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.
First year check up after lumpectomy
Hi all, I would like to know what your experiences were at your first year mammogram after a lumpectomy. I had a mammogram this morning, followed up by an ultrasound. I’m seeing my specialist next week but that is such a long time away. It’s so nerve wrecking. When would they recommend a biopsy? Is that usually done straight away after the mammogram/ultrasound showed something up or would my specialist discuss this with me first?
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.Not coping well
Hi, I’m new to this. I have been getting fairly regular mammograms ect for years now due to strong family history of breast cancer. I’m 45 and have always looked after myself physically very well. No one aside from me had any issues until they were in their 50’s or 60’s. Aside from my great grandmother no one has had a mastectomy. So after postponing my mammogram for a year due to Covid I decided I needed to get it done before starting a new job. About a week after re entering the workforce I was told there was a problem. It took 2 biopsies and about 6 weeks before they confirmed DCIS medium grade (still don’t know what that means) and I was advised of my options. The options all seemed pretty awful but a double mastectomy with reconstruction (implants as I was told I’m too thin for flaps), seemed like the safest option but I’m ashamed to say it was also very high on my priority list that I’d look ok after. What irony!!! I’ve had three operations in ten days due to complications. I’m left without implants and due to skin necrosis I’ve lost one nipple and about a third of the skin on both flaps. I’ve just seen a second surgeon for a second opinion and it appears this could and probably should have all been avoided (I believe she said “what’s this?” When she saw the mess I’ve been left with) I had to explain why my skin was so damaged. I can’t have any reconstruction until possibly mid next year maybe later as I’ll lose my job if I have any more time off. I know I should be grateful to be alive, ( the surgeon kept telling me I’d dodged a bullet) but I feel devastated, broken and completely unattractive. My relationship with my partner is at best under enormous strain. Can anyone tell me how they got through losing their breasts and feeling incomplete? I feel ashamed even whinging here about this as I know it could have been so much worse. And yet I’m not ok at all and having a very hard time seeing any light at the end of this.
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 x
