Hi @jenhopeful
What a lovely user name. Welcome to the club nobody wants to join but you are in a great place on the forum for help and support.
I had to wait 12 weeks from finding a lump to the start of my surgery as an MRI found a second tumour in my other boob. I was told it’s best to get all the information to get the right plan. I was HER2+ as well as ER+ so I needed chemo and Herceptin.
Waiting for your plan and results is as already said a very worrying time. Once you have your plan, it will be all go. BCN website is a source of much information as well as MacMillan, both have helplines should you need to talk to someone. MacMillan is 7 days a week. 8-8 0808 800 000 Dr Liz O’Riordan has loads of YouTube videos that explain loads about breast cancer, she is a breast surgeon diagnosed with breast cancer herself. She has also written a couple of books. The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer with Dr Trisha Greenhalgh was at my side for many months, while on loan from the library.
Here are some BCN resources you may find helpful
- Helpline: 0808 800 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 9am-1pm). Speak to our trained helpline team. No questions are too big or too small.
- Ask Our Nurses: You can message our nurses here on the forum, or confidentially. Whatever you prefer.
- Someone Like Me: Will match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. They’ll be a phone call or email away to answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen. Call on 0800 138 6551 or contact our email volunteers
- Younger Women Together: For people 45 and under. You can choose the support that suits you: online, one day or 2 day residential events. Find an event.
@eva2 this information will be useful for you. There is a very active HER2+ and need some buddies thread that is very supportive as the treatment goes on longer than chemo.
@twinks77 I hope you are recovering well from your surgery. As you are starting chemo soon you may be interested in joining the June Monthly chemo starters thread. I joined two, as my plan changed from chemo first to surgery first. The thread was a great source of support and help with others going through the similar treatment to me.
For those asking about telling children, if they are young there are loads of books that are written to help explain. Many are on YouTube such as Huge Bag of Worries.
Children's Books — Ipswich Cancer Wellbeing & Information Centre.
Take care 