Breast cancer, foot pain

Hi there,  and welcome.  Most women find this past of the journey the hardest part,  as ther unknown makes our imaginations run riot! It's a terrible shock being told you might have cancer, but if caught in the early states most women will go on to be cancer free after treatment.

Your doctors will only check your whole body if the cancer is also in your nodes,  which happens to about 20% of women with 'clear' nodes on the scans.

Just before surgery they inject a blue dye and a radioactive tracer which identifies your sentinel nodes (the dye reaches them  first) and remove them. If they are found to be positive then you usually have one or two CT scans, possibly an MRI scan,  and possibly a nuclear bone scan.

I've had issues with my feet for about 7 years due to damaged ligaments and probably menopause. I'm on hormone blockers which make it much worse,  so I'm guessing that lower oestrogen is the reason.   What age are you? Are you post menopause? 

It sounds like they are moving quickly if your results are on Monday,  Do you have an appointment for your results at a hospital? If you do you will see a doctor and breast nurse who will explain thr results to you and talk about what happens next.  If you are allowed it is a good idea to take someone with you as it's easy not to take it all in when you're upset. They should tell you if it is cancer,  what type of breast cancer,  the grade and size.  Depending  on what sort they should tell you what treatment plan has been decided.  This is done in a team meeting where the oncologist, surgeon,  radiotherapist and others look at your results.  

Good luck on Monday,  and try not to worry too much (easier said than done!) as it is a very treatable disease now! Xxxxx

Good morning, 

I am 32 I am overweight which could be to do with it I’m 13stone and 5’2. Everything just plays through your mind

they told me last Monday that they would be shocked if it wasn’t cancer and wanted to make sure I knew that’s what they were saying. Our hospital doesn’t allow anyone with you so I was alone when they told me and will be alone Monday when I go and I totally get that. 

ok so all a waiting game really to see what’s next she was adamant I won’t die from it but I can’t stop thinking it’s elsewhere (we have had a lot of people I know like that) 

thank you for all your advise it is appreciated x x

Hi Ltommo88, Sorry to hear that you are unable to take anyone with you to your appointment. I took a notebook with me and made notes as the discussion went along. But it has been suggested that  you can record the conversation on your phone and then you will have a record of it afterwards.It is impossible to take it all in at one go ,I found.After my discussion the breast care nurse went through it all again with us( I was allowed my husband with me in March)- and explained anything we didn't understand .She also provided information  booklets with relevant paragraphs marked and notes by the side. Hopefully your BCN will do the same for you. Ask questions if you are not sure what they are telling you.

Please do not go to Dr Google - a lot of the information on there is out of date and not accurate. I hope your appointment goes as well as it can and that they explain everything to you. From what you have said I am sure they will. I was also told after biopsies had been taken that it was almost certainly cancer , so much so that if the biopsies came back negative they would resend them.I have since had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal  followed by radiotherapy and now hormone therapy.

. Wishing you all the best for your appointment on Monday and sending big hugs  xx Kwissy

Thank you so much for your response, they said I can be on call to my husband but unsure how to record the meeting if I’m on the phone. They are so lovely and explained everything but I’ve forgotten it all apart from you probably have cancer! 

how are you doing now if you don’t mind me asking? Did the lumpectomy change the look at all? And also was that the only options they gave you. 

I appreciate you replying to me so much, I feel like I can’t break infront of my husband and children and need to keep it together which is very hard. 

Hello again Ltommo88,

It sounds as if your husband will be part of the meeting by phone and will be able therefore to ask questions too.I'm not techy but perhaps google can help to see if the call can be recorded as it happens ? Perhaps take a notebook too for questions you want answered.

I am  back to normal now - other than taking Letrozole to block the oestrogen, continuing with the exercises and still applying moisturising cream. The look of my boob has not changed overall except for the scar which is around the top half of  the pigmented skin around the nipple.The scar will fade gradually and become just a faint white line.My other scar on the other boob is near to the axilla and is now hardly noticable.(see my profile if you wish) It was suggested that the lumpectomy and radiotherapy (5 sessions Fast Forward) and hormone treatment was the best option and I agreed with them .At each stage of the treatment you consent to having it so it is ultimately your choice. No doubt the fact that I had 22 years in between diagnosis influenced my thinking .Now looking forward to another 22 years - I will be 74 this month!

I hope your consultation goes well and am sure that once you have a plan you will feel less stressed (strange I know but it seems that way for many of us ) Please let us know how you get on and know that we will support you along the way.Sending hugs xx Kwissy

Thank you so so much it means a lot, I brought a notepad today and like an extendable file thing for all my letters. But emotional today (definatley shouldn’t be listening to Eva Cassidy) 

I just keep thinking what if I’m the exception to the rule and I’m ok. It hasn’t quite hit me that I have cancer! Does that make sense? 

thank you so much for all your insight it’s very helpful. X x 

will update tomorrow. X

Hi Ltommo88, If I understand your original post you haven't actually been told you have cancer ,just that it is strongly suspected.You will have it confirmed one way or the other tomorrow at your consultation.I think the Consultants try to be as honest as they can these days.

You are bound to be worried and emotional at this stage but believe me it does get easier -just take it one step at a time and take a few big breathes. A few tears is a very natural reaction and can act as a safety valve. We Brits are too good at the stiff upper lip sometimes . I will be thinking of you tomorrow-sending big hugsxx

Thanks again, I have now seen in in black and white on my online notes it was added on Friday. Says current health issues breast cancer, right. So I now know that it definatley is which is a bit less being in limbo x x 

I am so glad you are out of it now x x x