Here Goes
Hello. My name is Jenny and I live on the NSW/Vic Border. I have gone to post in here a couple of times but backed out. Denial maybe? On Wednesday I was officially given the diagnosis of BC. I have had a large lump for around a year but I have 26JJ sized breasts and the lump is down along where the bra wire sits. I put it down to thickening because of the bra wire. I recently started Lite N Easy and after loosing around 10kg I noticed that the lump was much larger than I thought. It has its own postcode ;p Its 5cm x 3cm x 2cm. So I did the mammo and ultrasound and knew when I called for results, that the urgency by my GP to get me in to see her, that something was very wrong. That day I had bloods, CT scan and was booked in for biopsy. All along I was doing as much research as possible. Armed with knowledge I have always found it easier to deal with things. Must be part of the anxiety I have day in and out. I met my surgeon on Wednesday who gave me the diagnosis. I was alone at the appointment and was in shock, none the less. I guess I was hoping it was just a mass that they just wanted to remove for safety sake. I do remember asking him what type of Cancer and I vaguely remember him saying Metastatic and that its very common. I am booked in for a lumpectomy and node removal on the 22nd. (Tuesday Week). I am then too do 5 weeks radiation. I've got all of that in my head and ready to deal with. But now I am reading all of the paraphernalia and Metastatic means I have it in other places in my body? Do they know where? Does this mean I will probably have to do chemo after radiation? I know I am overthinking all of this and should take it one day at a time. I work 3 days a week and also on partial DSP. Being at work keeps my mind off things. I am planning on taking vacation leave for the rest of the week after my lumpectomy. I am so grateful that my oldest of 2 (daughter) is able to travel up from Melbourne to bring me home from the surgery and stay with me for a couple of days. Another questions. I had been using implannon rod to control my periods, over the years. The last one was put in around 2011 and is still in my arm somewhere. As I have very thick arms I cant feel it and haven't bothered about it. I believe that it has run out of the hormones anyway after all of this time. Is this something I should tell my surgeon about? I have so many questions. When will I start radiation? Will someone contact me or do I contact them? I met my Breast Care Nurse but she was heading on vacation to France the next day. I have the number of another one and I will phone her and make contact with her this week. It's like my whole life is about the Cancer now. I am being strong in front of everyone else but these times at home alone I am terrified. Sorry if this is all over the shop but that is how my head works. I have been treated and continue to be treated for Depression an Anxiety for close to 20 years and have only recently found a good balance. The Lite N Easy journey was me actually caring about myself. Some days I shake so much it looks like I am having a min seizure. Usually I am upbeat and cheeky and able to find the lighter sign of things. But tonight I am low. Any insights would be wonderful.
Newbie
breastscreen saw something so I had biopsies last Wednesday, my gp was supposed to get the results by Monday, got a ph call from breastscreen to say the pathologist wanted to do more staining and my gp would get the results on Tuesday so I should see him Wednesday. and Im so depressed and scared and such about the whole thing. wouldn't be so bad but theres just me and my autistic daughter left now , friends I thought I had I dont and not a friendly neighbourhood I tried when we came here but was ignored. I have never felt so alone in my life
Thankfully I know more this time.
So, 7 and a bit years after a Stage 3 E+ PR+ breast cancer diagnosis in the left breast, I am facing some changes in the right breast. Picked up in yearly mammogram/ultrasound. Nobody has suggested it is cancer just yet but given my history I am booked in for a core biopsy next Monday. I am very clear in my head about what this means for me. I have been happy with my choice of single mastectomy for the last 7 years but am not about to take any chances with the remaining breast. Regardless of the results of the biopsy, it’s days are numbered. Monitoring changes in a very dense breast is not what I want. Having had a mastectomy I am quite ok about having a second one, especially if that is all I need. The changes are new since my mammogram and ultrasound last year. Just goes to show that keeping up our regular checks is sooo important, even in our current Covid 19 world. Very reassured by the excellent treatment of my situation by the staff at the Radiology facility this morning. I was treated respectfully and everything was clearly explained right then and there. As you can imagine though, I am finding it hard to concentrate on anything else at the moment. Will be glad when the biopsy is done and we have the results. But I am sure that a mastectomy is what I want regardless.
Not Again....
Hello fellow pink warriors...It has been awhile. My world turned upside down again last week when I had an MRI. They have found a lump in my LH Breast now, 4 years and 6 months since my previous diagnosis. I am freaking out. I have a core biopsy booked for tomorrow am and will hopefully have the results from this by Friday. This lump has not shown up in a mammogram or ultrasound that I had late November last year and is behind the nipple apparently. . They have mentioned it could just be a 'fibroid'??? (may have that term wrong) and to not 'stress' just yet. Easier said than done. Any one else has a similar experience?
to biopsy or not
I have recently found a lump (2 months ago) which I initially thought was due to my cycle but soon realized that even after my periods the lump still remained. I went to my doctor who then referred me for a mammogram and ultrasound. I arrived for my appt where I was told they weren't really keen on giving me a mammogram due to my age (36) and thought it best just to do the ultrasound, so I had the ultrasound and then started to get dressed, as i was doing so the radiologist told me not to bother as she thinks it would be best to do a Mammogram now. (after this i realised that they must of spotted something on the ultrasound). So i had the mammogram also on the same day. A few days later i went to see my GP for the results and was told they had seen dilated ducts with soft tissue present in my left breast and the radiology doctor has suggested a biopsy. My GP rang the radiology centre to speak to the Dr who wrote up my report and confirm whether it would be a FNA or Core biopsy, to which he confirmed a Core biopsy. A week later I went for my core biopsy appt at the same place i had mammo/ultrasound. Once again they decided to do a quick ultrasound and called the on duty Dr in to view. i was then told by this Dr (not the same guy that wrote up my initial report) that they wouldn't be doing the biopsy as he didn't see it as necessary. So didn't end up having any type of biopsy done on the lump. I now am very confused and worried that something has been missed as i can still feel the lump (it feels like a small rock covered in gravel) I have an appt with my GP next Tuesday but am unsure of what he is going to say. Im a single mother with 2 children and don't feel comfortable waiting a few months to see if the lump grows but i am unsure if i should get a second opinion or even where to go to get one. I have also reviewed the initial mammo/ultrasound report where the Dr states a biopsy is suggested. it also states that i have heterogeneously dense breasts whish makes it harder to spot any calcifications or masses on mammogram. Im confused as they obviously spotted something on the first ultrasound to warrant them wanting to do a mammo after firstly saying they didn't think it was needed .
Making The Hard Decisions
BreastScreen Qld used mammogram and ultrasound guided biopsies to diagnose a cancerous lump in my right breast close to the chest wall which was removed by surgery on 17 May 2019, all went well. When I went back about 10 days later for the post-op they said they did not get it all as it was unable to be seen on mammogram or ultrasound and I needed to have an MRI and he wanted to check both to make sure there was nothing else lurking in there. I was booked for surgery on 13 June with the results to be looked at prior to that, if nothing then he would take out the bit missed plus a margin using the current scar. I heard nothing about the MRI and when i arrived for the surgery i was told that my file said that it was going to be what had been discussed, so I thought great and was relieved knowing that one more surgery plus the radiation and possible chemo and we are on the home stretch. They were running behind so i waited 2 1/2 hours when the surgeon came to me and described what we both had discussed and i commented that it was great the MRI had showed nothing else, he said he had not seen it but one of his junior doctors had so he went to have a look at it, he came back and said he was sorry but he would have to cancel the surgery as there was a line (mass) in my right breast and he would have to take my MRI pics to the panel the next day and see me on Monday to discuss their findings. I had been very positive up until then, I was angry and cried myself to sleep that night and the next day was inconsolable, until I decided to get off the couch and get on with my life and not let them beat me. I was not called with a time for Monday, so Monday morning rang up to check what time and told no appointment had been made and when I explained they made me first cab off the rank for the clinic. Surgeon showed me the mass which they say is DCIS, I have the option of just getting a mastectomy next Thursday or having an MRI guided biopsy on Friday to see if the mass is cancerous or not and then decide whether to go for surgery to take out the bit they were going to do with a bit more then chemo and radiation or straight to mastectomy and no chemo and radiation. Does anyone have any wisdom or insight into my situation to help me make this decision? I am so confused and upset by them upending my world.Pre-cancerous changes
On Thursday I had an appointment with a gynaecologist which should have been nothing to worry about. As she commenced her examination though she immediately began questioning me about an area she could see that had some skin changes. While she was quick to reassure me that it was not cancer she did say that it could be pre-cancerous changes. The end result is that I am booked in for a biopsy of the area in a couple of weeks. I went home telling myself that this was just precautionary and that it was probably nothing bad. Also reasoning that if it is pre-cancerous then it would be easily taken care of at this early stage. I kept myself busy and tried to put it out of my head. I know that it is completely unrelated to my breast cancer so no need to panic in this regard. I thought I was doing really well with not getting too far ahead of myself until I came home this morning after a lovely walk and yummy breakfast out, to find an invasion of ants in the kitchen. Just felt completely overwhelmed and tears flowed. Pretty sure that this overreaction is because I have this biopsy thing to get through. Also I have not spoken to anyone except my husband about the biopsy procedure as I do not want everyone getting alarmed at the mention of "cancer" again. No need for everyone to get worried about something that is probably nothing to worry about. But not talking about it and using logic is ignoring the fact that of course I am worried about it. Just need to talk about it with others who will understand my reactions. Would dearly love to return to the time pre bc when a doctors visit was nothing complicated! :/
Sentinel node biopsy came back positive
Hi everyone My name is Laura and I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carsinoma in my left breast on the 10th of Feb. I have tiny breast so the cancer covered a large area so a mastectomy was necessary. I opted for bilateral mastectomy and had the op on the 9th of March. It all went really well and am recovering really well too. BUT on Friday I got my pathology results back and the nodes tested positive so I'm back to get more out this Thursday. Am confused and terrified and devastated. The nodes looked clear in the ultrasound but are not. What's does this mean? Does it change my prognosis? Has this happened to anyone else?
On the roller coaster
Hi everyone. Waiting for my biopsy results. Left breast with one huge 6cm and few smaller ones. Ultrasound showed no lymph nodes affected. So as I’m trying to prepare. I am in NT and would like to know about your breast surgeons etc. I’m thinking of travelling interstate for the surgery. My reason is our public hospital made a huge error with my colleague. The path results showed she had reoccurring bc and they booked her in for mastectomy. Only to find out 2 weeks later there was no bc and she did not need the mastectomy and their pathology made the mistake. So having said that you can imagine my gut is saying no, no to the hospital and all it’s bc staff. If you’re comfortable to share your experience and surgeon info etc, is really appreciate that. Putting it blunt, I don’t have control of the lumps but at least I can have control of choosing the hospital and surgeon. Thanks. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Struggling
Hi ladies, away with my family spending some quality time but last 24 hours been so emotional and stressed, was diagnosed with TNBC early Dec, having 4 rounds of chemo, 16 rounds of taxol and then surgery - unsure at this stage what surgery as having genetic testing in a couple of weeks to see if I am a carrier for bracca 1/2. I had my first chemo 31st Dec, all went ok and other than first day where I had severe nausea that night the next 5 days I was just really exhausted - going into my 2nd post treatment i seem to be going ok. The thing is, the last 24 hours there is a burning pain in my tight breast and it’s sore and right arm aches - I had a needle biopsy the day before my chemo as ct showed a lesion in breast node so it is just over a week ago now and the side of my breast got really bruised and where they stuck the anaesthetic to numb the area still feels tingly and swollen, my husband says when he was looking at the ultrasound and needle was going in she was really pushing hard to grab the samples and they stuck 3 needles in to get enough, results came back fine and was benign so was a relief but I am stressing as it’s really sore still- has anyone had similar experiences with biopsies as all I can think is that this terrible diesels has spread even though my Scans mid Dec were clear. also I wonder if chemo is working and I know I am being stupid as I have only had 1 session and everyone is different but reading the side affects like hair falling out before 2nd cycle ( I am having a few strands come out only, more like malting but not much) nails going black, mine are fine at the moment, it’s not like I want these things but physiologically I feel if these things start to happen chemo is working - it’s such a mind f**k. sorry for the long winded post but just needed to release xx