New to this Cancer lark!

Warm welcome and a weird smile as we like to keep this place exclusive but that total BBBBB cancer has other ideas.

Glad you found us all and hope you didn't waste time trawling through endless pages of rubbish on Dr Google. I can assure you you will find lots of non judgemental and unconditional support and advice from those who have been there and done it, as well as living it atm.

The 'I am being strong' is a response we all often use or else we meltdown and feel wrong. So have any meltdown you want here. Any rant here. Any rubbish emotions then chat. Any question big, small or you think silly ASK here.It is okay as at some point we have all used here for those reasons.

My hubby and eldest daughter tend to be ostriches. My youngest (a nurse) amazing help sat with me on several appointments. Maybe a chat with the GP about your hubby so they can get in touch ???? Just a thought

Now you will need to make you a priority .... selfish I know and a 6yr old too!!!!. What is this woman saying!!  But if you take the time out to mend then you will mend quickly and get back to a new normal. Yes a new normal. All life's experience change us slightly and cancer being a 'biggy' will change some aspects of your life and not just physical ones

You must accept as much help as possible. Get them to shop; clean the loo (that will sort out the good friends); make a meal; take the youngest to and from school; drive you to appts. They can't fix the cancer, they want to help in some way so let them.

I assume you have told schools so that they too can extend a hand of help and being understanding when the homework doesn't hit the table or the little one is a bit off.

Just keep coming back to here and hit reply to add to your story (I HATE journey). Look in and join other chats/ threads but don't scare yourself silly. Listen to your best friend - your body - and do what she asks

There is a main BC group LINK a lot busier and more groups. You might want to pop by as there is a chemo chat group each month really supportive way to get through it all

Hope you have plenty of big girls pants ..... they might be needed

Spare pair should you need them. one careful owner

Gentle hugs and positive thoughts 

Leolady56

Hi  

Big hugs.  I found the waiting awful, whether it was for appointments for scans or the results, I felt a mess, however no matter what the results there is always a plan and once there’s a plan I felt for me, I could get my head around it more.

I had a mastectomy first with sentinel nodes removed in October last year, then 3 weeks later Lymph node clearance, 7 nodes altogether out of 21 had cancer cells, but after heart, abdominal and bone scans it hasn’t spread anywhere else. 

Ive just started Chemo and so far so good. 

My hubby doesn’t really talk about how he feels although I do try to talk about it. You say to feel like you have to be strong, but you’re struggling, tell someone, bc nurse, go, friend, whoever doesn’t really matter but you might need to offload and I think by doing that you may find things slightly easier.

Have you told your children? Hardest thing I ever did. Mine knew I had a lump removed, but we didn’t tell them anything else until we knew all the details which worked for us. I could give them a clear picture of what was going on and the treatment I was going to get. 

Hope things go well for you, let us know how you doing x x

Hello mouse1977 and welcome. It's truly heart breaking to find yourself here but what an amazing family you have joined. This group has helped me get where I am and I'm sure, where I need to go. We will help you.

I'm 47 with 2 boys aged 6 and 10yrs. I was diagnosed just before Christmas with a very similar situation to you. Early BC, 2 tumours, waiting on results and one being HER2 positive. I too had an MRI. Not to worry you but I found that very distressing, purely because I was not prepared. I was told some loud bangs and clicks as the machine does it's thing. If you prepare yourself for noises that are more like sirens at various pitches and the bed jolting every now and then, hopefully you won't panic like me; I constantly thought 'is this normal'

We chose to tell our boys. I was given some books by the BC nurse and we used the 'Mummy's Lump' to explain that my body wasn't working properly and some poorly bits needed to be taken away. Constantly focusing on the fact that I will be ok. Only you know your children and what best to tell them. I found it hard disappearing to appointments all time without really saying where I was going.

My husband lost his mum to cancer 18yrs ago, it was devastating . When I was diagnosed I felt terrible for making him go through it all over again. Typically he too didn't reach out for a while. I tried to get him to join the friends and family group that's on here but that's not his thing. He has finally shared with a friend though .

My MRI showed positive results, all looks as if it's just the tumours. I had a mastectomy on Monday with a temporary inflatable implant and sentinel node removal and as i write am resting on my sofa at home, working on recovery. I don't know yet if I'll need chemo or rad', my tesults will determine the next hurdle. 

Use support networks. Lean on your friends, don't be afraid to cry. It really will get easier. 

Stay in touch x 

Just wondered how you were doing x

Hi, thanks for asking. I have had my MRI and no other tumours were found. Been to see oncologist today she told me that both tumours are in fact HER2 positive, one is er neg and one is er pos. Will start with chemo, then lumpectomy and then 4.5 weeks of radiotherapy. Feeling positive and determined to kick ass! Hope you are ok too x

@Mouse1977

Glad you are feeling positive and your MRI was clear.I

I was very much “ok we are where we are, I can do this” not that there was much of a choice. 

I found the thought of chemo terrible, worst than the mastectomy tbh. However I’m pleased to say after two treatments I’m feeling good, usually have a bad taste in the mouth the first week after the chemo, I’ve a bit of dry skin on my face, no sickness, runs, not even feeling tired, I think I’ve been very lucky with the EC part of Fec-t I didn’t get the F part, I’m wondering if the T part will be worse I guess we are all different and I will cross that bridge when I come to it. 

I hope everything goes well for you, keep in touch x

Hi everyone, not been on for ages so thought I’d come and see how you all are and fill you in on my life! 

I finally started my treatment and had my first chemo yesterday! Yay me! Was absolutely bricking it on Thursday and had a massive cry at the dentist! Poor man didn’t know what to do, he’s very awkward anyway! 

Surprisingly I managed to sleep Thursday night. Mum picked me up at 9.30 to go to the hospital. Had to park and ride but have managed to secure a parking spot for next time. The chemo nurses are just amazing, had the hand warmer on and it still took my nurse forever to find a vein, she was so cautious and gentle. I felt a little dizzy when she first started so I reclined my chair and felt much better. Was there about 2 hours in all but next 2 weeks will be less as won’t need the chat first. I’m having FEC then the herceptin ones and dox. 

Side effects wise I felt a bit drunk, achy legs, really sick and had a bit of the runs. Hoping it doesn’t get any worse. I’ve been to sleep but awake again now (it’s 2.05am) absolutely sweating! 

Oh and I was sent home with anti-sickness and injections but not steroids and I few people I know who have had Chemo were all sent home with steroids after every one? 

Thanks for reading! 

Hi

well, that's chemo number one done - yay you!!!

Hope the sickness is wearing off - do keep up the sickness meds - it helps to take them as soon as and not wait till you feel sick. Make a note of all the side effects and let your onco team know - they can adjust your meds as needed for next time. I did always have steroids but it can depend on the actual chemo you are having. If it's worrying you - call the oncology line - you should have been given a 24 hour number. I know you may feel you shouldn't call but, making sure you have the right meds is worth a call - they won't mind. Especially if you are still being sick, give them a call - they can write you a prescription for someone to pick up.

Hope you sleep better tonight - take care

R

Hi woody47,

You're a year down the line now and I hope doing well. I'm replying to you as you said you'd had a mastectomy with a temporary inflatable implant and I was hoping for some reassurance/ clarification.

I was diagnosed on 2nd December with small 16mm cancerous lump which increased after MRI and Ultrasound to some Invasive Ductal Carcinoma as well which means I now need a mastectomy. A cancerous node has been detected already through biopsy so I already know I'll need chemo afterwards so don't want long recovery or too much risk of infection.

How did you find the temporary implant? Have you had 'proper' reconstruction now?

Thanks in advance for helping