The fall that saved my life

Hi Sandra89 

I know it’s very daunting but I was also diagnosed at 35 - now 36. I’m saying this so you don’t feel alone and you’re not alone. 

Are you in the UK? If so, where abouts? 

I am in the north west and everybody who has been on my treatment journey has been fantastic. 
You should be in very good hands wherever you are with this type. 

I was distraught when I had my biopsy done and they told me they thought it was ‘c’. My life ended there and then. But the radiologist and nurses in the breast centre gave me a talking to.

There are LOTS of treatments out there for breast cancer. 

Do not go on dr google! Please resist. 

Don’t write your life off just yet - wait to see the oncologist and take it from there. Take it one day at a time. 

I am not going to lie, but for me, the waiting was the worst. Still is… and I’m nearly 12 months down my journey. I still have another 6 months bbuuuttttttt I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. 

Try and enjoy the next few days with your children and family to take your mind off things. I even went for a weekend away cos I was that mifted off and just wanted to get away from home while I was ‘waiting’. 

Keep your chin up. 
Sorry I can’t offer anything else xx

Good morning Sandra89, it is such daunting news and you are at the worst stage, waiting for answers and filling your head with what if's.  I found a lump 5 years ago, I had a mammogram and it wasn't picked up but showed on an ultrasound.  I had to go to the appointments on my own due to covid and when they told me it was cancer and it had gone into my lymph nodes I crumbled.   I thought as it had already reached the lymph nodes it might have spread further. The consultant said he found it really hard as the cancer nurse was present to be able to give me a hug but due to covid she had to stay over the other side of the room.  I was sent for an MRI scan of the breast and a full body CT scan and my consultant asked me to come back for the results 10 days later and that I should bring my husband with me to this appointment.  Being told this made me fear for the worse as I knew hubby was to be there incase the news got worse.  I had to push to get the scans in time as I was being offered dates that wouldn't get the results back to my consultant in time for the meeting.  It was one week from my sons 12th Birthday and I just kept thinking what if this is the last one, I was crumbling inside and putting a brave face on for everyone on the outside.  My consultant rang me on my sons birthday and told me it hadn't spread and that when I came in for my consultation, I was to bring a hospital bag, we would discuss options and he would operate straight away!  It was an absolute whirlwind, my cancer was 22mm although I believe the lump measured bigger, apparently every bit of my boob was moved around to keep an acceptable shape, as it had spread into my lymph nodes they needed removing but actually only one was affected.  I had radiotherapy and prescribed tamoxifen for ten years.  My cancer was Grade 3 and I was fortunate enough to have an oncotype dx test which is where they look at your specific cancer cells to see whether the benefits of chemotherapy outway recurrance risk.  I was low/medium risk and with the risks of chemo and covid they decided against chemo.  I am now 5 years down the line and am due for my 5 year mammogram next Friday but all is looking good.  I would hope that in your case, the fact that it took them a while to confirm that it is cancer means that it is very slow growing and a low grade.  I'm in wales and my treatment was amazing and super fast and this seems to be the norm for most people.  Once you have your appointment to discuss treatment you will be able to get your head around it a little more, stay strong xxx

What was your oncotype score? I find this so interesting that it was low given it was a grade 3 cancer. I had a grade 3 cancer and was told the oncotype was high (26) because it was a grade 3 and they would always recommend chemo for a grade 3. 

I hope you are ok, I know it’s a really worrying time but sounds like they have caught it early as if the lump only came on after the fall then you’ve not had it long. I was diagnosed at 40 and cannot believe that there are so many people in their 30’s and 40’s getting breast cancer. What the hell is causing it. 

I hope next weeks appointment goes well, try to remain positive and keep us updated xx 

It was 16 which was low to medium, I've seen a consultant privately since for some extra scans and he said he would definately have given me chemo regardless as it was grade 3 and had spread to my lymph nodes, they were trying not to give it as it was two months into covid.  I just hope it doesn't come back to bit me in the arse but so far so good.  Although I was supposed to take hormone therapy for ten years and have had to come off of it but I'm due my 5 year check up soon so will get a chance to discuss it with someone further

I think you’ll be ok if you have been so far. Although the oncologist said she would have recommended chemo regardless of the oncotype score because it was grade 3 when we asked what the chemo reduced the risk to she said they didn’t know and didn’t have data for that so if your oncotype was low you will be fine I’m sure. 

It’s just all very interesting what we get told.