Diagnosed this week - Happy New Year!

[ThePianist]

Hey, Happy New Year - and I'm not being sarcastic. It WILL be a good new year for us all. We have all found the little b&*£@rs and their days are numbered! The waiting is THE WORST. Once the hopsitals take over your treatment just go with it - they are fantastic. Honestly it took me a while to believe that we really can be 'cured' but breast cancer is so on the radar these days. They know SO much about it and you will never be off their radar now. I found that scary to start with, but we are all a step ahead of those lucky people who have not had BC. If any of us show any signs of anything in the future they will be on it like a shot.

I feel quite envious of you having a 30G 'problem'. I started as a 36AA - yes that was a AA! Cotton wool for me I'm afraid and I couldn't give a monkeys. Bad days? Yes I still get them, but less and less. Oh and don't read statistics; they frightened me so much until a therpaist said to me, "those statistics take into account overweight people, drug abusers, drinkers, heavy smokers, elderly, poor who don't eat properly, medically already unwell and every other walk of life." That made me feel so much better and when I next met the oncologist I asked what treatment I needed and said I didn't want any statistics I just wanted her recommendation.

Best of luck with everything and keep in touch. And to everyone else reading, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[Bliss1978]

Hllo ladies

Thanks so much for your advice and kind words, I will get straight onto the suggestions of front fastening pyjamas and bras - woudl never have tought of that - makes perfect sense! I am also so reflieved that you all agree that waiting is the worst - I was dreading things being worse than they were last week (particularly over xmas) but I'm so glad that's out of the way. Great to be able to chat with ladies who have been or are going through the same thing - friends and family are great but they can't be as honest with me as you can be and they are busy dealing with it themselves too.

Thanks again, Helen xx

[13gerbera]

Aww thanks ladies, I'll get shopping.  I hate buying bras at the best of times (I'm actually a 28G but gave up trying to find that size years ago ) so I think this might take a while....

x

Sharon

[JETS]

And this http://www.amoena.co.uk
Sorry for disjoint - wondering round hospital today and on forum in between X-rays and bloods etc x

[JETS]

Ps meant to add I got Royce bra for £15 john Lewis ( for prosthetics) but two comfy basic bras which are not specifically masectomy but have a 'slot' xxx

[JETS]

Hi all
Helen - of course I'll be back to update x good one for the 12 xxxxx the support you will get from here will be great and don't worry about asking any questions

Sharon - I actually giggled slightly at the idea of rose finding anything crass ( she's a total star amazing inspiration ! ) my bCN recommended I went to john lewis - I explained I was having a double masectomy and they booked me in for a specialist appointment - they knew what they were doing and suggested a couple of bras and sizes for me that would ' match up after ' - Nicola Jane in London is also meant to be goodx not sure if you live able to get there? Marks and spencer also do a range ...best of luck sarah

[Rosemaryanne]

Hi, not a stupid question at all! You can get stretchy ones which go by back size and the cups adjust to your needs. I am (was!) a fairly standard 36D, so it was probably easier for me. Also there is some swelling post op so you won't settle to a true size straight away. I got mine off Amazon and ebay, but if there's nothing to fit you on there, try Debenhams and M & S. Also Asda do some. Look at nursing bras too, they are usually soft and stretchy and supportive. Also a lot of catalogues sell specialty sizes and needs. Royce are supposed to be brilliant, but a bit pricey. Your BCN will be able to advise you what's best for you, but there's a few ideas to be going on with.By the way, don't expect to find anything particularly pretty in these ranges!

How are you feeling?

Love Rose xx

[13gerbera]

Rose this is a really stupid question and I apologise for being a bit crass (and I'm sure I should have sent it as a PM but I've no idea how to do it) but how do I know what size bras to buy in preparation for surgery?  I've had a bit of a look already but as I'm currently a 30G and have no idea what size I'll be post surgery, I don't know what to get.  Should I ask my surgeon/breast care nurse or just try to find some in my current size?

x

Sharon

[keepmumsane]

Hi bliss, terrible club with excellent members xx This is a safe place for venting and chances are there will always be someone with the right answers or the thing you needed to hear. Xxx Waiting is horrid. Im 2 weeks past a mastectomy and even that doesnt seem as bad as not knowing stuff. Sending love, read some of the humour threads...what not to say should cover most of stuff you've heard . Hugs Sandie

[Rosemaryanne]

Hi Helen and welcome!

We are a quite lively crowd on here, you'll find lots of advice and empathy and plenty of dark humour.

I'm in (pending pathology) a good position. Had surgery on 22 Dec to remove 2 areas of Invasive Ductal BC and SNB. (Beware, there are SO many initials on here!). Following biopsies and MRI they were found to be completely separate. I initially wanted a mastectomy:TWO lumps? How do I know number 3,4,5,etc won't rear their ugly heads. However unlike Sarah, I was told that wasn't necessary. Everyone is different.

I think everyone on here will agree that the waiting is the absolute worst. Once you find out what you are dealing with and they give definite dates and plans, it becomes so much easier to cope with.

Start sorting yourself some soft cotton bras(I find the front fastening ones much easier in the early days after surgery, arm movement is restricted), also I got a lovely sheepskin seatbelt cover which has been invaluable.Button through jamas are good, and a spare pair of surgical socks- the hospital fit you with a pair, but they need to be worn for a fortnight, and they need to be washed!

It's very early for you and terrifying, however once the medical machine takes over, things seem to move very quickly- at least looking back it wasn't such so long, felt like an eternity at the time. Trust your consultant and BCN, ask all the questions you need to- go in with a list. Oh, and for my results I took a very calm friend who wrote down everything that was said and we went through it afterwards. That was so very useful.

Never feel alone, you will make some brilliant friends on here, and everyone wants to help you where they can

Love, Rose xx

[13gerbera]

Hi Helen,

Sorry you are here but we are a pretty fabulous crowd in my view 

I'm fairly new here too as I was diagnosed a few weeks ago and have just been called back for more biopsies following an MRI so I hope to have a treatment plan in place before too long.  The waiting for results has been the worst bit so far as it's horrible to feel so out of control isn't it, but that's where this forum absolutely comes into it's own because at least we can hear from people who are going through it and get a better idea of what to expect and what questions to ask.  

x

Sharon

[Bliss1978]

Thanks so much Sarah

It's funny as I thought about preparing myself for more and you have helped to put it into context, I have spent the last 3 months trying to convince the Doctors I have BC so I'm going to keep on questioning! I wish you the best of luck, my next appointment is on the 12th so I promise to update you if you do the same!

All the best, Helen xx

[JETS]

Hi bliss x happy new year !!!! 2015 we will all get sorted x I was duagnosed start of December with invasive lobular and don't know where I would have been without this forum. It's amazing how much I have learnt about BC in such a short time ! The biopsy confirmed my cancer then mri found some more so be prepared for that conversation and possibly more tests /biopsy when u go back to talk about the mri ( hopefully it will be more straightforward but I wasn't expecting to spend 5 hours at the hosp when I re visited post mri ) - anyways. I have had more visits ands bit of a complicated journey but am now booked for a double masectomy on 12 jan - hopefully u may not need this surgery but I would suggest you think about what u might think if you are given masectomy as an option when u go back for mri results ( eg reconstruction options etc etc ) - I hadn't thought about this as was fully expecting to have a Lumpetecomy... I think there are many of unscathed agree the waiting is the exhausting thing - I felt at one time that every time I went there were different decisions to be made xxx stay off google and use recommended sights x good luck with ur appointment and feel free to pm me if u have specific questions x lots hugs sarah

[Bliss1978]

Hello all

I was diagnosed on Tuesday following a biopsy and am awaiting an appointment with my Consultant to disucss my treatment plan following yesterday's MRI.

Just wanted to start a thread so that I can talk to others who have been through the same thing. I have absolutley no idea what questions to ask or what to expect but all I can say is that I feel a damn sight better than I did when I was waiting for the diagnosis - I think it says a lot for the power of positive thinking!

xx