I keep reading that 1 in 7 women develop breast cancer. I have recently become that One, with invasive multicentric bc stage 1 grade 3. I am amazed at how fast at least 2 tumours have grown since my last routine mammogram less than 2 years ago.
When I have given family and friends this news I feel that I am talking about someone else. I guess that when the surgeon starts drawing on my left breast before he completely removes it, that is when it’ll become real.
I’m finding it all surreal as I’m the one who looks after other people, particularly last year.
I am scared that I can’t control what is happening inside my own body, and that I have to rely on others to fix it.
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Most if us have that sense of unrealness when it first happens. Cancer is the thing that happens to other people. Not us. But that feeling does fade and just becomes part of your new reality. Just something else to deal with. Good news is that you’ve caught it early. Grade 3 a lot of the time means chemo (my grade 3 did) but even that has become quite systemized with multiple medications that make it not necessarily easy but quite doable. There is nothing I can really say of comfort right now besides the fact that you’ve got a crapload of company with this diagnosis and the vast majority of us go on to live out the rest of our lives to old age after treatment. It still sucks, don’t get me wrong, but the company is fantastic. If you have questions or just want to vent, we’re here.
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Hello @isitreallyme
I totally get the statistic feeling: hey whether it’s 1 in 7, 1 in 100, 1 in 1000: when you are “the 1” what difference does it make?
When I got my diagnosis my husband and I had a conversation along the lines of 1 in 2 of will get a cancer diagnosis, based on that statistic I was the 1 out of the 2 of us and in cancer world a breast cancer diagnosis at least falls into a “common” (aka well researched multiple treatment availability cancer), not that it means my husband is immune to a diagnosis!
As @Kay0987 says it is so unreal being told you have breast cancer: I likened it walking into the biggest room you really don’t want to be in, but after a while as you walk further in and get to meet and talk to the people in the room it becomes less daunting and scary and actually the room is full of the kindest most caring people you could ever wish to meet.
Please feel free to post whatever you want on the forums and please don’t hesitate to reach out to all support available, there really is no substitute for talking to someone who has been there.
Wishing you well with your treatment
AM xxx
(Community Champion)
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Dear isitreallyme,
Wishing you well going forward with your journey, we all find this quite unreal and unexpected when we get diagnosed,
Take one day at a time, lots of TLC with quality time for yourself, sometimes easier said than done.
Keep posting letting us know how your getting on
Hugs Tili 
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Isitreallyme I’m so sorry your going through this , it’s like reading about myself, very surreal , I always look after others
and always felt like I was talking about someone else as it can’t be me , you will get through this horrible time because you have to , you will find the strength from within, sadly it changes you physically and mentally, and it’s emotionally draining, I feel very different an im finally beginning to live with the changes ,
Good luck an be kind to yourself, the moving forward groups are a massive help after surgery xxx
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Thank you all.
I feel like I am nesting at the moment. Mastectomy booked for 25th September. I have brought forward a dentist checkup, booked my car in for annual service, finished clearing my mum’s clothes. She died of cancer last year and my Dad has only recently come to terms that it needs sorting, but he can’t face it himself. I have booked a bra fitting and ordered front opening pj’s and day wear. And in between I have 2 funerals to attend!
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Its a very surreal at first, I was diagnosed stage 4 de-nova last year, two failed treatments so far, hoping to go on another clinical trial.
I just take it one day at a time, I try and keep busy with my children.
I couldn’t understand why my last seven mammograms I had yearly were so normal and after my covid booster and flu inoculation I went for my usual mammogram no symptoms, no lumps. 4 weeks later after my biopsies told I am stage 4.
It does take time to get your head around it.
Love of family and friends help and i write a journal, its good to write it all down, i said to my kids if you ever read my journel in years to come please excuse the bad language 
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I have a seperate journal for all my visits and treatments and any questions you need to ask your medical team. Its good to be armed with questions. You are in my thoughts and prayers, keep strong Sister 🩷
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I have lots of support. Met a friend for lunch today, who is having other medical issues. On my return home I found a huge bouquet of flowers had been delivered to me 
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You will get through this but it is going to be tough going through your treatment. I had mastectomy, Chemo , & Radiotherapy, I wanted to give up a few times but luckily family & friends kept me going.
So sorry about your Mam, it must be really hard for you, I’m sure she’ll be with you 
During Chemo take a throw with you as you may feel cold. I took a magazine or played games on my phone. I also took a little lunch as you can get peckish. 
Always try to drink plenty water before bloods or Chemo as it helps your veins.
Get a thermometer as you have to keep a daily check on your temperature. If it is high or low phone the hospital as it is important.
You are not alone, there are plenty of us who you can chat to on here. We are all in this together 
I wish you well and a speedy recovery, sending big hugs xxx
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Thank you. Good tips. I’ve got a few books ready, got a couple of throws, thermometer not far away after all the covid. A few things there I didn’t know. Macmillan nurse will be introducing herself shortly.
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