Grade 2 breast cancer

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I’ve just been diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer. The lump in 9mm, Er positive and I’m waiting for the HER2 results. I’ve been booked in for a lumpectomy and removal of a couple of lymph nodes. I’m so scared. I can’t sleep, keep breaking down and can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve been told I’ll definitely have 5 days of radiotherapy and a tablet each day for 5 years. I just don’t know what to expect. 

  • Hi  and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but sorry to hear about your diagnosis. 

    Navigating a cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help a lot. (I have a completely different cancer).

    This New to Community area is like our reception desk where we look to try and direct you to the best part of the Community for you to get support.

    The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend that you look to join and put up your own post in our dedicated Breast Cancer Support Group.

    This group is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support. To connect in with the group please click on the link below…….

             Breast cancer

    ……. and once the group page opens you will see a [Black - Click to Join - Banner] at the bottom of the page, click in this box and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.

    You can then introduce yourself to the group by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.

    You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.

    The Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear.

    Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.

    Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.

    Mike (Thehighlander)

    It always seems impossible until its done - Nelson Mandela

    Community Champion Badge

  • Morning, sending you my very best wishes as you start this journey. I was diagnosed in May with stage 1 grade 2 ER positive HER 2 negative 12 mm lump. I had my lumpectomy and 2 nodes removed July and 5 sessions of radiotherapy September, I'm on letrozole for 5 years. I echo everything you have said about being scared, not sleeping, breaking down my mind couldn't shut off. Once treatment was started these feelings for me improved. No two people are the same. I was advised take one day at a time. My nodes were clear, the pain after the operation was not as bad as I had imagined more uncomfortable. Radiotherapy I was fine just my breast was a little pink. A little afternoon nap a few times. Letrozole,  knees hips a little stiff but I do have arthritis. Somebody posted onwards and upwards, absolutely. Any questions at all please ask, day or night as I know I was awake into the early hours x

  • Thank you for replying to me. Can I ask if the injection of dye hurts and the wire they put into the breast before surgery? I’m such a coward. I keep praying that my HER2 will come back negative anCrythat my lymph nodes are clear. I hope I feel better once this is done, like you say. It’s just so hard talking to people, even my family, without breaking down. Cry I’m so glad you’re over the worst and wish you health and happiness going forward 

  • The dye injection was straight forward and stung just a little, I had this on the morning of surgery. I didn't have a wire for them to locate the lump but a scout which is a wire free tiny device that is put in to the abnormal tissue that uses non radioactive radar waves to detect the device in the breast, this was put in 2 weeks before surgery. They then removed this during surgery. Coming on to this site has given me so much help, support and comfort from the ladies who are also going or have gone through this. Thank you so much for your kind wishes. Hoping you hear back on the GET 2 soon. It's sometimes the not knowing that escalates your thoughts. Here if you need anything x

  • I had this.I past my operation good.They told me that I will have 5 Radiotherapy..but they give me 15...just stay positive that is very important. If u have any questions just ask me

  • Hi Ankica. Thank you for replying. I did get some good news yesterday that my HER2 was negative, but I’m still worrying that my lymph nodes may not be clear. I’m just so worried that I won’t be ok after my treatment. I guess this is something everyone feels. I’m so emotional all the time. We all think it’s always someone else that it happens to and won’t happen to us. I’m just so scared. 

  • Hi Mary I'm going through the very same,  grade 2 breast cancer lump 8mm. Just had my lumpectomy 2 days ago. It's a scary time I'm just taking it one day at a time. Somedays I'm very positive and thankful that it was picked up early at screening yet other days I wake up at 3 in the morning so frightened of the future. I hope all goes well for you x

  • Hi elorac. I’m glad you’re now on the mend. Fingers crossed you are now completely clear. Are you having g to have radiotherapy? It is a scary time. I’m just the same as you. I wake through the night and can’t stop worrying. I do t seem to be able to take about it without breaking down. 
    can I ask if you had lymph nodes taken at the same time? How is it? I’m gearing myself up for pain etc so hopefully it won’t be as bad as I think. I go in on 16th so Xmas is going to be hard for me. I love doing everything, so being told I can’t is frustrating x

  • Hi Mary yes I got lymph nodes taken out and waiting on results should get the results in a couple weeks. I'm day 2 post op and it's a bit uncomfortable  but  nothing as bad as I thought it was going to be, only taking paracetamol at night  I thought it would be a lot worse. I'm doing my exercises religiously  and  got hubby doing them along with me. Like you I love Christmas and so used to being in control and doing everything. This year will be different but going to take care of myself and accept all the offers of help from family. I have to get radio therapy too I think that will be just after the new year. I honestly think waiting for the op was the worst part.x 

    1. It’s so good hearing from people that are going through  the same. I’m glad it wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be. I’m determined to do the exercises too. I hope you get the news you want when you get your results back. You’ll be well on the mend by the time I have my op on 16th. I’ll keep you updated and would be nice to hear from you going forward as to how you’re doing. Thank you for putting my mind at ease and wishing you health and happiness for the future x