Hi, I am new to the website (well this is my first post as I have been reading other postings for a while). I must say this is the only website which has been helpful reading other peoples experiences.
I have just turned 39 and was diagnosed on 3rd October. Having twin boys aged 11 I just felt I was too young to have this awful illness and how were my husband and family going to deal with this but they have all been fantastic although obviously worried.
I had a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy last Thursday. The operation wasn’t half as bad as I expected but I have felt sore and tired since, today finally feeling as though I am returning to my old self. I must say the painkillers were probably making me feel more ill.
The waiting game begins again as not seeing the consultant until Monday for results and further treatment information.
All of you lovely ladies are an inspiration, keep fighting xx
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Hi Debbie, sad but glad you’re here! I’m 46 and like you I had WLE and SNB on 16th August, and was happy to see my family were a lot more resillent than I gave them credit for!!! Thought they’d all go into a flap, but bless 'em they came up trumps! As long as I was honest with them they seemed happy to crack on the same as me and help whenever I asked.
That was a new one for me too, “asking for help” was a bit of an alien concept for me, as was feeling unwell as I’ve always been the main carer and organiser of all my friends and family!!! But I quickly learnt I had to be a little bit kind to myself and take it a bit easy if I was to beat this monster!!
Waiting for next step does seem to drag a bit, but try not to overthink everything, (sometimes easier said than done), deep breaths and take it one day at a time. I’m sure you’ve been told about the exercises, but try to do these when you can it really does save you from alot of discomfort further down the road of recovery. Just in case you haven’t been given a leaflet, I’ve attached the BCC link to the leaflet.
I personally found this site an absolute sanctuary, as sometimes, as lovely as family and friends are, they just don’t get it, the ladies on here really do and are a massive source of support. Be kind to yourself and keep us updated on how you’re doing, Simone xxx
Thanks Simone, I am doing the exercises which definitely help. Like you, asking for help was just not in my nature but I realised I can’t do this on my own.
I am normally on the go all the time but have decided the only way to get well is to take it easy.
Reading the posts on the website just makes me realise how many people are dealing with this awful illness but has helped tremendously reading and getting advice from people who know exactly how I am feeling.
Debbie xx
Hi Debbie, Welcome to the bunch. I am just a little way ahead of you- Had WLE and SNB at the end of Sept. Waiting for the results is always hard. I used lots of distraction techniques and freinds and family were great at making sure I didn’t have too much time to brood. My results were mixed - clear margins on the tumour so no more breast surgery, but some cells found in SNB so last week I had a full node clearance and am again in the ‘waiting room’ as it is often referred to. Getting results next Wednesday and will then be starting chemo. So am using the time to get ahead for Christmas (made marmalade for presents to day and doing chutney tomorrow) and shopping for things in prep for chemo. As well as getting out and seeing friends as much as possible in case I can’t when chemo starts.
If you want a laugh (good for the immune system I believe) look at the ‘Wind’ thread - I had tears running down my cheeks and nearly burst my stitches!!
Good luck with everything and let us know how you get on. Sending a big cyber hug ((HUG))
Hi Gingersmithy
I am petrified waiting for my results, the consultant did seem quite positive however, I just dont want to build my hopes.
Its the middle of the night, I cant sleep have woken in pain and six days after surgery, think it has just hit me WHAM, I’ve got BC.
I know I will be more positive when I am up at a reasonable hour but at the minute I just feel so low.
Debbie
It is a shock to us when we are given news that none of us on here
want to hear you are not alone.
I had same surgery as you not pleasant i now,it is a journey which we will get through, as a lot of inspirational ladies tell us on here.
Waiting time varies as to where we live i notice a lot of surgeons
do things differently, docs, pathology, takes time to put a plan together, mine wont be as clear as many of you as i have other problems.
It seems to me forever as my results 2nd lot on 17th Nov just bracing myself knowing that there is other ladies on same road as me.
Hoping your recovery is going well for you keep up exercise and massage yourself around wound helps a lot,i am about to remove plasters today longer they stay on the better to fight infection.
I send you a lot of hugs and positive vibes. Pat xx
Hi Pat
Thanks for your message, I have had to remove my plasters today as allergic to them.
Still in a lot of pain which is worse today but assuming that is just by body repairing itself.
Big Hugs
Debbie xxx
Hi Debbie,
Hope you are having a better time of it today. i had a c**p morning. Woke with a migraine, wound still swollen and sore, felt sick and tired. Walked the dogs and then went straight back to bed with thoughts of ‘this is what chemo will be like’. However, a couple of hours extra sleep, a few painkillers and a visit from a mate had me feeling better. Its a long and painful journey we are on and there are lots of ups and downs. I try to cope by just taking one day at a time and cutting myself a bit of slack (you should see the state of my kitchen floor - covered with muddy paw prints from 2 labradors!)
My friend left me with the words “keep your chin up and your chest out”. the only thing I could throw at him was a dirty look - have’nt got much choice about the chest as left boob is so swollen at the moment!
Hi Debbie
I hope you are felling better today.
I am feeling so much better, cant believe how much my mood changes. Its amazing how much a good sleep helps (oh and taking the painkillers)
Like you say its a long journey - its just weird I found a lump but didnt feel ill and then having to go through the operation and now feeling ill. Its just hard to get my head around.
Results on Monday, so life sort of on hold until then.
Big Hugs to you
Debbie xxx
I have just read your post I had the same as you had mine removed on 24th Oct just 2 and half hours to go to get my results and yes counting every minute today is the first time I have cried since having this dreaded thing, but I am still staying positive well as positive as we can be, it was just nice to read your post it put me in perspective that I am not alone, wishing you all the best.
Dizzyd
Debbie
Just to say I had BC at 34 and I have never had any problems with that primary cancer I am now nearly 49!!! so when you are almost 15 years down the line like me your boys wil be 21 and you will be 54 & counting!!! I wish you all the best with your results mon…let us know how you go on
Jeanette x
You too Dizzyd
Thinking of you hope all goes well for you today,
you can soon start to plan, not knowing is the worse, the waiting is awful my results on 17th after 2nd op on 1st Nov, i am giving my surgeons a big headache, it will be interesting to see what my plan will be.i am not expecting a good result surgeon gave snipets of info.
Took my plasters off YELP!!! hubby wandered why i was making a strange noise, had to grab a chair quick, still having pain weird sensations
like breast filling up strange, 31 yrs ago i last breast fed.
Hi everyone, just to let you know i am feeling much better today. Yes its strange how life suddenly seems to be a rollercoaster when before Dx it was a lovely leafy lane. I never was one for fairgound rides.
Am back to hosp tomorrow so they can have a look at my leaky boob. hope they will drain some fluid off to relieve the pressure on it. Now gettin a bit worked up about results of nodes on Weds - this is probably when i will find out my prognosoi/chances. Have managed to avoid thinking about this too much so far but is now popping into my head on a regular basis. Also getting a bit anxious to find out when chemo will start - not had an appointment through from the oncologist yet. Maybe will rattle a few cages tomorrow - probably been far to placid and accepting so far.
Still have a busy weekend to look forward to. Am having a personal shopper morning with a good friend on Saturday, quiz night woth other friends inthe evening, my son is home for the weekend and we are going racing at Cheltenham on Sunday. hopefully Weds will be here before I know it.
Hope you are all OK and I haven’t gone on too long.
Best of luck, love and lymph lynching laughing results. I was a total stalwart for my biopsy, Excision and confirmation of BC results. Then had my SNB and fell apart during the nine day wait. My surgeon told me that I followed a normal pattern there apparently (oh goodie). I think it’s cause the enormity of BC hits like a delayed tsunami. Anyway after my nine day tortuous wait when he told me before I had even sat down that my lymphs were clear, I felt like someone had just handed me my life back. I so dearly wish the same for you.
Of course I soon forget and am btchg and moaning about rads and Tamox but I really am grateful.
Hi Debbie
I have recently been through the same process as you, the waiting for results is just dreadful, I had to wait 28 days! for my results just awful. When Monday comes you will feel so relieved that the waiting will be over but part of you will want to run away so you don’t have to have the results. When they called me on Thursday I sat in the waiting room and said “I don’t want to come through” in a really loud voice, how silly! I just wanted to stay where I was, bc nurse was really good and understanding. Happy to say my results were good, I really really hope you get good news too, but if you don’t you really have to remember that the treatment nowadays is amazing they seem to have a cure for every type now. If you are anything like me today you will be a wreck and so will your family, I was just dreadful on Wednesday it is to be expected.
Please let us all know how you get on.Good to see that my friend (Mirador) Pat is supporting you ladies through this too we all really support each other on here and boy do we need the support!