I have just been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Cancer Grade 3 and have been told I will need a Mastectomy not a lumpectomy. It is hormone receptive positive so will need to have a hormone suppressant drug after mastectomy. I am waiting for HER2 test to come back which I have been told will be next week and if it is positive will need chemo before the operation. I am absolutely terrified and so scared of the side effects that I could have from chemo and hormone suppression drugs. There are 2 lumps one is 11 mm and the others 21 mm.
Jaynie - welcome to the forum . The first few weeks after diagnosis are so so tough - you get the information in stages so you don’t really know what you are dealing with until you have all the pieces of the jigsaw .Best advice is just try not to think too far ahead or it is too overwhelming - just take one step at a time . Get information about and get prepared for your op then move on to the next stage .
If you do need chemo there will be lots of support and advice here for you from people who understand and people around at all hours of the day and night to talk .x
Hi Jaynie
I’m sorry to see you here but you’ve found the right place. I had two tumours (one of each) and most of my lymph nodes under my arm were infected. I’ve suffered from severe anxiety most of my life and , like you, I was terrified, beyond terrified. I told them about my fears and the team bent over backwards to accommodate me, showing me round the chemo suite in the evening so I could talk to staff and see patients chatting, eating NHS sandwiches with a cuppa, just getting on with it. It was an eye-opener. The oncologist also prescribed a sedative to take before each session if my anxiety felt unmanageable. I only took them the first few times.
The chemo sessions were fine. There was nothing to fear there. The side effects a few days later weren’t pleasant but the pharmacy sent us home with goody bags, including meds to stop nausea, laxatives and, of course, my next two sedatives! I was never sick and rarely nauseous. My main problem was fatigue, which takes on a whole new meaning. But other women sail through so don’t assume you’ll get every side effect. It was all manageable and I got through it and came out the other side, straight into radiotherapy which I personally found very easy. As for hair loss… it may not happen. If it does, it’s only hair and it grows again very quickly. It was a very interesting experience, particularly losing nasal hair, which I’d never thought about before!
It’s important to talk about your fears to your breast care nurse or oncologist. It’s also important to decide how much information you really need. I decided to trust the team and got by on the minimum of information- I didn’t want to be scaring myself when I was already terrified. Just because you don’t fully understand the technicalities doesn’t mean you have to, if you don’t want to. The outcome will be the same.
It’s essential that you don’t Google. We all say that on here. Google is unreliable and we don’t have the expertise to work out what’s relevant to our unique diagnosis. Google also doesn’t care about how we will feel about what we read. It’s fools’ territory while under treatment. Ask the experts at the hospital. Ring the nurses here - they are wonderful. Ask in the forums here (but remember we’re all different and you’ll get different experiences in the replies)
The other important thing is to find ways to reduce and manage what is a perfectly natural response to this diagnosis. Yoga, running, baking, whatever you enjoy. Do it and enjoy it. There are loads of resources online, apps you can download like Calm and Headspace, which the NHS recommend. I used the Progressive Hypnosis videos on YouTube. Still do.
Yes there will be side effects when you’re on whatever hormone therapy they prescribe. That doesn’t mean they are unmanageable. Sometimes just a change of brand sorts things out - it did for me. The fact is, all these treatments are there to heal you in the long run. Yes, it’s not nice but yes, it’s worth it if you leave the hospital one day floating on air because you’ve been told you are NED (no evidence of disease).
Sorry for the ramble but I so wish I’d found this site a lot earlier. It helps to know you aren’t alone. I wish you all the best and hope your treatment is kind to you.
Jan x
Hi Jaynie,
I’m new here also and was recently diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer grade 2, HER2 positive. The cancer has spread into my lymph nodes, so I’ll be having 6 rounds of chemo and 18 Herceptin infusions followed by a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. My lump is 22mm and like you, I feel terrified by the possible side effects related to my specific treatment and long term prognosis.
I guess it’s the fear of the unknown and having to face my mortality at a time when I still feel fit and young that’s most scary. I’m 49 (so not that young) but have a 20 year-old daughter who I intend to stick around for. We’re very close and the thought of not being there for her as she moves through life sickens me more than this bloody cancer.
So, I’ve decided to buckle up tight for the rollercoaster ahead and take comfort from the many insightful words on here because we’re not alone .
Sending positive vibes and virtual hugs,
Fifo
x
I’m the same - how do I see the replies?
Hi
i hsve also just been diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer as you and been told I need a mastectomy. I’m having surgery in a few weeks- I’m a bit confused about if I will need chemo after.
it’s a crazy time but you are not alone. X