Hi, I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer & I am due to have my operation & sentinel node removal.
Apart from yesterday when I cried as my computer would not work & I wanted to look at this site I have not cried at all.
Hello Susan04
I can identify with that. It is hard to believe you have breast cancer when you don’t feel ill… and it is a bit of a shock!
I don’t remember crying until I told people at work. I found it very emotional saying the words and then the shocked and caring reactions.
I was also very concerned at not worrying close family and friends. They still tell me how amazing I am! I have had my moments since but tend to be when I am alone.
Just watch out for your emotions, they will come, and as you will read many times, it is different for us all. Just try to deal with whatever you feel. You are entitled to be you and feel how you feel. There is no script.
I had a moment when I was feeling really low and was at the hospital. I needed a cup of tea before getting in the car and spotted the Macmillan centre opposite the cafe. I picked up my cup and toasted tea cake and went in. I can only say that they were marvellous. It was just the right thing at the right time. I would not hesitate to go again.
So support is available, not least on this website!
By the way, I had WLE and SNB. It was absolutely fine, nothing to worry about.
Hope all goes really well for you and take care.
Sheila xx
everyone reacts differently, for example I have never cried once throughout this - came pretty close to it after active treatment finished though. That’s not to say that I haven’t experienced a whirl of feelings and emotions since dx - I am quite a stoical person regarding my healthbut the whole emotional bit is often very difficult to deal with…just go with the flow,one step at a time, cry or don’t cry…it’s all ok.
Lots of luck with your treatment too xxx
Hi Susan04
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums.
As well as the support you receive from the many informed users of this site you may find BCC’s resource pack helpful. It has been designed for those newly diagnosed and has information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available. The pack is free of charge as are all our publications. If you would like a copy just follow the link below:
Kind regards
Sam BCC facilitator
Was diagnosed on the 2nd November after routine screening. The lump is only 14mm and stage one but further up the breast there is chalky deposits. I think my only option is a mastectomy but having seen photos and learnt more about reconstruction I feel confused. I would really really like to keep my breast but I really really don’t want to keep the cancer. Anyone out there been in a similar situation? Sorry if it sounds vain some of the comments on forum make me realise I’m lucky (!) as things could be a lot worse…
Hi susan,
You will be told so many times, but it still holds up, everyone really does react differently! To diagnosis, to the op (I had WLE and SNB) to follow on Tx (currently chemo for me).
I found myself having to activly convince and reassure people that I really wasn’t falling apart - I think it might be easier for some to deal with if we turn into gibbering wrecks!!
Like Sheila, I found telling others to be difficult. Just take it easy and however you need to deal with this crap IS the right way to deal with it.
Good luck, and would love to chat here, or PM if you’d like.
Sarah
xxxxx
Hi Susan
I had my op last week and still haven’t cried at all. The closest I came to it was the day before the op when I left work as everyone gathered round to say good luck and I nearly lost it. I found that once you start to tell people, a lot of them know someone who has gone through the same experience and they give lots of reassurance that it will be fine. The best decision I made was to tell everyone at work - they have all been absolutely amazing and very supportive. And this site is very useful and full of good advice - I log in virtually every day just so that I know I’m not the only one.
Maggie
I have just been diagnosed (10/11/09/) and although I feel calm most of the time sometimes I want to cry and I can’t. I’m having an MRI next Wednesday and then surgery. Perhaps I’ll feel better when I know what is happening. It was a routine mamogram with me, my first. I know how you feel. I’ve found keeping busy helps me to forget for a while. I’m going to try self hypnosis to see if it helps.
Hi Susan.
I was diagnosed 25.9.09 and had sentinel nodes removed begining of Oct.They were fortunately clear and i had the mastectomy done 3wks ago. The whole thing feels like a nightmare but i’m doing extremely well at the moment.I’ve had loads of support from family and friends which keeps me going and also keeping myself busy helps immensley.I know how you are feeling.Good luck with your op i shall be thinking of you.
Debs x
Hiya i was in denial right up until i sat in the chemo lounge waiting for my first dose then i cried and cried. Seeing as my op was early may and chemo in mid june it took me a while to get it straight in my head…
Still was a bit in denial until i was bald if i am honest then it couldnt be avoided!
Good luck with your journey
S
Hi Folks,
Thank god I AM normal!!! I was diagnosed on 20/09/09 following a mam earlier that week - I was booked for a wide local option (breast conserving) within two weeks -
After the initial shock then absolute panic mode I was going to die and leave my boys, I calmed and have remained so since.
I’m not in denial I don’t believe anyone is that, I just believe with something like this, when you are faced with dealing with your mortality,we have never had to deal with it for most, before. So I believe we are in shock.
I am not saying I havent cried, boy I have off and on, I start one minute and then it stops!!!
My surgery was postponed due to swelling of cancer and blockage of lymphatic fluid and the cancer in the breast multi focal - so change of plan and it was then Chemo first for me followed by masectomy next April/May then radiotherapy and Herception. (Advised by my surgeon to have reconstruction much later due to radiotherapy and what it does to the look and texture of breast)
Just go with the flow of your emotions, it was only when gowned up ready for my surgery in Sept did things start to become real, then due to being postponed that day, my emotions began to work ad hoc!
Good luck and just be who you want to be xxx
hi, ,
Emotions are a nvery strange buch, I have cried, prayed, sodbed ,at the onset, I was told the terror and the shcok would subside, with help and support of family and friends, oh and traqncs for first 3 months. After reconn elation set in as it was done, however liKe Evie, when I stood looking at the chemo chair , only then did i feel like a operson with cancer. The tears rolled, but at the same time , Michael Jacksons you are not alone came over the radio, and with that , I sat in the chair and felt a lot calmer and in contorol.
soppy I know but it did the trick on the day.
take care allxx
I was diagnosed on 13th Oct and had mastectomy and s.n.b. on 27th Oct. I feel detached from everything, other peoples reactions seem excessive and out of proportion to me, but then I look at how upset everyone is and start to think it must be serious but it doesn’t seem to effect me. I spend a lot of time telling people I’m OK and there’s nothing to worry about, then they tell me I’m brave. But I don’t feel brave, just numb. I don’t even feel as if my body belongs to me. I can see the scar where my right breast was but it doesn’t seem to belong to me. Yet I sort of know it does. It’s all very odd and I worry about my sanity, but perhaps it’s our brain’s way of protecting us, I expect it will hit me when I start chemo.
Et
Hi Susan,
I guess you’ve already worked out that you are not alone in your reaction to diagnosis, I still haven’t cried. Well, I did once…to my surgeon too and he isn’t noted for his bedside manner but that was due to first chemo effects plus GCSF(?) injection.
No doubt you are a bit shocked but maybe, like me, you will face everything with a positive and motivated attitude. My chemo nurse asked if I was perhaps just keeping it all inside but I honestly don’t think so, I’m just getting on with dealing with whatever I have to give me the best outcome. I think it helps but tears can be good too so dowhatever gets you through.
L x