Just diagnosed at 39 - any advice greatly welcome!

1. What happened with me was I found a small lump in the shower like a frozen pea. I called my GP straight away and he referred me to the NHS breast clinic under the 2 week rule. I went there and was examined by a surgeon who said it’s a breast feeding cyst don’t worry about it but you’ve also got a palpable something on your underarm (which I hadn’t noticed and couldn’t feel) - he then ordered a biopsy. Went for the biopsy and half way through she said that’s not a cyst it’s solid. At that moment I just knew. 
   She took a sample of what turned out to be the tumour which was smallish (about 2.5cm) and she took a sample of the lymph nodes that she could see were enlarged. 
   That’s how they found everything and I got my diagnosis. The scans I then had were a CT, MRI and mammogram xx

I know January is a long time to wait but I honestly think that your nurse will tell you that it’s not enough time in cancer terms for anything to make an impact. The wait will be gut wrenching for you I know but please ask the questions you need answers to and I really hope this settles you as much as it can at the moment. Xx

Hi! 
how are you? I’ve got my surgery date now for mid January. I had a bit of a scare last week as all the scans have thrown up 2 unidentified lumps as did the MRI last week but it’s been confirmed by 3 radiologists that they’re benign but that they’ll be monitored. 
do you talk to many of your friends about your treatment and diagnosis? 
I’m really struggling at times with friends constantly trying to be positive and not allowing me to talk about how I’m really feeling at times with everything that’s happening. Not that I’m not positive but I have bad days where I worry about it all and I’m just exhausted by the whole thing. Do you find this? X

Hi. I m good thank you. Tired today though I did lots of walking this week. Thank god for good news about your scans. I know it is scary and deflating news like that however this thought is going to be at the back of our mind constantly, I m learning to push that though away as it is not true at this point and hopefully never will be and focus on my next step of treatment. I have told few of my friends what is happening and they are very supportive but not overly pushy with positivity if you know what I mean. Balance! I have one very good friend who I usually talk to when I have a meltdown and she just listens and always finds STH positive in it or just hugs me. I must say I m terrified of recurrence i m not going to lie however I m learning not to live in a future that much, we are here now. I make sure every day I do STH nice, what I want and makes me happy. I m seeing psychologist in two weeks time to get new perspective and fresh feedback from somebody who doesn't know me. X

Thanks so much for explaining everything with you. Yeah January isn’t that long away, just seems like it doesn’t it when you’re waiting. Feel like I’m back at square one with the waiting as surgery didn’t get it all. I just want to be having treatment yesterday! I’m going to call the BC nurse tomorrow and ask her to talk through things again with me and also need to tell her my decision on if to have reconstruction or not. X

No problem whatsoever and keep talking :) Really good idea to speak with your nurse tomorrow and ask any questions you have. Did you have scans at the beginning of this all back in September? x

Hi Good idea to see someone. I started seeing someone a few months ago - more to be honest to help deal with my grief of losing mum but also of course for my diagnosis. Its been helpful for sure and she very much tries to get you to live in the moment and to remember your good prognosis x

Yes I had an MRI at end of September which didn’t show anything of concern in breasts or lymph nodes other than the already identified tumour. Had another ultrasound in October which showed lymph nodes looked clear still. I’m hoping it’s only just travelled there. 
hoping I feel better after speaking with nurse tomorrow and giving my decision about reconstruction. X

Ah ok that’s good, so they’ll have a good idea of what all your imaging looks like. I hope your conversation tomorrow sets you at ease a little. Hope you’re sleeping ok at the moment, sleep is so important throughout these times! X

Yeah, it’s just thrown me a bit that they aren’t starting chemo first due to lymph node involvement as it seems more common it’s that way first in this situation. Didn’t sleep last night, had to go downstairs in the end. Hoping I do better tonight. Do you take anything to help with sleep? X