Only found lump on Jan 28th, I have already surgery and waiting results, I have been told that I am lucky, I don’t feel lucky
Hi mar1508 and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the support and shared experiences you will soon have here please feel free to call our helpline for further support and information on 0808 800 6000, lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Saturdays
I am posting a couple of links to the BCC ‘Just diagnosed’ web pages where you will find more support ideas from BCC and information which you may find helpful over the coming months such as our 'Newly diagnosed resource pack":
Take care
Lucy
Hi
I live very close to you and am 44. Are you being treated at the Royal Surrey?
I had my operation in November and am now undergoing 4 cycles of chemo. When are you due to receive your results?
It’s a tricky ‘journey’ but this is a great forum to be part of - very informative, with lots of support and tips.
Repost when you feel able.
Diane xx
Hi mar1508
i was diagnosed January 2012 with a 19mm grade 2 lump, lymph nodes were clear on the ultrasound, I was also 43, I remember my nurse telling me how lucky I was too - yeh right! The waiting for results was just horrendous, it’s just hell. When my results came in there was a tiny tiny spec on my sentinel node that was too small to show on the scan so I needed further surgery for an ANC. I was borderline for chemo and was told had I been older it wouldn’t have been offered but they like to throw everything at you when you’re young. I had 6 cycles of chemo and as odd as it may sound was really up for it and grateful I was given the chance to throw everything at it. Once you get your results in and treatment plan in place things will start calming down, any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Take care
Lydia x
Hi Mar1508 I live in Guildford and am being treated at the same hospital as Diane and I am 43. I was dx last July and had chemo first up to December 2012. I have had two operations thus far (lumpectomy + full node clearance in February and then a re-excision to try and achieve clear margins last week). I am awaiting path reports back, but we are not optimistic and in the words of my surgeon “Its a good job we have a plan b” (plan b being a mastectomy!). My lump was 2.5 cm and also Grade 2. I have been told due to my age that they like to throw everything at you and hope it sticks. So although I feel extremely unlucky to have this diagnosis, I have confidence in my team of doctors etc. We are lucky in Guildford as our hospital is renowned for being a centre of excellence in breast cancer treatment and a pioneering centre. I am sure this is of no consolation at the moment but it has helped me as I feel that at least hopefully the treatment will be good (although at the moment, although the treatment is excellent, my body is not responding in the way it should!) I am determined to have every treatment necessary in order to beat this thing. It is good that they have treated you so quickly. The worst part, after the initial diagnosis, is the waiting for results. I have found it very difficult to come to terms with - my whole world and my family’s have been turned upside down. The other thing is it just seems to be taking forever to get better!!! But you have to stay positive and focussed. This is a great place for support and a good place to rant! I have met up with some great ladies in the Guildford area going through similar and it helps to know you are not alone. I know my words probably seem glib and transparent at the moment. Nothing any one can say will make you feel better about it. The whole cancer thing totally sucks! but if you feel you would like a chat please PM me. Happy to help if I can. Also, have found The Fountain Centre a really good place for support. They are well worth a chat too.
Good luck also to Diane going through your chemo. What are you having? I had 6 cycles - FEC-T and finished the last one in December. My hair is finally starting to grow back. Chemo totally sucked! When are you set to finish chemo and are you also going to have rads? Again, happy for your to PM if you would like to.
Hi Mar1508,
I don’t think anything can prepare you for the sudden impact that a cancer diagnosis can have on your life. I too am being treated at Royal Surrey and have been impressed with the level of care from the team. I found the lump in december, and had my first consultation early Jan this year, and had my MX on 28th Jan. Waiting the three weeks for path results was hard (standard at RSH apparently), saw the Onc two weeks after that and will start my chemo (FEC-T) on Friday.
I agree with you, we are not lucky to find ourselves here, but I do consider myself lucky to live in this part of the world and have a centre of excellence on the doorstep so to speak where I am treated. I can only agree with what Spookymoo has already written. I too am happy to speak more privately through PM if you like.
Keep in touch through this forum. I have found great comfort and advice from the people here, and will continue to do so. Once you have your future treatment plan, you will feel better; I was sceptical about that but it does help; I have felt better since seeing the Onc last Friday.
Best wishes,
MM
Wow, lots of local ladies coming out of the woodwork. There is also a couplel of local face-to-face support groups if any of you are interested you could speak to the crew at the Fountain Centre who will give you details.
I’m more than two years post diagnosis but it seems like a whole lifetime ago.
Feel free to send me a PM and I can let you know about local stuff. I find it really helps to speak to others in the same situation or who have been in it and come out the other side.
CM
x
Hi Ladies
I’m also two years post diagnosis and some times still can’t quite get my head round everything that’s happened . I’m still up at royal surrey every 3 months as part of a trial & having had my chemo rads and herceptin there ( surgery at frimley) I can say you are in good hands . It doesn’t always feel like it but it is good that they throw evertything they can at us ‘younger’ ladies .
if it hadn’t been for family & friends (and two small sons) it would have been an unbearable time . And whilst I don’t often contribute this forum provides a lot of support & info . As others have said feel free to send a PM if I can help in any way.
Susan x
Hi
I’ve always thought it strange that non-cancer people tell you you’re lucky because ‘you found it early’ whatever. We’d be even luckier if we hadn’t got cancer at all. But that is just my rant. Where you ARE lucky, is that you found these forums and the brilliant ladies who come on here - as you have - to either moan (we all do that) have a rant (that too) or just ask for help and support. And by golly, you will get loads of support.
My story? 62 years old, DX October 2012, Mx 12.12.12, ductal invasive, 3cm, grade 3, stage 2b, ER+, PR+. HER2-. 3 nodes removed, one with cancer cells. Currently having chemo, they suggested rads but I don’t fancy it, followed by 5 years on Anastrazole.
Don’t feel guilty for not feeling lucky - if that makes sense. Non cancer people will say silly things (See Stupid things “non cancer” people say in the ‘Living with Breast Cancer’ thread) and good luck.
Sending big hugs
Poemsgalore
Hello ladies,
I am at the beginning of my journey, my pre-chemo assessment is on Monday. I would like a small rant if I may - I am not a younger lady. I am an old bat aged 65. I am having everything thrown at me - chemo, rads and 12 months of Herceptin, and if they weren’t throwing everything at me simply because I am not a younger woman I would be very, very angry. I did ask at the beginning if I would be treated differently because of my age and was told a very resounding “no”. Everyone in the same circumstances is offered the same treatment whatever their age providing their general health is up to it. Although I’m not sure I would want it all if I were 90!
I was told I was lucky too - by my radiologist consultant and also by my breast care nurse!! (15mm lump/Grade 3 IDC/high grade DCIS/clear nodes/hormone neg/HER2+++/no vascular invasion.)
Hello
Thank you for all your supportive messages, I am having treatment at the RSCH, I had the surgery on monday 4th, the drain was finally removed yesterday ( 12th), still feel tired.
I am glad that I signed up for this forum, it helps to know that there are other pepole out there going though the same thing.
I am going to visit the Fountain Centre next week
I will send PM messages
Maria
Hi Maria Have sent you a Private Message. Sorry it was a bit rambling - I have been on the wine (lol!) Glad you have had your drain out - they are a flipping pain! I had mine out Monday! You will feel tired for a while. Just take it easy and rest. I hope things go ok for you re: your results. Perhaps we can co-ordinate our visits to the RSCH and meet up for a chat and a coffee if you feel up to it? Take care. One day at time. One day at a time. Gentle hugs. Em x
I did Fridays too. Dr H really knows his stuff if you’re under him.
If you’re looking for face-to-face support as well as on here there’s a group for younger primary ladies that meets up once a month in the evenings in the Guildford area if any of you are interested, at all different stages of treatment and all different sorts . Send me a PM and I’ll let you have details. There is a different group for secondary ladies that also meets in Guildford, but I don’t have any info about them as I’m “lucky” (luck is all relative) but the Fountain Centre will be able to tell you about them.
CM
x
hello lola
I am an old bat too (69) and have had nearly the same diagnosis as you a 51mm lump clear at the edges and a clear node biopsy I am going to get 8 sessions of chemo at 3 wk intervals then rads then tablets. So let us old ones show the younguns we can take it
love from Ann
There are no old bats on here, except perhaps me, just lovely ladies going through a horrid, horrid time. Sending you all much love and extra big hugs.
Poemsgalore xxx