Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Jane That week of waiting for the biopsy results was definitely the worst so far. Remember it so clearly - my first appointment in breast clinic was 21st of June.  This forum was a lifesaver - sharing all my fears with complete strangers and reading their stories was truly comforting. My consultant told me it was going to be a very long week and to be kind to myself. Brilliant advice. And he said “we don’t know what we’re dealing with until we KNOW what we’re dealing with” and that’s so very true.  I share that with you and send positive vibes - and a big hug! xx ... View more

It honestly does start to feel a bit better once you have a few appointments lined up and a bit of a plan. Somehow makes you feel more in control again. At the beginning it just feels like jumping up out of a plane without a parachute.  This forum is wonderful - strength and support and encouragement 💪 xx ... View more

Hi again Louby Lou Another coincidence for us - 7th June was the day I had a telephone consultation with my GP to discuss the ‘dimple’ I’d noticed in my breast.   J x ... View more

I’ve been thinking you all day too. This journey is such a nightmare for all of us. But I do think this forum is just bloody brilliant! Try to keep distracted and not let your mind go into overdrive.  And please avoid that nasty Dr Google because he’s not very nice.  And hey ladies - we can beat this! We are the three musketeers!!  xxxx ... View more

Awwww Justine - thinking of you today and sending a big hug. The waiting game is the worst bit. Once you actually know what you’re dealing with you feel so much more in control again. And one thing that I’ve learned is that no one can possibly have any idea what all this feels like unless they’ve been through it themselves and that’s why this forum is so valuable.  At my first appointment at the breast clinic (June 21st) to look at the little dimple I had noticed, I saw the consultant then had mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies. I knew they had found 3 tumours but the consultant was really keen to say that we don’t know what we’re dealing with until we KNOW what we’re dealing with, and those words really stuck with me. The following week was the longest ever but this forum was a huge comfort. I went back on Monday 28th to hear I had breast cancer and needed a mastectomy. And you know what? That was fine because at last I knew what was happening. My lymph nodes appear to be clear from the ultrasound but will have a sentinel node biopsy to make sure. Lots of appointments all lined up now. And surgery beginning of August. The whole team are just so kind and reassuring. My emotions are on a bit of a rollercoaster but I just have to remember to slow down and allow my body to deal with all this.  Life can be tough but we can be tougher!!! Let us know how you get on. xx ... View more

So heartwarming to hear of your positive experiences here. Hadn’t appreciated that immediate reconstruction wasn’t being done in the peak of Covid. Sorry for those who have to undergo a second op. Something else I should be grateful for in the scheme of things. I’ll be having mastectomy and reconstruction in the next few weeks but I’m feeling really cheeky as I want to find out if the reconstruction can be smaller and my ‘normal’ breast reduced to match. Is that too much to ask for? Feel guilty thinking like this when my priority is obviously to get rid of my breast cancer. Just wondered if it might be an option though.  ... View more

Really appreciate reading about your positive experience Fiveoclock somewhere. Thank you for that. You’ve given me confidence. x ... View more

You’re very welcome. I don’t know where I’d be without this forum. I found it almost by accident when I was ‘exploring’ the internet before my appointment at the breast clinic. It was incredibly reassuring and informative to read the comments. And it kept me busy enough to keep away from Dr Google! After my appointment and biopsies when I felt so overwhelmed with anxiety, and dreading my results, I joined the forum and ‘became’ one of those contributors but I felt like I was just joining some kind of a club.  And now, 2 weeks later, I’ve joined the next rank up - a group of incredibly brave and strong women who are sharing my journey into the world of beating breast cancer. It’s so heartwarming that they completely understand because no-one can possibly know how this feels until you’ve been there.  The forum is giving me everything I need right now - support, encouragement, advice, hope, friendship and love. Thank you.  ... View more

Hi again everyone. I’ve just calmly re-read all of these messages and the care and support is just amazing. We truly are ‘all in the same boat’ at different stages. And the boat is definitely on a giant rollercoaster. I felt numb when I got my diagnosis on Monday and then completely panic stricken on Tuesday but yesterday and today feeling calmer and stronger.  There is just so much to process and deal with but I just need to slow down and pace myself. I’m telling myself I’m not preparing to do a 100m sprint - more like a triathlon, so I’m  going to take it slow and remember to breathe! Good luck Tizzy for tomorrow. And hugs to everyone.  ... View more

Hi again Louby Lou now that we have both moved on to the next chapter! And all the others on the same journey. It’s so reassuring not to feel alone. Mine is also lobular cancer but as it’s in 3 places, I’ll be having a mastectomy. Waiting on HER2 result and sentinel lymph node biopsy to see if I will need chemotherapy before surgery. So the waiting game isn’t really over yet but I feel positive.  I’m seeing plastic surgeon next week to talk about reconstruction and then back on the 12th for the rest of my results and to start planning.  Positive vibes to my fellow warriors…… x ... View more

Of course. Anything to help support this very worthwhile cause.  ... View more

Hi Ladies Please can I join you? It seems I’ve  been ‘promoted’ from the ‘anxiously waiting biopsy results’ group to the ‘newly diagnosed’ gang.  I received my diagnosis yesterday - invasive lobular breast cancer, and because it’s in 3 places will need to have a mastectomy. At least I now know what I’m dealing with - and deal with it I will. We all will.  I’m so grateful for this forum and all the support.    ... View more

Hi Evie The waiting is over and now I finally know what I’m dealing with. The biopsies have confirmed breast cancer and I will need mastectomy and possibly further treatment.  Sending positive vibes to everyone awaiting results as it really is a dreadful time. Even though I have the diagnosis I didn’t want at least I know about it now.  The consultant and breast cancer nurse were really caring and reassuring. Everything is going to be ok.  ... View more

Thankfully time is ticking on and I’ll be glad when tomorrow is over. Thankful for long walks, loving family and a gorgeous puppy!  I realise it’s the ‘not-knowing’ that is causing my high anxiety. Whatever I’m told tomorrow I know I can deal with. At least I’ll know what’s happening.  Am literally counting down the hours and planning how to keep busy tomorrow until my appointment.  Lots of deep breathing, meditation, candles and mindfulness……. ... View more

You do sound like me Lou. Worried sick but still trying to protect everyone else! I also have 2 boys - 26 and 20. I’m pretending to be so cool and laid back but my stomach is churning and I feel so sick inside. At least Monday is getting closer and I’ll finally know what it is I’m dealing with.  This forum is brilliant - can vent thoughts and feelings to a complete stranger and feel their support and encouragement. Thank you Lou. It would be a scary lonely world without you! x ... View more

Hey Louby-Lou I am SO sharing your anxiety. The same thing has completely freaked me out. The consultant in the breast clinic said he would be arranging an appointment to see me once he has my biopsy results.  A couple of days later I received my appointment which is in the main hospital outpatients with a different consultant - a specialist breast surgeon! So I’m probably thinking exactly the same sort of scenarios as you are. I just can’t stop myself from thinking that they already know my results…….. My appointment is on Monday afternoon.  ... View more

Thank you. This does seem to be a lovely forum with lots of support and encouragement. I’m usually such a positive person so I hate feeling like this and I just don’t feel ready to talk to friends/family/colleagues. Just told my husband and grown up children and trying to pretend to them that I’m not at all worried! And yes, that horrible Dr Google is no friend of mine so I’m ignoring him!  ... View more

That’s lovely to hear some positive news. Such a relief amongst all the scary stories. I too am awaiting results of biopsies taken last week and have appointment on Monday. To say I’m beside myself is an understatement.  I’d noticed a wierd dimple/indentation under my breast and GP did urgent referral to breast clinic. Consultant felt ‘a little something pulling’ and got sent for mammogram and ultrasound where 3 tumours were found so several biopsies taken from each of them. I know I have to wait till Monday to find out what I’m dealing with but it’s a horrible feeling. ... View more