Found out I had breast cancer yesterday and they think it's gone to my lymph nodes

• Hi Opal09, we have all been through this, we know how you feel, so sorry you are having to join us, we all know/remember how you are feeling, you are in the right place for support, info and comfort, each step of your journey someone here will have taken the same path and be able to help/support you.  You are not alone.  Love Ann

Thank you for your kind words. It means a lot. 

Hi Opal09

Sorry that we have met here, as that means that you potentially also have BC. Like you, when I had the mamogram and ultrasound they were able to tell me that they thought that it was cancer in my lump and a lymph node.

The very worst stage for me was where you are at now. The brain does overtime imagining all sorts. You will not really know what is ahead until they get the results of your biopsies. Nowadays breast cancer is not treated as one disease, but quite a number of diseases each with different treatments. When your care team have the results of the biopsy, it will tell them the cell type and what types of receptors the cells have, if any. Your treatment will be tailored exactly to your cell type.

I had HER2+, slightly oestrogen positive BC, diagnosed in November 2020. On the very strong advice of my surgeon and my oncologist I had chemotherapy first, before surgery, as my lump was large. At the outset all my instincts wanted the lump removed as soon as possible.

Although they would have done a complete mastectomy and removed all lymph nodes then, if I had wanted, I am so glad that I listened and took their advice. I had amazing results from the chemo which completely got rid of the lump before the surgery. This is known as a complete pathological clearance.  I could feel the lump size getting less even from the first chemo cycle. This gave me a boost as I was going through the chemo because I could actually feel it working.

Since then, I have had lumpectomy and a sample of nodes removed, followed by radiotherapy and now I am on maintenance doses of herceptin and pertuzumab every three weeks. I have had 8 of these out of 19, so 11 more to go.

I am feeling well and so relieved that the gemlin has gone. The current treatment is to make it less likely for it to come back. I am so grateful to the NHS and my wonderful extended care team for giving me all this treatment. In spite of Covid 19, I have not had any delays in treatment at all.

While all of us would prefer not have needed the chemo, it is very doable and the care team give all sorts of support meds to control the side effects and are at the end of a phone, with a Helpline for out of hours.  So chemo nowadays is not something to be afraid of as it once was.

There are lots of ladies here who will give you the benefit of their experiences and hints and tips at getting through, if you are prescribed chemo. It is so worth it to get rid of the cancer, if that is what you need.

Take care of yourself and come back here to let us know how you get on.

Wishing you all the best

Wallydug

Hi Wallydug,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, you've hit the nail on the head. The not knowing is so hard. My mind keeps racing. It's such a lot to take in and process.

It's great to hear how your treatment has been so positive and get to know a bit more about what will be ahead of me.

I go back to the hospital on Thursday to find out the results of my biopsies and to see what my treatment plan will be.

I will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again

Opal

I got Brest cancer on the 8thAugust ,,I had a big mass and went into my lymph nodes .IV had my operations now,just waiting for my results,, keep praying now

Sorry to hear this. Its really hard news to process isn't it. Sending you love, healing and prayers. 

Hi Opal09

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you are facing a diagnosis of breast cancer. It’s hard waiting for results but once you get them things will start to feel better. Your medical teams will do everything in their power to get you better. While I won’t say chemo is easy it is doable.

I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer last year and after having chemo, surgery and radiotherapy I am now in remission.

Wishing you the best of luck with your results next week.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi Daisy,

Thanks so much for your response. I'm so glad you are in remission now, thar excellent!

The waiting part is not easy. It's causing me a lot of anxiety.

It's reassuring to hear from people like you, so Thank you xx

Hi iam exactly the same as you getting CT scan tomorrow and see doctor Thursday for outcome. I am terrified to. I wish you all the best and hope your results are good xx

Hi Opal09, My wife has just been through exactly the same, we are back in for a joint meeting Wednesday. This last week has been hell. The only real info I can get is through google and it does give some consolation on treatment statistics. We are yet to find out the biopsy results, I can only pray they are favourable. My heart goes out to you as I know what you are dealing with.