Confused newbie 🙏

[southwest123]

I am on tamoxifen for 5 years. Like you, when it was first prescribed I was worried as there seems to be so many posts about awful side effects and so I thought for sure it would be horrible. Please remember that not everyone experiences these, I’ve been on tamoxifen for 1.5 years and have no issues at all. x

[Mamma2three]

This is very reassuring… thankyou xxx

[katie91]

How do you feel now you’ve got more info? Hope you’re feeling abit more reassured. It really is an awful time waiting, we all completely understand your worries!

I felt the same when they mentioned some of the therapies messing with fertility, I have 2 beautiful daughters and tbh am very happy with 2 but it was still very upsetting to think that choice could be taken away from me (as grateful as I am with my 2 it’s still a kick in the teeth isn’t it).

I’ve read lots of different opinions on tamoxifen but have seen alot of people who aren’t really that affected by it. I’ve read it really helps to stay healthy and active on it to reduce symptoms too! Xx

[missyv25]

Bless you, your story sounds so similar to mine. Indent in right boob, everything pointing to cancer. The worst part is waiting on the results.

I managed to get my head around mastectomy of right boob, so was floored when I was told I had cancer in left as well. Right is ILC and left IDC. Go figure.

3 weeks ago I had bilateral mastectomies. Recovering well. Waiting on Oncotype DX results to find out if chemo is required. Sentinel nodes were removed and clear.

It feels like a slap in the face, but you’re in good hands. My surgeon has been wonderful tbh. I cannot fault her or her care.

You’ve got this, we’re right beside you. xx

Sorry to hear about your dad. It’s so bloody tough. You’re going through a lot of emotions at the moment. MacMillan are brilliant and when you’re ready can offer therapy.

[hjt]

Hi sweetie just read your post, my heart goes out to you for what you have dealt with so far with family, a break up and teens, wow you are amazing.

Just want to say firstly I have just completed my cancer chemo journey, started May and last session was today. Been a little rough but support and information from this forum really helps, family and friends will eventually accept and work with you, I guess loved ones want to remain positive for you so will look at different scenarios rather than fear the worst for you at the moment, my eldest daughter did!

You’ve been so brave so far to get all the necessary check ups and as much as it is frightening and challenging, the family will find the strength to help You this time. I too kept strong for my girls but they dealt with it as long as I was open and honest with the treatment and side effects,

If you have to go down the treatment route, you will be amazed where your strength comes from and by the sounds of it you are a strong lady who wont let it get the better of you. I am so pleased you have found this site, you will get comfort and reassurance from some of the most finest strong ladies on here.

Love and best wishes to you on your new journey, keep going sweetheart

[gillid]

Exactly why we are all here. You can be your honest self and share your darkest thoughts with no judgement. You are bound to feel overwhelmed with all that has happened to you but YOU will manage this. There is no choice. We (women) spend our whole loves wearing idifferent masks for different people/circumstances. Its Ok to be scared. We hear you. xx

[lolly53]

Hi ive been through all what your saying and luckily ive come through the other side after having 10mm lump in my left breast which was only found through having my mammogram . Theres nothing right or wrong with what people say , i just think they dont really know what to say , all positive talk is good , it dosent stop you worrying though . Try to stay posotive , its hard i know but chatying is good . I called Mcmillan and chatted with a lovely lady . Give it a go . Good luck

[bc2025]

Hi there,

I’m sorry you’re having to go through all of this. It is challenging, especially when you’ve had/have lots of other things going on as well.

I’ve been diagnosed with Grade 2 IDC last year, luckily relatively small tumor and no spread, so only needed Lunpectomy, sentinel lymph node removal and radiotherapy & hormone treatment for 5 years.

I can give you some info about my experience with Tamoxifen. Like you, I was really worried about taking Tamoxifen, I had heard and read all these horror stories and about women stopping the treatment because the side effects were so bad. I’ve been on it now since the beginning of the year (with a 2 month break due to some other, unrelated surgery). Apart from having to be careful not to get constipated, I’m doing really well and don’t seem to have any noticeable side effects.

From my own experience, I would say, try not to worry too much about the things that have not happened yet, as you/your body might react very differently to the next person. Easier said than done, I know! I’m generally a massive worrier and the first thing I did as soon as I was diagnosed, was looking at wigs online!

Try to take it one step at a time, talk to friends and family, go out/have fun/laugh as much as you can, that’s what got me through. And do ask for help if you need it. People often don’t know what to say or do, but they want to help. Make sure you make the most of it.

Wishing you all the very best and as positive an outcome as possible.

Lots of love xx

[shirleya]

Hi, so sorry you are on this roller coaster. It’s such a lot to deal with. This is a good place to come to talk to people who really do understand. I wish I could send my arms to you for a big hug but I’m afraid it will have to be contained in this message. You are not alone with this.

[garmonfa]

I went through something similar this time last year- an ugly dimple-and went immediately to the doctor. I had a lumpectomy December 3rd last year. Lymph node fine, but a second tumour behind the first-both removed. The second was oestrogen positive, so after 5 days radiotherapy back in February I am now on Letrozole for 5years. I’m sorry that you are going through such an awful time and I really sympathise as to how hard it is for you, but I think your cancer treatment will go well. The surgeon and the nurses are so experienced that you will be in safe hands. Concentrate on yourself as much as you can. I wish you all the very best

[Mamma2three]

Thankyou so much… I had my MRI scan results yesterday and was expecting my surgery and treatment plan, but another spanner in the works hit. The MRI scan has shown to smaller suspicious lesions, so I was in for another ultrasound, biopsy and mammogram. With another clip left in situ. I think the plan is if this is cancerous they intend to do a mastectomy.

I’m sure my next questions will all be about the best option for reconstructive surgery. How do people feel about having one breast with a real nipple and the other without. Do they go through all the options with you. I have so many questions but when I am there my mind goes quiet as I seem to be hit with more questions than answers.

Thankyou beautiful ladies for all your amazing support xxx

[foxgem]

Hi @Mamma2three my heart goes out to you as I had exactly the same! At the appointment I thought I was getting my treatment plan, I instead had to have a new area biopsied and mammogramed.
It seemed to be something new at each meeting.
And like you if the new area they found was cancer I was due to have a mastectomy. It was really hard not knowing but I did lots of research on all the different options so that it wasnt a shock when I found out. Then in the end it was benign and the surgeon wanted to do a lumpectomy.

This cancer journey gives us whiplash daily!

Hopefully they wont leave you waiting long as they called me in early as soon as they got my results. They know you’ve already waited enough

[katie91]

Oh I feel your pain, I was diagnosed with a small lump at the end of 0ctober and sent for an MRI and mammogram which each showed more suspicious areas so had to have a mammogram and mri biopsy. It was so hard the waiting but @foxgem and the rest of the ladies on here offered me so much support and got me through it as they all reminded me all though the waiting is the worst at least no matter the outcome they will have the best possible treatment for us and our situation. It turned out the areas were both benign so I’m booked in for a lumpectomy next Tuesday.

I opened my my mind to whatever treatment was the best for me. Maybe take notebook with all of your questions in.

You will get there, as hard as it feels right now to be waiting. Sending lots of love x

[juliettemvp]

I was just diagnosed on Dec. 17th w/ IDC and am now scheduled for a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on January 8th. I am terrified and having a hard time not thinking it’s going to turn out really bad.

The breast clinic and the cancer agency have been incredibly supportive. I’ve had nurses check on me, a social worker call me and I have a zoom meeting tomorrow with a physiotherapist to discuss exercises after the lump.

I had no symptoms, it showed up on a mammogram. After a 2nd mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy they confirmed it’s IDC. Apparently quite small (12mm x6mm x6mm) but am so scared they’ll find it in my lymph nodes. I know that will likely have to have radiation after and that scares me too. I’m just in shock and scared of what’s to come. Glad that this forum is here to read other’s stories and have support and support others.

[kelatk]

Hi, I’m new also and confused. I have a visible painful lump at 12 o’clock 1 cm from the nipple. Pathology confirmed malignant ER and PR positive HER2 low which the nurse said was basically negative. Grade 3, Nottingham score 8, lymphovascular invasion identified. It’s been 3 weeks and I’ve yet to hear from the doctor. The nurse said it’s stage 1a, and the oncology tumor report says no lymph node involvement. I have not had surgery or lymph node biopsy. I don’t understand how the nurse knows. The doctor said she was 100% positive it was a fibroadenoma and not concerned at all but would biopsy for my peace of mind. I’m glad to say I advocated for my health but don’t understand how they feel so confident when they were also confident it was a fibroadenoma. I’m losing faith in my car team due to poor communication and no sense of urgency. Any feedback would be great, maybe this is normal and I’m overthinking.

[katie91]

Sorry you have to be here too!! Im a few weeks ahead of you diagnosed on 30th October with IDC and had a few further biopsies show up some areas of concern but lucky turned out to be benign so just the one malignant lump. I had my lumpectomy on 16th December after what felt like forever and as the weeks went on I found it much easier to be positive. Although I’m now waiting on pathology results and results from sentinel node biobsy i find it easy to forget about it and crack on with life/Christmas. I’ll deal with that in January but for now I’m enjoying life! 5 weeks ago felt like the end of the world with constant tears and couldnt see any light or focusing on anything other than my diagnosis, but the point of my message is just to say it will get easier to deal with. At the beginning when i was diagnosed, just like you and lots of others on this forum really feared the worst. I think its natural as soon as we hear the word cancer but the one thing that massively helped me was not googling anything. I asked for positive stories on here which really kept me going, theres ladies on here still living there best lives and cancer free 19/20 plus years from diagnosis!! Treatments are so advanced now!

Sending you so much love I know this is so tough and especially at this time of year! I have 2 young children so they’re definitely helping to keep my mind busy xx

[juliettemvp]

Thank you so much. A good reminder to stay away from google, That’s all I’ve been doing. I have lost 2 friends and an aunt to BC so I’m finding it hard not to spiral.

I have a very good surgeon and so I feel like I’m in tbe best place and the best hands. It’s very small so that gives me a bit of hope as well.

It’s the loss of control that’s difficult too. They’re telling me lots of rest before & after and I’m not usually one to just ait around. Sending you back lots of love and hugs. We’ll get through this! Merry Christmas!

[katie91]

That must be very difficult for you as you’ve lost peopld to BC thats good that its very small. I agree about the loss of control it’s very strange for me! I had my lumpectomy on 16th December and i was out working on 20th December (the joys of being self employed with a party business in our busiest party season of the year ) but i was stricly overseeing (no lifting) as i hate to not be in control!! I’ve done a few hours of work over the past couple of days at a few parties and rested aswell inbetween, like you I’m not one to sit around. I think mentally it’s helped me to be back to normal but I am looking forward to a nice break at christmas for a few days.

We certainly will get through it! Merry Christmas to you too🥰