Hello, I’m a first timeuser. I was diagnosed on 5th January, awaiting surgery on 28th. I’m feeling overwhelmed, the feeling that its all just “too big” Finding it very difficult to be positive.
All i know at this time is I’ve got an 11mm tumour in my left breast (ductal)and pre-cancerous cells in another area - hence the mastectomy. I’m having a tissue extension reconstruction at the time of surgery. It was suggested the most appropriate by the surgeon, I’m ok with that - smallish boobs would appear to be suitable and have to say I was wary of the more major forms of reconstruction. Question - how would the plastic surgeon know tissue extension is appropriate when there’s not as yet been a “ruling out” of radium as part of the tratment? Would hate it to be a waste of time.
All advice, support and wise words greatly appreciated.
Welcome to the forum, I am also a newbie, and this has been my lifeline, however silly you think your question might be these girls will help!
I was dx in early dec had op on the 17th not full mas as you but partial, 25mm tumour, and full lymph removal, I´m 42 years old,
surgery is not as bad as it sounds, although of course scary at the time, I can´t advise you on your op but i´m sure over the next few days you will get many people contacting you, my advice to you listen to them, they have all been and going through the bc the same as you! At the moment you find it difficult to be positive as I did, all your friends will keep telling you how brave you are, i´m sure you will find out it´s not bravery, you have no choice. But in the end it´s all doable!!! You will do it the same as the rest of us! Good luck,
Take care, keep in touch,
love Teresa xx
Lynvee
You wouldn’t be normal if you didn’t find it overwhelming. Just take it on board in small chuncks, there is a wealth of help and info on here. Ask away each stage brings a whole plethora of questions. It won’t be long until you get a response from one of the girlies on here. I can’t offer advice on this query you have as i had a different procedure.
Hello Lynn, sorry you find yourself here. yes, it does seem overwhelming doesn’t it, you’re quite normal to feel like that, I’m sure we all did at the beginning, it’s horrible but we’ll help you through it all we can.
I was diagnosed last February with 5 nodes also involved so had mastectomy followed by node clearance. I was offered a reconstruction at the time but decided not to at the time, but to leave it to decide later…I felt then I could only deal with one thing, getting rid of ‘it’ and I would worry about the rest after.
Lots of people talk about ‘being positive’ - personally I think you are how you are, breast cancer doesn’t change your personality. If you’re the sort of person who naturally worries about things or the type who always looks for the bright side that part of you doesn’t change.
Be sure that there is always someone around on here though to help/advise…sorry I can’t be more help with the reconstruction issue but I’m sure others can help. Also don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you want of your surgeon and breast care nurses, they will be able to give you detailed info.
Take care, Di x
Hi Lyn…I’ve just wrote a large posting here , then it disappeared! Now thats annoying. So I will make this post shorter. I’m sorry you have to get to know a set of lovely people in this way…but keep up your posting, even if its just to write down how you are feeling …writing it down can help…
I havent heard about the kind of recon that you might be having. I would not think that your medical team would put you through an operation that they arent sure is for the best, having taken in to account all the information they have. But I would do as suggested in the above posts and write down a lot of questions, no matter how trivial you may think they are…ring your breast care nurse and ask her, or take them with you when you visit your surgeon again.
Everyone is different, but it is an overwhelming thing to take in, so taking it one step at a time is a copeable solution…that way your head does’nt go into overdrive with too much information. If you can take someone with you to your interviews, thats also a good idea. I found and still do, that I dont remember everything thats been told to me…
I was diagnosed on the 2nd of Jan last year. I had a mastectomy with an immediate reconstruction in April,(diep) and this next friday I will complete (well nearly) the recon…by having a nipple made.It isnt the same as yours but if you have any questions about the operation you are having, then I’m sure other ladies will be able to help!!
Good luck with taking in all this information and I hope the operation goes really well for you…I’m sure it will.
I have posted a link below to our new resource pack which you may find helpful, it has been designed for those newly diagnosed, just click on the link to access the order form. You can also order more information publications on the same page by clicking on the links on the same page under the ‘quick order list’.
If you would like to speak to someone in confidence please do call our helpline on 0808 800 6000, the line is open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2, our team of specialist nurses and trained helpliners can offer you support and information. Hope this helps.
hi lyn.i have just finished all my treatment,lumpectomy then mass,chemo,rads,the first few weeks are the worse till you know the treatment plan.i wont say it was easy but it is very doable,take care dawn xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
lyn - as others have said, take it in bite sized chunks. Surgery first on 28th Jan is the first hurdle. Once you know what you are dealing with and the results and your treatement plan confirmed, you will feel more in control and know where you are working. It is extremely difficult. Good luck with the surgery, keep posting, we’re here to help.
xx
Hi Lyn Im also new to this site. I was diagnosed same day as you but got my BCS on 7th January. Im waiting for HER2 result before they decide what treatment I need. I was devastated when I found the lump before Xmas but I have decided to take things a day/week at a time. I hope your surgery goes well. You are still the same person you were before breast cancer and you will find the strenght to cope with this.
HI All
I was diagnosed on Monday 25th and have a lumpectomy booked for 4th Feb then 3 weeks of radiotheraphy. I have more results due next Monday to see if I need the lymph nodes removed at the same time. Feels like one bombshell after another at this point.
I posted in this thread a couple of days ago to Lynvee, if you want to check back a little there is a link to our new resource pack and also details of the helpline which you are very welcome to use too.
Hi Sassy, I know I’m probably sounding like a stuck record but if you can, try to take each day at a time and cope with each thing as it comes along. Easier said than done I know when your mind is in overdrive imagining the worst. Knowledge is power as they say and as soon as you have all the facts you can hopefully come to terms with things easier than imagining the worst, as we have all done. The waiting is the worst I think, as most of the ladies on here will tell you. There’s always someone around to help or listen so keep in touch. Di x