Breast cancer

Hi Mimi09, and welcome.

Your results are sent to the team at your hospital, who will discuss them at a team meeting. Usually you will meet your surgeon and the nurse (you will see the oncologist later unless they decide that you might benefit from chemo first, but that's not so common). The surgeon will talk to you about the results and possible options for surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy with or without reconstruction) and if the nodes show as affected. If they appear clear (c.20% look clear but aren't) they'll identify the sentinel nodes during surgery and check them. 

It sounds like they are sure that it's definitely cancer based on the mammogram and ultrasound, and can usually tell easily, but the biopsy results take a few days and will give more information about what type it is (eg. ER+/-, PR+/-, HER+/-, and tumour grade. They'll have a rough idea of what size it is from the ultrasound, but that can change too. That will tell them what sort of treatment you're likely to need. A week is the normal time from screening to an appointment as they want to get things started as soon as the results come, but the next step could be longer depending on your results.

Many people find the beginning the hardest part as everything is still a huge shock and unknown, and a roller coaster is exactly what it is. Once they tell you more about what they've found and your options for treatment it will become easier.  I started in April this year and have been up and down that ride quite a few times already with two operations, scans and now chemo!

It does get easier though, and it's very common disease. I work in a school and three women I didn't know had it came and spoke to me. I contacted the deputy head of my younger daughter's school to let her know so that my daughter could have extenuating circumstances attached to her GCSE's, and she told me that she had a lumpectomy last September....

Take care, and let us know how next Wednesday goes. xxx

Hi Mimi09

yes it does feel like a roller coaster ( never did like them ) like you and others the speed frightened me .( 8days from diagnosis to mastectomy) my story on my profile . 

Now two weeks after op feel so much more in control  and waiting to see oncologist for following treatment . I was so jealous if that's the right word of people who knew their treatment path before surgery ,but have learnt to take one step at a time . I also use my rather warped sense of humour because yes it is ok to laugh as well as cry or both at same time if you want . 

Do come back and post you will find all the support you need on here