Very scared, told have cancer and its in lymph nodes as well last week and then told have to wait until after Easter to see any doctors…really could with some local online support
Hi Sascha,
I’m in the UK but thought I’d bump you up the pages in the hope that someone will come along to help you.
Just wanted you to know that your not alone.
Axx
Sascha,
I’m in UK but was living in France just prior to diagnosis. If your concerns are about level of care and treatment, Southern Europe has better survival rates than Northern. Breast cancer treatment seems to be an agreed regime worldwide, carefully matched to type and grade.
If what you need most is moral support from other patients, most of us who support each other here never see each other face-to-face but we we give and get a great deal of help. Everyone here will understand your fears and worries . We all know that the waiting is harder than the treatment. Not knowing what is happening is the toughest part of the journey.
Just know that in a few days from now a professional team will make decisions on how to give you back your life. Their decisions will be the same wherever in the world you live. Breast cancer is one of the success stories of this century.
In personal terms, you need friends or family to help you through but I have to say that it is the women on this site who understand what I feel better than even my nearest and dearest. People here will be honest and reassuring. Ask anything and someone will try to give you an answer. Describe your feelings and many will tell you how normal they are. Get angry and others will understand you only too well.
I hope you find people in your own area very soon, but until then remember that we are all only a message away.
Sending you much love,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen, thank you for your lovely post and for taking the time to reply.
I am now on day 5 of waiting to see the doctors having been told I have cancer and its in lymph nodes too although I am not sure how they can know that for sure without a biopsy of them. I have no idea what to expect other than that it will be traumatic and I am sure they will do, at very least, a half mastectomy due to size of tumour, which is visible and growing. (6cm + )
I am not good with hospitals as have had way too much time in hospitals in the past due to other health issues and have tiny veins so drips are a total nightmare for me as they are so painful.
Sounds like you are doing well? Hope so
Hi again Sascha,
I’m on my last cycle of chemo after mastectomy in Nov 2011. Not all easy but never as bad as I expected. I also have rubbish veins but the experts have always managed to find them for me!
My next step is 15 days of radiotherapy next month.
I had a 5 cm tumour (no nodes but close to chest wall and aggressive ) so needed all the treatment. I danced at my son’s wedding just 11 days after mastectomy and believe me I am a great wimp where pain is concerned.I promise you from the bottom of my heart that you will get through this and come out stronger.
Much love,
Kathleen
Hi - I’m in Spain but not the south, I’m in Orihuela Costa on the Costa Blanca and was diagnosed in August 2010. I had a bilateral mastectomy followed by 4 chemo and had the first part of implant only reconstruction in November last year. All the treatment I had was excellent and the hospital here is easy to get to and I can always park,and it’s free! It was hard going through it all but I had lots of support from family and friends and I also contacted MABs, a cancer charity here in Spain, who are lovely and can’t do enough for you. Please contact me with a private message if you feel you want to and if I can be of any help to you I will be delighted.
Hope all goes well, xx
Oh thank you for your replies. I am waiting for radical mastectomy now, based just on how my breast looks without the biopsy, but that will be done within the next week, then its a case of scheduling for the chop. Doctor is very sure it is cancer
Hi all,
My name is Michelle and I was diagnosed with breast cancer just 5 months ago. I had a lumpectomy in May and I am now in the midst of chemotherapy with 3 sessions down and 13 to go. Just wondering if there is anyone in Barcelona? I am from NL, Canada but have lived in Barcelona since 2003. Although I love it here and feel this is my home it´s still tough having friends and family so far away, especially when you have a 16 month old and no one to turn to for help. So I am just looking for someone who understands what I am going through.