How did YOU feel ?

2 minute read time.

Not to sure if I've done this blog malarchy right but here goes...

I was yesterday, 7th June, diagnosed with breast cancer, I have recently lost weight (intentionally) and this has left me with some stretch marks at the top of my boobs, I was putting some of that bio oil on about 3wks ago for the first time, and felt a lump at the top of my right breast. I went to see the GP a few days later on the 23rd May, just for a check up on my blood pressure and mentioned the lump and asked her could she have a look, she did and then said she was referring me for an urgent mammogram.  I obviously had this yesterday, followed by an ultrasound and a core biopsy all of which confirmed that the lump was as I had suspected indeed cancer.

At the moment the best way to describe how I feel is 'weird', at first I was in shock even though I'd say I 'knew' before they told me and was obviously upset. Fortunately my eldest Daughter who's 25 had come to the clinic with me and she was an absolute star. I am so proud of the way she handled it, supported me and helped put things into perspective and I really don't know how I'd have gone on if she hadn't been there.

However since being told, interspersed with a sense of 'unreality' I've felt mostly angry, at the cancer, for coming along and invading my life, and whilst I would never ever say 'why me' cos let's face it why not me and why anyone ? I am very much feeling why now ?? I was for the first time in a long time approaching a feeling of balance and normality tinged with a prospect of looming positivity following relationship problems, family problems, stress of other health probs which were much improved. I'd even managed to go back to work last October for the first time in approx 14 years. I'd just booked a holiday and I've recently took up a new hobby and had just entered a competition which involves a stage performance on the 5th July, everything was just coming together and then this comes like a bolt from the blue. So yes at the moment it's fair to say I'm pretty p'd off with it.

I've got to go back to the hospital next Tuesday and they have said I will have surgery to remove the lump in 4wks followed by a course of radiotherapy, they said from the ultrasound it doesn't look like it has spread to the lymph nodes but can't be 100% sure until they remove some and screen them and couldn't say yet whether or not I would need chemotherapy and if I'm perfectly honest that is what I fear the most, purely and simply because apart from anything else I have a massive phobia about being sick. The Breast Care Nurse said for now don't worry about it because I may not even need it, and we will cross that bridge when we come to it. That makes sense and hopefully it won't come to that but obviously its concerning me.

What I'd like to know from this forum is how other people felt , initially, on diagnosis, I've heard anger is usual but never understood why people would feel angry as opposed to upset/devastated until now ?

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hello Tracey

    Reading your blog was almost a mirror image og how i found my lump and how i felt at the time.

    I was diagnosed at the begining of May after finding a lump whilst i was showering!

    I wa referred by my doctor but two weeks after consultation because get this she forgot!!!!!  Eventually i was seen and went through the usual tests Mamo, ultrasound, core biopsy and the dreaded result of not one but two invasive lobular tumors in my right breast.  Today i go for the results of my biospy to see if i have anything in the lymph nodes, my mastectomy is booked for 23rd with immediate recon.

    I am now learning to deal and cope with what is happening although i do have dark days when my imagine runs away with me.....................

    My eldest duaghter and partner didint do too good at the diagnosis,my man bless him passed out! My daughter was uncontrollby sobbing!  I guess its because we didnt know enough about it all at that time.  Inthe few short weeks since then i feel i have become a fippin expert on the subject, however i find that being positive and dealing with it head on is the best way. I cant let myself go down the slippery slope of depression because that will just make it worse for recovery.

    I cant pretend I am not frightned, i am of course but to the outside world and my family I am the bravest thing ever.

    My op will be 8 hours and into the bargain i get a tummy tuck!  they are using my tum fat to make a new boob,  (every cloud has a silver lining as they say :) )  I will likely undergo chemo for 6 months and RT. Just a few more hurdles.

    I was angry, I was questioning why me, I was shocked, frightened and kept thinking they had made a mistake and they would phone me and say its ok its just a cyst..........................

    The only advice i can offer Tracey is stay positive, stay in control and dont let this b.....d get you.  You have to kick its ass and move on with your life.

    Take all the support that is offered whichever form it comes in and set your goal to beat this thing.

    I am happy to talk some more and if you want to private message me please do.

    Hugs

    Jules xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I was diagnosed 12 months ago, and since then I have had a mastectomy and reconstruction, 6 sessions of chemo, 15 days radiotherapy, and am nearly at the end of 18 sessions of herceptin! When I was diagnosed I was scared, bewildered and yes, very angry!

    I was terrified of having a mastectomy, but in fact felt only relief when my boob went, because hopefully it means that the cancer went with it. The chemo is no picnic, and although I did have quite severe side effects, I was never actually sick at all, the anti sickness meds are brilliant. I am waffling now, and it is a bewildering time ahead, but it is do-able!

    The biggest thing I have learned from this whole experience is that the fear of what is going to happen is much worse than the reality in most cases. I have still got 3 treatments to go, and am hoping for the all clear when I have my first mammogram and check up in July. Good Luck with your journey, and feel free to private message me if you need to talk. Take Care, x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hello Tracy, sorry about your news and I know exactly what you mean when  you said you are angry.  Unfortunately, cancer comes when it comes and we just have to deal with it.  Easier said than done when it comes to not worrying as we want everything done right now so we can get on with our lives.  But the nurse is right - we have to learn to cross each bridge as we come to it.  I, myself, found the experience of being told surreal, as if I was watching soap on tv.  I was alone at the time and had to get the bus home.  My daughter was doing her A levels and was at home, so I literally got off the bus outside our local pub, went inside, counted all my coins and asked for a large wine.  I never would have gone into a pub alone but I just didn't care about anyone staring at me and I didn't want to face my daughter, telling her I had cancer.  It was a tough time and you are welcome to read my blogs but I am still here today.  I cannot tell you how to deal with your diagnosis/life right now but you will find the answers I promise you.  It has changed my life in so faras I don't worry about a thing now and try to enjoy every day.  Good luck to you, god bless, keep as well as poss,  you will be okay.  Ann x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Tracey,

    I don't remember being angry when I was diagnosed. But with my Dad being diagnosed I have felt very, very angry. I have no patience for idiots (tyrant ward sister who asked us to leave my Dad's bedside - even after we had permission to be there from the Doctor), and no patience with certain 'friends' (1 hasn't even asked if I ok). Well actually I am ok on a day to day basis, but of course I'm not really ok.

    But sometimes the anger that I feel inside drives me. It drives me to support my Dad in any and every way possible - also not to put up with the idiots. I like having a bit of fight in me.

    I totally agree with Jules above, you have to stay in control, kick it's ass and move on. In the mean time, have a good rant on here everytime you feel like it.

    Take care, goodluck x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    hi Tracy,

                  i was first diagnosed at the age of 24 with breast cancer,after finding a pea sized lump in my left breast,2 weeks prior to finding the lump,i discovered i was pregnant,me being me,ignored the lump,thinking it was to do with being pregnant...but the lump got bigger,i went to my g.p. who immediately referred me to my local hospitals breast clinic,they did a biopsy,and told me an 2 hours later that I had cancer...I sat on the chair in that room and i felt like my head had been put underwater,because I could see the consultants lips moving,but his words were all blurry..I vomited there and then the next thing i knew,I was at home,the journey home,I cant remember a bit of it.I had to have a termination,3 weeks later I was admitted to hospital,and had a lumpectomy,this was followed by radiotherapy & chemotherapy...2 years ago,aged 42,I was diagnosed with Stage 1B1 Cervical Cancer,& had to have a radical hysterectomy,with ovaries and lymph nodes removed...In March this year,3 months before my 44th birthday,I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer again...I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction ( L.D.FLAP) & implant,also had axillary clearance,all nodes were clear,i dont need chemo,but am now on Tamoxifen.I am now waiting to go back into hospital to have my right breast augmentated to match the left,and also to have a nipple made for my left breast.....My partner left me 4 weeks ago,and life has been pretty cr*p lately..but,I have picked myself up,with the fantastic support of family,friends my B.C.N.'s,and this website...i have also just got myself a voluntary job in my local cancer research charity shop....i'm probably going on a bit now..you will experience many emotions on your 'journey',but staying strong & remaining positive are 2 of the best things to keep you going...i wish you much luck & hope you will be Ok...

    Nikki x x