Hi Tommyticklemouse,
Things have moved fast for you, I found your earlier posts. You must have had your lumpectomy now. How are you feeling? I am still waiting for a date for my sentinel node biopsy, but it should be before Xmas.I seem to be hanging around for so long It is begining to feel unreal. I don’t have any problem telling people and have told everyone. Stopped working as was very upset and have been at the hospital every week for something or other. I went to my Gp with my lump 1st November, My consultant says I have had the lump for well over a year but not having mastectomy until January!
hi melinda 287,
glad you have joined the november dx thread.
yes things have moved fast for me really. i have been at hospital too every week for this, that and the other since i have been dx. i am off sick as well couldnt have coped going in until op and it would have only been for a week and half anyway, plus i had appointments to attend during that time as well. i dont intend going back until i am fully ready which i think will be a while. rads will start in new year - i am guessing middle to back end of january possilbly cos wound has be fully healed. my BCN gave me sick note no probs.
i had op on 30th and it wasnt too bad. scared stiff of having it done, but pain afterwards ok, its under the armpit thats more sore than lumpectomy site. i suppose because you feel it more when moving your arm about buts it ok. had some pain killers for a few days mainly took them on a nite to get some sleep.
i am now thinking about the medication and the questions i have for onc, haven’t had meeting yet to discuss it.
TTM xxx
Hi, where do I start? Just been reading posts and getting used to the terminology. Just had my dx? today after tests I had last Monday. BC at 4cm size. Conslt says mx in January then treatment. What I want to know is, why can’t I have treatment first? I feel stupid having ring and ask the nurse as I’m sure they told me that today. Still trying to deal the the ‘sledgehammer to the head’ effect of today.
I don’t want to be here but I guess this is a good place to start. I’m NOT going to let this beat me! Any help out there and I’ll be truly grateful. Another thing is my m is 88 years old and I don’t know how to tell her.
Help please?
Newc43
Hi newc43,
How are you doing? I’m sure just as rubbish as me!
The waiting for results is the worst thing but now you have them and you want something clarified ring them back.
I rang the helpline yesterday and spoke to a wonderful lady who helped me understand what I’m going to hear today in approx 7 hours! She was lovely I think it might help you to ring them they know what they are talking about and are really supportive.
Your head will be all over the place I know mine is.
I know my lump is quite big so I’m preparing for them to say mx as well but hoping not before xmas as I need to sort the rest of my presents out for my children.
Also can’t face going back to work yet so need to sort sick note out.
I think you should tell your mum everyone needs support from their mum. I told mine the day I found out and the next day she was flying to see my sister in mexico. My sis got cervical cancer last year and she came through it.
I know we can beat this ! Its just hard sorting out how cos its such a shock. Keep in touch
Love fran xx
Hi Fran,
Thanks for getting back so quickly. I suppose you have your results now. Hope they’re not as bad as mine. I’ve decided to tell my m on Friday, I’ll go with my cousin who had BC 11 years ago and is completely clear. She understands my m as well as me.
I do feel quite s*** at the moment, I’m wondering if it’s completely sunk in yet. My 2nd dau lives in Leeds, I might tell her about the Haven, will they accept family rather than the patient?
Please keep in touch, my way of coping is to ramble on.
Kind regards
Di (Newc43)
hi newc43
sorry your feeling so s*** at the moment. its good you have your cousin who has experience of bc she will understand how you feel but she will be able to help you get through your treatment also.
you wil get loads of support and advice from all the ladies on here too.
i was dx 17 nov. and now i still can’t believe it. i have had lumpectomy and waiting for next treatments to put in place. radiotherapy will be after xmas. not sure when hormone therapy will start.
once your treatment has started you will start to feel a little better. i take one day at time and only deal with one day at time.
do speak with your breast care nurse i have found mine really helpful and i have been in a total state with her several times. the helpline on here is also very good so please ring them about anything they are very good.
big hugs TTM
xxx
Hi TTM
Thanks for your reply. Tomorrow I have a chest xray and a bone scan. I asked if they can fix my arthritis at the same time! Is it bad that I’m still trying to be the comedian? How am I supposed to feel? Has it hit me yet? When I talk about my bc it’s like I’m talking about someone else. Is this how everyone else feels in the early stages? Going to tell my m tomorrow night about it? Wish me luck.
Newc 43 (Di)
Hello Newc43 and ttm and the other ladies.
Just wondered how you are?
I’ve been trying to take it all in. Everyone knows now, i spread the word and told some of my friends to tell other friends so it would be easier for me.
I’ve got so many questions for my meeting on wednesday with the bcn. I’ve seen other comments on there saying they know the grade and staging and the drugs they are having and i really know nothing. Is this becuase i havent had my op yet or is this that hospitals work differently.
Its all so strange…I know i’ll know more about the lymph nodes on wednesday and which op i’ve having i dont know all the jargon yet but then i didnt really ask. I was thinking about my children the whole time.
Anyway just checking in really let me know how you both get on.
Love fran xxx
Hi Fran
I didnt know what treatment I would be receiving until after my op, I had a WLE and SNB. 10 days after surgery I had an appointment with the surgical team and the oncologist on the same day. Thankfully the surgeon told me that they had got clear margins and it had not spread to my Lymph nodes which was good and the oncologist then went through my treatment which was 20 session of radiotherapy and tamoxifen for 5 years. They wouldnt have known most of the info before the op.
Hope this is helpful
Anne
Hi Fran
From the mammo and biopsy results they can get some information but most will come after surgery… They will know roughly how big it is from the Mammo and can often tell if lymph nodes are involved. They can tell the grade, whether it’s invasive or preinvasive cancer and what your hormone receptor status is. However during a biopsy they only sample a small but and on removing the whole lump may get extra information. So a grade 2 at biopsy may turn out to be a grade 3 or somebody with DCIS may be found have a small invasive tumour too, something thar appears to be 10mm on scans may on actual fact be 25mm when its removed, and somebody who appears to have negative nodes at scanning nay occasionally be found to have positive nodes following snb.
So they may be able to give you an idea if likely treatment if cancer is grade 1 and small and hormone pos with no nodes likely treatment woul be lumpectomy snb radiotherapy and hormones if on the otherhand Its a 7cm tumour and grade 3 with pos nodes hormone her2pos it’s more likely to be Chemo first followed by mastectomy ANC radiotherapy herceptin and delayed reconstruction.
They get more info as they go along
Lulux
hi fran, hope you are doing ok.
you have done really well speaking to people already. i have still havent spoken to some people yet, i think because with many appointments and things it so tiring and then haven’t got energy to ring people.
the BCN’s are really good and she should help you on wednesday get a few things straight in your head hopefully. it is difficult at first taking in information. dont forget the helpline on this site is very good if you need to ring them before wednesday. i have rang them a couple of times and they have helped me a lot.
i am still taking one day a time with things. some days dont seem too bad and then other days i just feel c***. i suppose this will last for a long while - as you say it does take a long time to take it all in and doesnt seem real.
big hugs
love TTM xxx
Hello Lulux
I was going to ask the same questions as Fran and you have answered these very plainly; isn’t there so much to take in!
Fran; I told my mum on Friday night and I was surprised that she took it so well, but she switches off which is her way of coping. I can now tell the people who need to know. I think yours is a good idea of telling certain people and they can spread the word.
Got an appt today for an abdomen ultrasound - is this usual too? It’s on the 28th, when I see the conslt again and get the other results. I have some questions to ask the bcn first though on Monday. I’ll take your advice, ladies, and ring this helpline too. Not much more I can do now until the 28th, so I’m going to enjoy Christmas with my family.
Love Di (Newc43)
Hello Ladies
Thanks for your posts and advice really appreciate it. So I’m back to 2 more sleeps till I find out about the op and other bits.
How are you all doing?
Newc43 and TTM hows it going for you? Its the waiting thats the hardest. Why would have an abdomen ultrasound i’ve no idea about that one!..Its like my son said to me i was worrying about them cutting your tummy and i said why its in my booby not my tummy…so hope you find out why they are doing that. I’m still in the dark and have loads of questions which lulu and others have answered me and i would ring my bcn but when i’m at home its so hard to talk on the phone as my yd shouts or screams or generally moans…even if i go out of the room she follows me so I thought it best to wait till wednesday to speak in peace and quiet.
I’m actually looking forward to some peace for a few hours away from the madness especially as the school breaks up tomorrow as well. Even though i’ve having all these tests it will be relaxing for me. So i’m looking at it all positively and I know it will be a long road but there are so many wonderful ladies who are here to tell the tale. So i think although it hasnt sunk it that i have bc at least i have found a wonderful place to talk to other people about it.
Lots of love
Fran xxx
Hi Leeds39
I too was dx on the 7th and 13th Dec and i read all your posts and concerns as they were mine too, but it took me until last night to register. I felt everything, went through the thought process, lack of sleep and nerves etc just couldnt log on.
Like you i still find it so surreal. But you and others have helped so much in more ways than I can say.
I also have 2 more sleeps to find out op recon etc. So i will be thinking of you.
Take care
Hi all, I was diagnosed with breast cancer Monday 12th December after under going two biopsies as the first one was inconclusive. I am 44. I had my lump removed on Thursday 15th December and one lymph node. My family and I are still coming to terms with it but I am feeling positive. Unfortunately my Mom was diagnosed last year too but she is doing really well now after her treatment. Waiting to hear what further treatment i will have but it will be radiotherapy and almost certainly chemo too. Good luck to everyone xx
Hi
Biopsied on 7th Dec along with Mam and U/s and Confirmed 13th Dec
I have 2 lumps in my right breast and an enlarged lymph nodes which all have cancer and am told will have a mysec and all lymph nodes removed as i am also eastrogen receptive I will be given Tamox for five years.
Chemo and rads have not been mentioned, however, i see Specialist tomoz which will be I presume about recon and can ask about chemo etc then.
Im worried about recon and should or shouldnt i ( have read and looked pic etc and i know this is personal for all individuals just seems alot to take in as a huge impact either way) but also unsure of what comes first do you get surgery then chemo or rads or both? or do you have chemo rads then surgery as I have read various things. I supose it all boils dwn to what specialist says tomoz.
YOu see I was just expecting lumps to be removed and when told mysec and total lymph removal, I was stunned to say the least let alone comming to terms with the fact i have cancer which is still surreal, I try not to talk too much to everyone as i feel I am putting them off or going on and on.
I dont look ill and so to everyone I am normal like they are, so its hard for them to accept or understand - if you know what i mean.
god does this sounds stupid
I think i am just anxious and still totally gobsmacked by all of this what a poxy way to end a year and yet i feel so guilty as i know there are so many people out there who are worse off than me but i still feel that I must have done something really bad in a previous life!!
Hi Fran
This thing really sucks. I was diagnosed on Tuesday and am booked in for surgery within the next 3 - 4 weeks.
I can only give you the advice that my BC nurse gave me, try not to think too far ahead, take one day at a time, deal with that day then take the next and get through that and so on.
*hugs*
Linda
Hi Bicardicat
I noticed in your post you said you try not to talk about your diagnosis too much to people. I just thought I’d remind you about our Helpline. You could give them a call to talk things over and for information and support. They are open 9-5 on weekdays and 9-2 on Saturdays. 0808 800 6000. Calls are free and confidential.
Take care
Very best wishes
janet
BCC Facilitator
hi there bicardicat, sorry you have had to join us on here. yes you are quite right it does suck!
you shouldnt feel bad for talking about this to people and what you are going through. the helpline on here is great i have spoke with them a few times especially in the first 2 weeks when things were really unclear and i didnt understand about all treatments and terminology and just what to expect in general. or even if you just need to talk. you should have access to a breast care nurse, so please ask about that at your appointment if you havent already got one. mine has really helped me you can be yourself and just let everything out with them.
the ladies on this site are also here to support you, so keep posting with anything you need to ask or say.
big hugs
TTM xxx
Hi ladies
Is anyone going on the live chat tonight? It would be good to talk things over.
Di (Newc43)