Possible Breast Cancer

Hi Kelstar9,

Sorry to hear that your Consultant was blunt with you- I think in the past Consultants were accused of not being clear with patients , so now at times it seems as if they may have swung the other way. As you say you will be prepared for her straight forward approach next week.  You will get a proper plan of action next week when the results are available and in the meantime I would suggest that you contact your breast care nurse/ a Macmillan nurse on here to discuss your feelings. It is very understandable that you are worried -we have all been there and know exactly how you feel. But you do come to terms with it when there is a proper plan in place.  Modern treatments should they be needed are much kinder than they were. I made a list of questions I wanted answered in a notebook ,but in the event my Consultant answered them all and I scribbled down the answers as he went through the outline of my treatments. I too was treated during Covid restrictions so was on my own. Sending you big hugs- keep in touch .I am sure others will be along to help.

Kwissy

thanku for your kind words. I appreciate your words and advice. As it early days, I have only spoken to my partner. He is very upset, and I don’t feel ready to speak to my 9year old, my friends and family until I know a little more. So I appreciate your reply and have taken what you have said onboard. I hope your treatment went well or is going well. Thanku xxx

Hi
I had my first mammogram (as wasn't quite 50 when diagnosed) as a result of a swollen areole, couldn't feel any lumps (and most docs couldn't either). I had a day of tests around 2 weeks after (as the problem obviously wasn't getting better) seeing my GP, unlike you however at the end of the day of tests I was told that it was most likely cancer but that they needed to formally confirm.
You're at the start of this palaver so you will need to get used to these inconsistencies between hospitals...its a pain in the bum!
Your consultant sounds like they're not the sort you want, you may want to ask for a change as good to have someone with whom you get on with...eye rolling is unforgivable no matter what the outcome/time you've had symptoms.
I also have no history of cancer in my family so again would question the 'suitability' (or ability?) of your consultant.
Totally agree with what you're doing re taking notes, my notebook 'memoirs of a f***ing legend' is now full and has replaced by 's*** to do'...and I still refer back to them on a regular basis.
Hope you get your formal results soon and then you should expect a definitive plan of treatment, mine was outlined by my oncologist (not sure if that's your consultant?) and I also met with my surgeon separately.

Sam

Hi Kelstar9, my experience was very like yours - felt lump, it was dimpled, went to my GP, mammogram the following week - had my mammogram first, then the ultrasound. I fully expected her to say that it was nothing to worry about but certainly didn't expect to hear her say that there were two areas of concern and that they were going to take two core biopsies. I then went in to see the consultant, and like you, I knew from their faces that it was serious. She discussed the various options and outcomes but said we could discuss it fully when I returned for the results. Until they had time to look at the biopsy results they didn't know whether I could have a lumpectomy or whether I needed a mastectomy.  I knew for definite when they asked me if I'd come with anyone and showed me into a small room where a breast care nurse came to talk to me and my husband. 

My consultant was also quite frank (some would say blunt) but I appreciated that rather than pussyfooting around because I was going to worry anyway until the results were proven or disproven.

As it turned out both my tumours were cancerous and I ended up having my right breast removed and four lymph nodes (two of which were cancerous). I needed chemo and radiotherapy but this isnt always the case.

Please, please, please DO NOT google Breast Cancer. Two days after my examination and core biopsies I googled anything I could find and I went into complete meltdown.

One year on I have learned that each diagnosis is different. Each treatment is different. Take each appointment as it comes. If you can, take someone with you who can take notes. Make a list of questions to ask, and if you don't understand what they're telling, ask them to explain it clearly. You will forget most of what you are told. Don't be afraid to ask them to go over it again. They have done this many times. This is your first time!

Sending much strength and virtual hugs your way. Karen x

Yorkshire Defector

thanku for you kind words, and sharing your experience. I saw a breast surgeon, well that’s how she introduced herself. Everything if I’m honest is a bit of a blur. The biopsy was horrendous and caused me a lot of pain, even though I had 3 lots of local and being my first visit, everything was very overwhelming, so it lovely you can share your experience and advice for my next appointment. X

LizzieB16

thanku for your advice and kind words, and sharing your experience. I hope your treatment is going/ went okay. Like you I normally like a blunt answer, but I was very shocked to be hearing of possible treatment prior to any formal diagnosis! I think after a really horrendous biopsy, the fear & worry of just being in the breast clinic. I think with time I will appreciate this, and learn to take the support from the nursing team. As my partner said, it sounds good the surgeon is already thinking of possible plans, very proactive and is focused on treatment. Fingers crossed this is correct. Thanku again x

Hi, 

So very sorry to hear of your experience, everything is so much more difficult to cope with when we are focusing on guess work. You've come to the right place for support this group is a Godsend. I remember at the beginning of my treatment journey well and being in the waiting stage stinks!!!!  You've had many wise words already, so I just wanted to let you know that you are not on your own, even though at times it may feel like that, we are all standing with you

Much love

Hi Israel Thanku for your support, it is lovely knowing I have the support of you all, and I don’t even know you all! Everyone is being so kind, yet going through their own journey! I am so grateful. I have chosen not to tell my friends or family, apart from my partner, as I don’t even know what is coming, so I won’t be able to answer anyone’s questions! And I want to come to terms with everything first. So trying to go on as normal, which is difficult as I am sore after the biopsy and my breast is constantly aching which keeps it in my mind! So I’m so very grateful for the support. Thanku again x

HI Kelstar9, so sorry you are going through this, i had a similar experience when i went to get my lump checked out, which i was sure was just an infected milk duct. I ended up having the core biopsy, which like you say ached a lot for a couple of weeks after (although my lump was already causing pain) Straight afterwards back to see consultant and she did not say much, but what she did was it was suspicious and was not benign, but would not talk any further until the results were back. Although my consultant was direct, she was also excellent and that is what really matters, i trusted her. I also did not tell anyone until i after the results came back, especially not my children, i only told them once i knew more and could tell them what was going to happen. They did let me have someone with me when i got the results, so may be worth checking, this was in May, but each hospital is different.

This site is fantastic and the people so helpful and nice. i hope things all work out for you, take care and be nice to yourself. xx

Hi Mel174

thanku for your response and kind words. Yes I was quite shocked at the U5 after not thinking it was going to be serious. Apart from a lump, which I have had many times in the past. My left breast has always been dense, and hard to check. And was told I would get lumps like these and not to worry By GP. The lump was always soft, and squishy, it ached and hurt occasionally, not major pain, just I knew it was there! And my breast shape changed, sometimes daily, which I put down to my cycle. I always checked it, And looked for other signs like discharge, armpit lumps, skin charges but nothing. and It was only in the last few months when my nipple seemed to be moving to the side, I knew I needed to get checked. But I also lost 2 stone recently, a lot off my breasts. So again, I didn’t know if it felt different due to weight loss. So it’s been quite a shock coming to terms with the fact the consultant thinks it’s is cancer! But all you lovely people have been so kind and reassuring letting me know I can do this! Thanku again x