Hi, I’m Shelley and I have recently been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer (ER +ve & HER2 -ve). I have 3 tumours, 2 Grade 1 and 1 Grade 2 measuring 11.5cm in total so a mastectomy is the only option. I’ve been commenced on Letrozole 2.5mg. The only negative side effect is, I sweat like a race horse!!
I’m in the discussion with the surgeon phase of my diagnosis. Initially I was very keen to have a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction but I know now that I was trying to look behind a closed door without opening it. I’m trying to stay in the here and now.
I’m struggling with it all and I have no idea how to be with myself. I can’t believe that I’m talking about myself.
My Breast Care Nurse recommended that I join this forum and I’m glad that I have because the next 6 months or so are going to be tough.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Welcome Shelley , you will find lots of support and good advice here from people who understand exactly how you feel .The early days are an anxiety rollercoaster and your head is just spinning , being in “ cancer world “ is like living in a parallel
universe sometimes , but it does get better I promise .You might like to post in the Recently diagnosed with breast cancer and the Surgery section too talk over your surgery decision and just chat to other people at a similar stage .Best wishes Jill .
Hi. I definitely relate to the letrozole sweats!
I am 5 months post diagnosis and I genuinely cannot believe where that time has gone. It still feels very fresh (and it is of course), but that time will pass and you will get through it.
It’s such a tough time so please reach out on here any time you need to.
I found waiting for the operation a bizarre time. I kept busy by doing things I enjoy like gardening so in some ways I was having a lovely time (!!?!!), but underneath it all was this constant anxiety and disbelief. I think there’s still some of those feelings lingering now.
Sending you very best wishes for the days ahead x
Hi Shelley,
Welcome to the forum. I’m new to posting myself, something I’ve never done before but in the short time I’ve been on here I’ve had great advice and felt safe talking so don’t hold it all in. One thing I will say lean on everyone, the support I received from friends, family, NHS, fellow patients (I had my treatment in the pandemic) was amazing and I couldn’t have faced half the challenges without them.
All the best, take care, big love 
@shelleygp (and everyone else 
)
I was also diagnosed with 3 primary Hormone positive, HER2 negative grade 2 tumours and was told only to count the largest one, so I go with 55mm. I also was found to have 2 positive lymph after mastectomy and axillary clearance.
I’m lucky that as soon as they told me, I wanted my breast gone. Couldn’t be bothered with reconstruction-what if I got infection, what if it came back and it was hidden and I didn’t know, would radiotherapy mess with it and I would need doing again…Honestly, I found the mastectomy fairly easy physically and emotionally-just wish they had been able to take the other breast too to stop lopsided ness. I know it doesn’t come clearly to others and I feel for you trying to decide what’s right for you.
I know it may sound daft but would the old pen and paper list help-what is my biggest fear and which op will relieve me best, what can I live with physically and emotionally…and if still in doubt, hedge your bets. My consultant told me I can still have reconstruction later if I change my mind which I won’t but that could work for you? Ask your doctor, what if I change my mind on this later-what’s the options?
When do you need to decide?
Maybe give your mind a few days off if you can then come back to it to see if clearer?
Talk to people who know you well who will be honest and make you think about what you may feel like flat?
I wish I could give you a big hug-having to make big decisions like this when your mind is still reeling and you have letrozole side effects too is just sooo hard but whatever decision you make will be the right one for you.
Come back anytime with more questions. I’m sure there is someone on here with every experience you could want to know about that they can share.
Laura
Hello I’m new, I had a double mastectomy in 2014 reconstructive surgery 2016, breast cancer again 2018 with radiotherapy 2019 and now 2023 breast cancer again same area same Brest side.
How do you control your emotions while waiting for scans
From day one I had issue, implants during surgery then one fell out. 2016 reconstruction with infections so lots of scar tissue. 2018 removed lymph nodes to be safe but I got lymphoedema in my right arm and here we are again.
Iv got a real family history of cancer but I’m the only one who needed a mastectomy so I went for both, others had lumpectomy they have risk of cancer returning not me yet it’s me who now has it again and its very scary this time around as they are not sure how is got back there. It’s either cells left behind as its by the scar or via the blood which has freaked me out. Get mri scan Saturday next Tuesday Ct with contrast 24th oncologist
Has anyone else had reoccurring cancer after mastectomies
Hi Laura Iv just read your story I had a double mastectomy in 2014 due to cancer in right breast. Reconstructive surgery 2016 as I was 50 and since had cancer again returned 2018 with radiotherapy 2019 and last week Iv got it again in the same area. I’m awaiting scans now. They are not sure how I got it back, it’s either odd cells or traveled via blood.
I would never recommend reconstructive surgery to anyone. I did everything right. It’s in our family everyone just had lumpectomy I’m the only removal and the only one to get it back. I lost cousins at 40 both were 38 when they got it
I’m waiting on genetic testing results but that 12 weeks away
I’m just so scared this time as it’s a grade 3
I hope you are doing ok now
Hello I’m new, I had a double mastectomy in 2014 reconstructive surgery 2016, breast cancer again 2018 with radiotherapy 2019 and now 2023 breast cancer again same area same Brest side.
How do you control your emotions while waiting for scans
From day one I had issue, implants during surgery then one fell out. 2016 reconstruction with infections so lots of scar tissue. 2018 removed lymph nodes to be safe but I got lymphoedema in my right arm and here we are again.
Iv got a real family history of cancer but I’m the only one who needed a mastectomy so I went for both, others had lumpectomy they have risk of cancer returning not me yet it’s me who now has it again and its very scary this time around as they are not sure how is got back there. It’s either cells left behind as its by the scar or via the blood which has freaked me out
Hi I am new to the forum and unfortunately not tech savvy, so it could all go wrong.
I was diagnosed last year, surgery in May, radiotherapy August, then set adrift in October.
I mainly try to get on with things and keep it in the back of my mind, I struggle with giving myself a”label” now, am I a cancer survivor, cured, in remission, will I feel I have closure if I get a definitive answer.
Anyway hope being on here helps.
Hello there Rose
I’m sorry that you are struggling - but just wanted to say that the way you are feeling now is normal . While we are going through treatment we have the next stage / next appointment to think about but when it all stops - what then ? There may be people around you who expect you to be back to your old self but the experience does change you .
I had the same feelings as you 3 months after radiotherapy . I found the Moving Forwards course very helpful - not least because I realised that I was not alone in having problems coming to terms with it all but also there was a lot of information provided and the chance to ask the sort of questions you want answers to. If there’s anything about your diagnosis or results you don’t understand you could try to clarify them with your team via your BCN or ring the helpline.
Some healthcare providers seem to recommend waiting another year before offering the Moving Forwards course but a lot of people also do it at the stage you are at now - as I also did.
Take care
Joanne. X
Thanks JoanneN,
I have just completed the Moving Forward course, like you I found it very helpful, it helped put things into perspective.
It also made me feel that my journey was a fairly easy one after listening to others treatment and diagnosis.
Thanks for your response xx
I’m glad you’ve done it but if you still have questions try to get them answered. Your journey ( like mine ) may have been easier than for many others but comparison is a bit of a two edged sword sometimes. It can help you get perspective but even if it was easier you have still been through something which changes how you feel about yourself , your body and , outlook on life and may change how you choose to live in the future .
Forgive me if I’m wrong but am I detecting a little bit of imposter syndrome here ? If so search above for those threads and the mountain lion story.
There will come a day when you will not be thinking of it or be at peace with it not and having to work to push it to the back of your mind anymore .
Joanne
Hi Rosa yes I agree I was positive until 4.5 years clear then I got it back it was removed the 5yrs last month I got sold I got it again. I had a double mastectomy first time, second removed a section n lymph nodes they were clear now Iv got it again.
Iv had test awaiting results Tuesday people say be positive and I have for 9 years now I have to stay focused but it’s hard.
All I can say to anyone reading this is get on with life and live it to it’s full keep checking and if you feel something is wrong get it checked out, I was fobbed of for 2 years then I insisted I wanted a scan glad I did otherwise I would have gone home none the wiser.
It’s our body we know when it’s not right