Hi Jane
I was diagnosed last week too. I still need a further biopsy before they decide whether I am having a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. And yes I agree with you it is a whole new language to learn!
Nothing else to add…feel very uninformed at the moment, but this site is proving to be a lifeline!
Di x x
Hi Di
so sorry for your dx same time as me last week. I too, had to have two biopsy but was told nothing after the first. My doc just said he still wasn’t happy with lump and i needed further biopsy under ultrasound. I asked him if this meant it was good news and he more or less implied it was. Thank god i said and still no hint from him.
I then received a letter that had been sent to my gp, stating that first biopsy was benign, so you can imagine my reliefe. We were celebrating all over the house. So when i went last week for results of 2nd biop i wasn’t a bit worried just thought it was my hormones because periods up the wall for 6mths now. (smear ok). I nearly fainted when i was taken into a side room with arm chairs and complementory teapot. I knew then before doc said anything. Like yourself Di i feel totally uniformed. No idea what type bc I have and only know 3cm because of the letter that was sent to my gp.
Just spoke to hosp, being admitted thurs morning but was told by my surgeon op was on fri. Now hosp say might be thurs pm CRAP. I will let you all know how i go on after pre op tomorrow.
Take care of yourself everyone
jane xx
Hi Jane
We can do this. We will do this. Other women on this site will help but we will get through it.
I am at a dubious advantage…I had a hysterectomy 18 months ago so I have had major surgery and recovery…and amazing support from other women going through the same (and who have gone thorugh the same).
I get my second biopsy result on Thursday. I will think of you.
Hugs…and keep posting
Di x x
Hi,
your stories are so moving and unfortunately all to familiar to ladies on here. I was very anxious about the surgery, which was on April Fools Day so everybody laughed when I told them!!! A friend who had already had a primary and was getting over surgery for secondaries, said but think when the operation is over, you won’t have cancer, it will be out. I know it is not always as simple as that but it did help me find something good about the surgery. I am just quoting her in the hope that this might help you a little. By the way surgery was much better than I thought it would be, I had a lumpectomy. I have also had 7 months chemo and I am on rads. If I can do it, anyone can, promise.
Lots and lots of luck to everyone who posted on here and will be thinking of you
Lily x
Hi there
I was exactly where you are now in May. Now I’ve had surgery, 4 treatments of epi + 4 xeloda and am now looking forward to rads in January + 5 years hormone threrapy.
I can only say that it does get better. Once you know what treatment plan you’re getting, you think ‘bring it on’. ‘Just want my normal life back’. But normal is a different place after being diagnosed. Some people, like me, have carried on working, some people find it helps them to stay at home. Everyone’s different. But you will be ok. And you adapt to the new ‘normal’.
I had a lumpectomy and node clearance, and it was fine. No pain afterwards and full movement of my arm within a few days. The ‘hair thing’ didn’t really bother me. It started coming out about 10/14 days after my frist epi and I shaved my head. My hair is starting to grow now but I’m really happy in my wig.
We find our own way of dealing with these things and it surprises me how resiliant we are.
Chemo, whilst it wasn’t a ‘walk in the park’. is not half as bad as your imagination would tell you. So. as Lily has said, ‘if I can do it, so can you’.
Good luck
Mal
Good luck Jane and Di. You’ll both be fine, really, onest Injuns! As soon as you get into your hospital bed and things start rolling, you won’t believe how relieved you’ll feel. The surgery really is a piece of cake, nothing to worry about at all. I found - like you - that the emotional bit kept creeping up on me when I least expected it, and was just a bloody nuisance. People sympathising and being kind was what I couldn’t - and still can’t - stand, ungrateful bitch that I am! But having to be Charlie Caroli in front of everyone (as I normally am) does wear you down and solitude then brings on buckets of tears. I find that the littlest things set me off. But hey, what a great excuse to get out of writing all those poxy Christmas cards! Good luck again, much love, Jackie. xxx
Diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer last Friday, 12 Dec. What a shock! Had my first routine mammogram on 5 Nov and got called for second stage screening. I knew I had “cysty” breasts and thought that would be it, but they did a biopsy, which scared me. Now I’m told I have to have an MRI to see if it is multicentric. That’s the worst thing - don’t know if I need a lumpectomy and removal of a few lymph glands or mastectomy, so I have nothing to focus on. Thoughts keep running wild in all the wrong directions. Clinic fantastic though - it’s great to see the NHS working as it should do.
Great to hear all you girls being normal, it sorts out a few of the demons!
Sal
Dont worry about the surgery it is just a bit sore once the meds wear off but not really bothersome at all.Re hair loss most people fell a sharp prickly sensation over the scalp for a few days about 2 weeks after chemo.Then you notice more hair in brush or when you shower then with me it went all at once when I was in the shower.I had avoided washing it for a few days as I suspected it would go and my little granddaughter was staying.As soon as she’d gone I went to wash it and it ALL came away in one go!I was a bit weepy then I thought,'well at least I know the chemo got as far as my hair roots!'Daft or what?Dont worry once the merry-go-round starts you will cope,honestly.
Love Valxx
Hi jane!
I hope your are coping OK with the run up to your surgery.At least if you get it on Thursday you will get out a day earlier!
I found the waiting on surgery weird because I wanted it to come, on one hand and didn’t on another.
Just think soon you will be on here reassuring others that its really OK,
Hugs
Dot
x
A big hello to everyone
Thankyou all ever so much for your messages of encouragement re my op. They have taken the edge off my fear slightly but made me feel so much warmth inside, knowing you all have your own worries, yet can take the time to ease mine.
Lilly, i know where your friend was coming from because bc nurse, who i met with today, asked (what if i say dont have the op) And o.m.g that is a far bigger worry than having it. So i suppose i’ll just have to count back and think of the beach.
Dotchas, i hope your right about me coming on here after and reasuring others. I’m sure you are, just trying to convince myself but do feel better after meeting bc nurse and reading all these messages.
I have been to hosp for pre op today and apparantly the op is Fri. Got to go Thurs, so they can do prep for sentinal node. Was under the impresion that only one node to be removed but upto 5 to be taken out. I wont know untill dye has been inserted.
Not sure if i will post again now before op, as concentration not very good at moment. Head all over the place. In one way, its good that the op is so soon after dx because i think i will be a lot more cheerful when thats out the way. Or at least its one less thing to worry about.
Thanks again, all of you for your support. Hopefully i’ll catch up with you next week. In the meantime as di says. We can do this…Can’t we?
Love to everyone xx
Jane,
You CAN do it,and you will get through.
We are all waiting to hear from you once its over,
Take care,
Love
Dot
xx
hi everyone,
Well I woke up from op no probs and yes you were rite dot i will be reassuring everyone about it in the future. I must admit i was a nervouse wreck fri morning but everyone at the hospital was wonderful and managed to calm me down before theatre. I think 4 ndes removed but will have to wait sometime for results because of christmas. Hardley any soreness, just weired feeling in upper arm.
Sorrry its taken me a while to let you all know how i went on. Only came home mon, due to having to wait for drains to be removed and i am still feeling very sleepy infact cant stay awake much more than an hr or so, is that normal after op? Feel like am on drugs lol
Hope you all have a peaceful and happy christmas with your famillys and friends
Take care
Jane xxx
Glad its all over for you.The anaesthetic drugs will take a while to get out your system also your body is busy healing itself,so take it easy.
Have a lovely Christmas,
Love
Dot
xx
Hi Jane
Glad it went well for the op. I came home on Christmas Eve, and I’m having a nap late afternoon each day so far (slept till 11am yesterday which was somewhat strange, but obviously I must have needed it). Just take it easy and let everybody else do the running around. We all recover differently so take it at your own pace. Hope you had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year.
Carole