Lost my mum a year ago to cancer, sarcoma. First ever mammogram in May almost cancelled as busy at work and hey I check regularly and no lumps! Since then call back deep lump detected left breast, core biopsy , positive result grade 2 , surgery - wide excision, lymph nodes negative, grade 2 confirmed and another area detected but wide excision margins fine. Tamoxifen 5 years and undergoing radiotherapy. grappling with tamoxifen side effects but I know things could be worse but in the whirlwind of activity does anyone else ever feel a little lost and overwhelmed ?
OMG you have come to the right place sweetie, welcome welcome welcome.
Were all whacko here - best party in town, BUT seriously it is the best place to be, we all identify with each other.
You can say things here and others will totally understand - friends and family are lovely, but well I always feel guilty for upsetting them.
And you know what - there are people on here right into the wee small hours. Just when you want to talk and get rid of some of those negative thoughts.
Love and Hugs.
Georgina.
Thank you Georgina x you are right I have great family and friends but like you I hate upsetting them. The website is a real help. Hope your treatment is progressing well?
Hugz
Kim
Hello Kimvon and big welcome - totally agree with you Georgina this is def the best place to banish any negative thoughts. Lost and overwhelmed just about sums me up when I’m failing to put on my brave face.
Like you Kimvon, I had first ever mammogram in May - cancelled first one due to job interview then rearranged for 30th May. Like you I presumed all would be OK aa felt no lump or anything, but had grade 2 invasive ductal and lobular cancer - WLE done and SNB just 3 days ago, now have to wait until friday 19th for results - glad your margins clear, hope radiotherapy goes well for you. I’ve been told I’ll prob need to go on Tamoxifen for 5 years - if you don’t mind me asking, what kind of side effects are you experiencing?
Take care and virtual hugs to all xxx
Hi to you all,( Kim and Georgina ) I have also been told that I will be taking Tamoxifen for 5 years, dont know at what stage you begin to take it or side effects, useless me dont know a lot!!! It sounds like we are all in a similar time frame of may/June diagnosis, at lease we can all hopefully go through our jouneys together. I am awaiting Scans next week to see if cancer has spread as in Lymph nodes and unfortunately no positive margin in the breast either so will have Mastectomy eventually. I think my next course of treatment will be Chemo which I am dreading. Hope you are both finding being able to talk on here helpful, I know I am as like you I hate upsetting my family and friends by talking about it and I so wish I could cry, havnt been able to yet!!! Take care Megx
Hi there Sunflowerfan - this site is defiitely a place where the brave face can take a little rest and ask real questions by those who know unfortunately through experience - but are. Source of inspiration x
My SNB was clear and please let me know how you get on x thinking of you. Tamoxifen side effects for me were insomnia, leg cramps, headaches, severe hot flushes (soaked my clothes or bedding) and had an extremely heavy period. As the side effects appeared to be the ones that were listed or spoken about I tried to manage but to work and with radiotherapy looming I was afraid I would get a cramp and move! Spoke to breast care nurse who spoke to oncologist who were very supportive and said I should have spoken out before so I am on a two week break going to have bloods taken and we will be able to either change meds or will have to start the tamoxifen again with tablets to manage side effects. Take care Kim 
Hi Meg, would be great to keep in touch through our journeys. Thinking of you in this difficult time my advice is one step at a time and ask anything you feel u want to know regardless x
11 radiotherapy treatments down and 4 to go. Tips lots of aqueous cream (keep the tub in the fridge is both cooling and relieving in this heat), wear a top and bra that is easy to take on and off for dignity purposes 
Currently really tired however but cannot seem to sleep; brain and body feel leadened and sluggish the tamoxifen hot flushes do not help this ! How do others cope?? X
Hi Kimvon and all, I feel so lucky as I had the best possible results - clear margins and no cancer in nodes. Have already been started on Tamoxifen, probably too soon to experience side effects, plenty of feeling too hot but not sure if I’ve been having hot flushes or just feeling the recent heat! And have appointment with oncologist on 31st July to discuss when radiotherapy can start. Hope you’re not feeling too tired now Kimvon and just think, not too many rad sessions left for you now!
I’m now 13 days post op and both areas more sensitive than ever, but BCN yesterday told me it’s now ok to shower over the area for first time so steri- strips finally came off today, must admit it has made me feel a tad vulnerable compared to when whole of areas were safely padded/bandaged up!
Take care and virtual hugs to you all
Chris x
Chris that is so fantastic x x big hugz x radiotherapy almost over and I am just having a down tiredness day x x
Hi ladies
I guess I am recently diagnosed…may 14…had a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy on thursday July 18
Isee my doc next week for results and course of treatment
I am on my second week off…not sure when I will return to work guess it will depend on what doc has to say
Hi Diane, all the very best Hun. I was off work for 2 weeks following surgery and lymph node biopsy. I was then signed off for a further 4 weeks whilst recovering and treatment planning but I spoke to the GP and consultant and wanted to go back to work as sitting at home was driving me nuts with too much thinking! spoke to my boss and went back on a phased return. During radiotherapy I have had my treatment and worked in the morning and gone home. Do what you are comfortable with x x good luck xx
Absolutely gutted 13th rad dose and 2 to go but unfortunately my surgical site wound has started to breakdown. Has been checked and have treatment but feel a little down 