Thank you nannabee, a journal sounds like a good idea. I think it may help order my thoughts.
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Thanks everyone for you messages and support xxx
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Hi
I was 52/53 during my diagnosis and treatment.
The hardest part was waiting in between appointments.
I had couple of masses in left breast and some calium deposits at 1st they mrntioned mastectomy, but in the end it was just a lumpectomy.
Its hard i know, but try and stay positive,it helps .
My was grade 2 dcis 28mm, no lymph nodes effected. Thats is really positive your lymph node was clear.
I had oncote type dx, and my resilts were 13, basically the chance of it recurring within 10 years i think 
I had radiothereapy. Pre menopausal so tamoxifen for 3 year and now im on letrozole.
I recorded all my appointments on my phone.
Talk to people that have gone through it if you can. We have a hospice that runs a breast friends group, its a l8vely group and great advice. I still go now.
Good luck, I always say dont worry about what you cant change. Sending love xx
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Hi
As others have said do not google or search
Please only use this site and MacMillan as every man or woman going through this is as unique as their boobies
Your nurse/ team or on here can answer all manner of queries and questions and they know the answers so trust them
Its going to be hard to feel anything other than worry, fear and the waiting is horrid as others have said so try to use this time pre surgery and treatments to savour each day and do one small thing for yourself, its time to be selfish
If you can share your news with a trusted love one or friend do it, or if not write your feelings and emotions and worries down on paper, it really does help to get them out of your head
One your team have a plan you will, and then take each step of it one by one
I thought of my diagnosis as step 1, my surgery as step2, my chemo as step 3 and radiotherapy as step4
Step 5 which is afterwards is a long way to go so donāt even think about it now
Always take someone with you to consultation or use the chaperone for support, ask as many things as you need and if youāre brain goes to mush call the next day
You have a lot to deal with but know that everyone on here is sending you kind thoughts, big hugs and virtual smiles x
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Hi there,
Iām so sorry to read what has happened. That really is an awful lot to take in.
Speaking as someone 2 and a half years on from my diagnosis, I can at least look back now and be a bit philosophical and just be thankful that it was all found, was low grade and that mammograms are definitely important! You wonāt be at that point just yet, but you will be.
The fear felt at that time will never be forgotten though so understand how you must be feeling. Iād also been called back numerous times after my mammograms for double checking so that in itself causes a lot of anxiety.
Itās hard for you to think straight now youāre going through this, but I just wanted to say that you will be very well looked after, itās been found early and there is lots to be positive about. You will be okay and you will get through this.
Regarding mastectomy. I had one because I had 2 areas of DCIS and a small invasive. Not being particularly big up top it was decided I have a mastectomy. My recovery was quick and I soon moved on flat on one side using a good fake boob fitted in the breast clinic.
Good luck with everything - youāve got this and youāll be on the other side of it before you know. Sending you a virtual hug.
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I really feel for you, those early days after diagnosis for me were hell, I planned my funeral, I wrote letters to my kids, I ate cake and ice cream, I sat on the sofa and watched tv or went to bed with a book, I was diagnosed last October, had surgery December and started chemo March, Iām now about to start radiotherapy. I look back on blood tests, scans, biopsies on thyroid, lymph node near ear, mole on back (all hot on Pet scan) all negative but I didnāt know at the time of course. Now I have 2 more Herceptin injections to go and a heart scan, finish my radiotherapy and then Iām off on holiday no matter what! I canāt believe this has happened to me but then I think why not? Itās happened to most of my friends over 50, they are all still here!
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Itās a tough time, those first few weeks when your head is spinning out of control, you canāt concentrate or think of anything else. I feel for you. But, positive news is that your normality can and will continue. Try and lose yourself in something, work, kids, hobbies, anything you can to distract yourself.
Then all of a sudden it becomes a bit normal and itās not so scary anymore. I was diagnosed in March, over halfway through my chemo, feel very well looked after by the doctors and nurses and just riding the wave till surgery. I never thought I would be able to concentrate on anything ever again after a diagnosis that rocks your world. But I am and Iām sure that it will be the same for you.
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Iām so sorry for your diagnosis. I had lumpectomy on my right, reduction for symmetry on left and they found 2 very small cancers in left so we went back in to get clear margins. It is scary, you will look for answers. Ask your team all the questions you want and need. Always take someone with you to all of your appointments because you will miss a lot of what you are being told. Also get on the app OUTCOMES 4 YOU. it has been a huge support and bountiful amounts of answers and information. It was designed by Oncologist for Breast Cancer Patients. Itās a supportive and safe place with many chat rooms that cover different issues. From diagnosis, treatments, new treatments, trials, coffee corner where we talk about everything from family issues, friend issues and support from other patients. forums with oncologist. Canāt say enough good things about this platform, along with this platform. Hang in there, you got this
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It must have been a horrible shock to find you have cancer in both breasts but at least you know at a very early stage when itās easiest to treat and less likely to have spread anywhere else.
I found my two lots of breast cancer both in the same breast so I have had a different experience- first diagnosis age 48 and most recent at age 67.
They were different kinds of breast cancer so unrelated. Incidence of breast cancer increases the older you are so thatās why you are quite a few elderly women in breast clinics. I feel less alone at 68 which I am now than at my first diagnosis when I had tests which said the lump was benign! Seagulls
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Thanks everyone, it really does help to read your stories and iām so sorry that you are all going through this. Thank you for all the tips to!
I had the follow up appt today for the MRI results,
The right breast is as expected and the doc asked me what wed discussed last time, i said sheād said the choice of lumpectomy or mastectomy depended how far the lumps were apart, that theyd discussed at MDT and were vearing to the mastectomy. So she seemed to stick with that n gave me info to look at on reconstruction. With the advice to have it done at the same time or i may wait years. I felt like i shouldve asked if lumpectomy was an option?
Re the left breast, there were areas of concern so they did more biopsies. A llymph node is swollen, they think it could be a reaction to the previous biopsy of the nearbyby node (which was clear) but of course another worry n wait!
Also one area they couldnt see on the US, so may send me for a further test depending if the further area they tested is cancerous or not. If it is then seems like they will suggest a mastectomy that side too.
The guy that did the biopsy confused me as he said its not life threatening and made me want to double check that this is all really needed. I will ask next time i go.
But for now more waiting, we are off to Yorkshire next week, if i can take a holiday from this it would be nice.
Thank you again for listening x
A break in Yorkshire sounds a very good idea. Skipton and the North Yorkshire Moors and Dales are very beautiful.
Seagulls
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Hello. Iām sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I am feeling the exact same way. I found a lump during a self exam in June and had a biopsy last week. They just called this afternoon with the results. I know that I should be feeling more blessed because it is Stage 0, but like youā¦all I can keep thinking is āI have cancerā. It shouldnāt hold the same stigma as it once did, but somehow it does. My treatment plan sounds very similar to yours so I am hoping we both have speedy recoveries and bright days ahead.
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Hi, im sorry to hear about your diagnosis too. I really am try to look to the bright days that will come and so hope for a speedy recovery for both of us.
At the moment im waiting for an MRI guided biopsy. They want to check one area of my left breast that showed on the MRI, but they couldnt see on the US.
Its a 2-3 week wait. And the waiting is so hard, every time my phone rings i nearly fall off the chair.
Have you got your surgery date yet? X
Hi all, last Thursday I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. There are a couple of areas of concern in breast but cancerous cells have also been found in lymph nodes. I am absolutely terrified. I go for another biopsy this Thursday. Surgery will follow in coming weeks but other treatments will be determined I think by the scan results. My head is spinning and Iām so scared that the scans will reveal worse. I am 46 with three children and itās them Iām more scared for. I have had an ache in my left shoulder and arm, which had gotten really noticeable following the initial underarm biopsy (just over two weeks ago). Iām praying the pain is cause of that. Iām noticing little pains all over and feel really bloated. Iām praying itās anxiety but Iām so so scared. Sam x
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Sam 
sorry you find yourself here it can feel like being chucked out of a plane with no parachute as you find yourself suddenly in a whirlwind of appointments and tests. Take it one day at a time one appointment at a time, remember your team have seen it all before and your treatments will be tailored specifically to you glad youāve reached out to bcn, we got you 
ask away about anything everyone will reach out . Do ring the someone like me option on the number on here this could help too for surgery get some short sleeve button front pyjamas, a hoody for travelling home in after, dressing gown, slides to walk in while in hospital, lip balm, hand cream hospital can dry your skin out, some wet wipes to freshen up while you are in too. Bit of anosol (the op meds can block you up) and some alcohol wipes if you feel nauseous after op sniff one of those it can take off the feeling of nausea do it your way Sam there are no right or wrongs and everyone hereās got you so ask away as much or as little as you need you are stronger than you think you are and once treatments begin and you settle into a routine you will surprise yourself 
Shi xx
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Thank you so much. I have never felt more afraid. I was taken aback when I heard it was stage three. I knew I wasnāt getting good news but that has really shaken me. Iām very afraid of what the scans might uncover. Iām wondering if my sudden pains and bloating are a bad sign. I know nobody can tell me itās all going to be ok but I wish I felt like there was a real chance of me getting through this, I want to see my children grow up xo
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Sam please do also ring the number and speak to a nurse on here please do also let your team know how you are feeling they are there to help support you and guide you through as well as treat you and could prescribe something to help you do get yourself booked onto a look good feel better at your local Macmillan in your trust, you will meet others going through cancer treatments and the shared kindness and understanding you will find will be amazing step by step and day by day you will get through remember do it your way and believe us, you are stronger than you know Shi xx
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Thank you for your support. Can treatment bee successful at stage three? X
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If you can please ring the number on here and speak to a nurse everyone responds to treatments differently I do know ladies who were diagnosed stage 3 from back in 2017 who were diagnosed around same time as me who are thriving I was stage 2 tnbc when diagnosed, so do please ring the number and speak to the nurses and also please use the someone like me option too day At a time step by step Sam you do it your way, donāt let it take your joy, itāll try but donāt let it Shi xx
Hi Sam, iām so sorry to hear of you diagnosis, ive only been recently diagnosed with stage 1 cancer, so im not best placed to offer advice. I was diagnosed on 1st july and have had further tests and am still waiting some results. I completely get that your head is spinning and that you are feeling scared, its such a shock. There are lots of positive stories on here and people get through this and we will too. call the number or speak to your nurse, they are there for you.
Hope tomorrow goes okay x
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