This is the first time I have posted on this forum. I was diganosed with IDC a week ago - a 12mm grade 3 tumour, ER+, borderline HER positive (awaiting further tests) - and after the initial shock wore off, I began to feel really terrified. I have breast conservation and sentinel node biopsy surgery booked for 9th Sept. I feel very fortunate to have a great team with an excellent nurse but find the waiting really hard. I am also worried about bad pains in my ribs, chest and shoulder - is this common? My nurse tells me that there is nothing to indicate spread of disease but every time I feel a pain I feel a lurch in my stomach and feel sick. How have others comforted themselves through the waiting game? Finding it hard to put a brave face on - but need to for my kids.
Hi Jacqui, so sorry u have to join us. Your now in the waiting room & it’s one of the worst places to be. Your mind goes into overdrive & everything gets to u, every ache & pain is further cancer in your mind. BUT it is completely normal to feel this way, u you’ve had a massive shock with the diagnosis & it’s an emotional rollercoaster your on now.
Everyone agrees that once u know the treatment plan then things seem just a little bit easier.Nothing will stop u worrying but just take one day at a time, i guess your kiddies be going back to school soon so hopefully that will give u other things to think about.
I had a WLE as well & it wasn’t too bad at all,the date will be here before u know it & u’ll be thinking about the next stage. Have they told u if u have to have other treatment, presume radiotherapy & Tamoxifen.
Keep posting on here when u need to, there’s so many lovely people who can help & support u,u can also ring the helpline for a chat if u wanted.take care x
Sorry you are here but I have found this site a godsend. I am in a similar position as you being diagnosed on 5th August with IDC 10mm ER+ HER-. I am going in on Tuesday for SNB & WLE hoping that it hasn’t spread to nodes. Mine was picked up through a routine mammogram and until then I felt as fit as a flea. Since diagnosis I have had more aches and pains than I care to remember. This has been the longest wait ever and thought Tuesday would never come. I am trying to be bright and breezy with my sunny smiley face that everyone comments on but deep inside I am a nervous wreck. I am sure once the waiting game is over and you have a plan of action, things will feel a lot better and something to work towards.
Hi there, I have IDC too. I was diagnosed on 4th Aug and have to wait for 2nd September for my WLE and node taking. It’s three weeks but feels like months, I’m not looking forward to it but at the same time I wish we could just get on with it. I’ve been busy at work but my head is not functioning properly and with each day I get a bit more scared of what is to come. This site has been great for me, there is much comfort to be taken from sharing and reading about others. Hope your surgery goes well. Sissors
Sorry you are here. You are in one of the worst places,the waiting time seems endless. I was in your position April/May of this year it is a scary place to be and it is still all such a shock. When you know your treatment plan things do start to get easier. I had loads of questions that I wanted answers too. i found that writing them down helped. When I saw my breast surgeon I took them with me.He was excellent and very patient. No question you have is too small if it worries you ask it.
Wishing you all the best
Ditto to everything everyone’s said… and to add “take each day as it comes”… try to stay in today, and not allow your mind to race off into “what ifs”… of course it will, (they all do!) but try to bring it gently back to whatever you’re doing today. The people in front of you today etc etc… I found that really helped the fear… God bless as you wait… Jane
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums, as you see your fellow forum users are a good support and have a wealth of experience and knowledge between them.
To help you along I have put for you below links to a couple of BCC’s publications you may find helpful. There’s also the helpline where the staff are here to give you that extra bit of support. Unfortunately the helpline is closed over the bank holiday but is open again tomorrow (M-F 9-5 and Sat 9-2) calls are free, 0808 800 6000
Thanks so much for taking the time to write back and share your experiences - really makes a huge difference to hear from others in the same boat. My friend who is a BC survivor said that for her the waiting was the absolute worst bit - and that once she knew what she was dealing with and had a clearer sense of her treatment plan, she felt calmer. I am trying to take it one day at a time, but my mind does keep going into overdrive. The pain I am experiencing (which I had prior to being diagnosed) is definitely adding to my fears. I do feel terrified that the cancer has spread - that idea fills me with utter dread. Am trying to keep busy and dictracted with other stuff but do get overwhelmed on a regular basis. I think it must be shock! I have an appointment tomorrow for pre-operative tests, bra fitting etc - and my nurse has said to bring my kids with me so they can see where mummy is going and ask any questions…
Very glad to have found this forum - thanks again everyone for your words of wisdom!
Hi JacquiD,
I was diagnosed about 5 weeks ago and went into total meltdown for a few days but desperately trying to act ‘normal’ for my daughter. I couldn’t tell her until my other daughter was home 10 days later and I wanted to tell them together. Once it was out in the open it all became a bit surreal - as though it wasn’t happening to me and there must be some kind of mistake. I took the three weeks off work (prior to the op) as annual leave and did all the things I love to do and to be quite honest with you, I was ok, on the whole. Immediately following the mx I was fine as well and recovered very quickly physically but now I’m waiting to have further scans and I’m scared witless some of the time. My mind goes into overdrive and I have moments when I think the worst and want to give up. BUT it’s not all the time and although I had a very rough few hours this morning, I feel a lot brighter now and I’m going out in the fresh air for a walk but I couldn’t have dragged myself out of bed an hour ago! Friends and family have been great but I suspect, like me, you need to talk to people who truly understand and have been through the same thing. This site is great for that and people here have helped me a lot because they can reassure you that what you are feeling is normal and lots of people have been there and have come through it at the other end.