I’m so sorry to hear your news @lambo01 . Probably most important at this point is to allow yourself time to come to terms with the diagnosis and be kind to yourself. I am only part way through the same journey, diagnosed with stage 1 BC on 24th October. I had a total and utter meltdown for a few days and that is apparently totally normal. Getting told you have cancer is overwhelming even if it’s caught early and could have been worse.
My lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy was done two weeks ago and today I got the news I so very much needed to hear that the margins are clear and there is no spread. I’ve also been lucky in the initial recovery period and have full movement. I’ve been able to take two and a half weeks off though and have taken it easy, ensuring I do the prescribed exercises as requested. It’s sore after the op and I did have trouble sleeping as a result though. A tight bra top really helped to keep everything in place - movement makes it worse. Buy in some dry shampoo to make up for difficulties in showering as well or do what I did and treat yourself to a wash at the hair dressers.
I took my first Tamoxifen today and have 5 days of radiotherapy to fit in in Jan so cannot comment on those just yet. I have done lots of research around both though and would caution you not to go down rabbit holes with all the things that could happen. Educate yourself but also ask others that have gone through this themselves. It took a BC survivor telling me ‘how wonderful’ my diagnosis was to bring me back to normality! (It really doesn’t feel wonderful but her point was it could have been a lot worse)
Good luck with the lumpectomy my lovely. Continue to reach out to us all when you need help.
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Hi, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 grade 2 invasive breast cancer in December 2023 estrogen positive. Had surgery in February 2024 then 15 days radiotherapy in June. I’m now cancer free and taking Letrozole for the next 5/7 years. I had 3 weeks off work, 3weeks working from home then back to work. I sadly lost my Dad in May so it’s been hard as he was with me in the early stages. I’m tired and joints ache but I’m trying to remain positive xx
I am in the same boat. Diagnosed last week with likely stage 1, grade 2 IBC (6mm). Still awaiting HER2 and hormone pathology. I have my first surgical consult on Tuesday.
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Hi @lfjasmine, sorry to hear this. Here is a good place to ask any questions or just post what’s in your head, it’s been a god send to me since last November. It feels like an age ago since I posted that I had been diagnosed and it’s been a rapid course of treatment since then. Had my lumpectomy which went well, still suffering some mild discomfort if any pressure is put on my breast but overall everything healed quickly. Make sure you get some good unwired bras and/or sports like lounge bras. I still wear one 24/7. Like a comfort blanket! My initial biopsy was 8mm IDC but confirmed as 18mm after surgery with clear margins and no lymph node involvement. ER positive, HR negative. I had 10 sessions of radiotherapy. Had pretty bad fatigue throughout and for a couple of weeks but was manageable with rest and leaning on family for help where I could. Been on Tamoxifen since December with no side effects. About to start counselling as I feel more ready to talk about things. Been looking after myself, lost a wee bit of weight and signed up for a charity walk to keep me focused and out in the fresh air while I get used to the new normal. Hope you get your results back soon. It really does make a difference once you know your treatment path. Xx
Thanks so much for your response! I really appreciate it. I guess I need to find out if HER+ and the hormone situation…and maybe also if I have BRCA1/2 gene. Then they can recommend lumpectomy or mastectomy…if they ever recommend the latter for a 6mm first tumor.
My guess would be no due to the size as anything under 2cm is deemed ‘small’, but obviously I’m not medically trained. My consultant was actually quite flippant about mine, she was like oh it’s small and early stage so we will just remove it and give it some zaps of radiotherapy. She did explain the lengths they as Surgeons/Oncologists discuss each individual case as well before deciding on a treatment path which actually made me feel slightly better as I knew the treatment was specific to my cancers histology, my age, the size of it, what receptors it had. It’s the unknown of it all that’s the struggle, and the waiting game at each stage.
I think I would appreciate the flippant type of response. Hopefully my other pathology does not reveal any additional complications and they can do for me what they did for you. The HER2 should be back today in advance of tomorrow’s surgical visit. They might need to order the hormone and BRCA tests…and I don’t know how they test for lymph nodes - maybe just an exam of the armpit area?
It sounds like you are doing pretty well. Do you think being tired and achy now almost a year later is related to the breast cancer or just part of aging?