Hello to anyone in this area? I live in Darlington and was diagnosed at Darlington Memorial Hospital but have transferred to James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough. I got my results (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma) on 1st June and am having lumpectomy and some lymph nodes removed on 7th July. I must say I have my moments when I feel very, very scared. The first days around and after diagnosis were very dark but have felt stronger as days go by. Still cant believe it really because I feel so healthy and there is no family history etc What about you? The worst pain for me is putting my partner and the children (aged 14, 18, 20 and 23) through such worry . Anyway it would be great to hear you. Cazza
Hi Cazza,
I live in Middlesbrough and had a masectomy on 21st Dec. Have finished chemo and almost finished rads, on herceptin for 1 year and Femera tablets for 5 years. Also no family history. Had all my treatment at James Cook and can honestly say they have been wonderful. The day I was diagnosed and told I had to have a masectomy was very emotional. I came home from the hospital with my partner after sitting in the car crying for half an hour before we could even think of driving. We phoned all the people important to us and the hardest was telling my 29 yr old daughter who lives in cornwall. I cried all day, and said thats it, no more crying, lets deal with this and get on with whatever needs to happen to fight this crappy disease. I have had wonderful support from bcn, chemo nurse is especially wonderful. I know it is a very hard time for you, you need to take each day one step at a time and I hope you will find this site helpful. It helped me so much just to be able to talk to ladies who had/were going through the same experience. What you have to remember is the treatment we are given now is so much better than what was around even 5 years ago. Breast cancer treatment is so more advanced. My friends and family are always saying to me how brave and positive I am, but they have not seen the time when I have felt low and had a good cry, even though I said crying was done, (usually in the shower, where I could cry away).
I really believe James Cook offers us the best treatment possible and I am glad I live here and have this wonderful hospital on our doorstep.
Some people find it hard to talk, but I found it better to talk about it all and once I was given my treatment plan I printed out the relevant information sheets from this website. My advise is not to jump to far ahead, when I was having chemo I read up on chemo, then once I was due to start rads I read up on them. Don’t do it all at once, its too much to deal with. One step at a time makes everything more manageable.
You will be well looked after and please keep in touch, I will save this thread to my saved discussions and if you have any questions I will try and help.
Be strong lady xxx Anne xxx
Hi Anne. What a lovely reply. I am so heartened by what you said about James Cook hospital. I went for my pre-op assessment yesterday and everyone I met was lovely. I would like to keep in touch with you if thats ok? For some reason it helps to know you have been treated at the same hospital. Have just read your reply out to my partner - she found it very reassuring too. Thank you so much. I have cried a lot too - an awful lot but what amazes me is that we have also laughed quite a lot. I did go through a few days when I really tried to stop myself crying but that didnt work for me so I now let myself cry when I feel like it which isnt that often now and I usually feel so much better for it. Also I have been so touched by the supportive and loving reaction of friends and collegues - that has really kept me going. I think thats good advice from you just to take one step at a time but its hard. I hate shocks (like when I was diagnosed) so try to prepare myself for every eventuality. For example looking at what other people say it seems as though it is not uncommon for people to have to have mastectomies after lumpectomy so I am trying to square that in my mind - just in case. I have already been told I am likely to have chemo and radiotherapy. Mine has spread to my lympph glands (grade 3) so I think that makes it more likely.
Hi Cazza, I am from Hartlepool. I had my rads at James Cook Hosp. I can honestly say they are truly wonderful there. I had stage 3 and lymph involvement too. I had my mastectomy 2nd of June last year, so been through it all now. I am triple negative so not on any follow up treatment.
It is all doable darl. aim for the light at the end of the tunnel. You WILL get there.
Pm me any time darl.
xxx Rita
Hello Cazza - I live near Darlington and had my treatment and chemo at the Memorial, although my surgery was actually at Bishop Auckland. Must agree with peppapot about the rads at James Cook - the girls (and boys!) were fab , so very friendly and put you at ease. Can recommend the coffee shop in the main canteen too. They do lovely cakes and when I was going in May you got a free cake with a large drink so it made the treatment worthwhile -lol. Try to book some treatments at the Holistic Centre, I had reki every Thur morning before my treatment and found it so relaxing.
As Richo said take your treatment one step at a time and make time for lots of little treats to help you through. You will find loads of info on here and if not just ask!
Good luck with your op on the 7th. Marli x
Hi everyone, my name is Kim and I live in Richmond, North Yorkshire. I am 41yrs old now but was dx when I was 32 in May 02. I was dx with DCIS, grade 2 invasive cancer and had 2 out of 12 lymphnodes involved. Mine was also oestrogen receptive. I had a mastectomy of my left breast, immediate reconstruction using my Lattismus Dorsi muslce and my husband of nearly 1 year thinks it looks brilliant.
I wish I could have talked to ppl who were survivors, at the time of my dx but I never met any. This is why I am posting on here, I am a 8 year survivor and yes there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The journey hasn’t been easy, I’ve had chronic depression and my my fair share of scares but I’m here and living life.I try to live each day and try to do all the things I would like to do, as long as it’s affordable.
Would love to hear from other ladies and hope that I have given some of you more hope.
Kim x
Hi Everyone my name is Liz and I was dx on 4th November I go for my lumpectomy and some lymph gland removal on 1st December at North Tees hospital .If anyone else has had this op please could you tell me what to expect and how hard is it to get dressed after with your arm ? etc.Oh forgot to say I live in Ferryhill .
Hi everyone,
I’m from Bishop Auckland and was dx on Feb 8th 2011. I had my lumpectomy at North Tees hospital and will starting chemotherapy on March 28th. Afterwards I will be having rads at James Cook.Would love to get in touch with anyone who is on the same journey, or has already completed it. My friends and family have been a fantastic support but it is hard for them to really understand what i am going through or how scared I am!
RV
Hi, my name is Jo (41) and I am from Darlington. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer 6 weeks ago when my baby was 6 weeks old. I had my op two weeks ago at James Cook and was there this week for the results - the cancer hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes and they managed to get a good enough margin removed from around the tumour. The thing that worries me more is the fact that I am triple negative so there is no targeted drug therapy available to me after the chemo and radiotherapy. I keep reading that this type is faster growing and has a higher chance of returning within the first 1-3 year. I would love to hear from anybody out there who is going through a similar experience. It’s just so scary and unbelievable how common breast cancer is.
Jo x
Hi my name is Elinor - live in Eaglescliffe age 51. Was diagnosed with grade 3 cancer but caught early. Not spread to lymph nodes. Had lumpectomy and chemo at North Tees, rads at James Cook. Just had my first mammogram since rads finished in February. Am now on Tamoxifen and suffering hot flushes every night and they won’t really let me take anything for it. Got the all clear but took them 4 and a half weeks to tell me. Would like very much to meet up with anyone and chat and help with any advice from my experience if i can. Let me know…
Hi RV,
I’m Jo from Darlington and it looks as though we were diagnosed about the same time. I hope your chemo goes well on the 28th March I’ll be thinking about you. I know what you mean about family and friends - I suppose they feel useless, they don’t know what to do or say to you. This morning my hubby found me crying and he didn’t know what to say or do - I thought I had my head around the fact that I will probably lose my hair but it suddenly came to me this morning that I actually do mind!
Keep strong
Jo x
Hi my name is Deb and I live in Yarm, I was 1st diagnosed with BC 12 years ago I had a lumpectomey and lymph node removal had 6 mths of chemo and also had radio, I was clear for all that time until my routine yearly mammogram last october and took the call I have always dreaded 2 days after my birthday in November, something had shown up on my pics, had ultrasound, needle biopsy and then another biopsy a wk later as results were inconclusive, guess what the b***er had come back, I was absolutely devastated, I cant tell you how I felt cos it felt my world had fallen apart, the tears I have shed has been unbelieveable, could prob fill the Tees, I had a mastectomy on the 1st Dec at Hartelpool and thank god that it hadnt spread to my lymph nodes, I am having 4 lots of chemo and have had 3 already I can honestly say it hasnt been an easy time, then after a short break a 1yr of herceptin. I am having treatment at North Tees.
I have lost my hair again, cried when that started coming out so bit the bullet and shaved it all off! at least was in control of something!!
The hardest part of it all was having to tell my immediate family and close friends it was just awful, my youngest son took it the worst.
This site has been a godsend to me and wish it had been around all those years ago.
I dont think I will ever get my head around the fact that I going thru this again, so can sympathise with everyone either just finding out they have got this disease or fighting it.
Deb x
ladies - why don’t we arrange a meet up one weekend…
Hi
I live near Barnard Castle and had my last dose of chemo 10 days ago. Due to start rads on the 4th Aprl.
There is a group of people on the North East thread that meet up occasionally for lunch in Newcastle and I may not be 100% Jo but I think there is a lady on there who is triple neg so it might be worth posting something on that thread to get some info.
Take care
Reeb x
Hi Deb,
What a b****y shame you must feel that 12 years down the line that everything is sorted and getting on and enjoying life again. Do stay strong you’ve done it and got through it before so I’m sure that with the help of family and friends you can do it again
Take care
Jo x
P.S. I don’t mind meeting up with anyone who is interested - any excuse to get out!
Hi everyone
Yes think we should meet up would be nice to talk about everything, wil have to do when I feeling bit better.
Deb x
Hi Deb,
hope you’re feeling better soon - would love to meet up with others
Jo x
Hi RV,
hope all goes well for tomorrow
Jo x
Hi ladies,
So nice to hear from you all! I have just finished work today and am going in to North Tees tomorrow for an info session and to look around the chemo ward, then I start FEC1 on Monday. I am ready and just want to get on with it.
Jo my heart goes out to you having to go through all this with a new baby to look after too! How brave you are! I am 50 and my girls are all grown up and are away at uni (24, 22 and 18) so its just me and hubby going though the mill soto speak, I try to stay very upbeat for the girls as they all have exams coming up.
I would love to meet up with anyone who fancies it once I am feeling a bit better. I work in Darlington and am hoping to be back at work the week after next (April 4th) assuming nothing goes wrong.
Lots of love and support to you all,
Liz x
RV = I was off for several months during chemo and rads. I felt too unwell to contemplate going back to work. Don’t push yourself from a feeling of obligation to go to work. You won’t get any extra thanks for it and just end up feeling worse…
I am now back at work parttime although feeling well I still get a little tired and don’t want to oberdo it…take care and hope all goes well…the nurses in the chemo ward are great…