I have today had my diagnosis up graded from DCIS to grade 3 invasive ductal with lymph node invasion.
Chemo and radiotherapy now planned having already had surgery to remove lump, sized 37mm, 2 weeks ago.
Feeling frightened, cross , anxious for my 3 children [2 live at home]. I had a full time career in management within education until this news- now what for the final outcome and chances of a full recovery?? Life has changed overnight and I would be interested to hear from others in this position . I am 51.
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Welcome to the club. I was dx in Feb, mastectomy March, chemo April - Sept & now rads/tamoxifen & herceptin. I had a 27mm grade 3 tumour with 3/16 lymph nodes affected. I am 45 (44 at dx) and have three children - eldest 18 next month.
It is such a shock and it will take a while for it all to sink in. I have had a lot of ups & downs, but mostly have just got on with life. I have worked all the way through, taking treatment days off plus two or three more to get over the worst side effects. Chemo is a horrible thing to have to go through, but as you will find from this site, we all manage, and come out the other end. I am feeling so much better now - just getting frustrated with the hospital where my rads appointments are always running late!
I am no longer in a state of constant worry, and you will get to this point in a few months too. At the time, chemo seemed to go on forever, but now looking back I can’t believe it went by so quickly.
Wishing you all the best for the coming months - it is not as bad as you think it will be. Just take one day at a time, and accept any offers of help that come your way.
So sad to hear your news darlin, I just got dx yesterday so don’t know anything about the grades and all that. I just know I have to lose my breast and there is definitely cancer there.
Just wanted to send you some luvnhugs so you know you are in my thoughts. Everyone keeps saying that this awful disease takes few and that the majority of us survive and become much stronger because of it. You have to believe that you ARE a SURVIVOR. It is about the only thought that is keeping me going right now taht I simply will not let this monster in my body beat me I will smash that monster out and so will you.
I am 35 and was diagnosed in May with a grade 3 invasive ductile with lympn node involvement. I was in a complete state of shock when they told me and felt very very frightened and the lasting thought that my life will never be the same again. I remember repeating “how the hell am I going to get through this”. Somehow I am getting through this and I do get stronger each day. I don’t always know where that strength comes from. 2 weeks after my diagnosis I had a wide local excision and 4/12 lymph nodes were involved. Before starting chemo I also went through a cycle of IVF to freeze embyros as was told the chances of having children after chemo were slim. I felt lucky that the oncologist gave my partner and I the go ahead and we had a small window of opportunity.
I’m now two thirds of the way through chemo which at times I have found very hard. I remember feeling absolutely terrified before I had my first chemo but this is so normal. Many people used to say to me you will get through chemo I thought …never! Somehow, I have found the strength and coming out the other side of feeling grotty.
I have sought lots of advice and support from my breast care nurse, these forums, telephone support groups and peer support.
I was 54 in this week 4 years ago when I was diagnosed and felt my life changed overnight. I had only recently got a new full time job in education…in teacher training in a Uni. and imagined that job would see me through till retirement at 60.
No one can tell you now whether you will make a full recovery or what the final outcome will be. But whatever yes your life will be changed. Mine was an aggressive cancer with quite a poor prognosis…all breast cancers are different so find out as much as you can about yours (er pr and her2 statuts for example). I continued to work duuring the chmotherpay I had before surgery, then had time off during surgery and more chemotherapy. Returned to work but then decided I would apply for early retuirement which I got. But I know people of our age who return full time to demanding jobs after breast cancer. It all depends on what you want to do.
I have never used fighting metaphors about my cancer nor thought that ‘being postive’ makes any difference to the outcome. I just try to be as realistic as possible, keep well informed and keep a sense of humour even during the grim times.
My cancer returned in April thsi year and I’ve had treatment again. I’ve kind of got used to this thing we call ‘living with breast cancer’, and though its hard, I have surprised myself at how I’ve managed. You will too…we do all manage…there is no choice. And yes I do still mourn and grieve for my pre cancer days before my life changed overnight.
You will take inspiration from thsoe who have gone before you, sometimes feel very in tune with others with breast cancer and If you’re like me sometimes not.
People will tell you to take it a day at a time which is hard and often impossible…its normal to think about ‘what next.’ You will laugh again, you will find a way of living with this. very best wishes…the time after diagnosis is the hardest.
Thank you for the messages of support. This week has been the very worst of my life , but I am now able to feel a little more positive in spite of the removed tumour now being reported at a size of 47mm. Very large considering a mammogram in May 2007 showed up NOTHING !
Surgery now healing and awaiting treatment plan , chemo start date etc seems an age to keep waiting for all to be in place.
Its really encouraging to read the folk have managed to work during chemo as I plan to do this if at all possible.
Also the thought that I might laugh again is fab. !!