Awaiting biopsy results

Hi encee

Sorry to hear about your health scare. Please remember that it may be nothing. Most lumps and bumps are benign.

The waiting time is a killer, whether you hear good news or bad news, it is a killer and nothing you do between now and the 3rd of Feb will make it any easier.

Pat yourself on the back for going to the GP about a possible lump and for your GP to take you seriously and forward you on for further investigation.

The medics in the hospital will probably tell you to bring someone with you when you go back to them. Heed their advice and bring your partner or DH or a good friend.

I was unfortunately one of the few whose lumps was cancerous. Once I had the diagnosis, rotten as it was, I slept easier afterwards!

Wishing you benign cysts!

Please do let us know the results. We are here to help if that is the road you might face.

LindyLu

Hi Encee
So sorry to hear about your situation and I hope that all test results come back negative but I just wanted to let you know that I was where you are now back in June of last year 2010 unfortunately I turned out to have BC but after a full months of treatment I am doing great and plan to go back to work in March.
My two boys are doing fantastic and know everything I have been though, so try not to worry about the children.
I was/am the main income earner at home so I really worried at the start that we would be able to get through everything but again none of us starved and we just had a brilliant Christmas.
This forum is fantastic even if you never write anything there is so many tips and good advice given by the girls I found it to be so helpful.

Please please try and bring someone with you on your second visit. Similar to your situation I went alone on my 1st visit but I was in such shock I heard very little of what was said to me, my husband came with me when I got my results. We had looked at the Irish cancer website and had a list of questions written down with us. Again when I was told I had BC my hearing went and my husband took over and asked the questions that needed to be asked. We left that day with date for surgery and list of oncologists to choose from.
Please try to stay as positive as possible and try getting as much info as possible.

Whatever the result is please let us know and try to sleep.
Lots of positive energy being sent your way
Jeanette

Thanks ladies
Funnily enough, it's not the fear of having BC that is giving me sleepless nights, and making me buy washing powder even though I have four already at home, but the not knowing

My husband is all lined up to come for the spin with me for a chat with the team for the discussion about the pathology results and a proper reading of the mammogram and ultrasound - is was pure innocence that didn't make me bring him with me last time.

Today was a good day, I only drove by 2 places I needed to go to today!

I was never any good at waiting to open surprises at birthdays and Christmas so no surprise that I'm like a hen on a hot griddle.

Thanks again

Hi Encee,

Sorry you are going through all this worry at the moment. One thing that everyone who has ever had cancer, or ever had a lump investigated, is that the waiting for results really IS the worst. All you can do is try to keep busy and eventually the time will pass and you will know one way or the other.

I'm sure everyone on here will be praying that nothing is found. As Linda said, most lumps ARE benign. And these days, even most lumps that turn out to be malignant ARE successfully treated. But the idea of cancer is still scary and its totally normal that you are distracted and worried and not sleeping well.

Good luck for next Thurs. I'm glad your husband is going with you. A second set of ears and a hand to hold is a BIG help! Please come back and let us know how you get on.

Hugs,

Flo.

Thanks Flo!
Sure I'm grand, we've been through what we though was the end of the world before and are still smiling!
I definitely have my hubby's coming on Thurs - no only does he have lovely big hands to hold or is acting as my spare ears but he's a better driver:)
On a practical note, I'm wondering if there is anything anyone suggests I should ask, apart from the questions I has a look at on this website?

Isn't this a great website - virtual support with anonymity so I don't look like such a spanner when/if the results come back clear......

Hi Encee

I do hope you will be given positive news and not have to use the list but these are the questions I asked (or I should say my husband asked) and the list is not exhausted but these are the ones I used

• What size is it?
• Can you operate or do I need treatment to reduce the tumour first?
• When can you operate?
• When should I finish work?
• Will I need chemo?
• Will my hair fall out?
• How long will I need to be off work?

There are loads and loads of questions to be asked and hopefully you will never need any of them but if you do then this is the place to ask as the girls on this forum are great and will be able to give you loads of advice.

I will be thinking of you on Thursday and wishing you the best
Jeanette

Thanks Jeannette
Really appreciate that - thanks for the wishes... Less than 2 days to go...

Hi Encee
best of luck on Thursday and hoping you get good news

Dub

Dear Encee

Best of luck on thursday I hope you get good results.

Regards

Trish

Thanks so much Dub and Trish
So much calmer today; beginning to think it was all a dream 2 weeks ago - ready for anything now on Thursday so BRING IT ON!!!!

Hi Encee,

Good luck for tomorrow. I actually thought it was yesterday and was coming on to check how you'd gotten on. D'uh!

IF (God forbid) you get bad news, one thing I found very important for me was, that when they started talking about surgery and treatment and everything starting the very next week, I asked what difference (if any!) taking an extra week would make. Turned out it didn't make any difference at all to the tumour BUT it gave me an extra 7 days to do research, etc and also gave me the opportunity to come back to the surgeon the following Thursday and ask all the questions I didn't know to ask the first time round.

It also made me feel like things weren't totally out of control and that I had 'some' impact on what was happening to me.

Keeping fingers crossed for you.
Flo.

PS- I am also visiting my surgeon tomorrow afternoon. He's Malcolm Kell in Eccles St. Is this who you are seeing?

Hi Encee,

Here are some links with questions to ask surgeons and oncologists at varying stages of diagnosis and treatment. Not all will be applicable to a first visit so you will need to pick and choose. I really hope you won't need them!

http://www.cancer.ie/action/askteam.php

http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Ty ... e%20Doctor

And some other sites that have good information on them.....

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinfor ... nosis.aspx

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCanc ... uide/index

Hugs,

Flo.

Sincerest thanks Flo
I'm going to the Breast Clinic in Limerick so wont see you tomorrow missus!
Good luck yourself tomorrow - I dont know how ye all do it but to everyone out there that posted to my post, it is very comforting and humbling when I see what all of you have been through.
Anyway, the see-saw has begun of big high hopes and small lows.
I think the stress is going to get me first though! Jaysus, the waiting is a killer

Hi girlies (and any lads who might be reading this!)
Confirmed breast cancer today (there's a surprise ). Grade 3 invasive ductal cancer HR2.
Asked for a week to check out what my options are re: surgery so going back to chat to the team Tues 15th Feb as to whether I should do immediate reconstructive surgery or delayed recon. Don't know what I should do but it's getting late tonight and had a long day, telling my coochies and family was exhausting (I'm from a big family!)

Oh Encee,

I am so terribly sorry to hear that BC was confirmed yesterday. You will probably find that you are up and down and all over the place for the next few days (at least). I think we all deal with such crappy news differently. The most important thing is coming to terms with it in whatever way we can. I was quite calm for a couple of days and then lost it spectacularly when a plastic cup wouldn't go back up in the press for me! I F'd and blinded and screamed and BAWLED for a while. But it felt better to let it out at last.

Your surgery options will depend on the size of the tumour, possibly WHERE it is, etc. Personally, I'd leave the research for a week if you can and just take time to work through all the feelings of shock, self pity, fear and anger and god knows what else that will hit you over the next while.

Hang in there. And remember, you CAN get through this.
Hugs,

Flo.

Ug Encee, what crappy news. So sorry you have to join us. On the upside, many of us have been thru it and come out the other side .

You will probably find yourself crying for most of the next week - it is part of the journey I am afraid.

It does get easier when you have a plan in place and that you are preparing for sugery or chemo (if needed) and radiation (if needed). Sometimes you wont find out the ultimate plan until they remove the tumour and determine if it is in the lymph nodes. To be honest it does not matter if it is or is not in the nodes, it merely dictates the next phase of surgical or drug intervention.

I started off with a lumpectomy but the medics were not happy they got it all so went instead for a mastectomy. It was recommended that I delay reconstruction as they knew I would need radiation. I got my new boob in August and it is brill!!

Hopefully you will have met a breast care nurse. Please use them as much as you need to. I used to cry down the phone to my girl. The BC nurse may be able to put you in touch with a social worker who can offer councilling as well as practical and financial advice.

Take care of yourself hun

LindyLu

Thanks guys!
Surgery is mastectomy but decision is to have immediate reconstructive surgery, delayed reconstruction or no reconstruction. Any views?

I had delayed recon.

For me, recon was a no brainer. I was diagnosed just shy of 40 and did not want to be a uniboober for the rest of my 40+ days!

The decision on reconstruction is often determined by need for radiotherapy. Do you know yet whether this is a path for you? Radiation can change how skin stretches. Some surgeons do immediate recon with a tissue expander and replace expander after all treatments, with an implant. Others, tho less so in Ireland, do recon with fat and muscle from the tummy. There are lots of recon options. It might make sense to have someone, maybe breast care nurse talk thru them with you.

If it helps, the Irish cancer soc also has a help line with a great team of people on the phones. They can also pit you in touch with someone similar in age and circumstances to you in the limerick region, or whereever you hail from.

It does get easier, honestly!

LL

Encee Pet, so sorry to hear your verdict but just remember it IS doable and you will get great support from everyone here.
I was diagnosed in mid 2008 and I am putting it right behind me at this point - time will fly and just deal with each stage as it happens.
Put it all in boxes in your mind and just undo the shiny ribbon when the
particular stage happens............... no need to think about chemo if you are at surgery stage etc etc.

Keep asking questions here - there are quite a few of us on this site who have been through the tunnell and came out to the light.......
you will get to that stage too hon.

treat yourself - you deserve it.

will keep you in my prayers and just remember there are lots of people behind you wishing you well on this site........
hugs,
rox.

Hi Encee

I am so sorry about your diagnosis. The first few days are exausting particulary telling family and friends that is difficuly. I did find that I slept better after knowing the diagnosis. I am also grade 3 invasive ductal CA & HER 2 positive. I had a lympectomy and removal of lymph nodes in December and have just started Chemo this week and so far so good not too bad. We are lucky in a way as herceptin is available to treat HER2 positive tumours and has changed the outcome dramatically. So there is good news and the regieme of chemo recommended is not too toxic.

Trish

Hi Emcee so sorry to hear bout ur diagnosis, those first few days can be difficult as you try to cope wt the news but also have to tell ur family & friends.
I can only speak from my own experience, i had a mastectomy in June last yr and decided against recon for the following reasons: I am 53 & feel happy bout my body even without a 2nd boob (!), the op would have involved going to Galway & spending at least 7 days in hosp plus there would have been 2 wounds to heal (and i had heard some negative stuff bout healing wounds), i live in Donegal & the mastectomy could be done in Letterkenny on Tues & I was home on thurs. The breast care nurse showed me prostheses & I was happy wt that.
its important u are aware of what prosteses look & feel like, what a missing boob looks like (but not sure if they will show u any pics of that!) & how long u can delay recon if thats what u want.
I am v happy i made the right decision, still have no hankering for a 2nd boob, that may change wt time...
I have spoken to other women who had recon done at the time, and they are v happy wt it.
so take ur time to think bout it, talk to ur hubby bout it & ur family, see how they feel but at the end of the day its about what u want and how u feel.
All the best over these next few days
janeymac