Am I alone on this journey or is there anyone in my area. I am 34 and had dx 18 june, grade 2 invasive, no node involvement. Surgeon said no clear margins pre cancer within 1mm. Now having to go in on Monday 14 july for mastectomy, they said they don’t know if I have to have chemo but BCN said on the MDT notes it said to discuss mast and chemo. Really confused at mo, upset and really tired and feel I have no-one to talk to that understands everything I am going through and feeling.
I am writing to let you know about our ‘Younger women’s forums’ which provide a chance for you to meet others in similar situations, here is the link to the web page containing details of where and when they are held:
You can also call our helpline for details about support groups around the country, they may have details of one near you where you get together with others, or your BCN may have knowledge of groups in your area.
Helpline 0808 800 6000 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.
Hi Essie I live in Tamworth …I am 52 …but young at heart !!
I had Mastectomy last october and recon Jan this year …will be popping in and out this thread to see if you are ok if you fancy a chat and support this site is marvellous you are never alone …it has been a great help to me xx so if i can be of any help to you just ask x
Love Maz xxxx
Do feel really alone, nobody near me and no-one to talk to, one BCN at my hospital is a waste of space, the other is really nice but can never get hold of them when I need and they don’t call if you leave a message. Had WLE 6 June and was led to believe that would be the end of it except hormone therapy but no, the crazy thing is I went two and a half years ago about a discharge in the same breast and was told to go away that there was nothing to worry about. Having this surgery on Monday and they said they would show me pictures of the surgeons handy work but nobody has so I don’t really know if it’s good or bad. Having a skin saving mastectomy with immediate recon with tissue expander but feel really worried about it. When recon finished want a holiday in the sun but if I lie down one will point north the other east. Don’t know whiether they will sort both out when permanant implant goes in. Lots of questions and no straight answers. All I reallywant is to be ok for my hubby (married 3 years last week although been together for 16) and my two kids.
Sorry I’m not in your area but you are certainly not alone on your journey. I was dx on 18 June too. You must have had WLE quite quickly after dx? I had WLE and SNB last week and get my results on 14 July - same day as your mastectomy. I’ll be thinking of you and hoping all goes well for you. It must be a massive shock to have to go through this just when you’re recovering from one operation physically and emotionally.
I don’t know about chemo - but it might be that you only needed chemo if you had a further re-excision and not mastectomy. Why don’t you try to contact your breast care nurse and discuss it with her tomorrow. I am sure she will be able to find out if she doesn’t know immediately. It may also be that they felt it best to take one step at a time - when I was given the dx my concentration just disappeared. Thankfully my OH was with me and he kept telling me things afterwards that I’d completely missed because my mind was a million miles away!!
Anyway just wanted to say that there are a lot of people on here to help - I’m not as young as you - was 50 a few weeks ago but we are all treading the same boards and hopefully we can all help each other through those rough times. Take care, Looby
Hi essie I had an expander implant fitted at the same time as the mastectomy then in Jan got swapped for the perm one …my plastic surgeon uplifted the other boob to match …originally wsa booked in for WLE but after an MRI scan the whole breast was dodgy so had no hesitation about the mastectomy .alot of the ladies my age domnt go go for the recon but I am the vainest person in the world so I did !! Please do not try to worry to much …they can do amzing things these days when my daughter saw mine in Jan she thought they were fab … I will be honest with you it is not an easy journey but we know that we have to do it and there is light at the end of i all when I was first dx iwas on a nemotional roller coaster …but you you just deal with it its hard to explain … so please do not worry … if you want to send me a private message feel free if you dont want to chat on the forum …any way will leave it up to you will be glad to help if I can xxxx Wht hosptal are you being treated at ?
Maz xxx
Hi Maz,
I am being treated at Stafford District General under a Miss Vidya. She is very vague on answers to questions, the only thing I can say is I asked to go first and she put it down for first on the list as I have a terrible fear of hospitals.
Not in a good mind at mo, dx May, WLE and SNB 6 June, results 18 June that was when I was told had got to have mastectomy. Grade 2 invasive ductal, 45mm tumor taken but still pre cancerous cells within 1mm of the margin, thankfully no node involvement. Hope you get good results, probably speak when I get out of prison (only joking!) sorry I meant hospital.
Hi Essie I am sure you will be fine …the hospital wont be as bad as you imagine …will keep in touch if you want me towhen you have had op when are you being admitted ? We are all allowed to be scared its only natural will be thinking of you !!! have to sign off now as writing in bed as have an early start at work tomoz … will keep you in my thoughts and chat soon Love Maz just remember I am only down the A5 xxxx
Maz,
would really like to stay in touch! Going in Monday 14 July hoping to be out the next day as I am addicted to a program on Living called Ghost Whisperer and don’t want to miss it. Ive go to go too Ive a shopping list to do and sandwiches to pack for the kids the its sleeping tablet and bed. Would love to be back at work but too anxious and weepy to work as I work in a playgroup. Say boo to me and I cry. Night, night, and sweet dreams.
Looby
I’m a good girl i am! If I don’t crack a joke or two I may cry. Sorry can’t say will be thinking of you on Monday as I’ll be away with the fairys, but I do hope it will be ok for you. You never no I may get early release and be back online on Wednesday, have a break on Tues as I watch Ghost Whisperer on Living TV it’s really good and even better with a big box of maltesers.
Hi essie just in from work … I have seen the Ghost whisperer on the odd occasion I am addicted to Hollyoaks .
Will be thinking of you on Monday … keep in touch you know where to find me xxxxxx
Maz xx
Sorry to jump in on this thread, but I am 35 and live in cannock! I was also under Miss Vydia. My onc was Dr scoble but now I am under Br Bhana.
I had a mascetomy 21st Jan 08. Reading yr thread sounds so familiar! I had a wle 31st dec 07 no good. I have been married 4yrs but been with hubby fof a total of 18yrs! I also felt that the bcn nurses even though helpful were not really there for me at the beginning, thank god I found this site! I also have two young children, hey you never know we may have actually bumped into each other!!! Have lived in cannock now for 10yrs worked at preschool, school & morrisons!
I wanted to reassure u so I hope u are able to read this before tomorrow, Vydia is very good at what she does, even though she does not say alot! but if you want a question answering keep masking it till you get the answer!
I wish you all the best and if you are on ward 10, 8 or 2 I can guarantee that all the nurses are fab, OMG that looks bad sorry I have been in and out quite a few times with one thing or another!
Anyway best of luck.
Hopefully chat 2 u when u get home.
Im 34 and from sutton coldfield if that helps not to far! I’m nearing the end of chemo and i know its frightening but we have to do it we have no choice. don’t be scared it okay . Ive had a lumpectomy and now on chemo.
There are always a load of us on here to help so please don’t be frightened.
Hi all,
Thanks for your messages, they have given me that bit of strenghth I need. Hope tomorrow goes quick and I am home as quick as I was after my WLE (the same day but thats too much to hope for.)
Mel: you say in your thread you worked at Morrisons was that the one in Cannock as my cousin is a supervisor there in the cafe. You may now her, her name is Karen. If you do ask her for my tel no, as would love to talk to you. She may be confused by the name I have given just tell her that her Uncle Arthurs daughter has told you, will make sure she knows tel no and you may go in and ask for it.
Miss Vidya is a funny one, can’t make her out, supposed to see pictures of her work but haven’t don’t know wheither I am gonna have a good job or be butchered. Saw Senior BCN and she just the same, not very helpful but the BC sister was brill, worked myself up to a state and she explained it to me more clearer, my mom came with me and said if they had explained it to me as she had 3 weeks previous I would not have been in that state. Major phobia of hospital’s and Drs, dont trust them.
Thanks again everyone for your kind thoughts and will hopefully speak to you all soon, gonna try and get some sleep but I guess I wont get any as I did’nt last night. Too frightened!
Yes it is the Cannock Branch will pop into today and see, I think I know who you are on about!
I dont blame you with the trust thing as one minute you are in control and the next total strangers…
But please dont worry I have been in and out of stafford more times than we have had rainy day!!! thats a lot…
Miss Vydia is good at what she does…
I hope all goes well - you are probably there now…
Thinking of you
Mel
xx
Came out yesterday afternoon with one drain, Vidya seemed pleased. Just a bit stiff and sore. Phil and Helen from ward 8 said to send their love and hugs to you. Will speak soon, have told Karen to give you my number. Gonna go really tired still.
Essie xxx
Glad you free! Listen to your bod hun and rest! You were lucky I had two drains first time (WLE) Then three drains with the masectomy!
I am a little worried that Phil & Helen still remember me of Ward 8! Did I make that big an impression, mind you they do say I’m a hard person to forget! HEHEHE
Saw Karen yesterday - went for brekkie with OH. Gave her all my details.
Well better go nurses due soon
You rest and take care
Hopefully we can meet up for a coffee… #Hugs#
Mel
xx