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Emily_Rebecca's avatar
Emily_Rebecca
Member
12 years ago

Emotional Roller-coaster

Hi everyone
I am new to this page and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Emily and I’m 25 years old.

I am so amazed at all the wonderful resources this website offers and I think you are all inspirational. I’ve had a roller-coaster of a week and wondered if anyone has experienced what I am going through at the moment.

In summary, within one week I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and then had the diagnosis revoked.

Last Friday I was informed by my breast specialist that I had breast cancer with possibly node involvement (type, stage etc. not yet confirmed). This was after I had undergone 2 x ultrasounds, mammogram, MRI. I had actually opened the MRI report (silly thing to do) on the Wednesday two nights before, which had concluded my lesion was malignant, and just needed a confirmatory biopsy.

I had the biopsy last Friday and received the results yesterday. The Dr said the biopsy was inconclusive, but it was looking like my previously called cancer was now benign.  A specialist down south was contacted and asked to review my biopsy. My Drs breast nurse phoned today and has said to me that the pathologist is calling the lesion a ‘complex sclerosing lesion’.

So within one week, last Wednesday to today, I’ve been told that I have breast cancer, to now not having breast cancer. My emotions of anxiety, fear, worry, relief are all over the place.
I am booked in for a lumpectomy tomorrow (open biopsy) to remove the lesion and it will be sent off for further testing.

My work as a speech pathologist working in Oncology with pts with head and neck cancer certainly has increased my anxiety and tonight I have spent a lot of time researching complex sclerosing lesions, bc etc. I found that many journal articles have found that once complex sclerosing lesions have been removed and sent off for testing, some have come back as malignant and not benign.

I’ve also found research saying that if I am fortunate and the condition is benign, that I am at a much higher risk in the future for developing breast cancer.

I’m concerned and confused and I just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience….
Thanks,

Em

7 Replies

  • CheryleO's avatar
    CheryleO
    Member
    12 years ago
    Wondering how you got on with your surgery. Did results end up being cancer or benign? Cheryle
  • tesa_beng's avatar
    tesa_beng
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Emily, hope all went well with surgery. Just take each stage as it comes. How to eat an elephant? Break it down into small chunks. We are all behind you in this lonely and confusing time. xo

  • tesa_beng's avatar
    tesa_beng
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Emily, hope all went well with surgery. Just take each stage as it comes. How to eat an elephant? Break it down into small chunks. We are all behind you in this lonely and confusing time. xo

  • jbw's avatar
    jbw
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Emily, Hope you are ok but sorry to hear of your trials, it is a crazy and trying experience. So great to hear that they believe any concerns are benign. It seems quite common to have changing assumptions/diagnosis and I've found that once all the tests are completed you can deal with the final result - until that occurs it is an up and down test of patience! Take some comfort in your most recent result as no doubt you are slowly getting more specialists involved who know what they are doing. Don't be hesitant to ask for a second opinion to ease your mind. I was diagnosed at 29, now 37 (OMG!). I am sure all will be well, if anything changes feel free to chat - having shared experience makes it easier to handle especially with those who had the same concerns at a similar age. Deep breath and wishing you well.
  • sillysam83's avatar
    sillysam83
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Emily. 

    feel free to message me via email sillysam83@hotmail.com as im not always on this site. 

    Im glad your having a lumpectomy and good luck with it. My biopsy results came back inconclusive too and at time of testing after lumpectomy it came back as cancer :( So glad they are being thorough with u as biopsys can be wrong. 

    I was diagnosed in my 20's and now 31 and cancer free. 

    I am also a allied health assistant and know what you mean by your job. 

    Let us know how ur results go. Hoping for the best. Xxx

    Happy to chat anytime u like. But like i said plz email me. 

    Sorry for short email. Very tired after a long day... 

    Merylee

  • Brigette_Sigley's avatar
    Brigette_Sigley
    Member
    12 years ago

    Emily,  I can totally understand how you must of felt to have a postivie diagnosis and then negative diagnosis and what a relief.   Mine was not like that in I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and this sent me on a journey to do whatever I could to get well and stay well. I have integrated many things in my life including,  meditation, diet changes, letting go of resentments, have an integrative medical team around and putting myself first.   Totally I feel fantastic On my website there is an interview with an Integrative GP and we talk about what they do maintaining ongoing wellness.  www.focusonliving.com.au/resources  I also write a weekly e-newsletter where I interview different experts and post wellness information   which is absolutely FREE .   There is also a program which is online which I created called Focus on Living school which teaches all the above principles with different experts.  The program is designed to inspire women to take control of their wellness journey and focus on living.  So in saying all of that I would encourage you after your warning sign to look at how you stay wonderfully healthy moving forward. 

    Love BrigetteXX

  • Brigette_Sigley's avatar
    Brigette_Sigley
    Member
    12 years ago

    Emily,  I can totally understand how you must of felt to have a postivie diagnosis and then negative diagnosis and what a relief.   Mine was not like that in I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and this sent me on a journey to do whatever I could to get well and stay well. I have integrated many things in my life including,  meditation, diet changes, letting go of resentments, have an integrative medical team around and putting myself first.   Totally I feel fantastic On my website there is an interview with an Integrative GP and we talk about what they do maintaining ongoing wellness.  www.focusonliving.com.au/resources  I also write a weekly e-newsletter where I interview different experts and post wellness information   which is absolutely FREE .   There is also a program which is online which I created called Focus on Living school which teaches all the above principles with different experts.  The program is designed to inspire women to take control of their wellness journey and focus on living.  So in saying all of that I would encourage you after your warning sign to look at how you stay wonderfully healthy moving forward. 

    Love BrigetteXX