I was diagnosed in January 2013 with breast cancer. In one breast, there was an area about 6 cm of DCIS plus a grade 3, invasive tumour of 1.3 cm. As the cancer had more than one focus, a mastectomy was advised and subsequently carried out on 8 February, from which I am recovering well physically. A sentinel node biopsy was completed at the same time.
I am 52 years old, happily living with a wonderfully supportive partner and love
my demanding but fascinating work as a lecturer in further and higher education. I have no children. Until now, I had never been in hospital or had an operation of any kind so the whole, accelerated process has been frightening and very hard to come
to terms with.
I was feeling stronger psychologically after the mx and starting to get my head around the next stage, chemotherapy. I clung to the idea that, though aggressive, the invasive cancer was small and had been removed and, before the op, there was no indication that the cancer had spread to the lymph; the prognosis seemed quite good. However, I went for my results today and found that the SNB showed micromets in one lymph node. I also discovered that the cancer is HER2+ so is, I believe, more likely to return earlier and I will need to have Herceptin in addition to the other chemo. I’ve also got to have 2 levels of lymph nodes removed on 5 March.
After returning from the hospital, I found myself back in the pit where I was when first diagnosed. I know that things could be much worse, but am finding it very hard to come to terms with the idea of further surgery so quickly and with the worsened prognosis that I think my results imply.
I would be very grateful to hear from anyone who has been here and come through!
It sounds like you are having a pretty tough time at the moment. I’m sure some of the other users will be a long soon to offer you their experiences and advice.
In the meantime it might help to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff. Here you can share your feelings and concerns with someone who will offer you a listening ear as well as emotional support and practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
Oh dear WAC this dreaded disease is a massive roller coaster that sometimes feels like you can’t get of it. Stay strong and take comfort that things will get better, like the saying goes sometimes they get worse before they get better but ultimately it will get better! There are many ladies here that are years down the treatment path to help guide you and help you see there is a light at the end of this dark and gloomy tunnel. For the moment try to stay positive and see that thankfully you have been diagnosed and that there is a whole medical team all working to help sort you out. I am not denying that the road ahead will be bumpy but you will get there and I know it’s hard to imagine but this time next year you will be helping others who are feeling just like you are at the moment. How do I know this? Because I am the person you will be xx
Wendy,
I well remember being in your position. I had a mx, then got the results and 3/16 lymph nodes were affected. I was really shocked. I also had a 2.7cm grade 3 lump. The Her2+ diagnosis came much later, well through chemo. What can I say about the nodes? Well, there are lots of us with node involvement and it is not the end of the world. Yes it makes the prognosis a bit worse, but the chemo you are given will take account of that. And as for Her2+ - yes it is a more aggressive cancer, but when you are given herceptin it levels the playing field so to speak- ie once you have had herceptin you are no more likely to get a recurrence than someone who is not Her2+.
And the good news? All this for me was six years ago - I was dx in Feb 2007 when I was 44. To celebrate being five years clear I ran the London Marathon last year (and raised over £4,000 for Cancer Research). Now I am 50. I have three children. At the time of dx my youngest was just turning 12. She will be 18 next week. Life is good.