Hi All
I am 47 next week and last night it was confirmed that I had Breast Cancer. Today I mostly feel numb. I go in next Tuesday for a Lumpectomy and Lymph Node removal. My treatment plan will then be decided once tests are complete. I am scared, shocked and confused. I felt no lump, my cancer was found during a routine annual check.
I want to stay strong and fight this head on, so digging deep now and thinking positive thoughts.
Hugs to all you wonderful fighters out there.
Rachel
xxx
Hi Rachel you have come to the right place. We All very much understand you numb scared anxious feelings. We all have breast camcer and through this site we all hold each others hand through our journey of treatment scans etc. I have stage 2 invasive ductal breast cancer I was diagnosed 3 days before Christmas. Like you I was terrified and confused. My lymphatic system is swollen everywhere but through x rays it’s showing it’s all clear. Although I have 8 month’s of chemo to get through and two more scans before I get the all clear it hasn’t spread. These early days are the worst. Like everyone said to me and it’s true. Once you get a treatment plan you can focus on that. Keep yourself stress free and concentrate on you. Now is the time to be completely selfish and to just fully focus on you recovery. We are all here for you. Every appointment scan treatment come on and let us know how your getting on or any concerns. There will be other women mire down there journey that can give you suggestions if they have already gone through it. You can do this! I wish you all the well wishes in the world! Lots of love nicki xxx
Ps I’m 45 so being this young is awful x
Hi Rachel,
I was diagnosed on 29 November with a 4.7cm grade 3 aggressive IDC. On the 13th December I had a mastectomy and a SNB and I found out on the 22 December I am now cancer free.
Those few weeks were the most terrifying, horrible weeks I have ever experienced. The waiting for results after each stage is the pits.
I am now waiting to see what chemo & rads I will be having, I go in next Tuesday and although I’m not looking forward to these treatments, I’m not scared anymore. I just wanted to let you know that there is a light at the end of this tunnel and it will get better.
Big hugs to you.
Susan
P.s. I’m 49.
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Hello Rachel - wow, they have sorted your surgery out quickly! I too was diagnosed following a routine mammogram, at the end of October and had a wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy at the beginning of December, and am starting 4 weeks of radiotherapy next Monday. It’s a scary time for you and you will find that you’ll have good days and bad days, but it does get a bit easier once you know what your treatment plan is. You will find that there is usually waiting for results which is stressful in itself. You’ve found a good place here though - lots of us at different stages, all using this to share our highs and lows and to offer support and advice where we can.
Jane
Hi Rachel. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Wednesday 4 January. 1 lump is definitely cancerous & the other I am waiting to hear about. I will know the full extend of everything on 1st February. Like you, I am also feeling scared, shocked & confused. From various postings I have read on this forum we are not alone & I think the support here is just great. Like yourself I am trying to be positive. All the very best xx
Hi Rachel,
I’m 47 too, diagnosed with grade 3 IDC on Monday. I had MRI yesterday and then see consultant on Wednesday to hear about lumpectomy and possible chemo.
I was shocked with the diagnosis too. I went to GP 15th Dec with stabbing pains in my left breast. She said this was quite normal, probably pre menopause hormones. She then felt my right breast and found a lump. I check myself in the shower regularly and had never felt it, so I was really surprised.
So, off to the breast clinic two weeks later. Left breast looks ok (fingers crossed!) but lump in right breast is cancerous. But this lump does not show up on mammmogram, it was only seen by ultrasound.
So, I’m strangely grateful for the pains in my left breast that it seems are nothing to worry about!
Like you, I’m digging deep, trying to be strong and positive. I’m quite overwhelmed by the reactions of everyone I tell, everyone is so supportive, but they also struggle with what to say. Coming on here is such a relief as we know what each other is going through.
x
Hi ladies, just wanted to say I’m almost two years on from where you are now, diagnosed in March 2015 aged 46 and boy did I feel sorry for myself and far too young for this!! through this forum I’ve discovered ladies in their 20’s being diagnosed and now feel fortunate to have got in to my 40’s before it reared its ugly head!
Things gradually get better and the time passes and it becomes something that you had and treatment is something that you did and believe it or not Cancer will not take over your every waking … and many sleeping… minute! Xx
Jobey 68, thank you for sharing that with us. It always helps to hear from someone who has come out the other side. I’m 47 and was diagnosed at the end of November. Is it something about us 40 somethings?!
There are more 49 somethings out there than expected.
I feel blessed and lucky with the speed of my treatment. Had my pre op today and could not bring myself to tick the have you ever suffered or being treated for ‘cancer’ box !!! I am still hoping he will change his mind on Tuesday and say he made a mistake !!
Mine cannot be seen on mammogram either. Was found on MRI and ultrasound. Struggling with the C word at the moment. I feel so well and cannot understand what’s going on inside me.
Thank you ladies for your unending support. Take care super women xxx
That should have said 40 something !! X
hi Rach,
I remember that feeling well. Was given a form to claim free prescriptions & had to tick the ‘cancer’ box - What? Me? Really?!
Anyway, as Jobey says, just coming up to the first yearly mammo & out the other side now. I’m a 50 something though & very grateful I went for screening as I nearly didn’t.
ann x
I just wanted to add to Jobey and Ann-M’s words of wisdom. I was diagnosed in June last year (51, so a bit older!). Do use the support on here. I honestly don’t think I would have got through the last 6 months without the amazing women who always had the right words when I was low or anxious and who also provide many giggles too - something I didn’t expect to have many of when I started my membership of this club! Wishing you all well xx
Thank you ladies. The despair I feel right now hurts but I am so trying to keep a positive front. I have three beautiful children. 1 in her final year at UNI, 1 in her first year at UNI and my baby is in year 11 about to embark on hi GCSEs. I really don’t want my worry and stresses to pass on to them. They need my support to get through their year. OH although annoying ? Is amazing and could not be without him.
I am so grateful that I have found this forum. Thank you wonderful ladies xx
Hi Helena.
No treatment plan yet. I get that beauty on my birthday 26th January. Having a lumpectomy and lymph node removal on Tuesday xx
Thank you Helena. I hope I can keep strong and power through.
What an amazing little place I have found here. Thank you xx
I have told all of mine but kept it really upbeat. ‘I’m not worried so why should you’ not sure if this is the right way but my heart hurts thinking about them worrying about me xxx
Hi Rach - I am 49 and I was diagnosed unofficially just before Xmas on a trial screening offered by the NHS for under 50’s - horrendous Xmas! - then officially diagnosed after biopsy results known on 10th Jan with 2.5cm ER+ PR+ HER2 neg. I’m booked in for a lumpectomy on 1st Feb but consultant wants an MRI first just to make sure mx isn’t required (as being pre-menopausal says dense breast tissue hence MRI). I too walked around in shock after being told especially after hopping, skipping and jumping to my trial screen with no symptoms! My motto is no such thing as a problem, just a solution. Since diagnosis I’ve been amazed how common this damn disease is but the support on here has been amazing!
It’s has been just over a week now since my routine scan changed everything.
It is ten to four in the morning and I am lying here awake doing lots of thinking. I am due in hospital for my lumpectomy in about three hours and In ten days I will have my treatment plan.
This journey has been a complete rollercoaster so far and I am still in shock. The speed of treatment has overwhelmed me, but I am grateful for it.
Thank you for your amazing support.
Rachel xx