hi all I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer I have two areas in the same breast and am absolutley terrified due for my op on 17th Jan it seems like forever waiting
debh
Hi debh,
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, you’ve come to the right place for some good, honest support from the many informed users of this site.
While you are waiting for replies, I have put for you below links to some of BCC’s publications which you may find helpful. The helpline here is also available to you to offer a listening ear or support you throughout this journey, no question is too small. Calls to the helpline are free, as are all BCC’s publications and services. The helpline is back to normal opening hours tomorrow, after the Bank Holiday, Mon - Fri 9-5 and Sat 9-2. 0808 800 6000
Resource pack:
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/diagnosed-breast-cancer/resource-pack-primary-early-breast-cancer-bcc145
Treating Breast Cancer:
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-and-side-effects/treating-breast-cancer-bcc4
Your operation & recovery:
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/your-operation-recovery-bcc151
I hope these help, take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi Debh,
Sorry you’ve found yourself here, but you’ll find lots of support from others who have gone before you, others who are at the same point as you, and unfortunately there will be others behind you too.
It is only natural to be terrified so I would like to send you a big hug. The waiting at the start is definately the worst time in this journey. I had my mx last March, node clearance in April, started chemo in May - finished end Sept, finished Radiotherapy end of Oct. I’m now on Herceptin and Tamoxifen - it can be a long-haul but it is do-able, and life is definately made easier by being on this site and sharing with others.
Ask any questions on here, there are no ‘silly’ questions - don’t google - there is a lot of outdated info out there. All of the people on here are so lovely and helpful and more importantly know exactly what you are going through.
I wish you the best of luck as you start out on your journey and hope it all goes well for you. Please feel free to PM me if you have any specifics that I can help further with.
Bev x
hi beverlie, thank you for that kind welcome, I have lots of fears about all of this and do not really know where to start. I am having a full mastectomy, chemo and radiothearpy, were you ill with the chemo as that is scaring me.
debh
Hi Debh,
Everyone reacts differently to chemo and it depends which regime you’re having (I had FEC-T) and we’re all unique, but most experience similar side effects. To be fair, my imagination made it a lot worse than it actually was and it was do-able. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t great, but it isn’t a walk in the park either. It is only natural to be scared, we’ve all been there and had those awful feelings.
A good thing to do is to start your own thread or join one for starting chemo in the month you will be starting. I joined the May group last year and it was a fantastic source of info, sharing ups and downs, jokes and experiences.
I wasn’t ‘really’ ill, I had one night in hospital with a high temp and I had good days and off days, but the ‘good’ days far outweighed the off in between the cycles. When it was a bit rough, there was medication to cope with all manner of side effects and I personally had 1 rough week and 2 better weeks in my 3 week cycle.
I hope this helps and if you’ve any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask, and I’m sure others will be along shortly to support you further as you move forward with it all.
Bev x