Following a Mammogram and ultrasound i have been diagnosed with IDC Grade hormone positive, HER2 - 2 at 34 years old. It was a shock as I’m sure you can all imagine and I’m struggling to stop myself from spiralling into “what if’s” whilst looking after my 2 and 5 year old daughters.
I do have a good support system, my Mum husband and mother in law but have decided not to tell anybody else just yet until I get a treatment plan at least. Does the anxiety ease up at all once you have a plan in place? What did you do to help ease the worry and anxiety in the early days? I can’t seem to stop thinking doom and gloom/worst case scenarios.
Just here looking for some support and possible ways to hold it together for now as best as I can. Ive had an appointment through for Axilla ultrasound for tomorrow to check lymph nodes and Monday for MRI. Feelinf very anxious any positive stories or words of wisdom/support would be greatly appreciated. I spoke with the BCN today whose referred me for some counselling and complimentary therapies which should hopefully help x
It’s such a shock getting a diagnosis and we immediately jump to worst case scenarios. It’s good that you have been referred for counselling, I had a couple of sessions with MacMillan when I was diagnosed and it really helped. Other things that helped during the horrible waiting part was writing in a journal and getting all my worries out on paper. Exercise was super helpful too and I am convinced a large part of why I recovered so well. Yes, the anxiety does ease when you have a treatment plan. There is something reassuring and feeling more in control when you know what is happening and when.
In terms of positive stories, I am one! When I was diagnosed with the same type/grade as you last year I thought it was the end of my world. The reality for me has been very different to what I feared. When you know more I am sure others will be happy to share their experiences and offer support. x
Thank you for your message! Thats good to hear the counselling sessions helped abit too. Im definitely going to start getting my thoughts down on paper. Before diagnosis last Thursday I was going to the gym 4 mornings a week, ive really struggled since but I’m going to get myself back at the gym on Friday when my daughters are in school/nursery. I have been going for walks though which does seem to help! Great to know the anxiety gets easier once a plan is in place. I’ve never experienced anxiety, its truly horrible although each day does seem to be getting slightly easier.
So glad to hear you’ve come through the other side. Thank you so much for messaging x
@katie91 - I’m so sorry you’ve had this diagnosis , it’s normal to feel shell shocked and frightened you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t x
As mums we worry about our children and with two little ones your mind must be spinning …but it’s really good you have support in place .
The initial diagnosis process can feel angst ridden as your healthcare providers quite often need further tests so they can have the “whole picture” but I can tell you that once you have a treatment plan in place , anxiety levels do calm down as you can start to plan and understand what has to be done .
I was diagnosed with Her2 pos Hormone neg IDC last summer and started my treatment in September with a single mastectomy , then chemo and also Herceptin which is a targeted therapy . I remember feeling terrified when I was diagnosed … my youngest was 14 and I was terrified I wouldn’t see her leave school. The Intrusive thoughts do come thick and fast when you are diagnosed !
We are so lucky to have so many advances in breast cancer treatment these days … One of my good friends who supported me through my treatment with lots of advice , was diagnosed with hormone positive BC in her thirties and has been cancer free for 12 years … and she had three young children at the time . She had the most amazing , busy and creative life .
Remember we don’t hear about the thousands of people who recover from breast cancer … we only hear the bad stories x
You can ask your breast nurses to refer you for counselling (I did and it really helped) and also contact the Breast Nurses here
Hi, sorry to hear about your digagnosis…i was diagnosed at 31 when my daughter was 2.5 years old then again at 34. Its really hard but children are really resilliant. If you have a good support system. I can say the worry never goes away but having a young child i found helped alot and kept me positive. If you have a good group of friends helps, when it was my second time round and my daughter was at school friends would take my daughter for days out when my husband was at work and i wasnt feeling well enough in half terms. I had 6 lots of chemo 3 weeks apart and just told myself by the time its done its less time than maternity leave and that didnt feel like long. Hope all your treatment goes well and my best advice is to just stay postitive, i know that can seem hard xx
Just thought id write a quick update now I’m 9 days post diagnosis and I’m feeling so much more positive!
Had my ultrasound and radiologist said lymph nodes look normal and I’m just taking each day as it comes. I’ve got my MRI on Monday.
Hopefully anybody newly diagnosed will see this and take some hope from it, 9 days ago I didnt even know how I was gojng to function but its getting easier day by day. Sending positive thoughts and lots of love to everybody this journey.
Thank you for everybody that responded, your words and stories made the first awful days really bareable!!
I’ll try and keep this post updated in the hope it helps other people x
I wanted to reach out because I was also diagnosed last week with grade 2 IDC, hormone receptive, HER2 negative. I have just been for an MRI scan and I am currently waiting for the results.
I am also 34 years old and I have two little boys- 2.5 year old and 1 year old.
I felt the lump back in July but left it as I didn’t want to deal with the possibility of what it might be but I couldn’t get it out of mind. So I went to GP and was put on the two week list. Ultrasound and mammogram showed it was concerning and it was honestly the worst day of my life. I was so shocked and thought how can this be happening to me. Loads of awful spiralling thoughts whilst I was waiting for the biopsy results and they continue but the kids keep me preoccupied and I try to stay as positive as possible. I keep reflecting on how good my friends and family are to me and it keeps me feeling as positive as I can.
I just wanted you to know that You aren’t alone in this.
I hope that having the MRI results and a plan of what happens next will help.
Thank you so much for your message, although I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy and wish none of us had to go through it, it’s nice to know I’m not alone!
We sound like we have very similar stories/lives! My daughters are 5 and 2, so the 2 year old is keeping me busy whilst her big sister is at school!
When are you expecting to have your MRI results? Xx
Thank you for your reply too! when I read your message I felt a little relieved (albeit I wouldn’t wish this on anyone either) to know you are the same age with young kids going through the same thing.
So I have just had a call to go in to discuss the MRI results at hospital on Friday.
have you had your MRI done yet?
did they discuss the likely options for you or waiting for the MRI results first?
They told me it was likely I’d have a lumpectomy with hormone blockers for 5 years afterwards. But that’s not definite until they understand the MRI result I suppose. So I’ll know more on Friday.
Hey Hollie! Thats great that you’ll get the results tomorrow, let us know how you get on!
I had my MRI on Monday and I’ve got an appointment for Monday to discuss the results with the consultant, BCN said it might not of made it to the MDT meeting yet which was today but the consultant will still be able to go through them with me.
Yes exactly the same as you, as far as they could tell from what they had before the MRI, lumpectomy, radiotherapy and 5 years on tablets! Scary how similar our stories are! How are you feeling today? Xx
any positive stories or words of wisdom/support would be greatly appreciated. I spoke with the BCN today whose referred me for some counselling and complimentary therapies which should hopefully help x
Arty1