Hi,
Following a two week wait for my biopsy resulted I was diagnosed with a grade III ductal cancer. The consultant has said that I will need a masectomy due to the size. Still feel a little numb - I ‘knew’ that cancer was likely but have been in denial for the last two weeks (easyish as I have two girls age 1 and 4) . Have spent today telling work colleagues and making some plans.
But… how quickly can I expect things to move? The consultant suggested that I think about the options re surgery and come back next week. He says that if I want a masectomy it will be quite quick but if I opt for reconstruction it will take a lot longer to fit in the operation and I will be waiting longer.
Just feel a bit overwhelmed at the moment. Have read a few posts recently and it has helped so I thought I’d introduce myself.
Hels
Hi Hels
Welcome to the forums, I am posting to let you know that Breast Cancer Care have published a Resource Pack, it has been designed for anyone newly diagnosed with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and various treatments, it is available via the following link or by contacting the helpline:
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514
You may find our helpline useful to call to talk through the options for surgery that you have, they can talk to you about our other support services too and also offer support, information and a ‘listening ear’. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm, Saturday, 9am - 2pm. I hope you find this helpful.
Best wishes
Lucy
hello Hels
I’ve found myself in exactly the same situation today, except that my diagnosis currently is DCIS which means it’s not travelling yet. Interstingly, my BC nurse told me that the Government standard is that you must be offered a surgery date within 31 days of discussing need for treatment in order to meet government targets. Use this as ammunition! Get hold of an interested party in your local paper and get on the front page making a fuss - it should get them fawning over you to offer dates… Also, get all the information you need before deciding what you want to do re surgery. It is a NICE guideline that you are offered recon with your mastectomy. Go see your BC nurse, look at pictures, think about what is important to you (being vain it is important to me that if poss I can continue to wear clothes that celebrate my curves, ‘small’ that they are! Looking at photos today has really opened my eyes to the possibilities. a reconstructed breast looks like any other breast without a nipple in a lot of cases.) Talk to other people who have already been through this - your BC nurse should put you in touch.
You are presumably young and busy with 2 little girls. My littlest daughter is 3, but for me the ‘inconvenience’ of no lifting, no driving’ for a while will be time well spent in the long run to beat this disease and get on with the really important stuff.
Loving your family and watching them grow and develop.
Stay strong, stay focused. keep posting!
Big love, Td x
Hi Hels
So sorry that you have had to join us here - but you will get tons of support and advice as you go through this.
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer in Nov last year. I had to have a mastectomy, and opted not to go for reconstruction - mainly because I’m not an operation person lol - and I wasn’t that bothered about losing a breast. I was told the same as you, that opting for recon would involve a longer wait. Additionally I would have been treated some 100 miles away from home as my local health board don’t do recons.
In terms of how quickly things will move - this seems to vary depending on the area of the country you are in! I’m based in Scotland - I was at one stop clinic on 1st Nov, got results the same day - had bone scans the following week, mastectomy on the 13th Nov, path results (Grade 3, 5/11 nodes involved and her2+) a week later and started chemo on 28th November - all a very quick process for me! I know others haven’t been as lucky with regards to time scale.
I also have 2 kids,both girls but older than yours - one of 21 and one of 10 - the 10 year dealt with it all far, far better than the 21 year old lol.
You are bound to feel overwhelmed at the moment - it is all so much to take in - and to some extent as well as your own feelings you have others to deal with too. It does get easier - yes you will have bad days, but the good ones are still there too. The resource pack that Lucy has detailed for you above is excellent - as are all the various publications available - you do tend to gointo information overload a little bit, particularly if you are a ‘surfer’ like me - the best bit of advice I could give you is to stick to sites like this - a lot of the other information kicking around in cyberspace is often out of date or irrevelant.
I hope you make the best decision for you - please keep posting and let us know how you get on. As I said earlier there is always someone here to give advice, support or just to listen when (and if lol) you want to let off steam !!
take care
margaret x
HI Hels
Not in same boat as you but wish you well.Its an emotional journey and we are all here for you .
Mary
x
Hi Lucy
I got my diagnosis yesterday - after many many weeks of tests. I have pagets, but it seems to be localised behind the nipple. I was given a date straight away for 1st May. However, my consultant was offended by the fact that I want a recon at the same time. She seemed to be very dismissive and left the room without a word and left me with the bc nurse. I am not going ahead without looking into recon. However, my bc nurse said it may be delayed since the plastic surgeon AND the breast surgeon need to be available on the same day.
It sounds like your consultant is more aware of your emotional needs as part of this horrible dicease. Even though, my consultant is female - I cant believe I need to fight my corner.
Lisa
Thanks everyone for your comments and support. I have found it so helpful just reading the posts on the forums.
Hels