I was diagnosed with IDC stage 1 and have so far had a lumpectomy and nodes removed of which I get my results tomorrow.
I’m petrified that this is the beginning of the end of my life. I can’t seem to think about anything else and I am constantly reading other people’s stories.
I am wondering if once it is there and treated and even goes awayy it will just come back one day for sure? I just don’t read of many people not ever getting it back and living to a ripe old age and dying of old age itself. It’s a scary thought that now that I have cancer, this is what I have to deal with for the rest of my life.
Sorry to sound so negative and morbid but is this a life sentence? Is there anyone out there who has come through the battle with it being a good 20 years old behind them with no recurrence?
I am a few weeks ahead of you regarding treatment. I am 51 and have similar thoughts. My mum and fitness instructor are 12 years (and counting) cancer free and have another friend who is 22 years clear.
We all have negative and morbid thoughts, try to find more positives to focus on xxxx
Hi Mandy,
…& breathe…
Waiting for results is always so scary.
Honestly, we can never say never, but the vast majority of us do just fine & it is certainly Not a death sentence.
BC detected early has some of the best outcomes around & it is far more likely you’ll get through it & be just fine for many years.
Those who are well, will not tend to be talking about it, as they have moved on, so the stories you see are not necessarily representative of the general experience.
Chances are all will be ok.
Personally, I do not worry about it, was back to life as normal after a few months & am now very grateful my bc was detected when it was.
Results time is always the pits, with the anxiety monster biting, so it might be an idea just to step away from the stories for now.
Thinking of you for tomorrow
ann x
I will try to calm down I think in my head I’ve told myself I’m going to die and every bleedin commercial on TV is about cancer. Never used to notice it but now it’s everywhere. If it isn’t cancer, its a commercial about turmeric and how it helps.
Doesn’t help that I’ve been working from home since my op. I think once I know what’s what tomorrow I’ll be in a better space and just deal with the next step. See how easy that was to write… I need to now do it
So pleased for you that you are doing well. I’m sure being positive really helps.
Sounds like you are doing well and getting on with your life, so happy to hear this x
I’m worried I’m going to have to have chemo, I haven’t had my HER2 result back yet but I’m ER+. I guess I’ll find this out tomorrow because I may need to have Herceptin of it comes back positive.
Was it a choice of yours not to have chemo or radio it was it just that you didn’t need it because you were HER2 - and had a double mastectomy?
Hi Mandy, It is so normal to feel and think like this in the early days, I certainly thought this was the beginning of the end for me but im now coming up to 4 years post diagnosis and my thinking has changed completely!
You dont read so much from those 10 plus years on simply because they are getting on with life and dont feel the need to come on forums anymore. They do exist i assure you!
My diagnosis was aged 46 in 2015, since then I have seen both of my sons marry, become a first time grandparent to a darling little girl, celebrated my silver wedding anniversary and been on numerous foreign holidays. I certainly dont sit around waiting for cancer to strike me again, I appreciate life all the more and make the most of every day.
You will be ok, have faith in the people looking after you and take each day as it comes. XX JO
Very glad to hear such positive words again. You certainly have had some great experiences since your diagnosis. I’m really looking forward to being in a place similar to yours one day.
It makes sense that people who have survived this thing for many years will no longer come on the forum. Pretty logical but my brain is not thinking logically at the moment which I guess is normal at this stage.
I guess my main worry is that I go to these appointments all positive and always hear something worse than I was expecting. This time I’m the opposite so let’s hope the results will be the opposite if you know what I mean.
Thanks again for your support, I feel so much better. Xx
Very strange phone call out of the blue just now. As you know I have my results tomorrow but the Oncologist just called me to ask for permission to do further tests on my sample. It’s apparently something new they are doing to see if even though people may be HER2- whether or not they fall into low risk or high risk of the cancer coming back to see if they should have chemo. Has anybody heard of this? I told him that he can go ahead.
The good news is that I asked him about my results and he looked them up and said there were no nodes involved and they also got a good clear margin. I’ll nevertheless still go back for my formal results tomorrow with the Dr.
Hi Mandy,
It might be the Oncotype test or maybe another they’re trialling to find out the genetic make up of the tumour. This is good, as it will help to see if chemo is indicated or not. Fortunately, quite a few here haven’t needed chemo after having the test.
Good news about the results!
…& yes, for many cancer is a blip in our lives & nothing more & in many cases, better than HIV.
ann x
So my cancer is grade 3, Her2 and oestrogen positive, 3 lymph nodes had it too, opted for mastectomy. Now awaiting chemo etc.
The way I look at it is we all wake up in the morning and we all hope to climb into bed at night.
I could just as easily get hit by a bus while reading the leaflet on chemo from my latest appt.
I think with cancer it does suddenly make you think of your mortality but you never knew and never will know exactly when you were going to go anyway even before you had it so really what’s changed.
You woke up today so today was amazing
We all have black moments even if we strive to think positive.
I might have a moment but just say out loud …right f### off Bob as I refuse to let it suck my day away. Bob is my BOOB without O for ONCOLOGY lol. That was name I gave my lump at the start and even though technically Bob has indeed left due to my mastectomy ? I still shout at him to do one.
I was diagnosed in 2013 Grade 3 so had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy and like everyone once we hear the word Cancer we do think the worst. In Dec I will be having my 5th mammogram. I am also doing the Mammo 50 trial.Since then I good married for the second time, my oldest son got married. I became a Grandma and have had many lovely holidays and enjoyed them all. We all have bad thoughts but please dont let them take over your life. As many people have said it is difficult when you are diagnosed but it does get better. I dont come on the forum so often but I always take a look to see if I can support someone like yourself.
Take care and any questions just ask there is always someone who will support you.
You’re absolutely right. We could go anytime in the past so nothing has changed except this uninvited guest that had come from nowhere and makes some of us pay it way too much emotional attention.
Thanks for your support and encouraging words. Your strong approach to not letting Bob consume you is inspiring.
