Hello everyone,
I had my diagnosis confirmed the week before last and am having surgery at the end of this week. I am having the lump and all the lymph nodes removed. The surgeon said it is pretty certain I will have chemo after the surgery, then radiotherapy after that.
I have been reading the forums a bit and keep seeing people talking about the stage and grade etc. I don’t know if I perhaps didn’t ask the right questions or maybe it’s too early to tell, but I’m not sure what my details are!
I am looking forward to reading and chatting on here more.
Edit: Sorry, still learning - moved to right forum!
welcome to the site little owl, sorry you have found yourself having to be here but there are plenty of people who can help you any way they can, we are all very approachable. I was lucky, I had a lumpsectomy and some glands removed so I only needed radiotherapy, but the people on here have warying degrees of treatment and I am sure someone can give you advise, JUST ASK.
Hi LittleOwl and welcome to the BCC forums
Along with the support here I am posting a link to the BCC ‘Newly diagnosed’ information page where you
will find lots of information and support ideas including our helpline details to help you through the coming months
breastcancercare.org.uk/diagnosis
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi Littleowl, sorry that you’ve found yourself on here and I wish you all of the very best for your surgery this week. I hope you manage to find lots of support on here, but with the new site, us ‘old hands’ are finding it difficult to navigate around a bit. I had a mx (mastectomy) last March with node clearance last April, chemo May through to Sept, radio in October and now having Herceptin (until July) and Tamoxifen for another 4.5yrs. I think that I got my grading and stage after my mx when they could anaylse what they had removed - grade 3 (very aggressive) and stage 3 (very large). If I can offer a couple of tips, make sure you do some pre-hab before your op, drink plenty of water for a few days before to get yourself hydrated - you will be nil by mouth from the night before probably and may possibly only get into theatre later the next day. I drank plenty of water after I came out of my op and this helped to ward off dehydration headaches (which can make you feel a lot worse than necessary). I would also try to get some button front sleeping attire and shirts (putting your arm in the air to get dressed may be painful), also I found comfy jogging pants easier to pull on with one arm. If you can find/access the post-op exercises on here, I would have a look at them and give them a try pre-op, they’ll become more familiar and you’ll know your pre-op arm movement range so you know what you’ll be aiming for post-op. Please feel free to PM (personal message) me if you have any further specific questions just in-case I can’t find your thread again over the next few days. All the very best of luck and big hugs to you as you start your journey, Bev.
Hello,
I am sorry you had to join the club. I am sure you find a lot of support here and plenty of information for every step of the journey…
I was diagnosed 2 months ago, had a lumpectomy and node biopsy at the end of March, and the rest of the lymph nodes removed 2 weeks ago. I am now waiting for results, again, and to find out the details for the upcoming chemo, which will then be followed by radiotherapy.
In regards to size, grade and stage of the cancer, the doctors will be able to tell you all the details during your follow up appointment about 2 weeks after your surgery. I asked for a copy of the results, as I was sure I would forget all the figures and abbreviations, so after the consultation I met with my BCN, who explained the pathology report and wrote everything down for me.
Wishing you all the best for your surgery! x
Little owl, I know you can this fight. We are here to support you with your everyday battle againts breast cancer. Keep us posted.
stunned and numb at my recent diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma also affecting lymph nodes. cant quite take it in. no symptoms at all. went along for routine mammogran, got recalled then BOOM! I felt as though I had an out of body experience. I was watching myself being told this horredous news. I just kept nodding my head, but couldnt speak. My husband looked as if he was ready to pass out. all this treatment jargon is new to me but I will learn as I go. I am 58 year old nhs worker living in paisley. does anyne know of any nearby support groups as I dont drive. thanks in advance x
Hi catlovingwoman,
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums where I am sure you will get lots of good, honest support from the many informed users of this site.
As you will see further up this page my colleague Lucy has directed another new user, Little Owl, to the page on this website where you will find more information, just follow the link.
Also I note you are looking to communicate with people in the Paisley area, if you would like to make a post in the forum called ‘In your area’ I’m sure there’ll soon be someone along from that area. (You will find ‘in your area’ on the left hand side of the screen in grey)
I hope this helps. Take care.
Jo, Facilitator