newly diagnosed

[Guest user]

Hi everyone
I was diagnosed with BC back in Sep 2009. I had a lumpectomy but was later told that the lump was 11mm and the cancer was grade 2. But there was also pre cancerous tissue near the margin! Luckily the lymph nodes were clear.The surgeon suggested that I have another operation to remove the tissue. To begin with I was shocked and disappointed having just had major surgery the week before, you don't normally think you ever go back for another one so soon! I went back home feeling frightened. Talked with my very supportive family ( husband, daughter and son)and told them that I have decided to go for a mastectomy rather than just taking the pre-cancerous tissue. Made an appointment with my cancer care nurse and told her of my decision so that she could inform the consultant.
I have had the mastectomy since(late Nov.) I am on the way to recovery and my treatment requires taking tablets "Arimidex" for 3 to 5 years but no chemo or rads.
I can say now that the worst part of this journey is the waiting for operations then for the results. Once you have the actual operation you instantly feel psychologically better.
I have decided against reconstruction and am awaiting to be fitted with soon. I must admit that I do hate the bit that is hanging under my arm. It looks unsightly and feels uncomfortable.
I'd like to hear from anyone who feels the same??
I'd also like to hear from anyone who has been prescribed Arimidex because I have read most of 2009 comments and no one mentioned this medication.

[Guest user]

Hi Everyone

Unfortunately I have had to join this group, I was diagnosed on 2nd November and had the lump and several lymph glands removed on 16th November. The tumor was 25mm and grade 2 and the lymph glands were clear. The doctors have recommended that I have a course of chemo followed by radiotherapy and then onto Tamoxifen.
The worst part of this so far has been having to tell my family as we lost our grandson through leukaemia last year and so unfortunately we have first hand knowledge of treatments involved.
I am positive that everything will be fine and although the next six months are going to be difficult, I know that I have a great network of family and friends who are supporting me (I didn't realise just how great until now).
I have recently started having Reiki healing and am finding this really beneficial. The diagnosis and also the Reiki has made me reassess my life and although I don't intend on changing anything too radically, I am making small positive changes and recognising what is important in my life.
This site is so informative and although none of us would be here through choice, it is nice to read other womens experiences and thoughts.

Jan

[doxey]

.......bump.........

[doxey]

Hi Julia,
Sorry you have to be here but you will find a load of support.
This a scary business and whilst we all have the same disease, each of our journeys will be different and unique but we all share some common fears and thoughts.

My history is not quite the same as yours - but the "lump" in my right breast was 4.5cms big (how did I miss that, I ask myself??!!)and I was also found to have DCIS in the left.
I had 3 out of 15 lymph nodes affected on the right.

I had bilateral mx, 4 x FEC, 4 x Docetaxol and 25 rads.
I've been on Tamoxifen for 7 years now.
I have since undergone reconstructive surgery and am currently NED (no evidence of disease)although conscious that I am lucky and that status may change at any time.

I was diagnosed in 2002, aged 44 and remember the horror of the early days.

I found it very difficult to be positive and my bc nurse at the time told me that it was ok not to feel positive and not to beat myself up about that - and that I was reacting quite understandably to an awful and worrying situation.
I never imagined that there would be a time that bc wasn't my first thought on waking and the last thing before sleep (what little I had in those early days!)but trust me - 7 1/2 years later, that is the case.
Of course I still have occasional dark moments but I am able to get on with my life and enjoy it all.
Life for me hasnt been the same since my diagnosis but there certainly has been a life after it - and 7 1/2 years ago, I wouldn't have imagined that to be possible!

I couldn't express my fears or negativity to my fab husband, mother, sister or friends, as I was frightened of inflicting more pain on them than they were already dealing with, watching me go through it all.
I found that sharing my thoughts and fears with other women in the same situation helped enormously - have you thought about using the bcc peer support service Julia?

I was also referred to my local cancer care centre, who offer a range of complimentary therapies and I had hypnotherapy, aromatherapy and relaxation classes - all of which helped me to cope.

I can only say that it is with the passage of time and as the treatment progresses that things become easier.

Please feel free to ask anything Julia, or just have a rant.
Be kind to yourself, take care and keep in touch x

[Guest user]

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed september with invasive grade 3 breast cancer my lump is very large so i am on chemotherapy first then surgery my ongologist thinks that my nodes are envolved too so will have them all removed at time of surgery. I am very scared. it would be nice to speak to someone in the same position who has survived because at the moment everyone i speak to has early breast cancer and hearing their stories just makes me worry more beacause mine is worse. i stay positive in front of family and friends but really i am so worried. please help

julia

[Guest user]

Hi jonjostanfred
Really sorry that you have to join us here but am sure you will find it a great help to talk to like minded people. Just to add to what Leigh suggested, I live in Trafford and know that the local Macmillan centre offer lots of complementary sessions. I have been doing yoga for many years and found this a tremendous help. If you could find someone who may be able to help you with relaxation techniques on a one to one basis. Also ask your GP what the surgery have. I used to be a Practise nurse and used to run relaxation sessions for a maximum of 5 people. PM me if I can be of any help. Am going away next week but am around until Saturday am.
LOL
Margaret

[Guest user]

Hi jonjostanfred

So sorry to hear you have had to become a part of all this - it is very normal to feel overwhelmed by it all and 'normal' to 'zone out' with all the info the Doctors bombard us with so dont worry about that either:) You will recieve a lot of support and good info posting here that will really help calm some of those fears and whatever you need to do to aid that process is worth attempting for some peace of mind. A lot of therapies appear to be offered by the hospitals and area you live in that are treating us. Its always worth talking to your BCN or your local GP practice to find out whats on offer locally for you.
Feel free to pm me if it helps. I have found these forums invaluable with regards to getting info, support and as a sound off when you cannot do it indoors. I was diagnosed in October 09.
Keep positive Big Hug Leigh x

[Guest user]

Hi - I'm new to this. Was diagnosed 16th October, left mastectomy 16th Nov. - grade 2, oestrogen receptive, tumour 2.2 cm - can't remember other details, can't take it all in, but had all lymph nodes removed, cancer cells found in 10 out 0f 20. Consultant really scared me with talk of 'unusual mix of grade, size, oestrogen rec. but no. of lymph nodes infected'. Felt completely numb and shaky, only took in some phrases like 'high risk', 'all treatments needed' - couldn't take the rest in, although breast care nurse later talked us through it. Bone scan tomorrow and ct scan next week. So scared - mind leaps from thinking they'll find nothing to finding it's spread. Kind of just want to know but don't.
It's really reassuring to find this forum, that so many other people are going through this and feel exactly as I do. Feel it might help to access some complementary therapies, particularly to help with breathing, relaxation. Any recommendations?

[gobby]

sorry to hear more of you have joined us here, can only say that at present you will feel that you are on a rollercoaster and cant get off,be assured you will come out the other end and think where did the time go ,i did i was diagnosed october 06 followed with lumectomy and lympnode removal then yes the whole lot bilateral mastectomy and bilateral reconstruction,its been a bit of a journey,but 3 years on im still here ,all i can say is try to be positive,theres lots of us here to talk to.

love to you all
gobby

[Guest user]

Hi Tessa,
Sorry to hear you have found yourelf on here too.
I was only in hospital for 24hrs, went in on the Daycare conveyor belt,Hereford had just started doing evening ops so I went in at 4pm on a Tuesday went for surgery at 6pm and was out 3pm on the Wednesday
Personally I was glad to get out, felt like a piece of meat that had gone through a slicer, not good mentally at all, I know it enables alot more op's to be done but this is such a psychological thing for women to go through I really think you need more time to adjust.
As for the Op itself Tessa I have found the Axilla harder to cope with physically because my surgeon had to dig alot out and so arm has been pretty useless and painful, still can't move it above shoulder height. I was told before Op that I would need Chemo but only after bad results with so many nodes affected and tumour deep did they add on the Rad and Herceptin.
I have no control over my life at the moment, just find myself saying yes all the time..and hate it.
I hope your Op goes well and that you have better results than I did. I think the 10 day wait is the worst wait ever.
I have Oncologist tomorrow so should find out when Chemo starts I think thats maybe when I will finally crack, when the hair starts falling out, hey ho for a Merry Christmas.
Sending you good Vibes and Wishes

Dawn XXX

[janey123]

Hi zaralenca,
I do know how you feel, I have same diagnosis, grade 3 ductal carcinoma and due mastectomy and axillary clearance on 7th Dec, but think will be heading down same route with chemo/radiotherapy.
I also have a big family, who have been lovely but also find it a bit much at times, esp had sister in law from hell turning up at my door(after being told to leave me in peace!)and I flipped at her and went mad....still have lots of close friends to tell but cant face it at moment. Think everyone react differntly, I have some days when I cry a lot, others I can talk about it very matter of fact and everyone looks at me strangely.
How was your surgery, how long were you in for?
Am thinking of you and you are not alone looking at this forum
Love Tessa xx

[Guest user]

Hello All,
Well this is 1 forum I never saw myself joining.
First visit to clinic on 19th Oct prewarned then that I had a possible problem,confirmed on 23rd that it was in left breast and had already moved to armpit.3rd Nov Mastectomy and Axilla clearance.Friday 13th results.2.5cm tumour deep set against rib and 14 out of 16 Lymph nodes already cancerous.Aggresive and busy I was told.Tumour removed from breast but deep margin as could only scrape so much to rib.
Invasive Ductal Carcenoma,Hormone Neg,Her2 Pos,Grade 3.
Have been told that I will have to have Chemo then Radiotherapy then Herceptin. 1st appointment with Oncologist on 24th to discuss all the treatment.
I feel like I am going mad in some one elses nightmare, everything has happened so fast,can't think straight, its not really happening to me.
Large family and they have all been visiting and calling, love them to bits but it does'nt really help me at the moment.
Diagnosed did't cry, had Op did'nt cry, bad results did'nt cry whats wrong with me or am I just going to fall apart when I least expect it.
Sorry for this but does or did anyone else feel this strange.

[Guest user]

Hi Elaine,

Sorry you've had to join us. Nobody will pretend the journey is easy but it is very manageable. I'm two thirds of the way there and beginning to see light at the end. It goes faster than you think.

I had 6 sessions of chemo before surgery. Like Biggles, I felt there were 2 big advantages doing it that way. The chemo blasts any stray cancer cells that might have broken away from the original site and you will be able to tell how much your tumour has shrunk. Your oncologist will measure your progress at each session and once your surgery has been completed you will get a pathology report that will tell you how your cancer has responded to the chemo.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

Jan xx

[highball]

I'm sure you have made the right decision. Your Dad had a very different (and rare) cancer from you, which my friend also had so I know it's difficult to treat and usually diagnosed too late to cure. You are in a very different place and if you need it, chemo is likely to have real benefits for you - also your body will be a lot fitter than your Dad's to cope with any side effects!

[Guest user]

Hi Elaine06

I was truly against chemo mainly because my Dad was diagnosed this time last year with cholangiocarcinoma - had chemo in January and went downhill from there. He passed away in April and chemo has become my nemesis. However now its my turn - when I was diagnosed those very short weeks ago I told my Consultant it was a no-no. I have to confess a complete turn around on that now mainly due to something I read on one of the forum pages from Biggles a couple of sleepless nights ago - Thank you Biggles you truly are one very special lady!:) Its given me the confidence that should I need chemo, despite my dad and everything that I will do it. Stuff the possible side effects etc or inconvenience - if it can 'kill' this for us and offer us the reasurrance it will not resurface so we can get on with our lives later then a few 'manic' weeks/months of 'inconvenience' has got to be worth it. I also read from another 'special lady' that if your Consultant offers you this he/she would not do so unless they thought it really worthwhile. I work for the NHS and believe me finances are all high on everyone's agenda - if the treatment is offered (which does cost) then they mean you well and are definitely on your side to deal with this monster.
I am off for my 2nd operation tomorrow - hopefully will get to a safety margin thats acceptable but if not and a mastectomy is next then I'm all for it and anything else they want to give me. Strange how when you actually find yourself in this position how what you percieved your thoughts are/were in your 'other life' now becomes totally different in your cancer life. Having nursed not only my Dad and Stepfather with cancer and been the 'looker on' - I can now only truly say I had no idea what they were going through and how your mind and brain has you going off in all directions. I am so grateful to all the postings on this site for helping me sort through my head and emotions.
Unltimately elaine you have to do what you feel is right for you and whatever decision you make for Friday will not be a wrong one - its the one you are comfortable with that matters. Hopefully I'll be looking you up by then and supporting you all the way whatever Leigh xxxx

[Guest user]

Hi cleesyb and biggles x rancidtart thanks for your replies.its helped.knowimg your out there.i need to make my decision by friday.thanks again elaine06 ps anyone in leicester area xxxx

[Guest user]

Hi girls

Sorry you had to join us, but you are in very good company. Everyones treatment differs according to their personal situation. I was diagnosed with grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma in September. The tumour was 35mm. I've had wide local incision and lymph node removal; it was in one. I had my 1st chemo on Friday 13th and, so far, no side effects. Its all tough but do-able and you will find a wealth of support on this site.

Take care

Julia xx

[Guest user]

Sorry that you have to join this site - i hope that you manage to find the peace and answers that you are looking for. I was diagnosed in May 2009 with Grade 2, Invasive Ductal Sarcoma - i have had 6 lots of chemo, mx with 6 lymoh nodes removed (all clear) and will have RT next week, Obviously you need to do what you think is right for you, we are all different and whatever you do make sure you speak at length to your onc. I had chemo first, and i have to say i am so glad i did as the chemo was able to work on the tumor first and i was able to see how the chemo was affecting the tumor, ie if tumor was shrinking (which it did) we knew if a rogue cell had gone elsewhere then the chemo was killing that too. It gave me a lot of peace of mind - i was not given a choice this was the treament plan my tumor was 6.9mm - not sure whether this helps, but i am thinking of you, you will find a lot of strength from this site. Take care Karen xx

[Guest user]

Hi

I'm a newie as well to this and breast cancer so have a bit of an understanding where you are at at the moment. I was 'officially' diagnosed on the 26th Oct - lumpectomy and 4 nodes removed on 28th - results back on 9th Nov and told I have invasive ductal carcinoma grade 3. I am back in this wednesday for further surgery to try to get a clar 'safety' margin but have already been told I will be commencing radiotherapy around Christmas, ? followed by chemo and then 5 years of Tamoxifen. Mt cancer is HER2 neg but ER/EGFR pos. My node excision was fortunately clear. I too am reeling abit, and trying to adjust but I must tell you I have been looking at this forum for a few sleepless nights now and what I have read by so many has been reasurring and informative. There are many 'special' ladies out there just like us and the loneliness feeling I know I have been expereicing despite all the support from my family and friends has been quitely abated by reading the postings on here. We are going to be fine if we stick together xxxxx

[June_BCC]

Hi elaineo6

Welcome to the forums, I'm sure other users will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime you may find it helpful to talk to one of our breast care nurses on the free helpline 0808 800 6000, lines are open from 9.00 - 5.00 mon to fri and 9.00 - 2.00 on sat.

best wishes
June, moderator

[Guest user]

Hi Everyone i was told on fri 13 not a lucky day i have to have lump xlynph nodes removed.ive been offered chemo before op or after anyone got any info for me i cant seem to take it in. your the first people ive told.dont know whic way to go with this.the choice is left to me iwill also have radio therapy after eli