feelings .

FormerMember
FormerMember
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I only went to the doctors 10 weeks ago and since then I’ve had a mastectomy and reconstruction and I’m waiting for my chemo to start and I feel so overwhelmed about how fast things have gone and I’m still trying to get my head around it all x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Alylou74

    That is an awful lot to deal with, i hope you are recovering well, it can be so difficult to cope with diagnosis itself never mind all the surgery that follows. I find it difficult to think of anything else to be honest.

    Ive had a lumpectomy and 2 futher surgeries to clear margins, think chemo is next based on my oncotype test result and most likely mastectomy and reconstruction. How did  u find the mastectomy? When do u think you will start chemo? I’ve yet to meet with the oncologist for the treatment plan.

    Xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi

    Sorry to hear that you are feeling like you are...

    I'm a few months further on than you.. I first saw my GP jan 2nd,  2 weeks later was told I had highly suspicious lumps at my first consultant appt, and confirmed a week later, with an op date of Feb 13th for single masectomy and lymph node removal. chemo started March 31, I’m now 75% of the way through, due to finish Aug 23rd. 

    I’ve been to see my GP about some of the appointment summary letters to ask for interpretation (my hospital is 45 min drive away and the nurses whilst they are lovely are difficult to get hold of on the phone!).. I didn’t know what grade, type etc until after the operation. 

    Looking back now now things did move very quickly but I was so scared I’m glad they did, it was the right thing for me at the time but  I’m now having questions  about the ongoing treatment and making a point of writing down questions to ask at each appointment to make sure I have the information. I have a note book that goes almost everywhere with me for questions or outcomes of appointments to refer back to. 

    I would say to make the most of all the other support available and talk to people- be it friends and family, people on here or use the meetings that are around for other people diagnosed.  There is lots of support, it’s just a case of finding it, I don’t think a lot of help is advertised and ou have to go out there and find it. Look on notice boards at the hospital, talk to the Breast care nurses, your gp etc for suggestions.  The important thing is to keep talking and making people aware of how you are feeling. 

    Take care, ask any questions that you have .. big hugs x

  • Hi ,

    I’m so sorry you are going through this. I know it’s a terrible time with lots of waiting for results and appointments. 

    We are all here to support you with whatever you need.

    Everything happened very fast for me. I went to GP with a lump mid September 10 days later was seen by Breast clinic 2 weeks later diagnosed and told mastectomy would be 5 days later so It was all in just about a month. 

    It is very overwhelming and frightening however I was glad there was a plan and the sooner the tumour was gone the better as far as I was concerned.

    I know it’s really hard to keep positive, but it really helped me through, knowing that each chemo or procedure was a step closer to the end of treatment.

    Its nearly 3 months now since chemo finished for me and a month since the end of radiotherapy. Things really do get better, it’s not plain sailing but you will get there.

    Let us know how you get on x