What should I expect?

Hi KatKittens 

At my biopsy results appointment I was told a provisional grade of the cancer and ER status, HER2 took longer to come back. I was also given a provisional surgery date and treatment plan plus appointment for MRI a few days later as I have denser breasts. What I didn’t take on board at the time was the word “provisional” and so when MRI showed other stuff and surgery was delayed I was gutted so please be aware that things can change. I was introduced to a BCN then too. x  

Thanks Eebee. These discussion boards have really helped with perspective. 

For me it was the grade of the cancer, the receptor status and the immediate treatment plan. The appointment was with the consultant breast surgeon and a breast care nurse. I then got more time with the breast care nurse and was given lots of booklets. Then they booked me in for my pre-op and surgery (although those dates were later changed). 

Hi!  At the "do I have cancer?" appointment, I was told that I had cancer and given a purple leaflet about mucinous cells (the type of cancer cells that they found).  The purple leaflet explained that mucinous cells were probably hormone-related (they actually knew my cancer was positive for oestrogen and progesterone but I do not recall being told this) and there was a good chance of these cells not having got as far as my lymph nodes.  I don't think they examined me.  I was told that maybe I would only need one operation (lumpectomy with lymph node biopsy).  And radiation and tablets, but I had never had a general anaesthetic before, so the operation was the thing that caught my attention.

Nine days after that, I went to another town to meet up with my surgeon and a breast care nurse.  That is when there was more examination and prodding and stuff.  Not really prodding.  Just, it's not great to have your breasts touched by strangers, even though you know that they have to do it to help you.

The thing that made me realise that yes, I did have cancer was working out that there were 3 health care professionals in the room (one relatively new doctor, her supervisor and a nurse).  I realised that seemed too many for good news, and then I saw that the doctor had put out the leaflet for me.  

The day before the first operation (I was unlucky, the cells had spread out, and there were also pre-cancer cells spread around), so I ended up having 3 operations), I went to hospital, where they put a guide wire in to help the surgeon find the lump.  There was a second appointment in a different part of the hospital, where they injected the radioactive tracer for the lymph node biopsy.  

My advice regarding anyone facing the "do I have cancer?" appointment is to do what I did.  Take a friend or family member if you can.  And make a plan for after the appointment.  In my case, we went to a pub with a garden and we sat in the garden and had lunch and I texted a few people with the not-what-I-hoped-for news.  

Pub afterwards sounds better than the family funeral I'm supposed to be attending. Don't think I'll be in fit state for that.

Oh no!  Sorry for your loss.  I am sure your family will understand.

Only my Hubby knows what is going on. Waiting on definitive diagnosis/plan before telling them. Sadly the funeral is for my Aunt, 90, who decided with bladder/bone cancer to opt for time with family rather than hospital treatment. Wanted my Dad to be able to concentrate on the last few weeks with his sister rather than worrying about me.