Just wanted to say Hi.....

Hi, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on Friday. Everything has happened so fast, and I am still in shock, I think!!

I am 38 and was told by everyone not to worry as the lump would probably turn out to be nothing! They were wrong!

I’m awaiting a date for a lumpectomy and removal of some lymph nodes. But not really sure what’s going to happen after that. I’m currently on a weeks break from work, spending sometime with my family. In all honesty I can’t wait to get back to work to take my mind off things.

Not really sure why I am posting on here, but feel that I need somewhere that I can say what I am thinking, without worrying about upsetting anyone! If that makes sense.

Xx

Hi Nanny Sal,

Welcome to the BCC discussion forums, you’ve come to the right place where you can say exactly what you want about how you a feeling and what you are going through as the users of this site have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them and are only too happy to share that knowledge with those who are new to all this.

While you are waiting for replies I have put for you below the link to one of BCC’s publications you might find helpful, also just to let you know that our helpline team are just a free phone call away to give you that added support. 0808 800 6000 lines open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 10-2.

www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/your-operation-recovery-bcc151

I hope this helps. Take care,

Jo, Moderator

That’s a good enough reason for posting in my book. You will read a lot of newly diagnosed commenting on how awful the waiting is, there’s no escaping it for any of us, unfortunately. Once you have the op, which I’m sure you just want out the way, the clever pathologists will be getting their Petri dishes out and analysing your now ex lodger and any buddies it might have had, hopefully it will have been a billynomates. It takes approx two weeks from the op for them to established exactly what type of cancer and check the surrounding tissue is clear of any dodgy cells, and if any nodes have signs of any cancer cells. This information informs the MDT what your treatment plan is. It is at this point that I started to feel a bit more in control. It’s horrible being in such a destabilising place for what seems like far too long a time. It does get better. Getting support here, or just venting helps.

Of course it makes sense Nanny Sal…it’s the way the rest of us feel. At least the lovely people on this forum understand. It can be difficult for people to really understand how you’re feeling unless they’re going through or have gone through it themselves.

Boxofrogs has described the process involved in a lumpectomy and SNB perfectly :slight_smile: Have you phoned your breast care nurse? Mine has been an absolute star.

Please keep posting and let us know when you get the date for your surgery. Lumpectomy/SNB usually just involve day surgery so you go in early morning and you’re out that evening. I needed a re-excision (the surgeon didn’t get clear margins the first time) and I was out just after lunchtime. You’ll have blue boob for a while…and blue wee for a day or so…due to the dye they use to identify the sentinel node.

Maggie xx

Thankyou for those very kind replies. Boxofrogs I love the way you describe the Cancer/Lump. It made me smile.

Have to admit, I think it’s the waiting that is hard. Not really knowing whats going to happen in the next few months. I will be glad when the surgery is done, and I have a treatment plan. At least then I will know what’s happening.

Can I ask how long off work, you had? It will probably sound weird, but being off work worries me as much as the Cancer. I love my job and I hate the thought of trying to fill my days, without my work to keep my mind off things. I know I have to concentrate on me for a while, but I think to do that I NEED to keep things as normal as possible.

I hope that made some sense!!

Xx

Hi Nanny Sal. I was also 38 when diagnosed last year, completely undertand what yo say about work, i am the same. I had 2 weeks off after my first op which was the same as yours then another 2 weeks after a second op to remove all my lymph nodes, I’m now almost at the end of chemo and have had a week off after each then worked reduced hours the res of the time. It is possible to work and a lot of people do, a lot depends on how you react to the treatment, how physical your job is, how far you have to travel and the risk of infection, they don’t seem to like you working through chemo if ou work in germy places like schools! Good luck with everything xxx

Nanny Sal-the amount of time off will depend on your treatment. I had a lumpectomy and only needed two days off. One on the day of surgery and a day to recuperate. Had I had a mastectomy I would have been off much longer. I then took 3 months off during chemo (some people manage to work through it but I couldn’t). I returned to work and worked throughout radiotherapy having my treatment at 8a.m. and usually getting to work just after 9a.m. Continuing to work was part of my coping strategy and it def took my mind off my diagnoses.

Some amazing people manage to keep working through much of their treatment. There is an employment forum, and there are some positive posts, but some jaw droppingly awful stories about ignorant colleagues and unsupportive employers. I have now been off since May. I work in a clinical setting and for many reasons I dont think I would manage being at work, despite loving my job, and my workmates. I have a great boss, who is my best friend, so I manage to keep up with all the gossip etc. I have family near, and due to shift work, many of my mates are around during week days, so I make sure I make plenty of dates to meet up for coffee, or even go to the pub, my preferred venue. I have a couple of friends in particular who deserve medals for their thoughtfulness. Just thinking about how kind they have been makes me quite emotional. Don’t hide away, get out visiting, particularly while you feel physically well. Recovering from op will necessitate some confinement. I love shopping, gardening and cinema. Whiling away a few hours on here passes the time quite productively. If you do find yourself at home for a prolonged period get a calendar and try to get a good spacing out of activities so that you have things to look forward to.

Thanks so much, I can see that this is the place to talk about worries and concerns. For the first time since Friday, I don’t feel ‘alone’! Feel stupid saying that, as I am surrounded by my family. BUT I just don’t want to add my worries, on to them. Especially as they can’t really do anything. They don’t know how I feel, or what lies ahead.

Thanks for the reassurance about working. I do understand that it will depend on how my body copes with the surgery, and what treatment lies ahead.

Wishing you all the best of luck on your journeys through this. I hope to get to know you all better, over the coming months.

Sal xx

Hi Nanny Sal, sorry you have found yourself here but you have done the right thing as this site is very helpful and the ladies ( and gents) who are ahead of you can give advice and useful tips to help you kick your cancer into touch!.
As everyone says the waiting bit in between each stage of your treatment is the worse as you have no control. Once you know what you have to deal with you can have more control.
Look,after yourself, don’t google as some of the stuff is scary. Stick with this or MacMillian site and the nurses on here are helpful if you need to talk to anyone. Your breastcare nurse is also there for you. Take someone with you when you go for your appointment as another pair of “ears” will pick up things you might not and have any questions written down ready. Take care of yourself and keep positive. We are lucky to live in a time cancer treatment has never been better. My experience of the NHS was a good one all the way through with excellent care and a lot of clever people all doing their best for me.
Lets us know how you get on, best wishes, Katy.

Welcome Nanny Sal, you can drop by here whenever you want. About taking time off work, I went back afer DX but was not in a happy place. Felt a lot better when the nasty lump was removed . I took 2 weeks off work after my 1st WLE and SNB, 40% physical but 60% emotional because was awaiting more biopsy results. I simply could not focus at work. Once I had those results I felt more in control. I needed a 2nd WLE to my boob for clearer margins and am now more composed, physically fine within 3 days. I get my results next week. Hope all goes well for you in the coming weeks. Kathy x

Hi Kathy

Just wanted to wish you all the best for your results next week.

Also to say Thankyou for all the replies. Having such lovely replies and support has helped so much. Last night I sleep from 11 til 6… Yay!!! First night that I have slept right through since I found the lump!

I finally feel human again! Sending lots of love and support to you all.

Sal xx

Hi Nanny Sal.
My thoughts are with you, this is a truly awful time isn’t it. I was diagnosed 7th March this year, had lumpectomy and SNB. I have one cycle left of FEC chemo, then 3 weeks radiotherapy, tamoxifen and Herceptin. As everyone says, the waiting really is the worst time, once you have a treatment plan, you will gain a bit of control again. Regarding work, I am a Palliative Care Nurse (probably one of the worst jobs with this diagnosis) and have been off work since I found the lump (I called it Humphrey which helped me!). I really would not be able to focus on my job at present. My manager and “work family” have been absolutely fabulous and supportive, they actually advised me to stay off work. I see them every few weeks and they fill me in on the gossip etc. This really helps me as work was such a big part of my life. I am hoping to return to work Nov/Dec after radiotherapy. Private message me if you need to chat or just offload, I really don’t mind at all.
Wishing you all the luck in the world, its a tough journey but doable. Lynne x

Ha ha Lynne I thought I was the only one who had named my lump :smiley: Mine was called Clarence, he was an illegal immigrant who had a one way ticket to an unknown destination (lumpectomy). He did leave a suitcae in my sentinel node but that follwed him two weeks later (ANC) :smiley:
Welcome Nanny Sal this site is brilliant, i’m newly dianosed too (late June) and have found just reading it brilliant :smiley: I cant see myself as ill and intend to work as much as possible, even though i work in a germ ridden school lol

Hi Sal
last august i was in the same boat - 36 years old and healthy. found a lump and since i had cysts before and everyone (including GP) said “it’s probably nothing” I wasnt worried. It was cancer with 2 lymph nodes affected. I went into shock too. i couldnt eat / sleep / function really. I had a 7 year old so somehow i went on. I felt alone too - even though my mum and aunt also have breast cancer (yes all three of us at the same time) i still felt alone - it was in my body and i was the only one who could fight it. It was when i met other girls in their 30s that i felt less alone.
I wish you luck, i hope you stick around here and let us know how you are getting on. i am a year on now and have finished all “active” treatment. in fact i have my “year later” CT scan today - hoping for the all clear. Just sharing this to let you know that - yes its a nightmare! and yes its scary - but there is life after breast cancer - and you’ll be stronger!
Love caroline xxx

Thanks for sharing your experiences. It really does help to hear positive stories. Makes this whole thing alot less scary!

I think I just need to get a date for the surgery, and then get on the road to recovery. I just feel I am in limbo at the moment. I think one of the hardest things, has been telling other people! Dealing with how differently people react. I have been surprised by some of the responses. But luckily most of my family and friends, have been amazing!

Sal xx