Newly diagnosed and feeling very up and down

[Jo22]

Hi Carole,

Thanks for your best wishes for Friday. How did the MRI go?

I think as my lumps were in one quadrant the resulting surgery was the same as they were very close together. They found them all individually, one being palpable, the other underneath is and then a larger area of DCIS that is underneath that. It's the DCIS they hadn't spotted and are going back in for. I was very worried that finding the DCIS meant it was going spread but I'll have to wait and see.

Have they given you more info now or are you still waiting for a call from your surgeon/ nurse?

Best of luck honey, I know how it is horrible waiting xxxx

[Carole06]

Hi Charlotte

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post so soon after your op.  I am so encouraged by your reply and I am really pleased to hear you are not feeling to awful.  I know you still have a way to go, but hearing that things are never quite as bad as we imagine them to be in the first instance certainly helps.  
I know what you mean about going into automatic pilot.  Most of the time I am totally focused but every now and then I have a wobble and it feels like my world is caving in.  Luckily I have a great support network which is invaluable at the moment.  
Wishing you all the very best on your road to recovery and if you feel able would love to hear how it all goes.  Big hugs 💕xx

[Carole06]

Thank you Shi,

Just looking through other people’s experiences, asking questions and the encouraging feedback has help me feel calmer and more importantly not alone. 
Having spoken to the team at the hospital I now have a better idea of what I am dealing with, all three lumps are grade 2, ER+ and HER-.  I have had my MRI today so hopefully my consultant will have more of an idea at my next appointment whether I have the choice of lumpectomy or not.

It’s funny how just a small amount of information give you back an element of control in all of this 😊x

[charlotte3112]

Hi Carol06

It sounds like you was being told on 13th as I was having my Op. Its weird but once I processed the word BC I just went into auto pilot to get it sorted and get as much info from others that are going through it. Being on here as been a god send for tips and ideas right down to what to pack for the Op! I’m 5 days post Op and just had my drain removed today and It was easy and I’m a wimp! I’m grade 3, IDC, 4cm tumour Lumpectomy with full axillary clearance and tbh the first 2 days a felt rubbish, mentally it still hadn’t sunk in but now I’m ready for the next treatment hurdle. Take your time and do what’s right for you and make the choice you want.  I’m amazed at my breast it’s hardly changed compared to the other it’s amazing what surgeons can do, but ask and ask again!! I’ll go back after my treatments to re-size the other but visually with clothes you can’t tell. You take care and I hope the Op goes well and remember everyone on here are all reading the same book we’re just all on different pages! Hugs 💕💕xx

[Shi]

Carole ❤️ It is a lot to process and decisions to be made in short period of time, do carefully consider any operation options that they give you when you’ve had mri, you need to do what’s right for you, it’s your body and you know what you can cope with and how long any reconstructive surgery may take if they don’t do immediately. If you have option of being levelled up if you don’t need mastectomy do carefully consider it, it gets everything done in one op. Step by step is all you can do and you are doing great even if you don’t think you are ❤️💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Carole06]

Thank you Jo.

I think I had prepared myself that something wasn’t quite right but it did knock me off my feet a bit when they said all three were cancerous. 
I am so sorry to hear that you are having to have another op and I really hope all goes well for you on Friday💕
Do you feel it has made any difference to your treatment having more than one lump?  It does concern me that there may be a higher risk of it spreading or returning afterwards but I’m not sure that is actually the case. I think as you say I just need to keep asking questions when I go to my appointments.

All the very best for Friday

Carole x

[Carole06]

Hi Shi

Thank you so much for all the useful advise, it is very much appreciated.

I am still unsure what I will be having done.  I was told I may have a choice but because there are three separate lumps in two quadrants of the breast they can’t say for sure until after the MRI.  They have discussed both a lumpectomy and mastectomy and the various types of reconstruction with me and also talked to me about radiotherapy and chemotherapy. 
I totally get what you are saying about google, I thought it might help me to put things into some sort of order and help with decisions if I had a choice but it has totally confused me and terrified me at the same time. 
I am sure that things will become easier once I have all the facts.

Thank you once again.

Carole  💕

[Jo22]

Hi Carole,

Sorry you've had a BC diagnosis but you're in the right place for advice and support.

I was diagnosed in June with 2 lumps and like you, left breast. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal op in July and unfortunately they found some DCIS so are going back in to take that out this Friday.

I think I am still somewhat in denial, even writing this it feels like it isn't really happening to me. I too was terrified of the op but it wasn't that bad and I'm still worried about what's next but the thing I've found is that with time you do accept it and it isn't quite as scary. 

My advice is ask as many questions as you like & don't be afraid to call your nurse. Use this forum to see what has happened to other people but don't assume it will be the same for you, all our paths are different.

Best of luck tomorrow.

Jo x

[Shi]

Carole ❤️Sorry you find yourself on here, it is like an out of body experience when you are told and given a few pamphlets to read as you leave in a daze. That’s good they have your op scheduled quickly, have they advised what you will be getting done? I ask because everyone has been through all the different surgeries on here and can help with their experience. I would say basic things you will need for op are front button pyjamas with short sleeves, pair of flip flops to wear at the hospital, dressing gown with big pockets and a tie bit on the inside in case you have a drain post op. Take things a step at a time, it’s a lot to process ❤️ Be kind to yourself and do it your way, you know what’s right for you ❤️ Always speak to your team, they have seen it all before and know what to do to support and get you through. The number on here provides lots of adds support options like the someone like me and the ask the nurse 👭 please keep off dr google it’ll send you into orbit, although I did google an op the same as mine before my op and watched a video because I needed to know what was going to happen while I was under, but that’s what worked for me. You do what works for you ❤️ You are what’s important 👍💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Carole06]

I was recently called back after a routine mammogram and had further tests on three lumps In my left breast.  I was told on Thursday 13th August that were all cancerous.  I am going for and MRI on Tuesday and have an operation scheduled for 10th Sept.  

I have been going through the motions of talking to people and letting them know but feel like I am talking about someone else.  I have so many things going around in my head and am a little terrified about not only the op but also what to expect afterwards.