Hi
Im 37 and was diagnosed a few weeks ago with provisional grade 2 invasive lobular carcinoma. Oestrogen positive, HER2 negative. My biopsy showed that a node was positive as well so I’m booked in next month for a mastectomy on my right side and an axillary node clearance followed by chemo.
Firstly I’m like……what kind of S*** hand is this!!! This isn’t fair! But I’m slowly accepting it. I have 2 young children, 5 and 9. I have had a conversation with them but rightly so they don’t grasp the seriousness of it and why should they! It worries me that they don’t know about ‘Cancer’ and I am just really hoping to pull through all this. That’s how I feel, just that I need to get through it for them so they don’t have to be anxious but it’s normal for me to be scared right?
I can’t help but worry about every little thing that feels weird in my body now, this pain, that ache….is that too dramatic? I know there isn’t anyone who can tell me it will all be ok so I guess I am looking for some reassurance that it’s normal to feel like this.
Thanks for reading x
You are completely and totally normal in how you feel. In fact it reads like you’re doing quite well considering the circumstances. Breast cancer luckily has many great treatments and the success rates of them are quite high. Let us know if you have any questions or just need to vent but you’re not alone.
Hi @Tabby-Lou
So sorry that you’re in this position . Yes what you’re feeling is completely normal for the situation that you’re in. You also kind of stop trusting your body a bit - whilst I was waiting for surgery I was noticing twinges in my breast and axilla which I don’t think I would have ordinarily noticed . I also was feeling the same sensations on my unaffected side which miraculously disappeared after surgery. On the one hand you’re scared of the treatment but on the other hand you want the cancer gone.
It’s a lot to get your head around - be kind to yourself try to take a day at a time and talk to a good friend or two. With 2 youngsters you will certainly be active ( that will help) and they may help you take your mind off it all at times but I found Headspace ,Yoga , breathing exercises walking helped .
There’s a section for families on here that might be helpful and you’ve done really well to have started discussing it with your kids. If you want to talk it through with someone with clinical expertise and who knows what other resources are available I would ring the Helpine .
You’re right it is a **** hand but you will get through it .
Sending ?
Joanne x
Some days are definitely better than others when it comes to processing it all that’s for sure! Thank you for your kindness
Thank you for the advice, It’s definitely a case of thinking my body has failed me in some way! Also it’s a kick in the teeth to think of how long I’ve viewed myself in a not so flattering light and now I would do anything to stay as I am!
I didn’t realise there was a family section so I will have a browse for that.
I’m just willing myself through this, I need to be here for my children ?
I’ve got a great support network around me but it’s so nice to speak to people who have gone through/going through this too x
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