New diagnosis metastatic breast cancer
Hi, I'm all very new to this being diagnosed only 7 wks ago with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (triple positive) which has spread to my bones. I am 51 with 2 children. I had only had my first mammogram 18 mths previous which was clear. I felt unwell at work & went to hospital and they found it looking for something else. It has been such an overwhelming process. My family & friends have been amazing but am feeling so very alone.
Feeling scared and just a bit angry
Hi, I'm Karen, 61yo, from Victoria. I was diagnosed in September, my birthday actually, I was numb. I had been dealing with a very coercive relationship, narcissism, gaslighting the lot, to be told this news was just too much, I had all sorts going through my head, How do I tell my children? How do I do this? Why me? Everything was so hard to process and even now I'm struggling. I was told it was an Oestrogen based cancer, sorry I cant remember much of that conversation, but 2 Biopsies, the first one they biopsied the wrong lymph node, Pet scan, M.R.I and blood test later to be told sorry its not good news, well having a lump in the breast isnt good news anyway but, I had my right breast and Lymph nodes removed, then to be told its bad news I'm so sorry was another kick in the guts, 35 of my 36 nodes were affected, so onto another more thorough Pet scan, blood test and M.R.I, To get the good news that it wasn't anywhere else in my body. Now I'm preparing for Chemo to start on the 2nd of Jan and I'm absolutely terrified, I have no emotional or any other support at home, even though I'm told everyday that he cares, they say actions speak louder than words well Im yet to see any, my son who is my heart, doesn't know how to deal with this and neither do I. They have just had an Eptopic pregnancy and I'm hurting for them, we were all so excited and happy. I don't know what to do or how I'm going to do it, my living situation is so toxic to my mental health and is impacting on my son and daughter-in-law as well. My partner is trying to get me out of the house and that is something I can't deal with at the moment as I'm trying to deal with being there for my son and daughter-in-law and Chemo, I feel like I'm rambling, my life is a mess, I just don't know what to do. Sorry for the rambling talk I'm not very good at putting things on paper, everything is very disjointed.
16 Weeks Pregnant and diagnosed with aggressive hormonal breast cancer
As the title says, I am currently 16 weeks pregnant with my first child, I turn 32 in Feb and have no family history of breast cancer. My surgeon has said I will need a mastectomy in the next week or 2. To say overwhelmed and unsure about my future is a complete understatement. I have found limited people in the same position as me and really don't feel confident as much as everyone has told me to stay strong and positive. I know I'm very lucky to have the support I do have around me, but obviously it's such a different situation that no one knows how to approach.
Newly diagnosed - feeling lost despite stuff happening.
I was diagnosed a few weeks ago, rarer invasive mucinal carcinoma. Coping well with what I know is happening but not so well with what I need to do, or where to get explanations. I’m having a Scout clip implanted tomorrow because I can’t have the MRI my surgeon requested. I have a CRT (heart) device and MRI was requested because the cancer is not well defined. So now I won’t know extent, lumpectomy, mastectomy, until the operation. Operation is on 28th. I guess my main thing is who to talk to about what will happen next. Having Pre Op stuff at GP next week, but do I just wait until the hospital gives me more detail? Do I ask to see a breast care nurse, there’s one at the surgeons office? Seeing GP I have so much to ask and take in because I’m on lots of drugs for too many health issues and I have to stop some, take less of others. And my normal confidence has flown the coop. Is this just a normal reaction?Shock is settling
it’s been two weeks since my diagnosis. I live in regional coastal NSW and I’m going to start here by being very grateful for the speed of testing and action down here. Unexpected really. I found a lump but it turns out it’s an undefined tumour about 2.5cm. Some stuff is still not definite because I can’t have an MRI thanks to having a heart failure device (super pacemaker). So having a scout clip placed next week with probable lumpectomy in two to three weeks. I feel confident I’m being cared for OK. Glad I’m retired and no longer working. But still overwhelmed by this and trying to manage my usual approach of knowing every little detail about anything impacting me. I’m listening to my anxiety for once. Oh. My surgeon told me I’m not going to die! That was particularly comforting. Dat by day this thing is feeling more manageable.
Pathology results
Hey everyone, I’m trying to understand my histopathology report from my biopsy and I’m hoping someone here has answers, as I won’t get to see a doctor till the 19th November. This is what the report says: ”The cores of breast tissue are infiltrated by an invasive ductal carcinoma. The tumour forms solid nests and cords of atypical ductal epithelial cells displaying a moderate degree of nuclear pleomorphism. In addition, several multinucleated giant cells are noted indicating invasive ductal carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells.” I also have a Ki-67 of 30-40%. My report also states the cancer is oestrogen and progesterone receptor positive and HER-2 low. I do have a good understanding of anatomy and anatomical terms as I’m a science teacher- and epithelial means skin cells and osteoclastic should have something to do with bones. So does this mean I likely have metastatic disease with Mets in skin and bone? I’m likely just having anxiety but because I have so long to wait for the appointment and I can’t call the line until Monday I’m hoping someone else has had similar results.
Time to process
Hi All, my intro post. Such a roller coaster of emotions and processing suddenly going from perfectly healthy to not! I had a Diagnosis 22/12/23 IDC with 2.9cm tumor and lymphnode involvement from BreastscreenSA. ER and PR +, Her -. (Xmas is harsh to get such news, both in the slow down of services and in telling nearest and dearest) It has taken a while (necessary tests, scans and byopsies), but looking at treatment beginning Wed 28/2/24 with surgery (partial masectomy, axillary node clearance). Then most likely chemo, radio, hormone therapy. Overactive imagination has been a problem, general stress/anxiety, and not sleeping well. It is settling a bit now, as Ive met surgeon and feel comfortable I am in good hands, met with Breast nurse (and now have a bright pink pillow and lovely accessories pouch for fluid tubes). I am participating in a clinic trial that I meet criteria on that I decided yes to assist. I am going ahead on a planned and booked holiday next week (which several family are also going), the surgeon was supportive on proceding with this as mental health positive. Then it is full steam ahead! I am fortunate to have supportive family, and some great friends, some who have had a bc journey themselves. Was concerned about work for a while, but Ive let the h.r. depts know (two jobs) of upcoming medical, and am scaling back for as long as I need (casual events hospitality - high energy, physical and customer facing, they will still be there when I can manage again!) So I think I am in about the best positive I can be for now! Not keen on whats to come, but ok to get on with what needs to be done! Thanks for reading, and thanks to all those sharing posts and info themselves - it has helped.
New diagnosis shocked and devastated
Moderator moved @susie55 comment in Activity section to new discussion post: susie55 Hi my name is Susie, today 30 September 9.30 I got my biopsy result I've got breast cancer I'm 54 year old, I'm shocked and devastated I feel lonely. My brain doesn't function anymore. My surgeon tell me to do few test and port insert and what kind treatment I’ll get. Anyone have any advise for me? My stress is rocket High at sky, I already can't sleep for couple weeks ( when I first fund my lump) always woke up cant back to sleep. Cant eat always worry a lot of stress. and I'm sorry English is not my first language I hope everyone who reading this understand 🙏 i never ever thought I’ll get cancer because I doing breast test every couple year and last year is Clear. Dr Said I have dense breast, Anyone have same problem with me? How to manage stress and manage another test and waiting the result? ( MRI, PET scan and heart Scan ) Manage the chemo etc …. Any help appreciate 🙏
Reaching out
Hi, Just reaching out with the hope of getting things off my chest to people who understand the worry and may have similar experiences. Luckily I did not end up being diagnosed with cancer, for which I am blessed. But I guess at the age of 32 and going through this I have found it hard to find answers and talk to anyone who can understand.. So long story short after going for a first time breast check for a concern on my right side I ended up in a whirlwind with the sonographer finding “architectual distortion” on my left side. After ultrasound, mammo, mri, core biopsy, this ended up in Birads 5 finding of with “2 enhancing spiculated masses (9.1mm & 12mm) that join together in an irregular linear NME (26mm) ” and a whole lot of worry… The core biopsy result was “radial scar” (lucky I know compared to the alternative), so I ended up having a wide excision biopsy 3 weeks ago. Pathology from this included: 2x radial scars, florid UDH, sclerosing adenosis, columnar cell change, columnar cell hyperplasia, PASH, duct ectasia, fibrocystic changes, apocrine adenosis and benign calcification. My concern is the surgery was at site “1’ 3” but my MRI report had also shown an “6mm arterially enhancing focus” in the central breast parenchyma at 12 o clock’4.5 The focus was not biopsied even though mentioned on the report.. is that normal for a focus? also in the final pathology from surgery it stated the “radial scars extend into the inferior and anterior margins” I know it is wonderful news no malignancy was found at surgery, but somehow the mind still wonders if anything would have been missed.. I have follow up imaging in 12 months, Also has anyone else had any of these benign conditions- are they normal? Just feels like so many questions and not much information out there or people who can share their experiences :) Thank you :)
Questions to ask 'Post Surgery' of yourself - to your Specialists - Tick Sheets - Self assessment
I know that after my own surgery, I didn't always quite know what questions to ask of my surgeon and 'the team' that we all see regularly for the first 5 years following our treatment - so I set about looking for 'tick sheets' that would help me, as these appointments approached! I came across some really interesting files. They are all 'multi paged' so I've put a 'sample page' from each document to give you an idea of what is in it. The first booklet is available at most Cancer Clinics and was put out by the Cancer Council - 'Living Well After Cancer'. It is a good one to give to friends & relatives to read as well - to give them an idea of the longterm affects of cancer even after successful treatment - as they often think that once you've had your surgery, chemo, rads & tabs - that you are now 'well'. We all know that that is NOT necessarily the case! :( It really is a lifetime sentence. This booklet covers a lot of areas that concern us all - and may be able to help answer questions in many situations that we face. (sample page) The 2nd one is: "Questions to ask 'post cancer' " - a 'tick sheet' - these questions could be spread across the whole team - your surgeon, Onc and Rad Onc as well as GP. Tick the ones that are relevant to you in the lead up to your individual appointments. (sample page) The next is "Self Care Specific Symptoms" - this sheet could also be for any of your team - with the 2nd section relating more to mental health issues that may impact you. (sample sheet) And finally - a Survivorship Care Plan - virtually a ''Self Assessment Yearly Checkup'' sheet .... which has more specific symptoms that you may be concerned about and also has pages for noting yearly checkups required re Dexa, Mammograms, Colonoscopy, MRI etc - almost a 'diary' to keep re future appointments. (sample Pages) Write down the dates you've had them, and when the next one is. Add any other exams that are not already there You can use any or all of these documents to track how you feel you are progressing - date them & further down the track, you can compare them to see how you are travelling. Take care & I hope these sheets help in tracking your health - both mental and physical. xxx
