Hey guys

Hello Dee1980, sorry to hear of your diagnosis but you'll find lots of friendly support here. Similar to you, I had a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy and they found cancer in the lymph node so I had more treatment. It's really difficult when waiting for results to come back but try to take each step at a time as treatment plans can change quite a bit depending on the results of tests so try not to let this damage your  trust in your medical team. Did they tell you when the results will come back and what operation you will be having? Is it to remove more lymph nodes? I've found that my breast care nurse is a really useful source of information so if you have one it might be helpful to have a chat with them about any concerns that you have. Hope the rest of the day is as enjoyable as it can be during this stressful time x 

This must have been so playing on your mind  I can empathise  bc can be all consuming. Please try not yo worry if you van. I have one node impacted out of two taken out. And many others also have such prognosis. It is what it is. Our worries may not change the results BUT our positive minds and try to focus on family time or binge watch rubbish TV can get you through this. I know what a horrible time as what the doctors say keeps changing...but bc is so treatable and they do extra test just to rule things out if not they won't be doing a good job!

Try your best to relax...easier said than done. 

When you see the doctor again, ask if there is a real necessity for another op. My guess is that they want an axillary clearance? Not sure. Ask also how many nodes impacted and is its micro or macromastasise. These info will help with your next decision. 

Hope you will have a bit of a good Christmas ((hugs))

C x

Thank you both for taking the time to reply during the busy festive season. Once everyone arrived on Christmas day it was not too bad as I was so busy it distracted me and I almost forgot all about it. Boxing day was harder as we were in all day, just me, my husband and our 13-year-old son who spent most of the day in his room. I spent most of the day watching Netflix! 

When I talk about losing faith in the medical team, I do not mean their ability to do their jobs, I just mean what they say to me. When I first found the lump and went to see my GP who is lovely and I do trust. She said it is highly unlikely to be anything other than a cist but would send me for a mammogram to be safe. At the hospital on the day of the mammogram, the doctor I had to see first was very much, it is absolutely nothing to worry about, just a cist or something but as you are over 40 you may as well still have the mammogram. After the mammogram, I had an ultrasound and then a biopsy. I then returned to the doctor at the hospital who said not to worry as so unlikely to be actual cancer. 

Then on the results day of the biopsy, I had a surgeon come and meet me and tell me it is breast cancer but has been caught so early there is almost no chance of it being in a lymph node. He said that I would have the operation and there is a 2% chance of needing another operation as we caught it so early. Then I have the operation and on the results day for that, I am told that I do need another operation as the surrounding tissue is also needing to be removed and it has been found in a lymph node so they need to take more of those out too. Also, they have found something else but they do not know what it is. My surgeon then says I am very hopeful that it will all be okay so do not worry. 

I am thinking to myself, how many times have I been told it will all be okay and not to worry now and each time it turns out to be bad news. It makes it very difficult to believe their opinion when it is always the opposite of what they are saying. I know that it is impossible for them to know everything but I am getting annoyed that they keep telling me it will be okay when it is not. Anyway, sorry for the long post! Just needed to vent! I know in the grand scheme of things I am still in a good place compared to others. It is just hard at times to keep positive but I am doing my best to keep telling myself that I will get through this. 

Once again, thank you to both ladies who replied. xx

Hello, 

I have an almost 13 year old son who tries to hide in his room!

The waiting is always the worst I'm finding but as the bcn said to me when I was first diagnosed "cross each bridge when you come to it" and I took that to meet until you reach that bridge try not worry about subsequent bridges. 

It surprises and interests me when reading everyone's story that no Trust does it the same. I'm having an MRI and a possible further ultrasound and biopsy before the type of surgery is being discussed bit that could be because I've multiple tumours in my breast and one in my lymph node. 

Sometimes though surgery reveals things that cannot be easily picked up through some tests so whilst it's truly rubbish you need further surgeries the fact that they are dealing with it is good. Better picked up now than later.

You've got this btw. 

Hi Dee

I also have a 15 yr old who just lives in his room too!! Teenagers!! Only come out for food and loo!

I understand, you feel each time everyone tells you it's OK but you wished they would say the honest truth! I guess like VWGirl says each trust works so differently, and it depends on the individuals delivering the message!

My surgeon on the other hand is very quiet, only says things if you ask..otherwise she then write letters informing what she must obligatory inform, which sometimes is NEWS to me!  I cry reading her letters! I don't know what it is, their comms need some working on! 

You vent away, better out than in I'd say. Its such a frustrating situation for you already without having these additional layers of stress   which leaves you wondering if their words can be trusted.

When is your next appointment?

Cx

Hi I was diagnosed with grade 1 ductal cancer 9mm HER2 negative,lymph nodes clear on ultrasound. I had a WLE went for my results I wasn’t real worried. Had my results given to me by a nurse practitioner not even the surgeon she told me that it was 21mm lobular grade 2 and HER2 positive and 2 positive lymph nodes but clear margins and that I would now need chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone blockers.

I then had an MRI which showed no spread in breast and was told they’d got the HER2 results wrong and it was HER2 negative as the original biopsy showed. I’ve had all lymph nodes removed which showed only 1 with isolated tumour cells which was classed as negative as so small and now don’t have to have chemotherapy. 
The oncologist told me I’d have 15 days of radiotherapy including my collarbone and neck and then on second appointment told me it was 5 and my collarbone and neck didn’t need to be done. I was also told to visit the dentist before having Zometa for my bones and when the nurse phoned me she asked how many teeth I’d had out, I nearly asked what she was talking about because I’d had a check up nothing else. She also said I hadn’t signed the consent form but I had a photocopy of it.

So I know exactly what you mean about losing faith because sometimes I wonder who’s notes they are actually reading.