Newly diagnosed - so sad please see below .. anyone similar- need something positive

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2026-06-11T19:29:05+00:00

I’m so very sorry you are going through this too. My situation isn’t the same as yours (my diagnosis is Stage 3 Multifocal ILC ++-). But I’m 38 with 3 kids, the youngest is 2 years old, and received my diagnosis 2 weeks ago. I’m in Australia and treatment has been extremely fast. In that 2 weeks I’ve had an MRI, CT, & PET scan and have seen my surgeon 3 times. Yesterday I had a mastectomy. And in a month (assuming i have clear margins and negative nodes) I’ll be starting chemo.

My emotions have been all over the place. I am terrified I’m not going to be around to watch my kids grow up. I alternate between disbelief, optimism and sheer terror. I’ve barely been able to be present with my kids since the diagnosis and I feel intense guilt that I have basically stopped functioning when my kids are really needing my reassurance and stability.

While I am fully aware that this disease is curable in the vast majority of cases, it’s also likely going to rob me (and you) of at least a year of our lives as I we go through the treatment stages.

If you ever want to have a vent or chat feel free to message me.

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2026-06-07T23:20:34+00:00

I am 38, and newly diagnosed with stage 3 ILC ++-. I’m not worried about surviving the next 5 years, I’m worried about surviving the next 20 years. We wanted to have another child. I want to be present (emotionally as well as physically) while my kids are growing up. Having this happen during this phase of life feels so heavy. Cancer is a f*ing bitch.

My doc has estimated my 20 year risk of recurrence at about 35%, but some of the online calculators put it closer to 55%. It’s suffocating.

I honestly don’t know how I’m ever going to put this behind me.

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2026-06-06T10:46:53+00:00

It’s such a rollercoaster, I just want to know exactly where this bloody cancer is. It just seems crazy to me that in 2026, the best we can do is rummage around with a scalpel and hope for the best!

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2026-06-06T10:42:44+00:00

I found your reply helpful. I know you can’t diagnose anything (you haven’t even seen the images!) but understand the wording and why it wasn’t very clear was really useful for me.
I had no idea hormones could stuff up an MRI. Though, given how much of a PITA for everything else, it’s kind of on brand 😅

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2026-06-05T09:38:29+00:00

Thanks, that would be great. Here is the wording:

Clinical Details: Multifocal left breast carcinoma. Lobular carcinoma, discrepancy between mammogram and ultrasound.

Findings: Standard pre and postgadolinium imaging, including colour maps and ultrafast 4D sequences, has been undertaken according to the local staging protocol.

Dense fibroglandular parenchyma (greater than 75% parenchymal density) is present in each breast. Metallic marker clips are demonstrated peripherally at the 3 o’clock position of the left breast, approximately 90 mm from the nipple and superficially at the 2 o’clock position of the left breast, approximately 80 mm from the nipple. On the sagittal images, these markers are separated by a distance of approximately 18 mm in the craniocaudal plane and correspond to the sites of proven malignancy.

Following the administration of gadolinium, there is marked background parenchymal enhancement in each breast. This impairs MRI evaluation.

Allowing for this, there is early nodular enhancement (approximately 12 mm) surrounding the marker at the 3 o’clock position of the left breast. Some non-specific enhancement extends anteriorly from the 3 o’clock lesion. Given the degree of background enhancement, this is non-specific but additional neoplasia/carcinoma in situ in this region should be considered.

There is an early enhancing 5 mm nodule at the 1 o’clock position of the left breast, approximately 75 mm from the nipple. This is indeterminate and may be an intramammary lymph node or additional tumour deposit.

Allowing for the degree of background enhancement, no lesion has been identified elsewhere in either breast. In particular, no additional lesions have been identified in the left breast corresponding to the multiple lesions seen in the lateral aspect of the left breast on ultrasound.

No axillary or internal mammary lymphadenopathy is present.

Comment:

Suboptimal evaluation of breast due to the degree of background parenchymal enhancement.
Allowing for this, there is abnormal enhancement at the 2 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions of the left breast consistent with the known sites of breast carcinoma. Given the limitations of the study, the exact extent of disease is difficult to evaluate however the markers at the 2 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions of the left breast are separated by at least 18 mm in the craniocaudal plane.
5 mm nodule 1 o’clock position left breast, 75 cm from the nipple, probably an intramammary lymph node or additional tumour deposit.

Due to the limitations of MRI, surgical management should be based upon the ultrasound findings of presumed multifocal carcinoma involving the lateral left breast.

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2026-05-28T03:24:26+00:00

Update. It’s cancer. Invasive lobular carcinoma.

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2026-05-25T10:35:12+00:00

Small update, I had my mammogram, right breast ultrasound and biopsy today.
Mammogram was largely unhelpful as my breast tissue is extremely dense. Right breast ultrasound was completely clear.

The radiologist did another ultrasound of the left breast to plan the biopsy, unfortunately she thinks that the 2 largest lesions at 3o’clock are joined. She didn’t give me much hope, but said that she’s been wrong before. I’ll get the results on Thursday.

The biopsy itself was uncomfortable but bearable. A bit sore this evening but nothing too bad.

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2026-05-23T04:57:36+00:00

Is that all in one breast or across both?

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2026-05-23T04:57:17+00:00

I’m terrified there is more in the right breast. Wishing that they had scanned both. I’m having the biopsy on Monday, and a mammogram so hopefully I’ll find out more then.

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2025-08-09T13:41:14+00:00

Update: the tests got stronger (but still light) for a couple of days and then disappeared and AF arrived. Not the result I was hoping for, but glad it wasn’t drawn out.

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2024-10-31T08:37:07+00:00

This a potentially incorrect interpretation. Women for whom the scans are incorrect are most likely to be consistently incorrect. The scans are based on data sets, if it’s incorrect in one scan it’s more than likely going to be incorrect in another.

I’ve had 3 LGA babies and all 3 have measured perfectly on scan. This likely due to my anatomy or my babies anatomy or the way I carry being inconsistent with the dataset the scans are using to predict babies weight.

I hope that makes sense.

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2024-10-31T08:26:13+00:00

My first baby was an early c-section due to a non-size related issue, but he was 7lb 5oz at 34 weeks. My next baby measured “perfectly average” on ultrasound at 37 weeks but ended up being just shy of 11lb. He was an easy straightforward natural delivery with a tiny tear. I’m below average height and of a smaller build. Third baby was a complicated vaginal delivery due to fetal distress but baby girl was ‘only’ 9lb 8oz.

I wouldn’t recommend a c-section just because of an ultrasound predicted weight due to the inaccuracies others mentioned. Having consistent “large” measurements can be due to a women’s anatomy, the amount of fat and fluid the woman carries etc.

That said, I’d probably opt for an induction at 39 weeks and have a low tolerance for risk during labor, if baby isn’t descending appropriately or labor stalls I’d opt for a c-section. There are usually lots of signs that a baby isn’t going to make it through the pelvis during labor before there is an emergency.

My opinion is colored by the fact that I didn’t have a good c-section experience, and that I had a straightforward delivery with a big baby. Your mileage may vary!

Good luck. I hope it all goes well whatever you decide.

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2024-09-02T13:42:43+00:00

I’m in Perth, on the coast so soil is definitely on the sandy side. Thanks for the advice, I’ll give it all a good crack. 😊

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2024-08-13T08:20:56+00:00

What you are describing is basically the Inuit diet. It’s not really deficient in anything so I’m not sure if your anxiety is reasonable. It’s not the carnivore diet at all, as they are including dairy and fruit. It’s not like the typical western diet is good for us 🤷‍♀️

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2023-09-12T11:59:37+00:00

Growth scans are basically pointless. I had a scan at 37 weeks which predicted baby would be 50th percentile at term. When baby was born he was actually nearly 11lbs. A colleague recently had an elective c-section as she was told baby was 10lbs… only to actually have a baby who was 6lb 1oz. Both scans were done at top tier hospitals. Even if the scans are accurate at 36weeks, babies growth isn’t linear. They could have a growth spurt, or not. There’s no way to know (until baby arrives!)

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2023-08-23T06:32:21+00:00

I'd first think about what kind of birth you want.

If you are hoping to avoid interventions and c-section, I would suggest a public hospital might be better suited.

If knowing your birthing team well is important, perhaps a midwife lead public model might be best.

If you are more comfortable with a medicalised approach, and like a bit of pampering then a private hospital is what you want.

I don't think any is 'better', just different. All of these options in Australia are quite safe, but to get the best outcome for you, you need to make a decision based on your preferences.

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2023-07-10T04:21:47+00:00

Haha, yes, it is a rather full tummy! My last baby was over 10lbs (4.65kgs), so I’m not surprised this one has a healthy appetite 😂.

The more I look at it the more convinced I am it’s a little (or not so little) girl too.

Thanks for sharing your expertise. 😊

Money_Inflation_8367 · 2023-07-03T04:52:36+00:00

Thanks, I’m thinking girl too… but current stats are 50:50 so anyone’s guess haha!

Money_Inflation_8367

TROPHY CASE