Just Diagnosed and waiting for operation

[Sue H-S]

Hi loulou50

So sorry to read that you had your diagnosis, whilst already being concerned about your mum.

I hope you are coping so far. Should things get too much, you may wish to talk to your breast care nurse to see what local support is available for you and your mum.

So glad you have found us - there is so much support available on this site. Many virtual arms wll reach out to you, when you need a hug to keep you going.

Different trusts may have different ways of approaching CT scans to explore whether the cancer may or may not have spread. Usually the guidelines are around the grade of the cancer and whether nodes are involved or not.

I was diagnosed with a grade 3 lobular invasive and nodes clear after my pathology results post my operation. As the cancer was quite big (11cm) they wanted me to have a scan, despite the nodes being clear. I was very relieved, when the scan came back clear It did show up some tiny kidney stones and some scarring in my kidneys, but that was all.

One I have completed my active treatment (chemo done, currently doing radiotherapy) I will have an annual mammogram to monitor for another primary breast cancer in my other breast. 

I hope when your results come back they are what you are hoping for. 

It is a challenging time to have to wait, but once the results are in and a treatment plan is in place, you are likely to feel much better.

Hugs

Sue xx

[loulou50]

Hi Lyndy Lou

I am sorry to hear of all your bad luck and this adding to it must feel very unfair.  It sounds as though we are quite similar in how we feel- just diagnosed myself and had lumpectomy with one node removed and awaiting results.  I hear of other having body scans and things which I have not as yet been offered, but like you really worry that is is elsewhere in my body or will come back. 

I don't know whether I will get a scan but feel I really need one else I will forever worry which cant be good!

My Mum and both her sisters had bowel cancer- my Mum half way through her chemo when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  It makes me quite nervous!

I hope that things go well for you and I am sure step by step you will get there and manage just fine.  There seems to be quite a lot of support out there and these boards are fab. 

Fingers crossed all will be well for you.  Big hugs

LouLou x

[Lorrainewg1965]

Hello Crosby crew, I have my op on the 5th October as well. I am.having a lumpectomy.

Hope all goes well for you and enjoy this weekend. I am going for a night out tomorrow with my daughter. A bit apprehensive as alcohol and emotions don't always mix well together, but hopefully we will have our usual laugh together.

Take care - Lorraine xxx

[Croudy crew 06]

Thank you Eileen, been a long draining day, I feel I need some rest now!! Xx

[maggiemoon]

Hi Croudy, Yay you did it! So pleased it wasn't too bad.... It can only get easier fingers crossed! Put your feet up, relax and give yourself a well deserved pat on the back!! xxxx

[EileenH]

Hello Lena, I had my pre-op yesterday and my op on the 20th October. I'm the same just want it over with, my emotions are all over the place.  Thinking of you xxx

[EileenH]

Hi Croudy was thinking about you today xx

[Lena Mary]

Hello Eileen

I have just been diagnosed too.  Pre-op assessment tomorrow.  Operation on 5 October.  Frightened.  Feel sick when I think about it.  Just want it over now.  So know how you feel about the waiting.  Will be thinking of you.

[Croudy crew 06]

Hi Maggie , not brilliant but done! Clinic was running two hours late which I'm fine about but added to anxiety a bit! All staff were fab. My veins aren't very giving so took a while to start administering drugs but ok once got going! I am going to have a picc line fitted though to save all the stress xxx thank you so much for thinking about me xxx

[maggiemoon]

Hi Croudy, I hope today went as well as can be expected xx

[Lorrainewg1965]

Hello LyndyLou

I was diagnosed two weeks ago with stage 1 breast cancer. Up until yesterday I was fine about the dx and yes I was worried about having my first operation but thought I would be running around again the day after. Yesterday I had the physiotherapy after the operation explained to me, 'raise shoulders 10 times 3 times a day for the first 3 days". I had no idea that I would be this limited after the operation. Also I will be having radiotherapy for 3 weeks at 6 weeks post op. I expected to return to work at 4 weeks post op and as I work for the NHS, pop across to the main hospital for radiotherapy and then pop back into work. I didn't realise that it would take half a day, including travel to where they perform the radiotherapy, and that I would be feeling fatigued afterwards.

I have just got on my feet after being in an abusive relationship and was lucky enough to be given a room at a women's refuge, where I have been for the lady 18 months. I managed to return to work full time on 5th September and was diagnosed on 7th September.

Everythis feels like one step forward and then two backwards. I am strong and won't give in though as that isn'tu character. I do however feel like I've just had enough being thrown at me over keep last few years and want to run.

[Croudy crew 06]

Thank you Maggie and Eileen , Julie xx

[maggiemoon]

Hi Croudy

Good luck tomorrow. I had my first chemo on the 16 Sept and was dreading it too.... I had a few tears when I first arrived, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be... Everyone in the centre was lovely and kind and I sat drinking coffee chatting to the nurse and my daughter whilst the medicine was administered.... I hope you don't find it too bad and I will be thinking of you xx

[EileenH]

Hi Croudy will be thinking about you tomorrow xx

[Sue H-S]

Hi Croudy crew 06,

So glad to hear your bone and CT scans were all clear and oping you are revocering well from your op.

As you are starting chemo so late in September, you may wish to join the October 2016 starters thread - 

https://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Chemotherapy-monthly-threads/October-2016-starters/td-p/104...

The first post will give you links to other areas of the forum, which may be of much help to you.

Chemo is not a nice treatment, but it is not as scary and awful as many think. Yes, there are likely to be some side effects, but many to not suffer them that badly. I managed to work through my first two cycles and then had 11 days off through the 21 day cycles. I was so very lucky.

Hope your results are what you are expecting on Monday.

Hugs

Sue xx

[Croudy crew 06]

Your right Eileen the waiting is the worst, I am trying to get my mind ready for chemo now which starts Thursday x

[EileenH]

Hi hope you don't mind me joining in, I've been lurking on the site for a few days but havn't had the courage to post.  I was diagnosed last week with breast cancer total shock as I've had quite a few mammograms as lumps have been coming up in different places and they have all come back clear, just lumpy breasts, so was expecting the same.  Meeting my breast cancer nurse today and got my

pre-op appt tom. It's the waiting that's worse. 

[Croudy crew 06]

Hi charys sorry not been here for a while. Felt like non stop hospital trips, had bone and ct scan and all clear , so relieved. I had s sentinel lymph node removal op last Friday which went well and get results Monday. I start 6 rounds of chemo this Thursday, 29th sept, which all of a sudden i am beginning to dread... How are you xx

[Moijan]

Hi lindy lou and Cloudy crew

Lindy lou, you mentioned the fear and wether it gets better.

this fear is something we all go through. Something that this disease is especially good at giving us. Partly because like yourself, many of us have gone through some stressful events beforehand and we are waiting for the other shoe to drop !  I am very familiar with this kind of fear and we all find ways of dealing with it

Be mindful of the fact that just because nasty things have happened to us, there is NO certainty that other things will happen. Hold on to that fact, because the mind plays tricks on us, we get used to having things happen and expect thrm, which isnt good for us at all and not realistic. 

The other thing that many of us find useful is meditation...through that we can learn how to deal with these negative thoughts( when the monkeys start jumping)

i am just like everyone else, I have the same struggles...If the monkeys start to jump, sometimes 

I try to park the worries, by setting a contract with myself about specific times I can worry as much as i like...often when the time arrives, im not feeling worried. You will be offered a support group and/or counselling, I would accept something like this...it really helps.

lots of love to you bith and best wishes for your treatment

Moijanxx🍅🍊🍏🍓

[Sue H-S]

Hi Croudy crew 06,

I had my full body CT scan post my pathology results from my operaion. A full scan is often done, depending on various factors such as size/grade/node involvement - there are NICE guide lines covering this. The outcome may influence the treatment plan, which is appropriate for the individual diagnosis.

In your case the decision may have been made, based on your biopsy results, rather than pathology results, especially as no breast surgery appears to be planned, as yet.

It must be so worrying - I know it was for me - I remember walking into the appointment with much dread.

They did find a growth on my kidney, which thankfully turned out to be a harmless cyst. I was so relieved that all was ok and pray it will be so for you, too.

Hugs

Sue xx 

[Sue H-S]

Hi Lyndy Lou

apologies for the delay - have not been feeling to great, but all ok now.

It took just over two weeks for the final results to come through. At that point my oncologist discussed the treatment options with me and I started chemo 4 weeks after that.

Hope your results are as expected and that your treatment plan will be managable for you.

Hugs

Sue xxx 

[Charys]

Hiyer cloudy crew,

by by now you may have had the scan, or it may be today, not sure if you've found the answer to the reason for it happening......on another thread? Anyway, thinking of you.

[Croudy crew 06]

Hi charys
I am to have radioactive dye injected on Wednesday to have lymph nodes out Thursday. Chemo to start week after. This body scan has been mentioned today and maybe carried out tomorrow or Monday x

[Charys]

Hello there Cloudy crew,

I'm kind of hoping that some other helpful forum users could come along who have had a CT scan at this stage of diagnosis? I haven't had one, and can't provide thoughts on that, but there are others who have had body scans. So, what is your treatment plan that you've been told Cloudy?

[Croudy crew 06]

Thanks charys, they have just rang to say they want me to have a ct full body scan now before lymph nodes removed Thursday,(no lumpectomy), just to check my pelvis etc? Is this standard procedure? Has anyone else had this? I am now suspicious that they think it may be elsewhere already? Xx

[marydan]

Hello Lorac170, sorry just getting round to answering your question.Yes its the Beatson in Glasgow where I will be daily from 19th sept-13th oct. Hope you are dong well xx

[marydan]

Hi Lyndy Lou, I am radiotherapy everyday (MON-FRID) for three weeks and MON - THURS) on the fourth week. I start on the 19th sept until 13th october. I asked if I can drive myself and they seemed ok with that but my gp said he will keep an eye on the ms front as it will tire me. My appointments are all early morning so sitting in the rush hour whilst just thinking may be what I need?? If that sounds anyway normal. I know once you get the op out of the way and the next stage explained things will settle a bit. Its been such a rollercoaster and we all want off now. Take Care. xxx

[Charys]

Hello cloudy crew, 

i can imagine, well I don't need to imagine as have felt it myself, the shock you are feeling. It feels like your world has fallen in, right ? I was in denial emotionally about mine too all through the tests and biopsy, and I struggled so much with accepting the diagnosis ( there is a thread on here title exactly that 'struggling to come to terms with diagnosis') that I even questioned the surgeon about if the results could have been mixed up with someone else or misinterpreted. The day of diagnosis I even wondered about a second opinion! I was convinced I had injured myself and it was that I was feeling, so can see how you could be 'sure' it was a cyst. 

It must be very hard with young children to find the right route through the process, the right words and amount of information. Are you having just some lymph nodes biopsied or a lumpectomy at the same time ? Anyhow, the important thing is, it is SO much better to have been found than not found! It is so much better that you got your checks done, as now you will have a treatment plan and the majority of women have very successful treatment for BC. 

Stick around here, it's a great place to write your thoughts, ask questions and generally a place where others understand . X

[Croudy crew 06]

Hi I have been diagnosed with breast cancer today, total shock, I thought the lump I have was going to be a cyst....I have two children aged 9 and 5 and my husband and am so worried. I have the op next Thursday to take some lymph nodes and an appt to see oncologist the week after, grateful for such good services. Worried for my kids and hubby. Feels surreal at moment .

[Lyndy Lou]

Hi Charys, of course no problem. The lady is on her holidays at the moment, but I will see her on 19th and ask her for a copy. x

[Charys]

Hi LyndyLou,

i was was just reading below about the report, written for students, about life after cancer treatment. I was wondering, if you don't mind, and manage to get hold of it, if I might be able to see it too? If it helped someone so much, like your friend, then I am open to any literature that might help me as I've finished active treatment.

BEst wishes

[Lyndy Lou]

Hi Sue thank you so much for your kind words.How long did you have to wait for your op results? Good luck with the Rads and keep us posted on how you are progressing. I think we all deserve good luck and happiness now! Love Lynda xxx

[Lyndy Lou]

Hi marydan, I am so pleased that everything is going so well for you.Well done you! How many sessions of Rads do you have to have per week? How long did it take you to recover after the op? I had my pre-op assessment yesterday and was a bit wobbly, but I just want to go in and have the op and get out. I talk about it to my friends as though I am going in to a hotel (I am sure they think that I am mad)!

It is such a help to be able to talk to people who have been through/going through it, for some reassurance.

Please keep us posted on how your rads are going and thank you so much for your kind words. Lynda xxx 

[Lyndy Lou]

Oh well done Jobey68, I am so pleased for you. What a fantastic feeling that must be after having your first lovely clear mammogram. I am so looking forward to that feeling (think I will throw a party, lol)!

We have had so much bad luck over the last few years, like yourself and I feel that good luck should be enjoyed for us all now eh?

I had my pre-op assessment yesterday. Felt fine when I went in, but a bit wobbley when I came out. Mind you could be something to do with this very hot and close weather. Had a good nights sleep and feel much better now.

One of my friends told me that after treatment and no more hospital appointments was the worst feeling. Apparently she went into the Big C centre in Norwich and a lady gave her a report to read from a leading specialist that was written for his students, regarding life after BC and she said it made her feel so much better. She is going to give me a copy when all my treatment has been completed.

Good health Jo and thanks for your kind message of support. Lynda xx

[marydan]

Hello all, had my pre rads appt Monday and it went well. I start rads 19th sept-13th october. Another step forwards. Trying my best to stop fretting about Cancer all the time and I think I may be coping a tad better. Thank you all AGAIN xxx

[Sue255]

All the best for Monday Marydan. It's another step forward isn't it. 

Lindey, I can understand how you are feeling as do the many other folk on here. I found the hardest bit was the waiting for post op results. For me it seemed forever. Like yourself we've had a tough year with various health issues and you think when will things be normal again. It will happen I'm sure. There is so much support on here and so many caring and understanding people. Ask anything. Don't just sit and worry. I've got my pre rads appt on 21st and I found that once my treatment plan was sorted that I wasn't as anxious. I wish you all the best and keep posting.

sue x

[marydan]

Thank you so much for the kind wishes. Just need to normal again and not forever thinking cancer. Does that sound crazy. xxxall the best 

[lorac170]

Hiya there Marydan,

Just saw your latest post and see you've mentioned the Beatson ........guess you must be in the same neck of the woods as me & I just wanted to wish you all the best, take care, Carol x

[marydan]

Hi Lyndy Lou, Your whole diagnosis,treatment plan sounds so like mine. I am in a very fortunate position as I had my op, results and now go on Monday to the Beatson fo my ct scan and treatment plan. I will keep all posted about how it goes Monday and yes thinkin it may come backor start somewhere else isapparently very normal but as time passes so does the fear the lovely ladies here have told me. Thinking of you take care xxxx

[Jobey68]

Hi Lyndy, We are never" happy" to have new members and would love not to have to but a warm welcome to you, You sound very positive and that will help you massively along the way, BC is very treatable for the vast majority and there is no reason you won't be one of them and go on and be just fine, Your suggested treatment plan is nothing awful, I had op, Radiotheraphy and am now on Tamoxifen and it was all straight forward, I'm 18 months on from diagnosis now and getting on with life,First year clear Mammogram under my belt which is a huge boost to your mind set, it's hard not to worry but it does get easier, I found the worst time directly after treatment ended and suddenly you have no hospital appointments after months of endless trips! 

Last year was ruined by my diagnosis and other personal sadness in the family so we're gone all out to make this year special, lots of holidays and time together as a family just enjoying the simple things in life, it certainly makes you appreciate things! You will find plenty of support here so keep in touch.  Xx Jo 

[Lyndy Lou]

Hi, following a routine mammogram I was called up to the hospital for further investigation. Luckily I only had 3 days to panic. I had another mammogram and an ultrasound and was told that I had a small lump in my left breast. They took a biospy and I only had to wait for one day before returning for my result.

I met my surgeon who told me that I had a small 2cm cancerous lump just behind my nipple (more sort of underneath) and it is an Invasive Lobular cancer. He told me straight away that he is 98% sure that the operation will be successful and I will only need radiotherapy and a hormone drug for five years. He is also going to take some tissue from my other breast to reconstruct the left breast so that my nipple does not lay low. Also going to inject some green dye into my nipple so that they can see if there are any cells on my lymph nodes at which point he will take them out.He told me I would be called in for the operation in about four weeks time.

For the last three years Hubby and myself have been dealt some terrible luck and have been stressed to the max, so I was not completely surprised at this news. It was just typical of our luck at the moment.

I am feeling very positive as 98% is good and I have so many friends who have had exactly the same cancer and are perfectly healthy now. I am in constant contact with them and know what to expect. When I first came home I just felt like taking a sleeping tablet and sleeping for a month so that I could just wake up, have my operation and get the nasty stuff out of my body. My cancer nurse rang on Tuesday and asked how I felt and I told her that I was still positive, to which she told me that thats fantastic.

I received my appointment yesterday for 22nd September and I was so pleased that my surgeons secretary must have thought I was a nutter. I must have sounded as though I was being booked in to a luxury hotel!

I only have a few nagging doubts like will it come back in another part of my body? And thats really frightening. Will I have to spend the rest of my life worrying? Does anybody else feel the same? By the way I am so glad that I found this site.