hello!! I know how terrified you are! My Identical twin sister was diagnosed last February with breast cancer (at 61). She did not have her surgery until May (dr said it was small and ‘not an emergency’), but she just wanted to get it over with!! Well, it was a struggle, but I went to her house everyday to help her with cleaning and I cooked healthy meals for her and her husband. After surgery was over, it was good news… no spread into lymph nodes, and it was even smaller than they had originally thought (this could be because my daughter works in a research lab, and she had studied mice with breast cancer…the mice were given blueberry powder daily in their food, and after 3 months their tumors had reduced in size)… my sister had started taking the blueberry powder in her drink almost immediately after she was diagnosed. The tumor size to start out was almost 3 cm, but when it was removed, it was 1.5 cm. So I do believe that the blueberry powder helped. Anyway, she had 4 weeks of radiation (with no problems!), and doesn’t need chemo. She had an oncotype test (shows chances of recurrance), and her oncologist said that he had only seen her same results twice during his career. Her score was ZERO, meaning there was a 0 chance of the tumor coming back. So we all had a very happy ending!! She is fine now, everything is back to normal in her life (and mine!) I will pray that you will have the same! I would recommend that you start adding the blueberry powder (can be ordered online or bought at Walmart) to your drink or meals each day (I put mine in yogurt). 2 Tablespoons a day is what you need to add. I wish you the best of luck… it does sound promising from what your doctor has said! And remember, my sister had to wait almost 4 months before she had surgery!! Will be thinking of you!! Janet <3
This is exactly how i have felt at times
Thank you for your suggestions , appreciated… it’s strange you mention blueberry powder as I already have some in the house ( no Walmart in the Scottish Highlands but Amazon ) I bought the powder after a family holiday to Akaslompolo in Finland in early December . The powder was next to the yoghurt on the breakfast table and I loved it so bought some when we returned home . I had just been diagnosed with breast cancer at that time .
Well, I have bought my blueberry powder from both Amazon and Walmart, lol! I would love to see the Scottish Highlands one day. You will need to start adding 2 tablespoons a day to anything that you eat! I had forgotten to add yesterday that it also has been proven to lower cholesterol. It comes in handy having a daughter that works in a science research lab!! I put the blueberry powder in yogurt too! I do wish you the very best. <3
Hi. So sorry you are not feeling great. It really is bloody tough. After all my positivity and strength having been diagnosed in May, I too am relieved counselling starts for me next week.
I would highly recommend connecting with The Penny Brohn centre in Bristol. They have been such a support on this occasion and when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer 16 years ago. The retreat was so useful. Wishing you all the best. 
Thank you , I have just registered with them . Their online sessions sound good and a retreat could be possible once through treatment as I can get a flight straight from Inverness to Bristol . Thanks again x
That’s great. I do hope you can make the retreat. I found it was so useful in terms of helping me accept my diagnosis and hearing from others about their experiences helped me to put my situation into perspective and helped me make a decision about the treatment that was being recommended by my oncologist. All the best.
I am so glad you are feeling a bit better. I was at Guy’s Hospital yesterday for a zoledronic acid infusion I have every six months and I sat there reading a book by Jade Goody who once worked there as a dental nurse. Her mother was very keen on her having perfect teeth. I managed to get a second hand copy of her book, signed by her for a very good price from Amazon. It’s a great book if you want to know more about Bermondsey, the area near Guy’s Hospital where she lived. Not a very happy story but an honest one.
Seagulls
I should say I love a jigsaw myself and can get lost in doing one for hours. The only problem I had was ordering one brand from Amazon to do an album cover by Pink Floyd and it didn’t have all the pieces, but had duplicates of others. I felt so cheated! It ruined the Christmas before last. It had a photo of a pig in the sky above Battersea Power Station
Seagulls
I keep chickens and my daughter bought me a jigsaw with about 20 different breeds of chickens in it - absolute nightmare lol
it’s good to have a challenge and it’s also something which absorbs the mind making it more difficult to let the imagination loose. Therefore good for reducing anxiety.
Seagulls
Been here many times too. Please get in touch with your breast care nurse and ask her to give you the contact details for various cancer support groups. I am in Northern Ireland and I was put in touch with a group which is all free of charge. They are all fully trained professionals and I have to say they were a tremendous help and support to me. You really need to talk things out with trained cancer professionals. It is nighttime when things are really bad and the mind is so active. You will get through this but it is just one day at a time. You will be well looked after but it is the emotional, mental and physical stress on the body. Sending you big hugs. Wish I could help you more. I am just finishing lengthy chemo and then starting radiotherapy. You will come through this. Xx
I relate to this so much. I’m waiting on my initial biopsy and find it difficult to breathe at times. I don’t know if it’s what’s happening in my body or the panic. It’s interesting stumbling upon a community like this, I was feeling really alone since I found out. Thank you so much for sharing!
Dear Holly,
Thinking of you, hopefully now we’re halfway into January. Things will pick up a little for you when you’re not feeling good Christmas and New Year can be a happy time for some but sad and lonely for others.
Wishing you well, going forward with your treatment fingers crossed for a good outcome it’s always an anxious time but I feel that you will get there. Also keep posting on this site. there’s so many lovely people going through and coming through at the other end.
I always say one day at a time be kind to yourself, and a nice cup of tea with that special person goes a long way.
Biggest hugs Tili 
Dear Nika,
We have all been there and now we’re here for you, wishing you well going forward with your journey and treatment keep posting and letting us know how you’re getting on.
Anxiety takes a big toll on us always good to talk and unload your thoughts. Take one day at a time. Fingers crossed for a good outcome. Please keep posting and let us know how you’re doing.
Best wishes Tili
Hi all. I’ve had my lumpectomy and now need another op as some cells may still be there. Had really bad anxiety and panic attacks last weekend. Now taking something to help me sleep. So good to have this forum. Not alone now. One step at a time. Do what I need to do xx
I died a thousand deaths when diagnosed in Dec 2003. When rediagnosed in 2022 I was resigned to having it again.
I discovered this forum in 2003 which was great as you can go in at any time day or night and it is moderated so if anyone writes anything too upsetting or negative it is removed early.
Whilst nobody welcomes getting cancer, I am glad this forum gives people the opportunity to meet up and for us to express what we are feeling good or bad.
I don’t want cancer to rule my life. I am a person first and a patient with cancer maybe tenth in a list of other things I identify in my life.
I reached this position after much thought and listening to other women who have had this disease and treatment for it. Some have survived and some have not but they were all fantastic people.
My recent diagnosis 19 years after the first illustrates what a very baffling illness it is. The large variations in its chemistry and appearance mean the treatment varies a lot from person to person.
We are all unique but the NHS has strict guidelines on treatment published by NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence). This should ensure all people get the best treatment known at this time for their kind of breast cancer.
Seagulls