Hi, I have joined this forum in the hope that it will make me come to terms with my bc. I had my very first mammogram and got a letter back to let me know my results were unclear. I went to the breast screening clinic to find out and they told me there was something showing on my right breast, they took further scans.
I was shocked to say the least, was supposed to do some Christmas shopping, but instead came straight home.
I found out on 19.12.12. Two weeks ago and it has taken me all this time to even look at any of the books and ofcourse this website.
I have to have a lumpsectomy around 15.01.13, followed by Radiotherapy for around 4-6 weeks.
I have 3 children, two now have their own homes, but I do have a 14 year old son, who is devasted by this news. I think out of all of this the worst part was telling my family.
Not sure how big the lump is, or what will happen next, but I feel slightly in control again this morning and hope to continue feeling in control.
Thanks.
Hi Janis59, Big welcome to the forums, so sorry to hear that you have been Dx with BC but youve come to the right place for some help and support to help get you through it all, there are lots of lovely ladies on here who im sure will be along soon to encourage and support you along, you may want to have a look at the “Newly Dx section” on the left hand side menu where im sure you will be able to find other ladies at the same stage as you right now so will know what you are going through and how you are feeling, im a bit further down the line from you as was first Dx in 2007 and unfortunatly again in 2012 but am still here and doing very well though still on treatment, it all seems a bit daunting at first i know, but you WILL get through it and come out the otherside ,promise.
Good luck for your surgery on the 19th , try and take each step in small chunks then everything wont seem so overwhelming ,and keep comeing on here as it realy does help to chat with others who know what your going through.
Massive hugs to you, Linda x 
Hi Janis59 welcome to the forums i as first diagnosed in 1995 and had a mastectomeythat year and more recently 2010 rediagnosed and on tteatment so try and keep your chin up and read through newly dx and you will find encouragement and support good luck with all your treatments and your op
big hugs
kay
Hi Jains59 I under stand what you mean about joining the site to help you come to terms with having BC.I joined the site 9 days after surgery it took me having surgery for every thing to sink in, it all happed so fast from diagnoses to surgary.6 weeks I felt that I had no time to think I had routine mammogram on the 24 October and was recalled to attend hospital on 7<sup>th</sup> November and on the 15<sup>th</sup> November I was diagnosed with IDC.on the 7<sup>th</sup> December I hade WLE,SNB,and therapeutic mammoplasty( breast reduction) on my right breast I was Erpos/+ and I am taking Anastrozole and I am waiting to start Rads. Due to a blood condition it was suggested that I wait to have my good breast reduced to avoid complications. I found waiting for results is the worst part of the whole process. You have come to the right place the lades on this site will give you support and encouragement they are an inspiration good luck for the 15<sup>th</sup> big hugs .Ann.G
Hi Janis
I understand how you feel as I have a 13 year old son who has also found it hard. I was diagnosed in July, like you a recall from a mammogram so a complete shock. I had a lumpectomy in September, luckily no nodes involved but I was offered chemo as in my case there was a 3% chance I would benefit and any % was enough for me to go ahead. I have nearly completed chemo, not fun but perfectly doable but I wont dwell on that as you may well not need it.
The biggest fear my son has had is that I will not be ‘normal mum’, he was scared about me losing my hair (I haven’t as I used the cold cap), scared about me not being able to do normal things, well 2 weeks out of 3 are normal at least! What I did find was that if I involved the kids (I also have a 14 year old daughter who has been absolutely brilliant) at all stages they found it easier to cope with e.g. I involved them on the chemo decision and they both wanted me to have it. It is very scary for the kids but the more open you are, the more they trust in what you are saying.
Good luck with your treatment and you will get so much support from the ladies on here at every stage.
Jayne x
Thanks Ann
I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to me. I am trying my hardest to focus on normal life, at times in the day my mind wanders to what/if so I tend to try and keep myself busy.
I am finding this forum very good and everyone is so helpful.
Janis x
Hi Jayne
Thanks for replying to my post and your support I really appreciate it, as I said before, i could not even look at the information about the cancer. . Can I ask did you not get Radiotherapy? and also do you know how long it takes after the lumpectomy to get your results back?
I am not worried about getting the Lumpectomy, but just worrying about what the next stage will be.
I agree and am glad that I have been totally honest with my son at every point through this.
I still cannot believe I am on here chatting about BC.
Janis x
Dear Janis
Sorry you have had to join the forums. I am sure you will find lots of support on here and its a great place to find information and other ladies going through the same thing as you. I was diagnosed a year ago and had a mastectomy, radiotherapy and am now on Tamoxifen. I found that there was so much information that you are given, its hard to take it all in, so I found it best to do things at my own pace and that helped me cope better. Take one step at a time, ask questions, take time to adjust to everything. Please DON’T google ‘breast cancer’ you will end up with all sorts of unhelpful info, stick to this site, Macmillan or Breast Cancer UK sites. I am sure you are doing the right thing by being open with your children, it will help them to accept what is happening if they dont think you are keeping things from them.
Wishing you all the best with your treatment
Joan xx
Janis 59, I could write you an essay on my experience but instead I will just answer your question. After my lumpectomy it was 10 days until the results.
Best wishes, stay on here, you will get invaluable support as I have.
Thanks to all of you for your replies. Janis x
Hi Janis
I got my results in a week, I am lucky to have private health through work so don’t know how long it takes to get the results otherwise.
I had one night in hospital (I could have gone home same day but chose to stay in for my peace of mind). I had 2 weeks off work but recovered very quickly, do the exercises they recommend from day one - I did and got full movement back very quickly. I was driving and back at work after two weeks.
I will be having radiotheraphy after chemo - they always do chemo first then radio, I have no idea why. I will also be on tamoxifen for 5 years as my cancer was ER+ but HER- so no herceptin.
Feel free to pm me anytime if I can be of help.
Jayne x
Hi, I have spent the last two nights on this site and it is really good to hear and read so many positive comments. I was diagnosed in October 2012 and within a week had a MX. A short time after that I started chemo. I’ve had two sessions of chemo and my next one is Friday this week.
Thanks to everyone who can say chemo is ‘do-able’, it makes it seem less than it is. I 'm doing Ok but have 10 days of being exhausted and queasy rather than a week. My first chemo hit me harder but I felt better sooner.
Stay positive and be kind to yourselves
Linda
Thanks for your support and replying to me post. I am so sorry that you have had this back again, that must be a nightmare. I hope it all goes well for you.
I still cannot believe I am sitting here on a BC forum. I think i am numb with the shock. But am hopeful and trying to stay positive.
Big Hugs, from Janis x x
Hi Jayne,
I have only been told about the Radiotherapy. Did you know about the Chemotherapy before your op?
Janis x
Hi Kay
Thanks for your reply. This is a way I think to get it off your chest as I am trying to be very positive with my family around, but do feel like crying when they are not around.
I am so sorry that you got it back again and I hope all goes well with your current treatment.
Big Hugs, Janis x x
Foxyferret
Thanks for that!..I went to see the surgeon and the Breast Cancer specialist nurse, but I was so busy freaking out, that I did not ask all of these things.
I think I am now coming to terms and accepting that I have it, and after chatting on this forum I do feel better and probably not as isolated.
Thank You…Big Hugs, Janis x x
Dear Joan
I know what you mean about “googling” for information. I did this at first and that really freaked me out, then I only looked at people who had cancer and got rid of it.
Thanks for replying.
Hope it all gets better for you. Janis x x
Hi Janis
No I didn’t but my tumour was 2.5cm which is borderline so they offered the chemo. They had estimated 2cm based on the ultrasound - to be honest I was so relieved it hadnt got into the nodes, the chemo suggestion didnt worry me and they gave me a week to think about it but for me it was a no brainer, I wasn’t prepared to risk any regrets. If they havent mentioned chemo it is likely you wont need it.
Good luck with it all
Jayne x
Hi Jayne
I know that mine has not got into the nodes so far, but i am worrying about the wait for the Lumpsectomy. My tuma is approx. 2.5cm at its longests they said, but at least after what you have said if i do have to have Chemo, then i will not worry as much about it.
Thanks…Janis x
It’s possible that your care plan can change after the op, but I would say it sounds like they are not expecting chemo to be a significant benefit or it would already have been discussed.
God luck with everything. X