Hi Everyone, In June 201) a routine mammogram revealed a suspicious lump in my left breast which turned out to be a benign Fibroadema (and even now I cannot feel it). However in November I found a lump in the other breast and eventually went to see the Doctor, having waited for a bit in case it went. He immediately referred me to my local hospital. My first visit was on Christmas eve and following that I had to return for MRI and then a day later, on new Year Eve I had biopsies in both breasts and axillaries. After a very worrying 2 weeks I went to meet the consultant yesterday who gave me the news I did not want to hear, but which I was sure of. I have breast cancer!
What a start to the New Year eh! One half of me is already practical, thinking of what needs to be done in preparation for surgery and whatever follows that, and the other half of me feels like a wobbly weepy middle aged mad woman. I need to support myself and my wonderful family, but I know that I will be looking for help from other people having gone through or going through the same as me so I have registered on this site this morning and look forward to spending the next months talking, laughing and crying with you. I have lots to learn and read about the condition and the surgery and I hope that you will share your knowledge with me? XXX
Hi Aneesh,
well you have certainly come to the right place for support and advice from those who have first hand experience. Sorry that you have had to come here but you will find us all very helpful and supportive. My experience is that all the ladies (and some men) are wonderful people and we are all in the same boat.
Each story is as individual as we all are so beware when accruing information as it can all get a bit scary sometimes and some of it may not be relevant to you.
I was diagnosed with bilateral (both sides) bc in March and had wide local excisions (wle - lumps removed) followed by 6 FEC chemotherapies then 38 radiotherapies…concluding on 30/12/10 so just out of active treatment. It has been a long hard journey but we have had laughs here along the way and I have cyber (and some in real life) met many many beautiful ladies on the way through a year that I could never have imagined.
Any questions just ask away…there willl be someone around who has been there and got the t-shirt, feel like screaming…scream here and we will scream with you. You can send personal messages to people if you don’t want to post in public.
Hope this helps, good luck on your journey, look forward to your company
Hugs Suze xx
Hi Aneesh,
Hope you are ok, and not feeling too wobbly. Sorry you find yourself here, but it is a good site - lots of support and acedotal advice and tips. Do you know anything about your treatment plan yet? I guess being diagnosed over the ‘festive’ period has not speeded things up very much.
I was diagnosed mid Oct, and am doing my chemo before a mastectomy in March. I’m sure you will find some people’s experiences more or less relevant to your own,
Tracey
Aneesh Hi - Real sorry you’ve been diagnosed, its a rubbish exclusive club but you’ve found the right place in registering with the site, i think it took me about a month last year when i was diagnosed. I can identify with your timescales in that i too had tests over christmas and new year last year, with a diagnosis on January 5th so i’ve just passed my first anniversary (not a great day )
I wanted to reassure you that you’ll get the support you need from the lovely people on this site (yes it can be a lonely place even with that ) and i also wanted to let you know that the stage you’re at right now is one of the worst times and it does get better once you know “the plan” As you begin to know more about your own individual diagnosis you’ll know the questions you want to ask and the advice you need. Try to resist the tempation to dive into too much information that isn’t relevant to your own circumstances or stage - its scary enough. Keep posting whenever you need and you’ll probably find you’ll “hook up” with some people who are at a simialr stage.
Sending you good thoughts.
Lynn
x
Hi Aneesh
Not much to say other than hello from one “wobbly weepy middle aged mad woman” to another. I’m at a similar stage to you, being recently diagnosed but don’t quite know what “the plan” is. I know I have to have radio and tamoxifen, and just have to wait and see what they find after the knives go in on Monday.
This is absolutely the place to be. I’ve found such huge support from a bunch of strangers who are closer to me than my closest friends because they have all been through what I’m going through now - waiting.
Post away, you are with friends.
CM
Hello to you, so sorry you find yourself here. I really empathise with your feelings about organising the practical things then being a wobbly mess, I’m there with you, wish I could control this ******* disease, can’t and that causes frustration
Post away find support.
Hi Aneesh and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the support you have already received here, our helpliners are here to offer you further support and information on 0808 800 6000, the line is open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2.
You may find the resource pack published for anyone newly diagnosed useful, you can order this via the following link:
Take care
Lucy
Hi Aneesh - so sorry you find yourself having to join this ‘club’, but glad that you’ve found this forum as I am sure it will be an absolute lifeline to you - as it has been to me and to many, many others.
It’s the perfect place to ask questions, cry, laugh and get things off your chest (so to speak), and the support and advice you will get is phenomonal.
I am 41, had left breast mastectomy on Nov 12th along with lymph node clearance, and am 1/3 way through chemo. None of it is fun, but it is do-able - and I will not be alone in telling you that the most horrible part of it all is the waiting. Once you know what your plan of attack is, you will feel much more in control.
Wishing you all the very best as you begin this hateful journey.
Sophie xxxx