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 :)
Anxious wait after MRI
Moderator moved @CeeCee post from 'Activity' section to main Discussion page: CeeCee 9:30am i have not been an anxiety type person before but I am struggling big time. I had an MRI 4 weeks ago where something cracked in my right rib area, since then I have had constant chest/rib pain and struggled to get a full breath. I’m hoping this is anxiety and nothing more sinister. Bone scan booked in this week. i am keeping exercise up as best that I can, doing meditation and getting a daily massage from hubby. Any other suggestions? I was diagnosed with having a 4cm tumour in right breast, booked in for a Mastectomy 14/3. I had DCIS 5 years ago which was surgically removed.
Feeling anxious and insomnia post treatment .
Hi, Ruth here, living in Cannonvalley, Queensland. I had r/o small cancer surgery and Radiotherapy 4 months ago. I thought I was doing well and went back to work, part time. Then collapsed in a mess of anxiety and insomnia, one feeding the other. So hard to get help and support. My G.P said - oh just meditate or listen to a podcast if you can't sleep!! That makes it worse and I get more anxiety. Then facing people who know me and they say you look so well, but you just want to curl up and cry. I am now off sick and started some medication and some counselling. I would love to connect to other Members suffering the same. I listened to Dr Charlotte podcast number 6 and thought it was great.
Why can’t I find a local support group???
I live on the Central Coast which everyone is telling me has the second most prevalent cases of breast cancer in Australia. I was diagnosed with early breast cancer in August and have since undergone 2 surgeries. Currently have the “Dracula” drain which I hate with a vengeance. I am lucky enough to have a very loving sister who has come to help me during this trying time but she doesn’t live close by normally. I am soon to start the radiation/maybe chemo/medication treatments and Iv’e been trying to find a local support group to help me through. I NEED people who have gone down the exact same track as me, who understand the emotional roller coaster the this experience actually is. I don’t think anyone who has not been actually through it, including the medical professionals, who can totally understand the impact on your mental state. I have always prided myself as being a very strong person but this has all brought me down to a feeling of despair.
Be aware and be safe with Beyond Blue
I often read of members wo are going through tough times but don't have easy and timely access to a counsellor. A few months ago attended a session for people who feel anxious or depressed and we were given a fantastic tool to help us through the bad times. I completed my safety plan when feeling really 'up' and when I am alone and really 'down' during this Victorian lockdown and the whole pandemic worry I get it out and feel it does help me to get through. The plan is simple but works. If you have this tendency I hope you will take the time to view and complete this. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/beyondnow-suicide-safety-planning/create-beyondnow-safety-plan Sending big hugs to all. 💖
Feminine changes
Hi guys I’m going for my first mammogram since finishing all treatments I don’t know if it’s the stress of things but I’m post menopausal and started spotting the other day as if I need to add this to my already stressful week. I went to the GP and have gone for pelvic ultrasound but after googling I’m stressing that it’s going to be another cancer. my cancer was a triple negative so I’m worried about ovarian cancer (I’m still waiting on genetic testing) has any other post menopausal women had spotting since having had chemotherapy and been ok I don’t think I can take to much more stress and anxiety xFear of recurrence
after being diagnosed early January 2020 with stage 2 TNBC First went through chemotherapy then lumpectomy and finished in September with Radiation all my results came back with great results no lymph node activity clear margins and full pathological response to treatment I was coping quite well with day to day life after much Counselling until I went for my recent 3 month appointment with specialist I got a student Dr who was adamant I had a new lump. as I lay there on the bed waiting for my actual specialist to come and check me over my mind was going crazy with the worst kind of thoughts My specialist of 40 years experience checked my breast and said there is no lump and told the student Dr to remove the notes from my record and the reassured my husband and I it was only normal breast tissue I have been a mess now for over a week and have examined my breast now 3 times or more a day finding lumps that now seem bigger and hurt is my anxiety taking over? I called the cancer council and they recommended to stop self examination’s for a bit and believe my specialist my Mammogram 1st since diagnosis isn’t until February and the specialist doesn’t see me again until mid February sorry for long rant (Anxiety does this) x
New
Have just joined on advice to connect with others, by psychologist. Have had double mastectomy (Mucinous type)and diep flap rebuild Feb 2020 and on AIs now. Have been v emotional and needed coping skills and resolving of issues. Having been 'overly selfless' mum (2boys grown -both with issues )and (probably Asperger)husband no good at support. Felt dread before op and guilty and alone after op and looking healthy. ( Am tall,slim, fit and dont look 61) Few friends I opted for as support think its all good now. Fear of return etc comes in waves between normal life. Looking now more for people who know what its like.
