I have been recently diagnosed with mixed invasive ductal and lobular bc (as you will see from my other posts) and am having further biopsies on Friday. I have been coping pretty well so far, but this morning I am feeling really low.
Apart from worrying what else they will find, and the unpleasantness of all the treatment I shall have to undergo, it is the fact that this is going to cloud the rest of my life.
Are you ever able to move on?
Ann
Yes you will be able to move on though not necessarily as before.It is inevitable that the experience of having cancer will always be with you.You will find that once treatment starts you will feel better because something is being done to remove the cancer.All the treatment is 'doable’and you will find so much help and support on here,just ask whatever you need to.I am coming up to 3 years post dx and bc no longer occupies my thoughts most of the time although each day I remember I have it [wle tn IDC 2cm fec/t rads]all the jargon and abbreviations that I didnt need to know are now indelibly printed on my mind.But here I am living my life,enjoying my family and friends including many met here.All will be well and you will indeed ‘move on’.Do ring the bcc helpline if you need to talk to someone,it can be a great help.
Hi Ann
So sorry to hear you are feeling down this morning. I know exactly how you must be feeling. I am 38 with a tiny baby and was diagnosed on 28th May, had two surgeries within a fortnight, and have just finished radiotherapy. Please, please be assured that you will not feel like this forever. I remember many other ladies on this forum telling me that once you have all your results, and a treatment plan has been worked out, that you feel better, AND IT’S TRUE! Once the plan is in place and you have appointments etc scheduled, it does help.
You will find an immense support on this forum. I know that I couldn’t have got through the last three months without my friends on here. Also, go to the publications section and request leaflets and information pack, that will also help.
Lots of love, and best of luck for your biopsies over the next couple of weeks.
Shenagh x
Hi Ann,
I just wrote a long response to your post and then it wouldn’t submit but I agree wholeheartedly with what horace and she have said. I sent for a ton of leaflets from BCC which were brilliant and answered a lot of questions I had. I was diagnosed in July, had Mx and ANC just over 2 weeks ago, and am up and down about it every day. Have a seroma that just won’t go away which was getting me down but have read from other posts on here that it’s just a matter of time.
The more information you have, the more you know what’s happening next, the better you feel. It is true. I’m waiting for ANC results in 2 weeks and then I feel I’ll have more of a handle on it, especially when I get to see the oncologist. It’s the waiting and not knowing that’s rubbish.
Good luck with everything!
Kerry
x
So sorry that your “in with the crowd”. The waiting is the worst part but fear is just that fear! Once you have your treatment plan you can start to feel better about things and goals to work to.
I was dx DCIS with invasive and started with WLE and then mastectomy with SN (clear). I am now on Tamoxifen for next 5 years. It was all done within a couple of months and the treatment fantastic. No expense spared with nuclear medicine and state of the art machines all on the NHS. The treatment, including surgery, was no more than a little uncomfortable at times and I could concentrate on recovery.
Please dont worry about things beforehand just take it one step at a time. Please return to this site for more support and advice dependent on treatment and everyone is very supportive.
You can start immediately by looking at your diet and choose foods to give energy and then you can build stamina by daily walks etc., in order to prepare for your treatment. I found this really helped me to recover more quickly than others. Apricots, avacados, bananas added help. Cut down on sugar.
Doing something is a good diversion of thinking the unthinkable so whenever you start the bad thoughts turn to do something that can stop you. Research diet, exercise and organise yourself for preparing for treatment and these all occupy your mind and time and if you feel you are doing something to help you are encouraged to think you are taking action for first step to recovery.
I can only advise you on how I deal with things and of course it is only advice and you can take all the advice you find and sift it through to what works with you. It is also good to record everything in a diary as this releases tension.
I wish you all the best and please do come back to this site for help and support from the ladies and gents.
Thank you all so much for your speedy help. It really is appreciated. It is good to get it out of my system, knowing there are people out there to chat to who really understand, so that I don’t have to worry loved ones more than they already are.
I had prepared myself for a lumpectomy, but last week the MRI showed two further lesions, which they are going to biopsy on Friday. If cancerous, they want to do a mastectomy and that is really upsetting me.
The advice on diet is helpful and any more tips would be greatly appreciated. I shall stock up on the things you mention, Daisy_do. I don’t take sugar, so that isn’t a problem.
Funnily enough, my son was nagging me to start going for walks to build up stamina, especially for the general anaesthetic.
Speaking of which, I understand that avoiding potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and aubergines for a few days before surgery can help with recovery from the anaesthetic.
Thanks again and good luck to you all, whatever stage you are at.
Annxx
HI Ann
I had never had surgery or general anaesthetic before . My op (WLE) was on 21st Aug. The whole thing, including the recovery, was nowhere near as bad as I expected. I had been worrying myself sick and hardly eating for a week beforehand, but recovered so quickly and was home the next day. The other ladies on my ward who had had mastectomies were also up and about very quickly.I know how you feel, but you will be fine.
Wishing you all the best Ann,
Take care
Anna
hi ann,
i too was hoping not to have a mastectomy and even tho’ the chemo i had shrank the tumour to nothing i still had one and it really has not been as bad as i envisioned. as others have said my medical care has been exceptional… chemo, mx, rads, tamoxifen… and i have recently had reconstructive surgery and am extremely happy with my new boob and tummy tuck!! also on the nhs.
of course i would always prefer to have the original and to not have walked this path but as others have said it is all do-able. before my mx last june i made sure i knew what it was going to look like,i was scared to look but felt much better after i had seen the photos.
i do wish you well on friday and don’t beat yourself up about having a bad day… you are allowed to, you have just been dx with bc!! and you will have more down times in the coming weeks, coz it is only natural but it is not the end of the good times either. be kind to you and treat yourself. you can do this!
with love,
lenny
xxxx
Thanks, ladies. After your kind comments and a better night’s sleep, I feel ok today. I had been waking in the night thinking about it. Not good. You are all so lovely, it really helps.
Ann xx