I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Op within 3 weeks. Lump is 1cm and told very small. I am looking at this in a very positive manner and holding up very well. I am frightened but have every faith that everything is going to be ok. 2 weeks after op I start radiotherapy for 3 weeks. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Hi Haystack,
Welcome from me! Though sad to hear you’re joining us here.
Plenty of lovely people, and one of the bcc team should be along shortly with the right links and bits and pieces.
Keeping everything crossed for you…
Ann x (diagnosed in Feb, going through chemo at the mo for what started as a 2.3 cm lump with a very rude nature…)
hi and welcome.
So the waiting and uncertainity is over now, and its not the result you were after, but the treatment plan is in place.
Glad that you are able to be posative, evan though it is natural to be frightened from time to time, tearful sometimes are just down right mad with somebody close because they did not read your mind and react how you needed them too.
Well done for finding this site, there are always lots of people to answer questions, sympathise, make you laugh and just to send you a cyber hug if you need it.
Been very tearful today, just sinking in I know that I will have many days like this, only natural, I just wonder where all the tears come from.x
hiya haystack , i was diagnosed may 13th and also had small tumour which in itself is good news in these dark times , i had wide local exision and lymph node removal within 2 weeks of diagnosis and 3 weeks later have seen my oncologist and my radiotherapy starts week after next , the relief of having it all put into place is huge , you will have your fearful moments as you wait for results of type and grade and you are allowed !!! but once the plan is in place it truly becomes easier , being here on this site is the best thing i ever did , the support and understanding is all around so keep posting and let us know how you are getting on - trish xxxx
Hi haystack, i’m new on here today as well. I think my story is parallel with yours. I was diagnosed last week with breast cancer, my lump is small, i think 1cm & im booked in on 11th July for wide local excision & axillary sampling with radiotherapy to start a couple of weeks after that. I had a few tears at first but after the inital shock i haven’t cried, i just seem to have accepted it, not sure if this is a normal reaction or not. That’s not to say im not scared, in fact im petrified but im trying to take one step at a time & trying to keep positive. x
Hello Haystack
Oh, so sorry you have had to join “our club”, but welcome to you! There’s some lovely people on here, and the great thing is that whatever time of day or night you post, there’s always someone around for you, honest!
So, post whenever you need to, and nothing’s too smalll or too big to say on here - anger, resentment, fear, worried or whatever - we can all support you however you’re feeling. And yes, cyber hugs and laughing with each other as well as crying is all part of our forums too.
I’m so glad your lump is only small, and hopefully you will have your surgery date before long. It’s quite normal to feel frightened - you’ve had a big shock. It’s great that you’re looking at things from a positive angle - long may that continue, and we can all be here for you whatever questions, fears and feelings you have.
Take good care of yourself Haystack, and pls let us know how you go on!
Lots of love, and a cyber-hug too
Shelley xxxxxx
How lovely to know that there is so much support out there. Thank you everybody. I have been speaking to my husband tonight about various aspects. He was very quiet last night when I gave him the news, I felt that he was in more of a shocked state than myself. We have had a few tears and a few laughs mainly directed at me. He has a wonderful sense of humour. He is cooking dinner tonight - chicken breasts!!
Have a lovely evening everybody and thank you so much for your support. I will keep you posted.xxxxxx
The rest of 'em have said it all, really, I’m just joining in with the Hellos to you new ladies. And isn’t it a complete bummer, eh?
Don’t worry about what’s “normal”, it all is. (Apart from cartwheels that someone else mentioned on a recent “I’m new here” thread. Cartwheels are NOT normal so let us know if you find yourself doing cartwheels and we’ll get the white coats.)
Get a notebook to write down any questions you want to know the answers to. Read the early bits of the Publications section on this site, it might give you some ideas of what sort of questions you might want to ask. And write down the answers, or get someone else to come to the appointments so they can do the writing.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SILLY QUESTION. If you are wondering what the answer is, then it’s a valid question. Ask on here, ask your BCN, ask the Helpline, ask your specialist. Someone will have the answer.
Avoid indiscriminate googling, unless you are determined to scare yourself silly. Stick to reputable sites like this one, Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, that kind of thing. There is lots of out-of-date, scaremongering or downright WRONG stuff out there.
Browse the forums and join in wherever you want to. But keep in mind that people often post when they’re having problems and just get on with life when they’re not having problems, so it can give a skewed picture of what you’re facing. A lot of people get through treatment pretty easily. The forums include threads asking for information, venting and letting off steam, and even having a giggle or a belly laugh, so join in as much or as little as you want.
Get your prescription exemption certificate from your GP’s surgery.
Book yourself on a Look Good Feel Better session.
Call the Helpline if you want to speak to a human voice rather than type to a keyboard. It’s staffed by knowledgeable people who will be a good ear.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF. The shock of a cancer diagnosis is like an atom bomb going off in your life and “normal” will never be quite the same again. Strive to find the “new normal”, it’s what we’re all doing.
Don’t be surprised by your family’s reaction, the bomb went off in their lives too. (And they’re welcome on the site as well.)
Accept help that is offered, and ask for help if it’s not offered and you need it. One thing’s for sure, you find out who your friends are, and you may be surprised at where the good ones come from.
Don’t be in a rush to tell everyone. Take your time and tell those who you want to know about it. It’s your life and you have a right to decide who knows about private details of it, like your health. (I still haven’t told my dad and I was diagnosed in December.)
And finally, have a massive cyber-hug from me.
CM
x
Haystack, what a hoot about your dinner tonight! A generous dose of black humour has really got me through this, and the ladies on this site have been astounding.
I was diagnosed on 26th may with a 1cm tumour, op was 22nd June and things are ok at hte moment. It’s back to the consultant on 7th for the n4ext stage. .
Best of luck please keep us all informed.xx
I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago, my tumour is 2.5cm, I am 34 and having a mastectomy and DIEP flap on the 11th July followed by chemotherapy and perhaps radiotherapy. Who knows what the future holds!!! My 8 year old daughter has invented a cancer removing machine called a boobatron, if anyone would like to borrow it let me know lol. Got to say I am super positive and to be honest feel like it has helped me and my family cope. Everyone waiting for the the breakdown which I am sure will come on the 10th, I am hoping the nurse is standing by with a sedative. Good luck to you all with your various procedures x
Oh Toothfairy, your clever little girl, thinking that one up! She sounds absolutely gorgeous - I’ve successfully been treated for two different sorts of early stage bc in the last ten years. If the Monster ever decides to come back, I shall call on the services of your daughter’s boobatron machine. I guess she’ll be getting it patented - lol!!
Good luck with yr mastectomy - I had mine eight months ago, but chose not to have the reconstruction. I know I can change my mind in the future about that, if I want!
HAYSTACK… Love your humour! Hope you enjoyed those chicken breasts!! xxxx
Much love to you all!
Shelley xxxx
hello, and welcome.
sorry youve had to join the club, but im sure youll find the support on here priceless.
i have read the posts saying newly diagnosed and my heart goes out to you all. i remember the feelings . i was dx sept 20th, a wle, cemo and radio … i did it , and u will all come through this too.
if i can ever help anyone with questions, please feel free to mail me.
kaz xxxx good luck ladies. and keep smiling. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi everybody, had a better day today. I had a telephone call from my Cancer Nurse Rachel today. She is so supportive and we had a good chat about lots of things. She said that I might hear something next week about my admission date. If I do, I will post it to you all.
Keep positive everybody, smile and believe in yourselves.
Lots of hugs and kisses.
PS the chicken breasts were delicious.xxxx
Just heard that my op will take place on the 28 July. Counting down the days.xx
hi Haystack
glad you have your date -it is the first step to recovering . I was dx in march and had two large tumours resulting in mx and rads.take one day at a time and use the support around you
big hugs for the future and goodluckx