Diagnosed 3 days ago. Didn’t seem real until today. Woke up feeling sad and scared. I know I am feeling just like everyone else in this situation but that doesn’t really change my feelings. I am 67 and I know so many on this forum are younger, but I still feel lost and worried and so up and down. I am very lucky that I have a very supportive husband of 44 years and 3 adult kids who all look out for me.
Just wanted to say hi! This place looks so supportive.
Hello @oldbird2
I’m so sorry to welcome you to the club no-one wants to join
The process of being diagnosed and getting your head round the diagnosis and your treatment plan is horrendous, feeling up and down all the time is very normal (if having breast cancer can ever be described as “normal”) please be assured dealing with the diagnosis does get easier and you will find a way through.
There is so much support available for you both here on the forums and in real life, and no question is a silly question: if it matters to you it matters. Everybody you meet in BC world will be the kindest most caring people you will have ever met, there is no judgment here: we just know
Sending you lots of love
AM xxx
Hi, so sorry you have been diagnosed. Welcome to the forum. You will get a lot of support on here. It takes time to get used to it all, so take the time to let it all sink in. You will feel better when you have your treatment plan and start the process. Great that you have good support. I am in my sixties too and have a great husband of 43 years, who has supported me so well, he has put up with all my worries, moaning and down days. My family and friends have also been great. I wish you well with your treatment and please let us know how you are doing. I think we have all felt like you do, especially at the beginning. But you will get there. We are all fighters. Sending hugs xx
Hi oldbird2
Yes, we have all found ourselves in this horrible situation. But it really helps having support from others who know physically and emotionally what you are going through. It’s hard no matter what age you are.
No question is too silly to ask. There are usually others who wish they had asked the same x
Hi @oldbird2 I’m 12 days off 68 and was diagnosed 15 months ago so have a lot of empathy for your situation. I’m on my own now but have a lot of extremely supportive friends so am fine.
I was just popping on to say that, if this is your first exposure to cancer, people of our vintage can immediately think back to the days of “the big C” and, not to put too fine a point on it, death sentences. It is not like that any more for breast cancer. The amount of research that has gone into advanced treatments over the past 20 years is staggering and continues on in to the future.
There is a well-trodden path to recovery. Along that path you will meet a host of wonderful people, both health practitioners and patients, who are supportive, honest and often very funny. It’s a weird thing to say but it can be quite a life-affirming experience.
It may not seem like it so soon after diagnosis but, whilst none of us wanted to go through treatment for BC, it is eminently doable.
You may be an “old bird” but you’re going to get a lot older yet!
Thank you all for the lovely words. I’m just wishing the time away at the moment! Got my pre op appointment on friday then the op for lumpectomy two weeks later. My lovely husband has suggested a few days away in our campervan before the op. . Today I bought a breast cancer awareness month T shirt!
This is such a lovely reply Tigress - It helped me too…I’m a bit younger, at 47, but I’m still feeling the fear of ‘the big C’. Thanks for reminding us all of the developments over the years…I think I need to keep reminding myself of this.
Hi @Triah obviously everyone’s experience of this dratted disease is different depending on diagnosis, co-morbidities, family situation, age and, perhaps, general disposition. But, even with all of those variables and moving parts, the survival rates for breast cancer have never been so high. 70% of us will not seen a recurrence once the primary cancer has been treated.
It is often said but bears repeating - the tens of thousands of women who have been through treatment, are now cancer-free and living their lives as they chose, do not feel the need to go on to forums such as this but they are out there and you probably pass by several on the street, in the shops, every day without knowing.
You’re bound to have some down days, we all do, particularly if fatigue from treatment kicks in, but these will reduce in number as you move towards recovery. I wish you all the very best for the future.
Thank you for taking the time to send this Tigress. I really appreciate it.