just joined this site.

[Kenmore28]

Hi,  I have just joined this site as I found out quite by chance that I had breast cancer. I have to have chemo then surgery then radiotherapy and have just had chemo 2.

Chemo 1 was pretty eventful as I  had lots of side effects, some of which were quite unusual.

Chemo 2 today and am hoping this will be less eventful.

Main concern at the moment is my disappearing hair so I have posted on the  page about the cold cap.  

Not used to forums so pleased I found this and hope to benefit from the knowledge people have

thanks

[ja9]

Hi, i have just joined the site. I have had a sentinal node biopsey but opted to try and get a clear margin. I have had a bit of pain with my arm movement and its now over 3 weeks ago. Unfortunately they found another small tumour so i am now having a mx of my left breast. fortunately my lymph nodes are clear.

[lorraine2014]

Hi whiskymac

My name is lorraine I have just had all my lymph nodes out on the 21st July this was after having my left breast removed and reconstrution, you should be okay Ive not had any pain and I have full movement of my arm, I'm just waiting now to see the specialist on Tuesday for all my results and get my chemo dates,

i am like you new to the site so we can if you want to go through the process together and help each other out.

Hope all is well

Lorraine 

[SJB]

Hello Whiskymac. Sorry to hear about the diagnosis but at least it is being dealt with and you have come to the right place for support.

I had a mastecomy and ANC on my left side back in May. I came home the next day and felt absolutely fine. I was carrying a couple of drains around in a bag for 6 days, but they were soon gone. We imagine it to be a major operation, but it really isn't. You have the emotional experience of losing a breast but physically, it doesn't really affect you.

Of course, with lymph nodes involved, you have to do physiotherapy exercises to get you arm working again, but I got my arm back to normal in a month, and although we are advised never to lift anything too heavy again with that arm, so long as I'm sensible, I can do everything I used to with the arm already and you wouldn't know I'd had an op at all to look at me.

I wish you the very best of luck. Please do everything you are told to by anyone treating you, take all the meds they give you, and pop back here any time you need some support or additional advice. There's always someone around to talk to. x

[WP23]

Hi whiskymac

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but you have come to the right place for support. There are some wonderful ladies using this site and everyone helps each other along, there is always someone around to talk to.
As Mel 66 says every ones case is individual to them, everyone has there own treatment plan and everyone has had differing timescales for treatment.
Please do not google, the information is out of date and general, we are individuals and each one of us has our own plan.
I know it is hard but just concentrate on one thing at a time, don't look too far ahead and try to be kind to yourself.
Good luck on your journey, we are all hear to help/advise/support each other xx
Wendy

[Mel66]

Hi whiskeymac
Welcome to the club we don't want to be in.

It always comes as a real shock when we get diagnosed. One day you're trundling along living life the way you usually do and the next day the rug's whipped out from under your feet and you're left floundering. We haven't learned any coping mechanisms for this, it's out of our hands and our control and we find ourselves living in a very scary state of limbo while we wait for each procedure and each result.

Each treatment plan is individual for each person and our responses are individual too. I am currently typing this from my hospital bed having had left side mastectomy, ancillary node clearance and LD flap reconstruction on Tuesday 8th. Some of the ladies on here, having had the same procedure, we're out after 3 or 4 days. It's looking like I'm not getting out for at least a week as I still have all 5 drains in place. My admission letter rather optimistically said I'd be in for 2 days.

I think if you're having MX without immediate reconstruction, you can often be out the following day... but again I'm not sure how that would be as you will also be having ANC.

Any post surgery pain is very well managed and you be well cared for. If there's one thing I have learned on this journey however it's to take each day at a time and go with the flow. Cry when you want to. Sleep when you want to. There is no right or wrong way to feel.

Meanwhile you've come to the right place to find support and empathy.

Hugs. Mel x

[Lucy_BCC]

Hi Whiskeymac and welcome to the BCC forums

You have come to the right place for support and experiences from your fellow users to help you through this difficult time

Our helpliners are on hand with practical and emotional support weekdays 9-5 and Saturdays 10-2 on 0808 800 6000 so please feel free to call to talk any concerns through

Here's a link to the treatments section of the site where you will find lots of information and further support ideas:

https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/treatment

Take care
Lucy BCC

[whiskymac]

Hello I am whiskymac. I have just joined this site and I really don't know what to do. I have been diagnosed with breast cancer which is also in my lymph nodes. Booked in for operation on 28th July for mastectomy (left breast) I do not know how to feel about this as it is all so sudden I don't know what to expect or how I will be after the op.