Grade 2 invasive ductal cancer ER-PR-ve

Hi Merlin1664

Welcome.  Sorry you've got this diagnosis but it's likely to be totally curable.  I had breast cancer, Invasive Lobular, 9 yrs ago, had excision, radiotherapy and been fine since.

Then, just 2 days before Christmas, was dianosed with breast cancer again but, this time, in other boob.  I've now had excision and due to start radiotherapy on 4 May, for 15 sessions (some centres now do only 5 sessions)

So, I can honestly understand how you must be feeling.  It IS definitely a very scary time for you but most here on the forum will have been through the same emotional turmoil as you are.  You WILL get through this.  Your family, relatives and friends will all be a source of comfort (assuming good relationship, of course )

ER +ve means oestrogen positive, meaning the cancer finds oestrogen to be 'fuel' to their survival.  That suggests, lower the oestreogen levels and the cancer will find it harder to grow.  That's actually a good aspect, as it allows another method of attack for us to use to fight it off/ help prevent further cancer.

ER -ve means negative, in which case, lowering oestrogen won't have any effect, so not in the arsonal of 'tools'

PR +ve or -ve relates to Progesterone in a similiar way to oestrogen

I hope this helps you to understand a bit more.  You'll not be able to take it all in at once so stick to the basic information, particularly until you're less stressed and can deal with it, rather than get overwhelmed.

If you feel you'd like to talk to someone, you might like to contact MacMillan.  They will be able to answer questions and help you with other aspects if relevant.  If you click on my name, you will be able to read my 'journey' so far - and will see how I can understand 'stress'  ;)  My 'journey' this time is not the normal experience.  9 yrs ago, it was so straight forward   As I said, everyone is different.  I suspect, once you get to know 'what' is going on, what treatment they can offer, you'll feel so much better

However, do ask questions on here and other members will answer as best they can, given their own 'journeys' and experiences.  Please bear in mind, many people with breast cancer don't use forums.  Here, there are a 'concentration' of people with problems, probably so please don't feel everyone gets all the problems, side effects and all the treatments available.  Everyone is an individual person, with their own 'cancer' and fears

Wishing you all the best on your 'journey'   {{{Hugs}}}

@chocdrop thank you for your response and sorry after 9 years it has returned. This scares me, the fact that once you've had cancer you wake up every day wondering if this is the day it comes back? 

I'm a single mum with 6 year old twins so I'm so scared how I'll cope.....

Hi Merlin1664

Yes, I suppose most people worry if the cancer will come back. 

I haven't thought of it much, if at all, during the last 9 yrs, to be honest, but I probably will from now on, eh?  I can imagine, to a point, what you are meaning re being on your own with young children.  I've not been married, nor had children, so it's probably more difficult than I can appreciate, not having experienced a mother's feelings etc.

I hope that, with this new cancer, that I don't find myself worrying about yet another, in the way you describe but it seems it's possible to have yet another cancer.  I don't feel it's useful to let it weigh so heavily on your mind, though. 

At the moment, it certainly will be in your mind very much but, as you heal and time goes on, I think you'll feel much more confident and not think of it so much.  I would suggest giving yourself time to adjust to all that's happening just now and try not to think of longer term stuff.  You're likely to have a full recovery and continue with your 'normal' life.  Clearly, it will be in your thoughts but in the background and you will now have opportunity, if you haven't already done so, to make arrangements for everything, should anything happen in the longer term

I'm assuming you're still reasonably young, ie perhaps in your 30's, whereas I'm now 70 yrs old so my expectations and future will be a but diffent, probably, plus I don't have dependants

Another suggestion would be to contact the MacMillan organisation and discuss your feelings with them.  They will have encountered this fear many times, I'm sure, so would be able to help you get it into perspective.

Your reaction and fears are 'normal', in light of what you're having to cope with.  The word 'cancer' (and I refuse to give it a capital 'C' ;) ) is, in itself, very emotive and has such a stigma attached to it but, these days, treatment is so much better, it may never come to having 'another'. 

I really hope you will be able to talk with someone from MacMillan who will be much more able to reassure you and help you to be positive regarding your future and seeing your twins developing into, and during, their adulthood, eh

BTW, I don't always find it easy to be positive re life in general so, in that way, I can certainly relate to how things are really hard just now.  You'll do this and you'll be enjoying your life for a long time yet, I'm sure

ChocDrop (aka Julie)

Hi Merlin1664,

When I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago I was very anxious and nearly drove myself towards a breakdown, I unfortunately used the Internet for info and it scared me so much, I didn't know about this site until several months after my surgery and its been such a support to me ever since.  In the early days following my diagnosis/treatment I thought I would never move forward and would remain anxious but, I did move forward and have enjoyed life again, I won't say I don't worry about a recurrence because I do, I think it's quite natural to have some worries about it.  

Keep posting on here and telephone the Macmillan helpline they are really supportive and can link you into someone in a similar situation/diagnosis as you.  After your Surgery and the cancer has been examined by Pathology your case will be discussed at a multi-disciplinary team meeting, they will at this point make decisions about the best way forward in regards to treatment for you.   

I do hope you have someone to support you and to help you with your twins.  If I was you I would let the School know about your diagnosis, they will have supported other parents in this position.  

ChocDrop has answered your questions regarding your type of breast cancer, so I won't add anymore.

Wishing you all the very best and please take some comfort from someone who was an absolute anxious wreck following the diagnosis but came out the other side. 

Thank you for your replies  I am 51 and my cancer was picked up through a routine mammogram.....

My mum has offered to take the childen for 4 nights (she is 2 and a half hours away) and my brother will come and stay with me. It's not what I want as I want them with me but may feel rough after the lumpectomy  I've got no idea! 

Hi,

I had a mastectomy and had very little pain, the sentinel node biopsy site was more painful than the mastectomy site, don't know about a lumpectomy, it may be similar pain wise.  They will give you an exercise sheet post surgery, I did them and they really helped to keep the muscles, tissues stretched etc.  I'm pleased to hear you've got support for yourself and your children. Wishing you all the best and please keep us posted. 

Merlin1664

After all 3 breast surgeries, (2 lumpectomies + further excision and SLNBs [x 2] I've felt pretty good post-op.  I admit I stayed in hospital overnight, each time (as live alone).  After surgery, it was a bit sore, more a burning sensation re lumpectomy and sore with, a couple of days later, a feerling of 'chaffing' on the inside of upper arm - would be due to nerve endings complaining a bit (lessens/goes after a coupler of weeks)

After the first op, I was mixing and cooking pancakes with friends here, as arranged beforehand (surgery on dominant side ;) )  This year's surgery, I was driving on 3rd day post op, without problem (had left side op, so gears/indicators etc  LOL

Again, everyone is different, but there's every reason to expect to be reasonably OK, unless you're one who doesn't recover from anaesthertic so easily

Paracetamol was sufficient to deal with any soreness, I found.  I think the first time round I did have some Codeine while in hosptal/overnight.

Great news that your Mum can help with the children for a few days and that you'll haver another adult in the house with you.  Maybe try to take advantage of the opportunity to have some help, get your brother to cook and fetch you lots of tea/coffee  LOL  Enjoy taking it easy for a few days, if you can 

Take it easy and please let us know how you get on after surgery, eh?