New to all of this

Hello everyone! I’ve been reading these forums since my diagnosis of breast cancer on 28 November. I can’t tell you how appreciative I’ve been of all the comments here and how supportive it has been just to read what others have said. So I finally decided to register and join.

I’m due for a mastectomy in January. I have a Grade 2 invasive ductal cancer and have been allowed to go on my planned holiday over Christmas, thus delaying the surgery until 14 January. I’m pleased I can get away and enjoy myself, but of course the anxiety doesn’t go away.

What I know so far is that I’ll have the mastectomy and a temporary reconstruction ie. a saline implant which will have to be expanded every two weeks. This will I think be followed by radiotherapy and then a full reconstruction with tissue and muscle taken from my stomach when all treatment is over. Needless to say, nothing is fully known until after surgery and a checking on my lymph nodes. I just hope I get no more bad news!!

I’ve been so full of admiration for the comments here that I’ve read - and just a huge thank you to everyone for sharing so much. When my diagnosis came through I can’t tell you how appreciative I was to read comments here - it’s made me feel so much better and that I’m not on my own. I was diagnosed through the breast screening programme - I never had a lump or anything to suggest something was wrong. It’s all been quite a shock and the last few weeks have been a complete whirlwind - something I guess everyone here is familiar with.

You’re all a wonderful crowd!

Best wishes to everyone

Gill

Hi Gill

I just wanted to say hello and welcome you to the forums and am pleased to read that you are finding the forums so supportive. Breast Cancer Care have published a ‘Resources Pack’ which has been designed for anyone newly diagnosed, it can be ordered on line and it’s filled with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available, you can order it via this link:

breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514

You may also find our helpline useful to call, it is a free and confidential service and is run by specialist nurses who are able to help you through this difficult time and offer information, advice and support. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 9am - 2pm.

As you have mentioned that you will undergo breast reconstruction, the following link will also take you to a booklet published by Breast Cancer Care which you may also find helpful:

breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/breast_reconstruction_dec06_web_0.pdf

Best wishes
Lucy

Welcome Gill

A club no-one wants to join, but you will certainly get the support and help you need from others on here. I was diagnosed similar to you in January this year, and know how good it is to share whats happening to you with people who have gone through it, are going through it and know exactly your feelings.

Good luck with your treatment, and more importantly, enjoy that holiday.

Cheers
Anne x

Hi Gill

So sorry you have had to join us here, but as you have already found you will find a wealth of support and information to help you. I was diagnosed on 1st Nov with Grade III invasive ductal cancer, had right mastectomy and full node clearance on 13th November, and started chemo on 28th November - quite literally a whirlwind as you have mentioned!

My treatment plan involves chemo, radiotherapy, more chemo then herceptin for a year - so there’s still along way to go. I have found that the best way to deal with it is bit at a time - in fact my onc will only discuss it with me a bit at a time, as she quite rightly says I won’t remember it all - and it’s too much to deal with all at once!

Of course the anxiety won’t go away over christmas, but I do hope that you manage to have an enjoyable festive period prior to your op.

Please keep us posted as to how everything goes

take care
Margaret x

Hi Gill.

I’m glad that you’ve found this site. You will get so much support from so many women. This time last year, recovering from a Wide Local Excision, I was frightened about starting chemotherapy on the 8th January. My Christmas, despite my best intentions, was fraught with uncertainty and worry. Now, a year on, the world is a much better place. The chemotherapy was not as bad as I had envisaged. The radiotherapy, though physically draining was o.k. Now on tomoxifen with no noticeable side effects and my life is back on track. So, chin up - you will get through this and time will pass very quickly. This time next year, you too will be in a better place.

Janeyb
x

hi Gill,
Welcome…but sorry you have had to join us.
You will find these forums very friendly and supportive.
No the anxiety won’t go away but I hope you have an enjoyable holiday before your operation.

karen x

Thanks so much everyone! Your comments are lovely. What really helps is knowing that I’m not alone with all of this - it helps to bolster me up!

I shall definitely enjoy the holiday albeit anxiety will still be there. I’ve read this site extensively prior to joining and am just so grateful to everyone for all their comments and the support given. I hope when I’m through the first hurdle I can be supportive to others. I’ve learned to be less afraid of the surgery by reading many of the comments here - when my turn comes in January I shall remember much of what’s been said here. Of course I’ll be scared but I know I’m not alone.

Thanks so much!

Gill

yeah welcome Gill, i found this site a great help when i was first diagnosed. I am just over 2 yrs since diagnosis. Usually whatever is worrying you someone will have had it or know something about how to cope.
Have a lovely holiday, ridiculous to say put this to the back of your mind but do try and enjoy the hol the best you can.

Keep us up to date on how you are.
Rx

hi gill i hope u enjoy your holiday i was diagnosed with grade 2 cancer of breast in sept ihad senital node biopsy and fortunatly it was clear so altho ihad bilateral mastectomy no rad or chemo needed the op really isnt that bad and i was nearly normal in 2 months u will be suprised how strong u will be hope u get lots of love and support jules