Breast Cancer Now Forum

Just seen this Karen, I hope you find some resolution for your piece of mind. I am spending the day at the local hospice tomorrow before I see the Oncologist so I will be well supported but I am still terrified. Jan ... View more

Wow! Thanks for the info ladies. I have been burying my head in the sand since I got my results. I am really pleased I posted now as I needed to know from people who really know. I will let you know when I get my oncology appointment. You all make me stronger Jan x ... View more

Dont want to read and run. Sending you a hug and to let you know, we are all here for you. Make sure you talk to your breast care nurses, they are amazing. take care Jan x ... View more

Great news Martha. Enjoy your well deserved glass of wine. I would echo what others have said and do what is right for you. I am amazed at how much our bodies communicate with us in subtle ways and our instinct tends to be right. Thank you for all the support you provide to all of us on here and let us know what you decide. Take care, Jan x ... View more

Hi Jayney, Talk, talk, talk and cry if you want to. Tears release tension. There is nothing worse than the fear and loss of control at this stage. As you move through the process, your emotions will be heightened. Whilst I was waiting for my diagnosis I went to stay with my daughter and her family and it was amazing how my grandchildren got me through by just being with them doing baths and stories and other everyday stuff. I have described this period before diagnosis as a waiting line just to see if you get a ticket onto the breast cancer ride or a free pass out of the park. This website helped me enormously but do not be tempted to go searching all over the internet as there is so much scarey stuff out there. I also thought my cancer was spreading but someone who had been through it before told me that my lump had grown significantly bigger because of the biopsy which had caused bruising and swelling just as a fall would. Common sense really but I lost my common sense for a while. Do try to distract yourself as best you can, not easy I know. I am still having moments of terrible panic for my surgery scheduled for this Friday. You will get through this. Take Care, Jan x ... View more

Thank you Linda and Gaymor x ... View more

Thanks Morwenna, it does help to hear from someone who gets it. I feel I am weak and a coward because I am not feeling positive or strong, and I live alone so no one to distract me from my self pity at the moment. I know deep down that I will get there, it is just a lonely journey. Jan ... View more

Thanks for the welcome everyone. I am falling apart at the moment and have been told about the support group at Pendleside Hospice. Do any of you attend? Jan ... View more

Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone else felt really realy ill on the run up to their surgery? My IBS is in overdrive, I can't eat, drink or sleep. I feel dizzy and disorientated and can cry at any moment. People around me tell me it will be OK, keep busy, be strong but I am falling apart. I dont know how I am going to get through next week, I feel so helpless and frightened. Jan ... View more

Hi Wendy, yes I live in Burnley. I am told I will be in at least one night or maybe 2 as my surgery will be on both breasts and I will have drains in. I also have high blood pressure which they will want to monitor. I have been told about the support groups at the hospice, do you go to any of them? Jan ... View more

Thanks for your replies everyone, my breast care nurse keyworker came to see me this afternoon and read the letter. She said it is worded very badly and will feed that back to the department. As you all have indicated, it is about the chances of being pregnant and not relevant for a woman of my age at all. Like Lola, I am having the injection the day before my op at one nhs trust hospital and surgery at the specialised unit in my home town. It is just the way things are set up in East Lancashire. It is costing a fortune with travelling around and parking charges! I feel so much calmer after talking to my keyworker and she gave me really straight, simple answers to my numerous questions. "Bloody big bee sting" made me laugh but its not really something you look forward to is it;) I have also found out I am postive for Oestogen and Progesterone (8/8) which is good I think? I haven't had my protein results back yet. So thanks to all for calming me down and......... this time next week at least the surgery will be done! Jan ... View more

Hi Hazkev, I too am on the waiting train, although I got my results on wednesday. I rang the BCC helpline yesterday and was helped by a lovely lady at the other end who gave me very practical advice and reasuured me that it is Ok to feel terrified and emotional. Do take someone with you for the results as your mind whirs off at tangents as they are talking to you. Dont search too widely on the internet as it is very confusing, Thinking about you Jan x ... View more

Hi Debs. I have Grade 2 Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer and am having my operation on 17th May. I am having a reconstruction at the same time as my quadrantectomy as I have very big boobs and my surgeon has said that she has plenty to play with (as it were!) I am also having a breast reduction in my right breast at the same time to even me up. It is the worst time waiting around and watching how people around you treat you differently, some good, some not so good. There is a lot of support and understanding on these forums. I have found it very useful and also know that it is Ok to feel the way we do and we have permission to be scared, angry, sad if we need to be. Look after yourself at this time. Best wishes, Jan x ... View more

Hi all, I have just found out about this East Lancs forum. I am scheduled for surgery on 17th May in Burnley Jan ... View more

Thanks Wendy, will certainly have a look at that forum! Jan ... View more

I saw the surgeon today who was absolutely wonderful and gave me such confidence in her abilities . She found another lump in my neck which I have to have scanned next week but other than than that I have been scheduled for surgery on Friday 17 May when she will remove the cancer and as it is so big, will perform a reconstruction on the affected left breast and to even me up will reduce the size of my right breast to match me up. She will remove the targeted lymph gland and that should be that for a few weeks before I start radiotherapy. She had me laughing when she was photographing my breasts as I asked her if she was going to put them on Facebook? She said no, Heat magazine as she could get more money for them and we could go halvsies if I wanted. She was great. So more waiting around but knowledge is power. Jan x ... View more

Thanks for the replies ladies. I look forward to spending virtual time with you all. Today I felt the need to clean and tidy before it all starts. My appointment with the surgeon today is at 2pm, so we will see what today brings. Jan ... View more

Hi all, just had the reults of tests today and I went to tell my parents the full results. As i was talking my mobile phone rang, (you need to know at this point, that I usually keep my moby tucked in bra strap as I never have pockets and lose it if I dont) My mother shouts "see, see, I told you, she keeps her phone in her bra and that is what has caused her breast cancer!" So, I need to notify the medical fraternity that my elderly mother has discovered the cure for breast cancer and tell everyone not to put mobile phones in bra straps. Now, I know lots of men who keep phones in their pants pockets so have we stumbled on a cure for testicular cancer at the same time. Jan ... View more