Hi all this my first post, diagnosed with IDC with a 3cm lump 10 days ago. Was due to have MX and SNB next week but have since found I can have reconstructive surgery at same so feel at least lucky for that. Surgery now two weeks time due to length of op. Have spent last week in shock with hardly any sleep, tight chest, shortness of breath, saw my GP and have got something to take edge off for a few days. Has helped a bit. Delay in op has actually helped so I have time to get house and job in order for time off.
Am told I’m going to have hormone therapy for sure. Due to size of lump, my age, 46 and that I am pre-menopausal, plus other results don’t know if I’m having chemo, that was marked on paperwork with a question mark, time will tell.
It’s tough acting in control for everyone around me, family and work colleagues but pacing myself just getting through each day. Seeing other people’s shock is a shock! It’s hard to find a corner when a tear develops.
I’m not an emotional sharer as a rule but a medical professional I came across this week advised this forum as it helped her a lot over the past year.
Hopefully taking the step of being here will be of help for others and for me in the coming months.
Onwards and onwards, thinking of you all
CK1 x
Hi CK1
Good to hear that a medical professional pointed you in the direction of these forums because I am sure you will get lots of good, honest support from the many informed users of this site who have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them. There’s always someone to help, and if you need a little more then BCC are here with services, publications and of course our freephone helpline. Anything you want to know, just ask.
To help you along I’ve put for you below links to a couple of BCC’s publications that might help you.
BC & You:
Resource pack:
I hope this helps. Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Thanks Jo,
My hospital in Southampton were quite thorough in the literature they have supplied and I have spent all week trying to digest it. The second booklet you advised I didn’t have and that looks really helpful. x
Hi CK1,
Sorry you’ve had to join us here xxx All the things you’re feeling right now are perectly normal, I know I felt the same when first diagnosed. As your treatment plan comes into place you’ll feel a lot better , I found it gave me some control back and I’m one of those people who like to know the timescale so I can tick days off on the calendar. If you have to have chemo have a read through some of the starting chemo threads, I’m from the March 2012 thread. The support from the people on here is amazing.
Good luck to you on your journey xx
Love
KQ
Hi CK1
Just a voice of encouragement that you will get through this. I was dx in Dec 2010 with ILC - 5cm lump! I was 48 at DX and also pre-menpausal. I had an mx, full clearance, immediate LD flap + implant recon, chemo, rads and am now on tamoxifen.
None of it was pleasant, but it was all ‘doable’ - I even kept working through most of chemo. My active treatment finished almost a year ago, I was back at work full time (although still a bit tired and fuzzy headed at times) by the beginning of November.
2012 has been a much better year - Apart from working full-time, I ride horses, go to zumba, been to South Africa and am soon off to Greece for two weeks.
This bit - waiting for it all to kick-off is horrid, but you are doing the right thing by using the time to get yourself prepared. Get your support network in place, plenty of easy meals in the freezer, etc. I don’t know what recon you are having, but you may not be able to drive for a few weeks after, so take that into account too.
You’ll find that some so-called friends head for the hills - but you will also find help and support from all sorts of unexpected places.
Good luck on your journey - this is a great forum for asking all the little questions that seem too trivial to bother your medical team with - or that you want quick answers for. Remember, there’s no such thing as a silly question.
Dx
Hi ck1,I had double mx with recon just over a year ago,just waiting for tattooing of nipples now and im very happy with results(had ld flap).Its been tough but almost done now,you will get there too,good luck with everything,hope you have lots of family support,thats invaluable.
Hugs,Di.x
Best wishes for your treatment. What kind of reconstruction are you having?
Thanks to all for your support, you are all an inspiration and it’s great knowing there is support. Hopefully once I’m a bit further down the line I can do the same for others. x
For Cackles, I am having the LD flap reconstruction using tissue from my back, two weeks today, still trying to digest all the information. As everyone says this waiting is a nightmare. Was due to have a Mx without reconstruction today but was lucky enough to be able to have whole kit caboodle in one go. x
Hi CK1
If you’ve got any questions about the LD flap, just ask - there’s a few of us on here who’ve had it.
Dx