hello I was diagnosed just before christmas, I found lump in left breast my doctor referred me urgently to breast clinic where I had mammogram and ultrasound, had biopsy same day, was in clinic for 5hrs, I went through all tests in a daze. Then got called in to see doctor who had a nurse with him and my heart jumped out of my mouth. I could tell it wasnt good even though the biopsy had just been taken the doctor looked at me and said it doesnt look good, I couldnt say a word, the nurse started talking and I didnt hear a thing, then the doctor said is there anything I wanted to ask… I confess to being afraid to ask and I just said no and that I wanted to wair for the biopsy results. Anyway he said make an appointment for the following week and when I left the nurse handed me a card, I didnt look at the card untill I arrived home and it said breast cancer nurse, and I just cried and cried. The following week I arrived and the doctor said Im sorry but you have cancer, he then said that he knew even before the biopsy results were available, and that he couldnt tell me unless I had asked him and as I didnt that is why he left it until it was in writing for me to see. He is a lovely doctor and the nurse was very supportive… the rest is a blur as I had to have mri scan and cat scan and a bone scan all during christmas to new year week, they had found a couple of nodes that were not right and so they had to scan me. I had to wait over christmas and new year to see if it had spread, thank god it hasnt and I was so releived but still scared. I was due to start chemo last week but ive had flu real bad so it is starting this tuesday the 18th. I found this site and have looked at some posts and it seems a very supportive place to be. I will listen to anyone even though I dont know much about bc, but if anyone wants to rant or rave I will join them xx sorry we have to be here x take good care xx
Hi there pooki
Sorry to year of your diagnosis, but welcome to the forums, I’m sure you will find them a friendly and supportive place.
Thought you might be interested in reading our Resources pack which is filled with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available.
Here’s the link:
It can be ordered from the site at this link.
You might also find it helpful to give the helpline a ring if you need to discuss and understand your diagnosis a little more. The number is at the top of every page and they’re opne M-F 9-5 and Sat 9-2.
Best wishes
Louise
Facilitator
Sorry you’ve had to join our merry gang, but welcome. Ladies here will have had or are having the same, treatments, worries, anger, fear or anything else. It really helps when you don’t feel so alone. Sending you best wishes and cyber ((((( hugs )))))
Pat
Hi Pooki,
Looks like you are not sleeping much, judging from the time of your post . Sorry you find yourself here. I was diagnosed on the 12th Oct. Like you, called into a room that day with the surgeon and nurse. I found out that day. Nothing could have prepared me for the shock I felt. But although it does not get better, it does get easier to cope with.
I have had 4 out of 6 chemo now. It is all upfront, and I am having my op in March I think. Do you know what your treatment plan is yet?
Tracey
Hi Pooki
It sucks, doesn’t it. But there are others in the same boat as you, so we’ll all lend a hand on the oars when you find it difficult to pull in the right direction.
There are lots of ladies who are a little bit further along the road with their chemo and can give useful advice on how to cope with it, but it’s not going to be an easy path. Use the forums to shout and rage, or to ask for support when you’re feeling down, or even to announce your small triumphs - those are always good to read - and it can help to know you’re not alone.
Hi Pooki - so sorry to hear your story. Finding this site became a bit of a lifeline for me, i remember when i was going through active treatment i visited it loads of times a day - its a comfort to know that there’s somewhere you can go to where everyone “gets it” I was diagnosed on Jan 5th 2010 so i know what it feels like to have a lost christmas and new year, i was having biopsy and stuff between xmas and new yr - its real c**p - while the rest of the world parties and your life has imploded. I wanted to post to let you know it does get better honest - it won’t seem like it at presentbut once you start active treatment you’ll feel like your actively doing something about it. Be sure to look at the chemo threads, you’ll find some really good advice there, everyone’s different but for me the biggest saviour was gallons of water and a pressure point bracelet ( you know the kind you get for motion sickness). I did have one cycle of really bad mouth ulcers and thrush but got it under control after a couple of docs appointments. I wish you luck and send you tons of hugs.
lYNN
X
thankyou lynvee for your message of support, I feel so alone as I dont want to worry my family and I put on a brave face for them, but inside Im so scared.I had my first chemo on tuesday 18th jan, so far no sickness. I feel like im just waiting in limbo for a side effect to start that is what is scaring me. This site will become my lifeline I think, so many of us going through the same thing,I dont know much about it as I am new to all this, but some of the ladies posts that I have read are such an inspiration and I wish none of us had this flippin bc xxxxxxx take care angela
thanks ladies for the replies xxx it helps to have people to chat to. Im sorry we have to meet like this xxxxxxxx had my first chemo 2 days ago, no sickness as yet, have taken advice and made sure I drank alot of water and have been drinking as much as I can, I have managed to eat but I do have a funny taste in my mouth xxxxxxx I read a post about left breast or right breast bc and alot of people seem to have it in the left breast, I have it in left breast, and that is the breast that has always been more sensitive all my life, is that strange? best wishes to all xxxxxx and thankyou xxxxxxxxxxx angela
Hi Pooki,
sorry you have to join us here, but it’s nice to 'meet ’ you. No one wants to be here but funnily enough it is a huge comfort to be able to come here and ‘be’ with others going through the same as you and a greater bunch of new friends you would never meet. I have made lots of new breast friends since my diagnosis last March who have been an absolute rock for me as I went up and down the bc rollercoaster.
I just finished my treatments on 30th Dec, so as you were beginning my treatment journey is ending, it’s been a long haul but when I look back it does seem to have gone quickly (probably because I think I slept for most of the year !), but what I do want you to know is that it is doable, not easy, not nice but you will get through it and probably find that the reality of treatment is not as bad as you imagine it to be before you begin.
Well done on your first chemo and getting that out of the way…and see already you are waiting to see what happens because you thought you would immediately feel c**p and you don’t…you are still waiting for it to happen…hopefully it won’t and you will see what I mean about the doable.
Anyway, either way we are here to hold your hand on your bc journey, any questions ask away cos whatever you experience someone will have been there before you and will be along to help you, you really are not alone…there’s hundreds even thousands of us.
Take care and keep in touch
Cyber hugs for you
Suze x
Pooki, come join us on ‘Anxious about starting FEC in Jan’ or if you’re not having that treatment, you could look for a thread for your type of chemo–or start a new thread. It helps to share our reactions and how we cope with them.
Having all this thrown at you over the holiday period is extra difficult.
Drink lots of water, juice, tea, and eat small meals and snack between until your stomach settles down.
Best wishes,
Cheryl
Crikey, its like dejavu reading your Post.
I was diagnosed New Years Eve Dec 09. 2010 was a very crap year but New Years Eve 2011 was tremendous.
Things do and will get better, my focus from Jan 10 was Xmas 10 and i thoroughly enjoyed it!!! You will too this year.
Hi Pooki
Sorry you have had to join us and am glad you are not feeling too many side effects from your chemo.
For the funny taste - they suggest pineapple if this is any help.
Keep on posting - there are many that will help and support you through your treatment.
Janette. xxx
Hi Pooki,
Glad you’ve found us, but horrible that you had to. Shouting and screaming is good, as is general moaning, but we do laugh a lot as well!
I was DX at the same time as you - 15th December. I’ll never forget the ultrasound doc saying, “I’m not happy with those nodes…” I had my op on Christmas Eve and came home on Christmas Day so Christmas was a total write-off for my family. I had my staging scans this week but don’t have the results back yet and I started chemo on Thursday (3xFEC, 3xTax).
So far no bad side effects and not sick, I just feel tired and a bit under the weather and my digestive system is not at its best… I won’t go into any more details about that!
Do join us on the January FEC thread that CherylT mentioned - we’re all at pretty much the same stage so can laugh/complain in close harmony!
Jane xxx
hello, had 1st chemo on the 18th jan, was doing ok, til yesterday four days no sickness… then last nite I was so sick, felt disorientated and icy cold, lasted about 2hrs and I was so tired. Bit better today, scared to eat though… xx hugs to all xx
Hi Pooki
Do not feel you need to put up with being sick. If it keeps on happening then call your chemo unit or GP. You can have an injection to reduce the sickness.
Even if you cannot eat for a while you still need to drink lots. I was bad for about 5 days with my first FEC and advised the oncologist so he was able to change my tablets for sickness.
Janette xx
thankyou janvis, I will ring my doctor tomorrow(monday) to tell him how bad the sickness was. I guess I thought I was going to be lucky and not get the sickness, I was shocked at how icy cold I felt inside. I will try to eat something small, just a bit scared thats all. xxhugsxx
Hi pooki
I also feel the same - freezing cold even in bed. Could not warm up. shivering and the next minute too hot and throwing off the covers.
I think this is a normal side effect. I hope you feel better tomorrow
I will be joining you this week as I go through my next treatment on Wednesday.
Take care
Janette
Hi again Pooki and Alto,
Hope your first lot is still going ok. I have had my second tax and heceptin today. You seem to feel better with the tax than the FEC for the first 24 hours, so am feeling ok at mo, no sickness so far. Fingers crossed.
Janette- I have felt the same. Apparently, it is the combination of hormones and the drugs. Hope it is not a reflection of things to come in terms of an early menopause I’m 41.
Best to all!
Tracey
X
hi alto,tsr and janvis,
Mash and mushy peas seems to be my diet at the moment… my scalp feels itchy and tingly though,bit dark under my eyes and very tired but all in all Im not too bad xxxxx hope all is going well for you xx *hugs*