Underwent a lumpectomy for Stage III invasive BC on 19th October. Lost my job (6 month contract) having only been there since SEptember. Am now recovering well at home. Seeing oncologist next week to discuss radiotherapy and chemo. My cancer is not receptive to hormones so this therapy is my only option. My consultant threw a few statistics at me, saying after inputting my age (52), size of tumour he removed, type of cancer etc my survival rate is 79% at moment. With the chemo is jumps up by 7.7%. To me this seems a small percentage bearing in mind the side effects of this therapy. I have to make a decision next week on what to do and I really am not sure that 7.7% is going to be much comfort in the next few months. I live alone with my grown up son (21 years old) and more than anything I would love to see him settle down and have children. But already he is finding my emotional state difficult to deal with and I feel the stress is getting to him already. There is no history of this disease in my family, so I feel very isolated as no one seems to know what I feel at the moment. Everyones problems seem so trivial to me now. They have all been very very kind, but its like now I have had surgery the worse is over, but I feel that that was the easy bit in a way and the next few months are when I’ll need the support.
Is there anyone going through anything similar to me?
Hi Shopper1
Im on the kent/sussex border so not a million miles away from you. I am also 52 and diagnosed with Grade 3 Stage 2 BC in August 2009. Had the lump removed and then another op to increase the safety margins and have just started FEC chemo. My stats were 62.9% jumping by 11% to 73.9% if I had the chemo and radiotherapy. My two daughters are in their 20’s and I am determined to do everything I can and grab every single tiny extra percent to be around for my full quota of years. Had the first chemo two weeks ago and it wasnt nearly as bad as I had prepared myself for. I worked on the reverse pshycology (?) and expected the worse of every single symptom known to man/woman and am pleasantly surprised with what I dont get and what I do isnt as bad as I forecast myself! Just remind yourself that the op is over and done with and the shock of being diagnosed. My worst point emotionally was after the tumour test results came back and I realised that i wasnt going to get away without chemo as they had first hoped and i had to go back in for another op to take away some more!!. Mine isnt hormone dependant either - we are part of the 15% that arent! Reading all these positive comments here on the site everyone is affected by the treatment differently but everyone is upbeat, positive and encouraging and so damn quick to help out anyone else here. Its sad that we are all part of this group but it does make you re-assess life. You realise just how many fab people there are. Try and think positively and long term. Good luck. Hopefully your son will be able to come to terms with it soon and be a great support. My girls are just wonderful, each in their own way.
Karen xx
Hi I live in dartford kent having treatment at maidstone hospital ,would be good to chat to anyone in kent area jane
I live on the Kent coast and had my surgery at William Harvey hospital in Ashford (3 ops so far!) but being treated at Kent&Canterbury for everything else. Awaiting rads at end of April.
Would be good to chat to anyone in North or Eastern Kent and maybe even meet up…
I use trains,so Kent meetings at Maidstone take days to reach…!!!
However,anywhere on the Ramsgate train line up to Bromley would be accessible for me.
Read my profile to find out more.
I am not in exactly the same situation as you Shopper1 but I can understand your dilemma of living alone.
Janey23 I’ve not met you before and wondered where you are in your recovery? Do hope you’re ok. I’m plagued with breast pain after mx despite it being 8 weeks since… Me and the painkillers are the very best of friends!!!
Best wishes to you all from Welsh girl
Hi, I live in Medway and have completed treatment at both Maidstone and Medway Maritime hospital: 2 ops, chemo, rads and now tamoxifen. I am currently waiting for reconstruction which should happen in July. I Would like to talk to anyone in local area.
Hi, I live in Medway too and have just been diagnosed (2 weeks ago), waiting for a date for surgery, so would be lovely to chat to someone local xxxx
Hi
I live in kent and had treatment at maidstone hospital, dx april 08. i meet with two different groups of ladies, quite regularly, one on a saturday lunch and one on a thursday evening, both in the maidstone area.
anyone is welcome to come along.
deb x