Hi
Found out two weeks ago that I have breast cancer, not sure how I feel, doesn’t feel like its happening to me,
Seem to be saying to everyone else I’m fine, but not sure if thats me talking or I’m saying what I think people want to hear! I’m booked in to have my operation on the 8th June, just want it over and done with. Think I will cope better once I’ve had the op.
Hi! I don’t think any of us knows how we should be feeling whilst going through this. I still don’t feel like it’s happened to me! I was diagnosed in April and had a lumpectomy and snb two weeks ago yesterday. Thankfully the results were good and I need 3 weeks of radiotherapy and tamoxifen for at least five years. I am still waiting for this to hit me - I have been carrying on as normal and been putting on a brave face for my family’s sake. I think once your op is over and you get your results back you will feel better. There is so much waiting for results on this journey and for me that was the worst part. I wish you well with your op. Take care x
Hi ratbag and welcome to the BCC forums
Along with the support you have found here please feel free to call our helpliners, they are on hand weekdays 9-5 and Sat 10-2 with further practical and emotional support for you on 0808 800 6000
I am posting a link to our ‘Just diagnosed’ pages where you will find information and support ideas which I hope will help you through this difficult time:
breastcancercare.org.uk/diagnosis
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi ratbag, I had the same initial reaction, it’s a perfectly natural and rational response to the shock of the diagnosis. The situation felt surreal, my husband and I felt we were talking about someone else. This is actually a coping mechanism - taking an existential view (stepping back from it) according to my counsellor. As I suffer with depression I knew I couldn’t let myself break down, I had to keep strong and focus on what I needed to do to get rid of the pesky cancer. That’s another thing I did, kept using the word cancer to try to normalise it and stop it being so scary. I’m not in denial, I was/am worried and did well up in response to my family’s tears and fears, and had some dark thoughts, usually at night. From diagnosis on 14th April, through 2 surgeries - lumpectomy & SNB (clear margin but node involvement), then full node clearance - I learnt yesterday that the cancer hasn’t spread to any more nodes so chemo is now unlikely, final decision with oncologist in few weeks. I actually slept for 12 hours last night! It’s as though my mind and body allowed me to rest for the first time in 6 weeks. I didn’t look at this site until a couple of weeks after diagnosis and found some of the threads quite scary so would advise a bit of caution at least until you have more information about your cancer. I posted yesterday for the first time for advice on questions to ask and had a useful and supportive reply. Wishing you well, stay positive with a fighting spirit!
Hi,just saw your post .You are describing just how I feel.Diagnosed yesterday ,op booked for 24th June.Feels not real but unfortunately it is.Going through the process of telling people is rubbish.I don’t want the world to know about my health problems and or feel sorry for me!Let me know how you get on your a couple of weeks ahead of me.Jill.
Hi Sarah and welcome to the BCC forums where I am sure the support will be a big help, please also feel free to call our helplines for further practical and emotional support on 0808 800 6000, lines are open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 10-2
Here’s a link to the BCC undergoing treatments pages where you will find more support ideas and information about treatments which I hope you will find helpful:
breastcancercare.org.uk/treatment
Take care
Lucy BCC
Snap Funfriend we share the ‘D-day’ in common 26th May, not a date I will forget in a hurry!! Have found comfort in chatting to like-minded ladies here, not a club I thought I’d by joining but here I am :-).
I hope you are sorted very soon so you can start enjoying your retirement. Feel free to befriend me and perhaps we can plot our journeys together xx
Just passing by ladies and wanted to wish you all the best for all your treatments in the coming days and weeks. I am further down the line and recall being in your position in March. Really time has flown and nothing has been as difficult or scary as I anticipated in the dark moments in the middle of the night. The one thing I have learned is that everyones diagnosis and experience is unique which is really reassuring that all treatment is tailored to us individually but there is always someone out there who has experienced the drugs and operations as you and will be able to give sound advice and reassurance. I hope I can do the same for anyone anytime. Love and hugs to you all. Katie xx
Bet you are glad to get that out of the way.Hope you don’t have to wait too long for your results.
There is a lot of waiting isn’t there,8 weeks seems a long time.Are you working ,
will you go back on between time?I am trying to work out what I will do.
I’m not sure, think it will depend more how I feel mentally than physically coping with all the questions and also waiting for next treatments will be hard .