New here, breast cancer diagnosis

Hi Hazel1980

I’m sorry you have to be here, but welcome!

This is exactly what happened to me two years ago so I can fully empathise with how you are feeling now. It seems that it’s one thing after another and the uncertainty is just awful so I really am sorry you are going through this. But, and this is a big but, please try and focus on the fact that your team are gathering all the information they need to make sure you have the right treatment. It’s tough, but you will get there and things will feel much better when you have a clear plan in place.

If you have any questions at all please ask. Sending love. x 

1. Thanks Ebee, agree about the uncertainty at this stage. I’m fine for a while and then have bouts of panic and worry but really trying to focus on keeping busy and going about my days as normal while the team do their job. 
   Do you mind me asking what your treatment plan was like? I hope you're doing ok now x

Of course, I’m happy to share my experience. I had a biopsy on another area, like you, and MDT were not convinced by the clear results so there was talk of possible MRI guided but in the end an expert reviewed the biopsy and all my scans and confirmed it was not cancer.

I had a lumpectomy, 5 days radiotherapy and now taking tamoxifen for five years. I recovered very well from surgery and had no issues from radiotherapy apart from a couple of tired days which soon passed. I don’t have any issues at all with tamoxifen either. I’m grateful for the treatment and realise how fortunate I have been. 

It’s great you are trying to go through your days as normal. I kind of slumped for a bit and cancelled a holiday and other things. With hindsight if I could change one thing it would be to have not allowed cancer to take those experiences from me.

I really hope that you get some answers soon. x 

Thank you Ebee for sharing your experience, it really put my mind at ease and helped me get through the last couple of weeks.

I’ve since had confirmation from the mri expert that they recommend a further mri led biopsy so having that on Saturday. Staying positive and focusing on keeping well in myself and present for my family. The MacMillan team and the breast nurses have been very supportive and I feel I’m in good hands so just a little more waiting for my treatment plan. 

Thanks again xx

I understand what you're saying because I've gone through a similar situation. I waited almost two months for a diagnosis, and during that time, I felt physically well enough to continue my normal life. I had tests done and waited for results, but everything moved slowly. I wasn't too bothered by the wait since I felt good. I only discussed my situation with my daughter, my partner, and my best friend. I remained optimistic, thinking it was a common type of tumour that would be easy to treat, so I didn't want to alarm my family.

However, after almost two months of waiting for results, my best friend scolded me. He urged me to stop tempting fate, take my situation seriously, and see a private doctor. I followed his advice, and to my surprise, the private doctor had my results very quickly. The type of tumour turned out to be frightening. That's when the reality of the situation hit me, and I finally took it seriously, thanks to my friend's insistence.

I had been reluctant to share the news with my family, but given the seriousness of the diagnosis, I had no choice. In total, only two of my friends know about my situation. I haven't had the courage or desire to share it with anyone else, and that's how it will stay.

Hi, I wanted to provide an update if useful for others given a similar diagnosis. 
I had the MRI led biopsy in the other area of concern and that came back benign. I went on to have a lumpectomy two weeks ago to remove the tumour found and am recovering well. 

Had my results back today, tumour removed was 10mm, clear margins confirmed and no lymph node involvement. I’ll need radiotherapy and possibly Tamoxifen but waiting to see the oncologist to confirm fully. 
Feeling very lucky and relieved. 

Hi Hazel

Thanks for posting. I am going through similar. I have had two ops as the first didn’t have clear margins so they needed to go back in three weeks later. That was Tuesday this week. So now recovering and awaiting results.

I've been told I’ll need radiotherapy too. 
(This is my first post on here!) 

I'm glad it looks like you’re progressing well. 

Hi ZiggyJay

i hope you’re recovering ok after your second op. I’m sorry that had to happen and I know the waiting for results is tough. 

As Ebee above said to me, once a clear plan is in place you will feel much better and it’s true. 

You’ll get through this, just keep busy while you wait and rest too when you need to xx 

Thanks Hazel. I hope you are feeling positive too. I’m just living one day at a time and that works for me. I seem to get more overwhelmed if I think too far ahead. So just today and the next appointment or result is just right! 

Hi all, I am also new here, I went to the Dr with a lump, that lump was fine but they found another lump, (of which I would never have gone about) so at that appointment, I had a m/gram, Ultrasound and biopsy, to be sent back upstairs and be told, we need to find out what type it is, it doesnt look big so we have caught it early, basically telling me I had cancer without telling me (and I was there alone). I only lasted a week waiting for my results, in complete fear, turmoil and couldnt really function, until I called my private medical (through work) I am so very lucky to have this and I know I am. I had an appointment next day, more scans, and he found my results in the NHS system from the biopsy to give me there and then, It was Cancer, G1 and G2, (havent been given stage but assuming S1) there was 2 next to each other, both ER & PR, so I sat there with relief that he had told me it was treatable. I opted for the simpathetic Mammomplasty, my right breast had lumpectomy and reduction and my left just the reduction, I have gone from a HH to around a C!  waited for the surgury results, they were clear margins and nothing in my lymph nodes. again I was releaved,   I am okay with the small boobs, bit of a bonus for my poor shoulders to be honest, but I think where I have been trying to look on the bright side of it all, reality is sinking in and I am all of a sudden petrified beyond belief, I am still awaiting my Radiotherapy (privately still) due to wound issues, and am now fully healed to start my meetings with them, I go away beginning of Sept and am asking them to postpone till I come back (I will still be within the 3 months from surgery) have been told this should be okay from my surgeon, but have my oncologist app on Wed. This week I am in the terrified part again, I havent slept well since my op, due to sleeping on my back, and I know that will play a part, but I really am worried for what is to come, the medication, and re occurance, I read everywhere how they are so treatable and then they have come back a few years later stage 4, I have not googled anything all the way along, trying to be upbeat with everyone and look on the bright side, but deep down I am literally struggling, I live with my husband and 2 older kids, 25 and 29 both boys, so although I bring things up and try and talk about things, they almost have already moved on, op over and everything should be fine!  I stopped HRT 2 months ago when I found out and just down know how to control this terrified feeling, it is just spiralling. I came on here to try and talk to people with the same feelings, but I also know that I will be reading sections and getting more and more frightened by others stories (I mean no disrespect by that)! does anyone else feel like this, what helped, I feel very alone, even within my own family (they mean no harm, but i had a heated conversation with one of my kids the other day, not about cancer, told me to stop being so emotional), I just feel very lost and empty right now with all these feelings.  xxx