Uncertain diagnosis

Always a good feeling to know where you're going.

So sorry about your diagnosis @Laura_Ann 
once there is a plan you can get busy preparing for each step. That's what I've done ... I went into overdrive and  it works for me. You're going to have lots more questions I'm sure. All the lovely ladies here are wonderful with their advice. We're all in it together. Take care and hugs xxxxx

Yes...it's  a relief to have a plan. Now you can prepare as best you can  for each step. 

Just an update - it feels like things are finally moving! 
I met my breast surgeon and oncologist this week, and have been booked in for surgery in 3 weeks time on 4 May. I will have 3-4 weeks to recover before starting 18 weeks of chemo followed by 5-6 weeks of radiation, and then hormone therapy.
Is is so good to have a plan in place!

My niece found her node first and they never located her breadt timors until mastectomy. She had 2 minuture cancer areas obe was kess than 1mm and one was 1.9 but she had 10 positive nodes out of 20. She is 15 years cancer free now. She was around your age at diagnosis. 

Yes some people they recommend the chemo first and this way they can monitor  response to it. Know that your team will discuss the best options for you based on experience and clinical trials. I hope you have a treatment plan soon. Ket ys know how it goes. Kath x

@Laura_Ann A rotten result but good to know. Finally! Your breast surgeon will advise you on order of treatment once the primary is found. That really dictates what happens next. There may be some wriggle room but you won't know until you see the surgeon and/or oncologist. Mine was whipped out the day after diagnosis. Incredibly fast, but I just wanted it out of me asap, so I get that feeling. Hang in there. It gets a bit easier once you have a treatment plan. K xox

@Laura_Ann at least you now know what you're dealing with. Breast cancer attracts a lot of funding for research, so a lot of very effective treatments are available to us diagnosed, so that's something, I suppose. Still not what you want to be told. As for chemo/surgery it seems they are opting for chemo first in many instances. Ask your treating team what the reasons are for this in your case. If you're not happy with their answer tell 'em. It's your body.

Thank you all for your support and advice.
I received the biopsy results today. The lump is a lymph node filled with breast cancer. I have to have an MRI this Tuesday to try to find the primary before seeing the breast surgeon the following Tuesday. 
Still slow going, but at least I know a bit more now.
One more question - my GP suggested that they seem to be doing chemo before surgery now. I’d much rather get it out of me as soon as possible! Do we get a say in our treatment order at all?

Hey @Laura_Ann,


The waiting and endless waiting going through this seems to be an eternal cloud of fog.  
It is, unfortunately, the nature of the beast I guess. Hopefully one day the results will be quicker.
I also went public. I was 45 at time of diagnosis.

 A bit of a timeline for you.  This all would have been a bit quicker if I had opted for mastectomy instead of lumpectomy.  It would have brought it down to about 2 wks from diagnosis to surgery.  Definitely get on to a breast care nurse to help you through.

Initial mammo and u/s  after finding lump under my arm. Mid Sept. Mammo clear, breast u/s clean. U/s Lymph node suspect.
FNA the following week Wednesday 28/09/16 of l/node
D Day with results Friday 30/09/2016
Appointment with surgeon following Friday
CT and Bone scan on Tuesday.  Results back 48hrs.  Clear.
Round 2 mammo & u/s looking for primary tumour the following Wednesday.  Came up clear.  WTF
MRI following week.  Results 48 hours.  Found the bugger
Another damn mammo, u/s and Core biopsy the next Tuesday.  Results 48 hours.  Came up as normal breast tissue.  They had missed it.
Core biopsy number 2  The next Wednesday 28/10/16 with a different doctor.  Got it this time.
Hook wire insertion, mammo number 4,  lumpectomy and level 2 aux clearance surgery Friday 30/10/2016.
Histo pathology back in 48hours
Final daignosis.  19mm breast lesion "of no particular type + DCIS.  25mm lymph node lesion. Stage 2 grade 2  ER/PR + @ 90% HER2- with 5/24 lymph nodes positive 
Re excision for clearer margins 7/11/2016

That was one seriously long and busy month. But, we now had a battle plan.

So all up from finding the lump through to surgery was about 6 weeks.  
Keep in touch, we all "get it" and are here to help you through.

XOXOXO

Dear @Laura_Ann , Yes, a confusing and frustrating time. I can see you've got some good links and info above. Before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I had no idea that there were different types and grades which then bring different treatment options. I hope your breast care nurse will be good value, pulling things together and explaining info. Lots of knowledge amongst the network  here too. Best wishes from jennyss in Western NSW