Totally overwhelmed

Hi 

I had spread to a lymph node having previously not shown. Was only when I had sentinel node biopsy that it showed.

 It's all been a nightmare for me. Terrible lows and feel like I'll never be the same again.

 I'm nearly though chemotherapy having had mastectomy.

 I'm sorry I'm not the most positive person as I'm really struggling so much but just wanted you to know you're not alone in this.

 I'm sure someone will come alone to be a little more positive with advice but in the meantime I'm sending you a hug xxx

Hi, thanks for your honest reply and I'm so sorry to hear that you are having a tough time with it all. As you say, we're not alone in this and it's just really hard...especially on a dark day.

Hopefully we will look back on this horrendous period as something we got through.....sending hugs back xx

Hi Sue

I like this site as it helps me feel less alone. Hope you're ok x

There are probably many of us on here who have missed diagnosis for one reason or another. I had mammogram in 2013 which showed calcifications  (pre curser to cancer) but no follow up so I was not perturbed. Had furtger mammograms in 2015, then in 2018 both showed absolutely nothing! In Dec 2021 I discovered tiny lump, went to GP between Xmas and NY.  She said “it’s not a tiny lump, it’s a mass!” Now scared..fast tracked and in Jan 2022 I was told I have Stage 3 BC.p! Contacted department who did all the mammograms in sheer frustration. Spoke to a clinical matron who asked if I wanted to come in and discuss but I decided not worth it.  Also spoke to GP who said they had same info/letters as I did. I do now understand that mammogram don't always pick up everything BUT I feel they should have followed up with a biopsy in 2013. .9 years I’ve obviously living with the big C!  I’m over it now but I hear/feel your pain xxxxx

I think it's really hard when you feel it's been missed but you're right there are a lot of us who have been. I get the feeling that the consultants also find it hard when they've missed it as I guess they want to cure us all. My consultant said that they've looked over my previous (annual) images and it wasn't visible. Interestingly I had calcifications pointed on my mammograms but didn't even know that it was a possible problem! 

I'm trying to focus on dealing with it now and to try and move forward but I do feel frustrated that I went to my consultant with an enlarged lymph node 18 months ago and they said 'nothing to worry about' so I didn't. If only they had said we will check it again in a few months...but they didn't. 

wishing you all the best xx

I originally had a referral in Nov’22 due to my breast shrinking - the hospital just said that it was loss of fat and I was sent home.  The mammogram and ultra sound did show calcification too.  5 months later I noticed a lump under my armpit and referred back - the consultant took one look and said it wasn’t right. Had a mx in July with full clearance - the shrinkage was due to the tumour eating up my breast tissue - the mass was 100mm and 16/18 lymphs were contaminated ! 
I do play it back in my mind too and wonder if I should have demanded a biopsy in Nov, but you can’t go back and change the past can we so I try to stay positive and cope the best I can.

I hope you get start to feel a bit better so that you can get through this rollercoaster of a journey x