I was told last Monday,11th I have stage 3 invasive breast cancer,am going for my op, 4th Sept. to have my left breast removed, I am very calm, I car`nt believe how calm, had my pre-op yesterday, Is it because I had an Hysterectomy 5thApril, and still in Hosp, mode!! It feels unreal.
Jules,xx
sorry you have to join is but you will find all the support and information you need here.Good lick for your op.How old are you may I ask?
Hiya Jules
You’re probably still in shock a bit, amazing thing shock and it does carry us through a fair deal. Not surprised it feels unreal.
I’m sure your op will go really well, I had a bilateral mastectomy (where they remove both breasts) back in February and am still having treatment (chemo at the moment) but I’m really glad to say that my life is starting to return to normal a bit now, am back at work and having more fun again.
Do ask any questions here and your breast care nurse will help you get through the surgery and are generally helpful informative women too.
Good luck.
Angie
Hi Horace, Vertangie,
I am 50, thanks for the re-assurance, I have been going through some of the discusions, I think its really good how much info is here, My cancer nurse, has given me loads of leaflets,booklets to read, but its not the same as hearing “real” stories and experiences, although I know it`s different for everyone,
Thanks again,
Jules,xxxx
Hi Jules
Welcome to the club no woman wants to join. I’ve found everyone on here is so helpful and caring. It’s a great site and has been my lifeline the past few weeks. Best of luck for the 4th September. Sounds like you have a good breast care nurse, make the most use of her as feels right to you. There’s no substitute, however, for people who’ve been through it - if I can be of any help, please message me. I was diagnosed on 22 July, had a right mastectomy on 6 August, and get the path results tomorrow.
Jules - a word of encouragement - I will be 70 in November and was first diagnosed in 1990. It came back again last year but I’m still fighting and want to be around for my grandchildren’s weddings. Good Luck and don’t hesitate to ask any questions however trivial you may think they are. We are all here for you XX
Hi Jules
Your story seems familiar … I’m 50 - had hysterectomy in Feb this year and then four months later was diagnosed with bc - and had my op 3rd July. I was lucky and just had WLE and SNB but like you still feeling odd after hysterectomy - I had oophorectomy too so was suffering with surgical menopause symptoms. Now I’ve started Arimidex and getting mega flushes! I’m almost half way through radiotherapy now so the end is in sight!
So many people seem to have cancer these days it seems positively ‘normal’ and I had heard a while ago that one in three people get cancer - but an oncology nurse told me the other day that the figure is now approaching one in two! Staggering isn’t it!
Anyway, I’m so sorry that you have had to join us on here and have to go through all the treatment - but get through it you will - and if you need any help or advice or a laugh you know where to come. Having a sense of humour certainly helps!
Take care, Looby
Hi Jules
Sorry you have had to join us, but as you have already found out - you get the real story here, and lots of support. I know I did.
I haven’t actually been on the site for a while, but I used it regularly when I was first diagnosed. I was told I had Grade3 Invasive ductal BC on 1st Nov last year. I had right mastectomy and full node clearance, followed by 7 chemo session and 20 radiotherapy sessions. I am now on herceptin (just had 3rd of 17 treatments) - guess I just wanted to say that there is light at the end of the tunnel. In the initial stages it all seems such a lot to take in - but you do take it in, and you do get through it.
I have just gone back to work this week, to a new job as my previous post was a fixed term contract that expired during my treatment and wasn’t renewed (understandable given that I only worked for 2 months of the 12 month contract haha). I am only working part time initially, but I do now feel as if I can begin to ‘rebuild’ my life now - and get back to some sort of normality.
It’s not an easy path you’re starting on - but it’s not insurmountable either. Good luck for the 4th.
Best wishes
margaret x
Hi Jules
As well as the advice and support you are receiving from your fellow forum users you may find BCC’s resource pack helpful, it has been designed for those newly diagnosed. The pack is free of charge as are all our publications. If you would like a copy just follow the link below:
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514
I hope you find this helpful.
Kind regards
Sam
BCC Facilitator
Hi Jules, sorry you have had to join us. I have had a WLE and SNB, awaiting re-excision and chemo now. Loads of support here on the forum.
Maggie xxxx
HI Jules
Again, sorry you had to join our numbers but the stats are so much better these days - so take heart. I was diagnosed 1st August with lobular bc and will have my op on 29th Aug. Check out Chris Woollams book “Cancer - Your First 15 Steps” as I have found it a real help and source of useful info to make me feel as if I have a bit more control of it. The shock is horrible and it comes back in waves but I intend to get my body back to normal. Good luck for 4th September. We will all be rooting for you.
Kind regards
Jo
Hi Everyone,
The support here is tremendous, I phoned my cancer nurse with some questions, I felt a bit daft, but its the small details that matter, and although they must be busy with so many people, I thought well, this is my surgery, and its my body,I want to know all the details, she was good putting my mind at ease, Can I ask, everybody about wigs, my consultant says I will have chemo,and my hair will fall out, when do you sort out about wigs, am I jumping the gun?
When I had my Hysterectomy,I had everything removed,and I have now had to come of my H.R.T. I am getting hot flushes again now, and the nurse said not to take anything, except evening primrose, has anyone had the same situation? Will send of for the resource pack, thanks again everyone,
Jules,xxxxxx
Sorry trying to send private message!!!
About wigs;depending on your PCT you will get either a free wig or a voucher towards one.Our hospital arranges for a private consultation and a chance to try on wigs.If you dont like any there you get a voucher and are tod where you can spend it.I sorted out a wig before chemo started,it is up to you.Good luck Vxx
Hi Jules, my friend is one month ahead of me treatment wise and she found a really good wig shop in Lakeside in Essex. They do a mail order service too, but I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to try it on 
I bought mine - you get VAT off - although I haven’t yet started chemo as it felt like a proactive thing for me to do. If you do want details if you did happen to be in Essex/Kent area I will find the details.
Best wishes, Maggie xxxx.
It sounds as though your cancer is hormone receptive which is a good thing - but you will have to put up with flushes for a bit I think. Have you seen a breast care nurse yet? They are very helpful in answering all your questions but will know what is appropriate in your situation. My sister had a wig but only wore it once or twice because it got too hot and itched!
Try to write down all your questions when you think of them and take them to your next appointment. Of course you may have a better brain than me and be able to remember more than two things at a time!
Thanks Horace,
will ask next time I see the nurse, I would like to get things sorted before if poss, maybe no-one will notice the difference, or maybe not so much!!
Thanks Maggs, I live in nth lincs, near Hull, I will ask about wigs when I go on 4thSept, I do remember seeing a table with some info on it, will have a look, see what it says, Thanks for all the info everyone, sending you all hugs and best wishes, this site is the best,
Jules,xxxxxxxxx
Hi Again,
Just thought is anyone on facebook? I am
Julia
hi all i am going to start chemo in sept i am worried about losing my hair
Hi - lost all my hair - decided not to go wigging it so am wearing lots of hats - it’s not so bad - honestly and you know it will grow back - I see it as a wee bit of an adventure - something never planned but unexpected and it makes you an even stronger person than you all ready are…but then I’m a bit of a prat!!