Hiya
I found a lump on the 10th November. Gp was amazing. But I had a 10 day holiday booked so they told me they would sort me an appointment and I’d hear whilst I was away. My appointment was arranged for my first day back home. Spent my holiday convincing myself I was overreacting.
I’m in shock still to be honest, I’ve not reacted to the news really. Tears when they first told me, but I’m just massively overthinking. I’m waiting on the hospital discussing my case and then I go back in for a chat about the next steps. Could be any day now.
Main worry is my HRT, I’ve been on it for two years and it honestly made life worth living again. I’m terrified they will take me off it and I’ll have a breakdown. I also worry about my partner, we only moved in together last February. I’m scared he may think that this isn’t what he signed up for! So much stuff going through my head!
Em
Hello @emmfor2629
I’m so sorry you find yourself here, when you first walk through the door marked “breast cancer diagnosis” it’s absolutely horrendous, being pushed into a room full all sorts of unknowns and people you don’t know: the worst part being you are screaming “I didn’t ask to go here!”
Your head and mind are completely overwhelmed with lots and lots of questions you desperately want to know the answer to, some of which only the doctors can give you, others of which we the breast cancer community can try to help you with. One thing for sure is that Dr Google won’t give you any answers so please don’t go there! Feel free to ask as many questions as you want here, and by all means call the helpline at BCN. You should also have a real life BCN who will be there for you too. One tip lots of ladies find helpful is to carry a notebook and pen around to jot down questions they think of and to take notes in your appointments. It’s also helpful to take someone with you to appointments: 2 pairs of ears hear more than 1!
I can answer one of your questions which is yes, I’m afraid you will have to stop your HRT: the evidence is that that HRT doesn’t increase your risk of developing breast cancer, however it does increase your risk of recurrence. For many ladies coping with menopause after breast cancer treatment can be the hardest part. All is not lost however, there is lots and lots of support available to you both through your treatment and beyond.
For the time being however, you just need to take one day and one step at a time: I know you feel like your world has been turned upside down (if you scroll through the forums you’ll see references to rollercoasters washing machines all sorts!) and we all know how you feel at the moment and we are here for you.
Sending you lots of love
AM xxx