Breast Cancer Now Forum

I try a relaxing activity, like crochet, colouring book, meditation, visit to a park, call a friend.   I have started a journal, writing down my feelings gets them out.   It helps for a while 🙂 ... View more

Saw Surgeon, Physiotherapist and BCN today.   More time was given to discuss which I apreciated.   Found out Wire location will be done under ultrasound scan not mammogram which is good.   First on op list in afternoon and only two of us so that good too.   Told radiotherapy will be just at one hospital rather then two differant ones thankfully.   I was very clear with Surgeon and BCN no other breast saving surgery after this one, if more cells found then mastectomy is my choice. They seemed to understand why with all my health issues already.   Surgeon said he will tell me what he finds after op, just hope drugs not make me too dopy so can remember 🙂   Then results two weeks after op.   I feel they have got in thier heads now that I do have complex issues, and will take care of me.   Nurse explained what they would do if I needed to stay overnight.So taking some extra bits.   So op Wednesday then its OUT thankfully 🙂   Think I will feel less anxious once op done.   Thank you everyone 🙂     ... View more

Yes am writing questions and have one of my carers with me, she is very supportive.   I just need to be assertive, share my concerns about managing with all other health issues and disability, and why I think my plan needs to be sensative to these issues.   They certainly have not even thought about this yet.     Bit do trust them as great hospital and all my other consultants are at that hospital and amazing.   Sure this time next week much better 🙂   ... View more

Hi I have same diagnosis as you, five weeks ago.   The scan they did at same apointment as diagnosis is for clearer pictures so they can plan.   I saw surgeon for results and told would need lumpecomy, radiation and the anti hormone drug for five to ten years.   Waiting has been particularly long for me, have surgery next Wednesday, six weeks after diagnosis, then have to wait two weeks for results from tissue and lymph gland removed. If all clear then start radiation four weeks after, if no delays, and drug.   Some people get quicker response but depends how busy doctors are.   I am in London and they have seen huge increase in breast cancer cases hence the long wiats.   I have found the following helps, write down questions in a notebook, leaving space for answers. I have written a seperate list for surgeon, nurse, physio, pre assessment, pre op etc, any and all apointments.   I found out when McMillan support group was available and went along, that helped so much.   You can email breast care nurse if guven contact details yet.   Also here has helped me breath, think what I want, understand all the jargon and processes.   It does not take away the shock of diagnosis or worries about interventions but helps.   Hooe ghis helps a little 🙂     ... View more

Thank you Annie, hugs help so much 🙂   A bit of kindness goes a very long way.   I am quite tearful now, resigned to it all I suppose but dreading surgeon appt Tuesday as so rushed first time saw him.   I just have to be firm what I want, if it makes a difference.   🙂 ... View more

I took note book and pen and wrote down all key points I was told, I also had list questions.   Mainly wanting to know what options I had.    He only gave me one but seei gbhim again on Monday so taking more extensive questions.   there is an info book on this site re asking questions, really usefil info here.   hope it goes well.         ... View more

Hi, thanks Jill for sharing.   I went to support group yesterday which was excellent run by retired BCN.   I burst into tears when my time to share 😞   It was only time I have felt heard about all my concerns re health issues already now all this.     Op next wednesday 12th april   See suregeon and physio on Monday.   After talking to family and in group and here I have decided to tell surgeon to take as much tissue as possible because if there are remianing cells I will want a mastectomy, not more breast saving surgery.   Just hope he listens. I thibk I will do written and signed note for my records so very clear.   I am taking all my medical and mobilty equipment for pbysio appt to ask them how I will manage, as honestly nt one medic has a clue what I have to do with my right hand and arm.   Also arranged to see GP after op to get bit nore support, still not sleeping, getting low.   Onwards 6 days to go, after very long six weeks ... View more

Hi amytriptaline does help nerve pain, I have been on it for years, not with hromone yet, but for pain.   The side affects ease off after few weeks, I take at night so not affected by tiredness in day unless dose too high.   it may be worth asking to be referred to pain clinic they so helpful 🙂 ... View more

Support, not emotionally. But do have personal assistants/carers and just interviewed new one today.   i get funds from social servicies to pay PA/Carers.   I have three,but not at night.   I will be so releived once process starts but am scared about coping, so much to organise re help.   Six weeks just seems endless but now its 10 days left 🙂     ... View more

Hi Jill, yes I have arranged for extra help for couple of nights, my daughter coming to stay few days.   But social workers think if I am home on same day should have nurse come in as I will need help with some intimate medical stuff.   Personally I don't want that. and fell pressured by them in one way but understand they trying to be helpful as concerned for me knowing my whole history.   I got some front fastning bra's all ready 🙂   Carers will help with washing and dressing etc.   Is it disomfort that limits stretching arm backwards? more then anything?, will it break stitches in side?   If its just pain I will work through, I suppose its fear of causing more damage, infection, tearing stitches that worry me.   I can see on exercies info arms to reach back to where we do up bra, but not the positions I have to do.   Thank you for responding it helps so much 🙂     ... View more

Hi I too am stressed, using herbal Kalms to help, and lavender oil in oil burner.   I am also writing a journal of my jouney, adding inspirational quotes, pictures, as well as my woes:)   Also started crochet blanket squares.   But still can't sleep well, dread the worse.   Even though aurgeon says caught early due to screening.   I got grade 2 invasive ductal tumour and DCIS. Lump only 13mm though sure its got bigger but nurse says its just swelling from biopsy.   Its been so helpful here, much more help then from medics I have found.   But I also try not to read things not relevant to me yet as it worries me more.   Being stressed together with others does help a bit LoL 🙂 ... View more

I have been told so many 'cures' I would drown in them! 🙂   From Quark and flaxseed oil, which apparently is a 'hidden secret' 🙂 Marijhana oil Various herbal teas and tinctures Various crystals I must have Healing via reiki, church, etc etc   And so much more 🙂 ... View more

I was diagnosed 28th Feb, op planned for 12th April so six weeks.   I did ask why waiting was more then NICE guidelines and was sharply told the NICE guidelines 61days!   So thats me told. 🙂   Its been awlful and still got just under two weeks to go.   I am a wheelchair user and am finding they are not adressing how I will manage after op or with treatments.   Makes me wonder if the BCn's receive any training on helping disabled patients, already poorly, reeive social care.   I too would rather have mastectomy then have readiation and hormone drugs.   Really worried.   I hooe your op goes really well though.     ... View more

This has been an exhausting week.   Monday -Had pre assessment which took all day due to clinic over crowding.   Tuesday -Saw anethatist which helped allay worry re allergies and asthma.   Then developed bladder infection   Thursday - had two social workers insist on doing new care needs assessment due to diagnosis. I had been up all night worried, in pain, popping to loo often 🙂   They really worried me as insisted I should have whats called a continuing healthcare assessment re impact of op on me and they are emailing BCN., told me to do so as well. They think I should not come home same day.   But response just said op will not affect mobility, using elbow crutches, transfering from wheelchair,and intimate things I have to do cos I have spine injury. Which involves my arm having to reach behind my back with equipment.   I don't think they have any idea what I have to do as a disabled person.   So many of you here have found the lymph node removal quite sore afterwards, so am worried will overstretch the wound.   Aparently I will see a physio at pre op appointment two days prior to op which is good.Thought I would take all my equipment and ask them how I am going to manage!   I suppose I just have to get on with it but wish instead of being treated like goods on a conveyer belt, all the same,   see me as a whole person, a disabled person who has social care because I cannot mange these things on my own. Therefore need  a tad more help.   Sorry ranting but so many things to sort out and so worried more surgery will be needed and don't want radiotherapy and horrid hormone therapy, I would rather have mastectomy! and decided I will tell surgeon this as I don't think I am going to physically cope with all other medical and physical issues I have.   Telling myself to pause, breathe, write but feel so stressed 😞   ... View more

Hi thats good news, my op not till 12th April so another two weeks.   Do let us know how you get on 🙂 ... View more

Isn't it wierd re tv and i seem to be coming across so many people who have BC, or family member had it etc.   It feels like torture waiting, I been wiating aince end of Feb, op not till 12th April, worried what they will find when do radioactive dye and scan procedures before op.   And other thing is how so many peolle know a 'cure', one of the downside of the wiating room I have found.   🙂   ... View more

Definately thought lump had grown but BCN reassured me and explained in details why breast gets lumpy, swollen, brusing takes long time to break down inside.   I had two core biopsies and brusied badly.   I diagnosed end Feb, got op 12th April so long wait.   But do call nurse if worried, we all so different, any reassurance is worth getting whilst waiting.   🙂 ... View more

I was at hospital 6 hours, travel time on top!   The clinic was busting at the seams!   I saw nurse who did pre op, I am organised personnto took scripts, list of all my specialists, cause I have a lot health issues.   She arranged appointment today to see anethatist as so many complex issues, asthma, allergy to contrast dyes, bladder that closes shop when drugged!!! 🙂 not nice though.   One good thing was being recruited into a reaserach project called 100,000 Genomes, trying to improve tretaments. They do my full genome in depth, I will get results and it can change tretament I have if needed. Feeling I could help made a horrid day a bit brighter.   I waited a long time till clinic ended to see breast care nurse but worth it.   She examined me and explained even after 4 weeks since biopsy I still deeply brused inside and tissues swollen and lumpy. Which was relief phew! 🙂   I have been writing some poetry exploring my feelings is this something shared on this site somewhere? ... View more

Hi Karen, the wiating is torture, and it seems to go on once diagnosed, waiting appointments, plans, op, treatments.   I only recently diagnosed, in midst of appointments preparing for op on 12th April.   Thats six weeks after diagnosis, though many have it sooner.   BUT the doctors are so positive, have so many treatments they can offer, its certainly not a dead end, just a diverted journey in life I feel.   Anything that helps you relax, destress, do it.   Start a journal, write your feelings down, offload them, or paint, draw, I have made a corchet shawl and doing a blanket now.   And I find myself talking, telling people is helping me process all this but still overwhelmed.   Sharing here has helped and reading the hints and tips section I find really useful.   Once doctors get pathology report they will start planning, I took a notebook with me, wrote down questions, still doing this as its so hard to remember all they say and my worries.   Knowing we not alone, how big this 'club' is, somewhat eases the panic as so many have had great results.   I am also using some herbal destressing teas and suplements till I settle down.   You are not alone, its amazing how many experience this.   🙂         ... View more