MRI guided biopsy or more breast removed

Hi hope your managing to process things as well as you can. I am further along this horrible journey so can share my experiences, what I have found is that there are a lot of differences in treatment up and down the country so what happens to each of us can be different.

I found a lump this time last year, went to doctors referred to breast clinic had mamagram and was told straight away that I had bc. I had a biopsy same day followed by other procedures in the same week whilst they gathered information. Treatment plan was lumpectomy and radiotherapy. However this changed after the first surgery, the tumour was larger  than what had been seen on images -  5cm, due to age and size of tumour they sent it for onco type testing my score came back in the 40s which meant they were now recommending chemo, I was gutted as it was a drastic change to inil plan. Also there wasn't a clear margin around the tumour and further surgery was needed. They had also removed a second smaller tumour, to cut a long story short I had three ops to try and get a clear margin but ended up having a mastectomy in April. This showed significant dcis within the tissue. 

I had chemo from Oct to Feb and am due to start radiotherapy in June.

I spoke with the radiology consultant this week she talked me through everything that had happened to make sure she understood what had gone on but this was really useful for me, although the surgeon and bc nurses have been good I havnt always fully understood and they never seemed to have the time to explain and I have just kind of gone from one treatment to the next. (This will be the longest break in treatment). She explained that I was always destined to have radiotherapy as the initial tumour was 5cm. I hadn't known this and in fact a registra had told me if I had a mastectomy I wouldn't need radiotherapy- not really a good trade and clearly in accurate. 

I would say be prepared for things to change and take your time in making decisions. It can feel like forever but sometimes that time can give you a little space to take stock.

Good luck. Xx

Thank you for your reply, it helps to hear other people's experiences.

Sounds like you are nearing the conclusion of a long and difficult journey, what I've found so far is that I get my head around the shock of one piece of news and possible plan and then there's another appointment that changes things (for the worse).

You're right that the treatment changes depending on location, I am so glad I had the MRI and that they know there is something else there before my surgery. Finding more during surgery must have been very difficult for you.

Wishing you all the best for your radiotherapy Xx

Thank you. I have never had an mri scan, my first ct scan is next week but this is only to plan for the radiotherapy. 

I think this is why you worry have they got it all is there more lurking undetected but they were adamant that as I had no lymph node involvement it wasn't needed.

It's a long and difficult time and you think you won't get through it but you will be suprised by the strength you have. Best wishes xxx