Hi everyone,
Looking for some moral support and encouragement, I first went to my doctor with a breast lump on 13th November and he told me it was nothing and sent me away, went again in December and refered to a skin clinic. After a lot of wasted time I have just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Feeling distraught at the delay and that no-one listened to me. Feeling scared at the treatment surgery, chemo, radiotherapy, herceptin and tamoxifen. I have the surgery next weeek and i’m worried that it’s spread because of the delay. So much going on, feel like i’m not in control…can anyone reassure me??
PS I’m normally a very positive and upbeat person but am feeling very overwhelmed
Dear kungfusue
I’m sure other members will soon be along to offer you some support.
In the meantime you could give our Helpline a call to talk over how you are feeling. They are open from 9-5 on weekdays and 10-2 on Saturdays. The number is 0808 800 6000.
We also have a one to one support via email service which may help. More details of this service are here:
breastcancercare.org.uk/one-one-peer-support-email
Take care
Very best wishes
Janet
BCC Moderator
Hi Kungfusue,
I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and that it took so long for the medics to arrive at that diagnosis. There are so many similar stories on this forum it is almost unbelievable. I was lucky, I am old enough to be on the over 50’s screening programme so by-passed the GP entirely, and straight to the breast clinic.
You are bound to be scared, distraught and feeling out of control, but this will pass. Once you have had your surgery you will get a full diagnosis. (Your biopsy diagnosis may well change). Then you will start to gain control of your situation. The surgery itself is much easier than you imagine it is going to be - what sort are you having? I had a WLE and SNB and sailed through it without any problems. I was back home by tea time and never needed any painkillers.
Whilst none of is lucky with breast cancer, you are luckier than some because you are hormone and HER2 positive. This means there are extra treatments you can have to help beat this crap of a disease. Herceptin is known as a wonder drug for HER2+++ people. Only a couple of years ago it hit the news headlines because it was not available nationwide. It was one of those postcode lottery drugs, but now we can all have it.
My way of gaining control was to find out everything there was to know about my own particular diagnosis - I got a copy of my path lab reports because the medics often filter out information they feel is unimportant to you. The path reports will tell all. General advice is DO NOT GOOGLE because there are many out of date or simply incorrect websites out there that will frighten you to death, so please be careful. Stick to this website, the Macmillan one or Cancer Research UK. This forum is excellent by the way. We are all breast cancer people and have all been through what you are going through now. You will find lots of help and support on here, and quite a few laughs along the way, too.
xxx
Hi Kungfusue,
welcome to the forum, although obviously sorry that you have need for it. I was also diagnosed triple positve like you. Invasive lobular cancer. I had no symptons, so have the routine screening programme to thank for referring me. I had a MX on 9 Feb and have just started chemo.
I would reiterate what Lola65 says above. Once you get on with the treatments you do feel more in control. Stay positive whilst you wade through all of the information that you are likely to have received. Keep asking questions at every opportunity and use the forum and the Helpline here if it helps.
jude
Hi Kungfusue,
Just to add to the above my support and to reinforce all that Lola65 says. You will find support, friendship and amazingly humour here to help you along the journey. I promise that whatever you face from now on it will get better. Waiting fro results, chemo plans, treatment dates is horrible but please try to find something to take your mind elsewhere. I too worried about the lump V treatment delay. I was dx BC IDC on November 20th having had a lump for nearly 2 years (doctors said it was nothing) and due to complications over surgery I have only just started my chemo. All the specialists said the time was not an issue.
Take care. Big hugs
MMM
Thank you for all your kind words, it is very much appreciated. I’ve had surgery WLE and SNB and now am waiting for my results. Very scared but coming to terms with it all.