I hoping that you can help a pretty positive but scared new comer! I was diagnosed with Grade 3 BC, 2/15 lymph nodes involved last Thursday following a WLE and ANC on 9th August.
I now face the next fear in this journey with a bone scan on Thursday and CT organ scan on Friday, although I’m a glass half full person I’m finding myself terrified it’s found a new place to hide! I just need to get this over with and know it’s not anywhere else so I get on with just doing it! I think it’s the fact the nodes are involved scares me, could it have gone further a field?!
I’m due to see the oncologist next week to go through results and chemo plan, I’m guessing I’ll be starting Sept sometime, the idea of hairloss etc doesn’t worry me but not great with needles etc therefore considering a PICC line, has anyone else experience of these?
I’ve been taking comfort from reading treads the last couple of weeks and would love to hear any advice.
I completely understand you fear about the scans; I doubt there is anyone on here who did not fear what they might find. I was grade 3 and it was in one node. Thankfully all scans were clear but I was more terrified of the results than I was of anything else; I knew it was the difference between beating it (hopefully) or living with it.
Having said that, there are plenty of fantastic ladies on here who do have secondaries but are managing just fine. I find their stories uplifting and reassuring. However, I would advise that you exercise caution about which threads you read as its so easy to scare the life out of yourself. Take it from one who knows!
When you get round to the chemo, there’s stacks of info and advice on here which I found really helpful. I’m not a needle phobe, so didn’t have a PICC, but many on here have. It’s great you aren’t too bothered about your hair; I was the same and got it shaved off when it started to drop.
I’m out the other end now (last chemo 6 months ago) and I’m trying to get back to some semblance of normality. Its a tough old journey, but its doable.
All the proceedures of diagnosis are SO SCARY! We are right behind you… Every scan etc. sends our imaginations into overdrive. It gets easier - promise.
Hi Juno
I was diagnosed with Grade 2 BC, 2/15 lymph nodes involved June 09 had a quadrantdectomy in Aug, followed by chemo then rads in Feb 10.
I was never offered the opportunity to have any scans and whilst I can fully understand your fears I do think it can be very reassuring to know that it’s not spread anywhere else. I would like to have that peace of mind.
I had a PICC line fitted just before my chemo started, it was great because it was not only used for chemo (it certainly made life so much easier) is was also constantly used to take blood. Having the PICC line fitted wasn’t particularly pleasant, but it only took about 10-15 minutes; but the discomfort was definately worth while in the long term.
My tip to get yourself through your journey is to try & be as positive as you can, easier said than done I know. The brain is a positive tool & who knows… being positive can only be a good thing not only for you but for those around you.
It certainly worked for me Juno & to be honest my year long journey really wasn’t so bad when I look back.
I wish you all the best for your results next week.
Big hugs
Stella XXX
Hi Juno
My diagnosis was exactly the same (Grade 3 BC, 2/15 lymph nodes) and I am still fine, over 6 years later. I never had scans, although they said I could if I wished, but I think scans are more common these days.
I agree with Stella about the positive thing. My doctors were up-beat and practical, which helped to set the tone, and my OH would suggest trips, days out, etc to which I would reluctantly agree - but he was right, because it really does take your mind off things to keep busy. Of course there were some bad moments, but these were surprisingly few.
Other people can be a problem, eg friends that panic/start crying etc when you tell them. The stars are the ones that say ‘ok, what happens now,how can I help?’.
If you have any problems do raise them straight away with your medical team. I felt a bit sick after the first chemo but after a day they changed my meds (there are lots of options)and it didn’t happen again.
best wishes, and keep posting
Sarah
Thank you for the advice, I’m fortunate to have a wonderful family and network of supportive friends but it helps hugely hearing from others who’ve lived/are living this rather bizzare journey.
I’ve gone through so many different emotions that can change hourly, from super confident, postive and laughing lots to a blubbering wreck!
I have another query for you guys ahead of me; I’m two & half wks post op and struggling with limited arm movement and it’s still quite sensitive… is this normal?
Hope bone scan went ok. What you are experiencing with your arm is normal. Have they given you exercises. I had to do these 3 times a day, no more no less and now have a full range of movement. They’re not easy but essential. Arm numbness/sensitivity is usual cos they cut the nerves. This can return to normal to a certain extent but there’s usually some residual numbness; I’m still numb under my arm.
Hi I am new all this. I was diagnoised 3 weeks ago, had MRI on monday and will get results next Thursday, They cannot tell me what surgery I will need until they get the results as they have said that the cancer is not behaving as they would expect. I do not know what tis means,I am having good days and bad but the worse thing is I seem to have lost all my self confidence and get a bit panicky when I go out on my own is this normal??? I am really struggling with this.
The anxiety you are feeling is completely normal and I’m not suprised you feel panicy. You’ve been dealt a huge blow and it takes some getting used to. I dont know what they mean by the cancer not behaving as it should but you will soon be told the best course of treatment; they usually discuss these things in big multidisciplinary meetings. Once you know what’s in store it does get easier to cope with, I promise. I’m just out the other side of treatment. I cant say its an easy journey, but it is doable.
You’ve come to the right place for some good support, as the many informed users of this site have a wealth of information between them.
Could I also suggest, if you feel you need to talk to someone in confidence, that you give the helpline here a ring and have a chat with one of the staff, they’re here to support you. Calls are free, 0808 800 6000 lines open M-F 9-5 and Sat 9-2.
Hi i have just been diagnosed with breast cancer and am really struggling with it, i have just had surgury and waiting for the results, the twoweek wait is the worst, i am really finding day to day life hard and putting a brave act for my 9 year old daughter is really hard my husband is still working and as he is a pilot and not at home much is really hard has anyone got any ideas how to cope over the next week
I’m so sorry you’ve had to join us, but this is a great place for support and advice. The wait for any results is, by far, the hardest part of the journey, but there’s no easy way thru it. Whatever the results are,treatments are great these days, soits worth remembering that. The treatment isn’t pleasant but its doable. As you’ve probably seen, there are a number of ladies on this site who are at a similar stage to you so you may want to link up with them. Juno, who started this thread is one, I believe. I’m just out the other side of active treatment so it can be done!
Julia’s right we’re all quite close in where we are in this “new experience”! There’s good & bad days, but sure we can support each other through the difficult ones and share coping ideas through chemo.
The waiting is the toughest part; you get the initial diagnoses (horror!), you prepare for surgery, you wait for those results and those results trigger another process which inevitably brings more waiting and worry but take comfort in the knowledge that we’ve found it and taking control with experts to get rid!
I’m at the point of having CT scans, bone was yesterday and organ in a couple of hours, yesterday was my lowest point, the imagination ran amuck… had chest pains and convinced myself it was in my lungs, until my partner pointed out that it could have something to do with the amount of flowers (pollen) in the house… good point!
Sarahs’ advice (thank you) of taking your mind off it by agreeing to trip outs is perfect, I’ve hidden away a bit but now gone back to work where I can have a giggle again and off to lake district this weekend with my lively dog and equally lively partner.
Just remember the success rate in beating this is incredibly high and most people know someone’s who’s made a full recovery, even in the toughest case - I’ve grade 3 so have a fight ahead for sure but know it’ll be just fine.
hi I totally understand the comment I feel short ofbreath it must haves spread I have done this myself, I first went for check up in feb after finding a lump had cell biopsy which iwas told was ok but to come back in 3 months which i did, had ultra sound and was told this looked fine end of visits. consultant called me back via letter in july when he saw me he said I needed core biopsy which came back as cancer, then it is waiting for breast MRI which is only done on one day a week so more waiting,but I will know next week what surgery and when so I am hoping that once a plan is in place it will get easier, I just hope i do not have to wait for surgery for very long as i keep thinking it has had a long time to spread.
Lucy hope the scan went OK and my fingers are crossed for you. helps to know that we are not on our own
Sounds like you’ve had a bad time of it, how frustrating to be told it’s not then it is and then have to wait some more, I’ve been lucky so far with my treatment all been fairly quick but you know now that it’s been found and you’re right once a plan’s in place it’ll move far quicker.
I’m still waiting to see Oncologist for results, hoping it’s this week.