Is there anyone out there from Norwich? been treated at the Norfolk & Norwich hospital. Would love to meet , for a chat and a coffee,
please. I am going in for my operation 24th nov, having a double mastectomy.
Hi northern bird
Welcome to the forums. You’ve come to the right place for support as many of the users of this site have a wealth of information and experience between them.
While you are waiting for replies could I suggest that you give our free helpline a ring on 0808 800 6000 and have a confidential chat with one of the breast care nurses who are here to support you through this, lines are open to Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 – 2.00.
best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Northern Bird
I am in a similar position to you- I was diagnosed in Aug after a routine mammogram. I have been absolutely terrified over the last few weeks. My worst fear was that I would have to have chemo, and guess what- on Monday I was told that I would have to.
My BC nurse tells me that it does get easier, and I am beginning to understand why she said that. From the moment I had made up my mind that I would go ahead with the treatments I was offered I began to feel better.
You will find the BC care team are extremely helpful and put you at ease. I can’t pretend that it is easy- it’s not. Just take one day at a time and take all the help and advice offered to you. You’ll make it.
Chin up -hugs
XM
*hugs* hello northern bird. welcome to the club that no one wants to join 
Please have a read of my thread * wobbly weds * its sort of my journey through this damn nitemare/rollercoaster of events. iam 51 and after my first mammagram in aug, i was recalled back for further tests including a biopsy where a small shadow/lump was found. its all still vey real to me and i found this forum a great support of freindships and advice. Please pm if you would like to know more. Take care, Deb xx
Hi northern bird,
I was diagnosed at the end of July. Had WLE (lumpectomy) SNB (sentinel node biopsy) and 3 weeks of rads which finished 2 weeks ago. I am now on Tamoxifen for 5 years.My team decided I did not need chemo. I was terrified at first and couldn’t believe what was happening to me. But i have got through it day by day and most of it hasn’t been as bad as I expected. Believe me, you will feel better and you will cope.
Please do come on here and post whatever you like. It helps a lot in the early days to find others going through the same stages as you.
which part of the north are you in ? I am in Sheffield.
Sending you a big hug
Anna xx
Hiya Northern bird.
I’m 42 and was diagnosed in Sept. I’ve had surgery and start chemo next week. We all understand how tough it is for you and, by far, the start of the process is the worst. Waiting for test results is truly awful. I fair sailed through surgery, but was lucky to only have lump and lymph nodes removed, not mastectomy. If you need to chat, you know where i am.
Julia xx
Hi, can I tag on here…not sorted out how to start a new message yet but I guess it can’t be to difficult…
I was diagnosed yesterday with a 1.2cm lump so only at the very beginning…don’t know which bits to read and which to ignore and the abbreviation are a foreign language…
So northern girl I’m here with you needing friends…
Hi julia, thanks for your reply, hope your chemo goes well for you. Did you have radiotherapy too, if so how was that for you?
My specialist wants to do a wide excision, but i would rather he took the breast off (i think), as i have lots of fatty lumps in both breasts, i would worry too much that the cancer would come back, i have only spoken to one other lady who had the lump removed, she ended up having 3 operations, and then having her breast off, it is truly a frightening time. I am trying to keep strong but i do have more bad days than good. do you have any advise on coping with all this? from northern bird.
Hello Northern bird and Tally,
I’m sorry you had to join us but please don’t feel alone I’ve found some lovely people here and couldn’t have managed without the forums.
The first weeks are the hardest, I think. Waiting for results and not knowing what’s going to happen. Hang on in there, knowledge is power ask questions. Once I knew what my treatment was going to be I felt I was in control and in less of a panic.
Northern Bird don’t rush in to a decision about if you should have a mastectomy or not. I went with my surgeon who said that the survival rate was the same having a lumpectomy with radiotherapy as a mastectomy. I figured that as he wouldn’t want me as a negative statistic he would only suggest the dearer option of a lumpectomy with possible re excision if he thought it was my best option… Ask questions, your BCNs (Brest Cancer Nurse) and Surgeon will be happy to answer anything. It’s your body and you must do what makes you feel right, just don’t rush a decision.
I’m 46,grade 3, stage 3. I did have to have a re excision (2nd op to get clear margins) but don’t regret it at all. I’ve had some chemo therapy and will be starting radiotherapy next wednesday.
Take care
Katie
x x x x
Hi, northern bird
I’ve just been diagnosed with brest cancer this week. It was confirmed on Tuesday. I’ve had all manner of scans this week, see the oncologist on Tuesday next week and start chemo the week after probably. I’ve got 4 children under 11, the youngest is 9 months old. The pregancy probably accelaerated the growth of the cancer cells. I’m 44.
What can I do? I’ve got kids! I have to just get on with it! Take it on the chin. I have to trust the specialist team who seem brilliant and experienced. Prognosis is good. They talking about a cure. and this time next year, hopefully it will be gone. Northern bird, you have to just go with the flow, take it a day at a time. All the feelings you feel, shock, angry, disbelief, fear, worry about the future, they are all normal and ok feelings. Talk to people, talk to us, be aware of how you feel, laugh at the funny things although there isn’t much to laugh about. Yesterday I went on a shopping spree and bought a load of hats. Today I’m getting my newly cropped hair dyed pink! I’m trying to be upbeat and positive becasue #I believe that will give me a better chance of fighting this I don’t know what else to say to you except allow yourelf the freedom to feel whatever you are feeling and express the feeings. It’s ok.
Hi Northern Bird and Tally,
So sorry for you both, and for the feeling of such fear. As all the others have said, we are all here to support each other. I have certainly found all this support and friendship (from people I have never met) really, really helpful and I am most grateful.
Take one day/step at a time, don’t rush decisions and don’t try to second guess things.
Ask lots of questions, particularly breast care nurses, consultant, etc, as well as people on these forums. (Katie is right, knowledge is power)
I took advantage of the helpline here (as June from BBC mentioned) a couple of times and found it very useful.
Do you have a cancer support centre near you, eg Breast Cancer Haven, or similar? We have Maggie’s here in Scotland, and I find it helpful.
The early stages are the worst in that there is shock, uncertainty, waiting for results and a lack of control, but it honestly does get easier as you move forward.
You will always find friends here who will do their best to help you in whatever way.
All the very best to you both, and sending love to you.
Hi Northern bird
I’m having radio after chemo. As others have said, dont rush into mastectomy unless absolutely necessary. My surgeon said I didn’t need one and I did not require further surgery.He’s done a great job too as hardly any difference in size. However, as a size 32F, I had a bit to play with!
Julia xx
Hi all, especially those newly diagnosed. I was diagnosed in May, have had chemo, double mastectomy (other one by choice) and awaiting radiotherapy. I also believe the more positive and upbeat you can be the better you will feel and the stronger you will be. I have two children 10 and 6 at time of diagnosis and i was determined that they were going to know the truth but that cancer was not going to ruin out lives and touch wood to this point that has been the case. I would definately recommend taking control wherever you can, shaving head early on i think really helped me. I just joined the site this week and i also am looking for as many friends as possible i think we all need to know we are not alone!
Karen xx
Thanks for letting me tag…not like the forums I normally use where you can see a new thread box…going to have a look around, and if I get stuck on this thread for to long, it’s because I’m stuck (or thick lol)
Hi there,
Poor you. Feel for you. It’s so hard at the beginning as you’re swamped with so much information and it’s hard to take it all in. Not to mention that you always fear the worst.
I was diagnosed in August with what they thought was just high grade DCIS - but told that I needed a mastectomy. Had SNB which showed invasive too. Had immediate reconstruction (using my stomach - got a tummy tuck as a result!). Now about to start chemo on Friday. Plus Herceptin and Rads to follow.
It feels like you’ve been submerged in something so huge that it’s hard to get your head around. All I can say is that it does get easier as you get over the initial shock. I found ‘THe Breast Cancer Book’ by Val Simpson to be an invaluable source of advice - but also a guide to what to expect and that made it all easier.
LIke you, I’m 47 and have three kids and it was their reactions that worried me the most. But we’re getting there with a lot of black humour!
I really feel for you - but you’ve only got to look through this forum to know that there are many others who you can turn to for advice and support. We’re all there for you.
x
I was diagnosed last Tuesday 10th November. I know exactley how you feel. I sure it gets easier as it sinks in and support here is excellant. (cant think how to spell it)
Super Tutor welcome to the site you will get a lot of help from us all here.Any questions just ask someone here will be able to help you and give some advice if they have already been ther and “got the t-shirt” Take care Joycexx
Hi Northern Bird just checking you’re ok…
Hello to the other new ladies too, I’m sorry you had to join us but there are some lovely people here to “be” with.
Take care all
Katie
x x x
Hi all
I just thought I would mention the BCC resouces pack which some of you may find useful. It has been designed for those newly diagnosed and contains information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available. If anyone would like a copy please follow this link:-
I hope this is helpful.
Kind regards
Sam (BCC Facilitator)