A month ago I started feeling pains in my left breast but couldn’t feel any lumps. Then ten days ago I became aware of a change to my breast. It felt much firmer than my right one. I went straight to the doctor who put me on an urgent referral to the hospital. I tried to keep thinking positively because There was no way that this could be bad news.
My husband came with me but I asked him to stay in the waiting room. I has a physical examination and then an scan. During the scan I watched the attending nurse’s face and as the doctor paused and printed off images I saw her expression change. The doctor showed me the images. Two lumps, one large, one small plus he had felt something in my left armpit. He said he was sorry! He said that it was cancer without having any tests!! I now have to have a biopsy on the lumps and lymph gland. I asked them to bring my husband in.
On the way home my husband said “it wasn’t meant to be like this”
I am devastated, and it’s a bank holiday weekend so I have to wait until Tuesday for the biopsy and then a few more days for the results.
How do I stay strong for my family when I feel so worried?
i really do feel for you, i too was informed it was cancer before the biopsy results but looking back although it was an awful shock it did kind of take the edge of it and cut out the horrible waiting to find out yes or no that so many others have to go through.
I was eventually diagnosed with grade 3 invasive ductal & had my surgery on Xmas Eve(lumpectomy) I then went through the anxiety of awaiting surgery results at a time that was full of Bank Holidays, xmas, new Year etc.
I was eventually seen mid January when they confirmed stage & grade & a treatment plan was put in place. My surgeon felt pretty confident that the cancer had been totally removed during surgery & i luckily had good clear margins, no lymph node involvement & no vascular invasion.
It was recommended that i have Radiotherapy followed by Tamoxifen as my lump was quite small but after further talks i was advised that if i threw chemo in to the equation it gave me a further 5% chance of all being well in 10 yrs time so i decided to take that too, not easy but doable & i had my last chemo yesterday,
I have booked a holiday for June before my rads start & just want you to know that there truly is light at the end of the tunnel, yes i have lost my hair (temporarily) i take more naps than previously but know that today is the start of all my tomorrows & hopefully a cancer free life.
You will be in tremendous shock at the moment & nothing will seem real, just all so scary but take time to let it sink in, talk to your husband, family, close friends etc & if things get really tough ring the helpline on here as they are fab.
Firstly, welcome to the forums, I am sure you will find it a great source of information and support.
I’m sorry to read of your diagnosis, the first few days and weeks are always difficult when coming to terms with things and getting to grips with your treatment plans, etc.
I’ve given here the link to our Resource Pack for those people newly diagnosed. The pack is essential for anyone with a primary diagnosis of breast cancer. Filled with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available.
Also, do give the helpline a ring if you need any further support or information. They’re on 0808 800 6000. Open 9-5 Monday to Friday and 9-2 Saturday.
Hi Deb,
Feeling this worried is 100% normal. So is any other emotion you can name, and any combination of them.
These days there are such good treatments. Not very easy ones to get through, but many of us find them ‘doable’ and the outcome for most of us is a good one now. Don’t think the worst. (Though that’s easier said than done, I know - I was in a complete panic for weeks!)
Somehow it seems easier for many of us when we know what’s what and what the treatment will be, and it’s all started. Such supportive people on here too - hope we can all be here for you
I slept through the night for the first time since getting the news. My doctor has signed me off work for ten days. Talked a lot with my husband and been out and bought a dressing gown and slippers that will be used only for hospital visits.
I am 55 with three grownup kids aged 32, 25, and 21. I am still frightened but feel that I can deal with whatever lies ahead of me. I do know that I will have to be strong. I have decided that I will keep a diary/blog that should help me keep track of my progress.
We have a holiday booked for mid June, I tried to sort out the travel insurance last night but came unstuck at the health declaration! Any one else has that sort of problem?
hi, I was where you are now in Jan. Im 51 just had my first mg, got called bacck within 2 days!!. I went on my own thinking this will be fine, then before I knew it the consultant had say “I dont like the look of this, it needs to come out”. I was in total shock, mins later Im having a biopsy!! I asked the doctor doing itt did she think it was caancer & she said yes!!!. I walked out of the clinic in complete shock, didnt know who to tell, I am divorced & my children like yours are grown up 27 & 22, & to make thinhgs worse it they could be it was my sons birthday.Now 4 months down the line, I havee had 4 out of 6 chemos, next one is wed, & Im still in shock but you can get through this, put your faith in your doctors, they will ddo the very best ffor you, dont google anything, just use this website to get the best information & support you can. BC is NOT a death sentence anymore, the treatment is hard but it wont kill you, itt will stop it ever coming back. I have found a kind of peace with all this crap. Life is worth living, & all the stupid things that I worried about before my dx dont mean a thing anymore. I will be here in 10 years time, hopefully to see my children get married & have a family of their own, & you will be too. Take all th help & support you can, and remember you are not alone in this, everyone on this forum is with you all the way with helpful advice & support. All the very best Lesley xx
Hang in there and look forward to your holiday. I am 63 with grown-up children (35 & 39). I was diagnosed in Sept 2010 I had a holiday to Australia booked in Nov 2010. I saw the surgeon fairly quickly and she encouraged me to take the holiday- she put me on meds to starve the tumour- I was Er positive.
I came back very relaxed and had the surgery in December 2010 followed by chemo and am now having radiotherapy.
Do discuss it with your medical/surgical team -holidays are therapy too!
Just got back from the hospital. I was there at 8:15 for mammogram first. Then down to a day ward where I had to put one of the charming gowns on that fasten down the back. My husband had come with me and neither of us had much sleep last night which resulted in us both nodding off in the waiting room. I don’t think the theatre nurse could believe her eye when she came for me. Conflicting info, first doctor who got me to sign my consent form said it would be two to three weeks before I get the results. I pointed out that the surgeon had said two to three days. When I got down to theatre I asked the surgeon again and he confirmed that we should get the results hopefully by Thursday. They numbed my boob (didn’t feel a thing!) Then he practiced with with the biopsy gun so that I wouldn’t be startled. He took three samples and then a fine needle aspiration in my left armpit. I mentioned our forthcoming holiday and he said I might want to think about cancelling. He also mentioned the possibility of surgery in 4 weeks time.
I am trying to stay positive, not just for my sake but for my husband and kids. I have been lent a book called “How your mind can heal your body” so I will read that from cover to cover and put my faith in future. I know I have done everything I can do. I had the lump checked as soon as I found it. I am signed off work for a week, only been with the company for 4 months. They were excellent with me when I told them, they said just to keep them informed.
Will post an update when I get the results. Thanks for all the kind words and messages. I have found it helpful to know that others walk this walk before me, next to me and behind me.