Hi, first time posting. Sorry about the length of this post but I need to get it out. I’m trying not to voice my fears to my husband and kids as I don’t want to stress them out anymore than they already are.
2 weeks ago I got the results of my biopsy that found invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular characteristics in my left breast. I don’t know the stage or any other information yet. I have an appointment with the breast surgeon in 2 days and I’m terrified that the news is going to be bad.
I had a slightly retracted nipple and weird sensations in my left breast about 6 months ago. I could also feel a small lump right behind my nipple which had been investigated before. My GP didn’t think it was very suspicious but referred me for a diagnostic mammogram that took 4 months to get. I also had weird sensations in my armpit on that side which I had an ultrasound on which didn’t show any abnormalities though I’ve since found out that’s no guarantee that cancer isn’t in the lymph nodes.
When I finally had the mammogram and US there was an area of concern. I was scheduled for a biopsy but the radiologist couldn’t locate the area so seemed to think there was nothing there. Luckily she sent me for a MRI just to be safe. This showed the same area of concern didn’t see any lymph node involvement. Second biopsy scheduled, this time a more senior radiologist completed the biopsy under mammogram guidance.
I’m so worried about the time it’s taken to get this diagnosis. Until 2 weeks ago I was on hrt which I stopped as soon as I found out. What worries me most is 5 years ago I had a needle aspiration biopsy done on the same area. I was told then that everything was fine just tissue changes due to menopause so I have basically ignored that area until 6 months ago when I finally noticed the nipple retraction and stinging sensations. Now I’m wondering if the cancer was there then and has been growing all this time.
Everything is moving so slowly. I’m in Canada and the province I live in has the worst breast cancer survival rates in the country. No option to go private here unfortunately.
Trying to formulate questions to ask the surgeon and hoping I won’t just be a blubbering mess
