hello, got the news last Wednesday, I have breast cancer, a 19mm tumour in my left breast, I am all over the place, strong then weak, had to cancel our holiday, my partner is being great, we are a new partnership, almost a year, his first wife died of breast cancer, how do you deal with that? She had a wide local excision, I cant decide, how do you decide? I can’t bear to touch it or have it touched, my op is 13/8 then a wait of 3 weeks to see if it has spread, does the radiotherapy start then? And how long for? This is so hard to deal with.
Carmia, so sorry to hear your diagnosis. What do you have to decide? Have they offered mastectomy as an option? You need to talk to surgeon or your breast cancer care nurse. Ask for an appointment, they are very knowledgeable and always helpful and nice. You are at the worst stage of the process, not knowing is torture. When you have all the facts and know what is happening you will feel so much better. I have had WLE but more was found and now waiting for a mastectomy, my own choice. Could choose the lesser surgery but have had it before so now just want to be free of the worry. I know it must make the decision harder being in a new relationship. You might not need radiotherapy, I don’t need that or chemo, it’s not automatic. You need more information, call the hospital and ask to speak to BCC nurse. They are there to advise. Good luck!
Thank you mollybear, did they find more when you had the WLE, they have already to me I will need radiotherapy, not sure about chemo, have to wait for Bx results, I am sorry to hear you will need mastectomy, I do have an appointment with my breast care nurse 10/8 but can ring her at any time, we have come away in caravan, my partner thought it would help, and it is nice to be away, but I feel miserable and I am trying to be strong… Good luck my lovely,hope everything goes well for you
Hi Carmia,I was diagnosed on 28th May.It truly is totally overwhelming at first ,your whole world is turned upside down and you can’t imagine doing anything normal again,but it does get better once you know more and you know what you are dealing with.It must be very difficult for you to know your other half lost his wife to this horrible disease ,but please remember that the vast majority of us will still be here in 10 years time,breast cancer treatment has come on amazingly in last few years and there is a very very good chance you will survive this.There are quite a few ladies at a similar stage talking on the “Just diagnosed and wanting to talk to people who understand” thread if you want to join us.
Hi Molliebee I found my first tumour by luck following the usual tests they found more so Aftet discussions with my BCN and my consultant we went for a masectomy. It mean all my areas could be removed in one operation as the likelihood of removal by lumpectomy was low and it would mean numerous operations. What you choose will be personal to you just listen to what you are advised only you have the final say. The ladies here are marvellous and to be honest they are keeping me level headed and are offering amazing advice. It is a difficult time but these ladies are amazing xxxx big hugs xxx
Hi Molliebee, I had mine in Tuesday and I understand how you feel. Had very bad pain yesterday but it had eased a little today. I am the same it’s strange to look at a wonky chest makes you feel unfeminine. I guess it’s something we will both deal with eventually. Keep your chin up sweetie xxxx
Molly bee you are not being vain. Having boobs is part of being a woman. It feel like part of you has been taken away. You are being very brave and in time you will get used to it. I feel the same. I’m only 3 weeks in after op so not far behind xxxxx
You have to think that it’s out and that now you can continue fighting until it’s all gone. It’s a scar we have to bear but with time we will all be able to deal with it out own ways xx chin up. Plus we have all the lovely ladies around us to help when we need support xxxx
We are both at early days, but I am sure we will continue to fight 
the ladies on this site keep me level headed xx
I’m one of the survivors. I had some of my left breast removed, radiotherapy and took tamoxifen for a few years as my kind of cancer was oestrogen positive. I had a small tumour, low grade cancer which is more treatable and no spread to my lymph nodes. All treatment is tailored nowadays depending on how abnormal the cells are, how big the tumour is, and the kind of breast cancer you have. It’s quite difficult to compare with other women as there are many differences in the likelihood of spread. More is being learnt every day about how this happens too.
I had breast cancer diagnosed on 5 Dec 2003, was operated on 19 Dec and finished treatment by Easter 2004 except for the tamoxifen.
I was 49 at diagnosis and my 60th birthday is in a week or two.
Nice to hear such a hopeful story Seagulls,thank you .