I have metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma (DCIS) of the left breast with multiple pulmonary metastasis, Grade 3, ER++, HER2+++.
For explanations of the terms above:
Anyway, here's how I discovered that something was wrong and what happened next:
For explanations of the terms above:
- DCIS? click here
- Multiple pulmonary metastasis?? click here
- Grade 3? click here
- ER++? click here
- HER2+++? click here
Anyway, here's how I discovered that something was wrong and what happened next:
December 2011
Until the end of 2011 I had no idea that anything was
wrong. Just before Christmas I awoke one
night with a sharp pain in my left breast.
In the morning I saw that the nipple has become completely flat.
January 2012
The pain went but the nipple remained flattened so, early in
the New Year, I went to see my GP. She
located a lump high on the breast, so high in fact that I had not noticed it
(despite checking regularly) as I thought it was simply part of my collar bone.
The GP referred me to the local hospital’s Breast Clinic
where I was seen about ten days later.
During this time I had tried to remain as calm and optimistic as
possible but, once at the Breast Clinic it became fairly obvious that the
doctors were concerned. Thankfully, the
Breast Clinic operated a ‘one stop shop’ so investigations were immediate. I was examined, had mammograms, ultrasound
and biopsies of the breast and left armpit.
Although the appointment to discuss the results was a week later I was
warned on leaving the clinic that I probably did have breast cancer.
It was no surprise therefore, a week later, to be informed
that I had breast cancer, although learning that I would need a full mastectomy
and chemotherapy was quite a shock.
Arrangements were made for me to have a CT scan to check for cancer
spread.
February 2012
In February 2012 the CT scan results came in and I was told that the cancer had spread. I had multiple lesions in both lungs. This meant I had metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer (also know as advanced breast cancer, secondary breast cancer or stage IV breast cancer is incurable.
February 2012
In February 2012 the CT scan results came in and I was told that the cancer had spread. I had multiple lesions in both lungs. This meant I had metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer (also know as advanced breast cancer, secondary breast cancer or stage IV breast cancer is incurable.
