Hi, I was diagnosed yesterday as having breast cancer following a series of tests including surgery for an excision biopsy of a single lump last week. I don’t really even know what it is other than it’s medium grade aggressive, lobular and sensitive to hormones. I am now waiting for a sentinel biopsy and wide excision (just as the breast is recovering from last week, I’ll have to have it done all over again). This will determine the further treatment.
Reading these posts is quite frightening and shows me that there are people far worse off than me - as I’ve caught it early I shouldn’t have to have a mastectomy which is good news. How do I know it doesn’t exist in the other breast? No-one seems to have done an examination and the mammogram didn’t show the cancerous lump so I wouldn’t expect it to show in the other one?
Going through the roller coaster of emotions at the moment - I have just been made redundant so will be out of work in a month with no prospect of a job or being able to apply for one, with mortgage etc. to pay so it’s all a bit worrying.
Hi leucite
I am sorry you are going through such an awful thing but this site will help you and let you know of the support there is.
I am 52 with BC and recently had mastectomy and SN removal. I too had been made redundant and then got a cool job just before I was diagnosed. I am now recovering nicely and just take tamoxifen. I think that it helps to put things in perspective.
One thing at a time - deal with your health first and I take it your on employment and support benefit and this goes on for 13 weeks and then you can get loads of help to get a job. Sorting out benefit and money worries certainly helps your health.
Your illness is serious to you and your entitled to feel exactly whatever you feel - dont excuse it. Sometimes I am positive but have also been know to have a 5min tantrum or 5min tears.
You are also very lucky in having caught it early, as you say, so use that to concentrate on treatment and recovery.
I wish you all the best and I try to help by saying what I have found to be usefull. I have found good info on this site and hope that you can do the same.
Hi there. So sorry you had to join us here, but you will get loads of support here. I’m 52 and was dx with lobular cancer last December. I had an MRI to determine whether there were any other tumours. I know I have quite cysty breasts so the mammogram and ultrasound were difficult to read, so they wanted the MRI to make sure they had found everything. I’m not sure if it is usual practice to have an MRI for lobular, but if you are concerned, ring your bc nurse and have a chat with her. She may well be able to put your mind at rest. Don’t worry about being a nuisance - they are there to support you and if you have questions, just ask them.
I’ve just finished my radiotherapy and avoided having to have chemo. You’ll get there too and once you know exactly what treatment you’re having you will feel better.
This is a horrible time for you, especially being made redundant too. But you do get used to all this and it does get easier. Don’t read too much on here, as a lot of it won’t be relevant to you and you will start worrying about things unnecessarily.
I am sorry to read of your recent diagnosis. As well as receiving support from the other users you may find it helpful to have a copy of the BCC resources pack. The pack has been designed especially for those newly diagnosed and includes information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available.
If you would like a copy please follow the the link below:-
Hi Leucite
Sorry to hear of your recent diog. Cr**.
I am 18 months since WLE and SNB for grade 2 lobular cancer, nones clear, after surgery had rads then Tamoxifen switched to Arimidex…
It is a frightening time and seriously is a head ****. I had two lots of surgery as they did not get clear margins first time., quite common.
Re work and mortgage, do you have critical insurance policy covering your mortgage or some sort of insurance to cover you whilst being treated (I stupidly did not) if you do you may be covered, worth looking at. It is an added worry that you can do without.
Anyway wishing you well, take care Alice
Hi Leucite
So sorry you have BC. you will get lots of support from the girls
on this site. It is an awful time and only someone who has BC knows how you feel.I had op 4 weeks ago and start Rad 8th July.
Try to stay positive.
We will keep talking Lots of hugs.
xxxx
Hi Leucite - welcome, you will find loads of support on the forums. I was dx 26 May, had lumpectomy, WLE and SNB, node negative and still waiting on tests for HER2 to see whether I will need chemo. It is a frightening time but we get through. I hope you have a support network at home too. Try not to worry about the work stuff - it sucks but its important for you to focus on getting well first.
all best wishes.
alex
Hi, thanks for all your support. I have ordered some leaflets and the resources pack which I hope will be helpful. I have decided to stay away from all the other posts talking about forms of cancer I don’t have - no need to frighten myself needlessly! I have to admit to not understanding any of the acronyms - is there a list somewhere? dx = diagnosis?
HER?
I’m sure I’ll work them out after a while.
I now have my dates for my WLE and SNB (worked that one out) and feel slightly more in control of my life and destiny by turning down one date they gave me (simple I know but I did feel like cancer and the doctors were putting me on some sort of a conveyor belt over which I have had no control). I have decided to declare next week a cancer free week (yes I know it’s still there) before I have the next batch of surgery the following week. I thought speed was of the essence but apparently they don’t see it as that essential - I can’t believe I won’t start on radiotherapy (or whatever) for another 6 weeks!
thanks again, I’m sure we’ll be getting to know each other over the next few weeks.
Helen, I’m pleased you’ve got your surgery date. Now you’ve got something to focus on. You’re right, dx is diagnosis. HER is another test they do to see if you should be treated with Herceptin. Don’t know much about that, as I’m HER negative.
Don’t worry about the delay after your surgery - you’ll need time to recover. I had a 14 week wait between surgery and rads (radiotherapy), as there is a lot of demand for it in my area. Surgery will remove the cancer - anything else is a mopping up exercise.
Hi everyone never done this before but have ben reading the forum pages since i was diagnosed at Glenfield in Leicester on 29th May.I have found very useful info from the forum and everyone sees so supportive.I have chosen full masectomy (op date 1st july) as mother had lumpectomy then masectomy so decided to get it over with.Is any one going into Glenfield next week?
best of luck with your op, i am 8 weeks post op after masectomy after having two WLE operations and lymp nodes removed within 5 weeks, then 3 weeks after that had masectomy as they could not get clear margins. I also had immediate reconstruction, going for inflation every week.
It is like going through a nightmare, but suppose it takes time to recover just glad that operaton is over. Onwards and upwards is the motto.
Hi Divipops, I am finding the wait frustrating but keeping busy!!Do i need to take anything into hospital other than normal toiletries,pj’s as Glenfield give you loads leaflets but nothing for admissions,nurse at pre o p was lovely but rattled through the questions about the op and just said(as far as i can remember) don’t bring anything of value eg jewellry.Had lots support from friends and family but good to talk to others in the same"boat".
I love your “name”
cheers boatgirl
So sorry to hear your news. I like you, had everything 100% confrmed on Thursday afternoon. I don’t know about you but I don’t know how I feel. One minute i’m ok the next not. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet. If you manage to find something to fill the time, please let me know what it is - cos I’ll have a go too - I just can’t concentrate on anything - the TV can be on but i can’t tell you what i’ve watched!
I go for my op on Tuesday and just want it out the way. My friend has bought me a few pairs of button down the front pyjamas already bless her! i hope all goes well for you with the operation and keep in touch as it looks like we could walk through this one hand in hand because of the timing etc.
The ladies on this site are truly fantastic - they give so much support. It’s a real help for me.
I was diagnosed on Thursday 25th June - I have grade 2 cancer but results of core biopsy in breast and lymph nodes - show lymph nodes to be clear! This was huge relief but i still can’t really believe this is happening. I’ve been quite positive when Im with family and freinds but once on my own I’m terrified! I went on this forum on Wednesday night and found it helpful - although of course I was praying that I would get all clear on thursday. I feel like Im living in a dream/nightmare it just all seems unreal!It is quite a lonely to be in as you dont want to upset freinds and family by telling them your worst fears and so I find myself reassuring them that Im fine!! My op isnt until 15th July which seems such a long time away - I dont know how I’m going to ‘keep it together’ until then!? Love and best wishes to everyone on this site xxxxx
Hello, and welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums. You’ve come to the right place for support, your fellow forum users have a wealth of information and experience between them.
While you are waiting for replies I’ve put for you below links to some of BCC’s publications which you may find useful. All our publications are free, as is the helpline. You can either download publications or have them posted out to you free of charge. The only one you can’t download is the first one I have put the link to, that’s our resource pack. This is an A5 binder full of useful information to help you through this. I hope some or all of this helps.
Hi boatgirl
hope you are feeling ok, believe me when i was diagnosed I felt as if I was walking through fog all that I kept saying to myself was I want this bugger out of my body and quick. The waiting is the worst part as everybody on this forum will tell you.
I would suggest to take front fastening pyj’s into hospital as they are ideal for when you are getting examined also if you have to have a drain in, and a comfortable bra, are you having reconstruction?. Also moist face wipes were ideal just to freshen up as it gets very stuffy on the ward, can’t really thing of anything else if I do i will post.
Anything I can help you with just ask, I have been there.
Hi I was diagnosed three weeks ago with grade 2 ductal invasive and was probably in shock for a while… I had a wide excision and sentitel node biopsy on Thursday came home friday and now have to wait two weeks for the results. I have found the most difficult thing since the op is the horrible numb heavy feeling under the arm. I am doing the exercises advised and trying to take care with not overdoing things or lifting heavy things but this is difficult. I can not believe this has happened to me and wonder if this horrible feeling gets easier??? Im not sure if this is general swellingsurgery damage which will go down eventually or lympodema. I have found reading other peoples ups and downs helps.Also all friends, familyand work colleagues have been so kind and thoughtful. Love and Best of luck to all on this site!! xxx
I am sorry to read about your recent diagnosis. I am sure you will recieve lots of support and information from your fellow users very soon, in addition, I am posting a couple of links, one to our newly diagnosed resource pack and another to a publication called ‘Your operation and recovery’ which you may find helpful to read:
Our helpline is open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2 on 0808 800 6000 if you feel it would help to call to speak to someone in confidence about any concerns you have at any time.