through this xxx

@Tracey2800, hi Tracey, I'm sorry you find yourself here too! I was diagnosed on the 8th November after a routine mammogram in early October. It took 3.5 weeks to get the call back. On the 1st November I spent a day at breast screen ACT having more mammograms, ultrasound and 4 core biopsies later I was feeling far less confident than when I had arrived there that morning. I had a 2.5 week wait to see my surgeon who I saw on the 22nd Nov. I had decided before I saw her that I was going to opt for a mastectomy, but after much consultation with her I have decided on breast conservation surgery as she is fairly confident that it is early and contained. I will lose 40% of my breast on the 6th December when I have the lumpectomy and then a year or two down the track will have breast reduction surgery on the other breast.I have found this forum to be most helpful and supportive as I'm sure you will.Keep us posted on how you are going.Best of luck and sending many hugs❤️❤️

Hi Tracey. Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry that you find yourself here but I hope you find it as warm and supportive as I have.If you are considering a double mastectomy and reconstruction, you should join the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group. Scroll down and tap Groups. You could also check out Reclaim Your Curves.I had a BMX and DIEP recon at the end of April this year. You can read and see my experience in the group. It is a massive thing to do. It is not easy. The recovery time is long, and there are many possible complications.Because I had chemo I had a lot of thinking time, which I needed. I have no regrets, especially round the fact that I had two lots of DCIS discovered via post-operative histopathology, that were invisible on mammograms & ultrasounds. I've since discovered I have a CHEK2 gene mutation that pre-disposes me to breast cancer, and a bunchof other cancers. That further confirms my decision. You can tap on my @ name to read my story.If there is not a cluster of people in your family with breast cancer my understanding is the chances of another cancer in your other breast is not more than the general population, or just a little. Make sure you talk it through with a counsellor who understands breast cancer. You know yourself best, how you can live with 'scanxiety', but please make sure you understand the ramifications of removing the delightful erogenous zone that are your chesticles! I have foobs, they fill out my clothes, but there is zero sensation there, and no nipples.Good on you for checking out that dimple! Seriously, a lot of people ignore stuff like that. I had the blue dye injected into my nipple, oi... It took about three months to fade.It is a whirlwind at the start, and the learning curve is vertical. I hope you're doing OK. Good luck with your test results and let us know how you get on. K xox

Try not to overthink all your planning, @Tracey2800 .... one the ball starts rolling ... a lot of it is a tad outside of our control! So, try not to get worried or upset if your appointments are late, or delayed or even changed date .... (says she who had the wheels fall off completely TWICE & went into a serious MELT DOWN! ;) ) We'll be here to help you thru xx

@duxx1234 wow from me too , my blue dye only lasted a few days too !!All the best @Tracey2800 its definitely a whirlwind , @Mjheke hope you get to Bali & enjoy a well deserved break Hugs xx

Staying Positive - new diagnosis | BCNA Online Network

kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Hi Chris. I'm so sorry that you're going through two cancer treatments. Bloody awful darl!

Don't worry about being positive if you're not feeling it. It makes no clinical difference, and often it seems to be more about making those around you more comfortable with your cancer than making you feel better. Sometimes the pressure to be the 'good patient' is overwhelming...

If you're naturally inclined to feel positive that's terrific. And while 'fake it until you make it' can have benefit at times, if you're not, you're better off putting your emotional energy elsewhere.

I've been told that psychologically you have to lean into the pain and go through it, in order to come out the other end. Ignoring it can lead to problems further down the line, even PTSD in extreme cases.

So I say be grumpy/weepy/negative/angry and every emotion that arises. Go with the flow. The blue sky is there and when you're ready to see it, you will. At least that's what I'm hoping!

Hang in there and stay in touch here. K xox
arpie
Member
7 years ago
Gosh, @Chris51 - what rotten luck! :( That's a real bummer.

All the best with your ongoing treatment xx
Chris51
Member
7 years ago
Thanks Tracey - the second cancer was picked up with a PET and then followed up with MRI. No symptoms although I have always had regular UTI’s and I wonder whether these might have been an indication. Because of the hysterectomy the advice was that PAP smears weren’t necessary because I didn’t have a cervix. With hindsite I think I would have insisted though none of the drs that I have raised this with agree. Just keep reiterating that I am just one of the very small percentage that have this type of recurrence. The pathology from the hysterectomy was followed up and they have again confirmed this was clear. All a bit of a mystery, but this doesn’t help me!
Tracey2800
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Chris51,
To have a double shock like that must have been very hard. Did they discover the second cancer as a result of an MRI? I haven’t had an MRI but I think I might request one. I worry that there could be other areas of cancer in my body, but have no real reason for that except, I suppose, because I’ve found out how it can be there but you have no indications or symptoms.

I absolutely understand when you say you just want to get started on a treatment plan. I feel the same, I don’t like being in a holding pattern and would much prefer a course of action. But like the rest of you, I’m learning to be patient and find the support from this group invaluable.

Im sending you best wishes and hugs for your successful treatment xx
Chris51
Member
7 years ago
Staying positive seems to be the challenge as we navigate this rocky road. I felt I was just coming to terms with my BC diagnosis and dealing with the gruelluing treatment plan that lay ahead only to be knocked off my feet with a diagnosis of endometrial cancer thought to be a ‘left over’ from hysterectomy 12 years ago. Seems totally unrelated to the BC - I am just one of those ‘unlucky peopje’ To have 2 cancers at the same time. I have just had further surgery and now more waiting because of course the treatment plan will have to be quite different. Not sure what lies ahead but I think the delay might mean I avoid chemo, but of course the radiotherapy will probably be a lot longer given the 2 different cancers. I feel so well (other than tight stomach after surgery) it is hard to believe what my body is going to be put through in order to get on top of this horrible condition. It is always reassuring to come on to this network and realise that there are so many others going through similar challenging journeys. I just want to get started on the ‘treatment plan’ so that I can see some light at the end of the tunnel. The last 7 weeks have been a constant nightmare.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Oh me too @Tracey2800, I love a plan. I'm almost a year down the track now and the most I can plan is a holiday. I'm hesitant to do anything more important than that as I feel like the rug will be pulled out from under me yet again. I understand this is common. Hopefully one day it will improve.

Always happy to chat lovey! Look after yourself. K xox
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Sister :o
tigerbeth
Member
7 years ago
@duxx1234 wow from me too , my blue dye only lasted a few days too !!
All the best @Tracey2800 its definitely a whirlwind , @Mjheke hope you get to Bali & enjoy a well deserved break

Hugs xx
CathyMac
Member
7 years ago
@Tracey2800, hi Tracey, I'm sorry you find yourself here too! I was diagnosed on the 8th November after a routine mammogram in early October. It took 3.5 weeks to get the call back. On the 1st November I spent a day at breast screen ACT having more mammograms, ultrasound and 4 core biopsies later I was feeling far less confident than when I had arrived there that morning. I had a 2.5 week wait to see my surgeon who I saw on the 22nd Nov. I had decided before I saw her that I was going to opt for a mastectomy, but after much consultation with her I have decided on breast conservation surgery as she is fairly confident that it is early and contained. I will lose 40% of my breast on the 6th December when I have the lumpectomy and then a year or two down the track will have breast reduction surgery on the other breast.
I have found this forum to be most helpful and supportive as I'm sure you will.
Keep us posted on how you are going.
Best of luck and sending many hugs❤️❤️
arpie
Member
7 years ago
Try not to overthink all your planning, @Tracey2800 .... one the ball starts rolling ... a lot of it is a tad outside of our control! So, try not to get worried or upset if your appointments are late, or delayed or even changed date .... (says she who had the wheels fall off completely TWICE & went into a serious MELT DOWN! ;) )

We'll be here to help you thru xx