Newly diagnosed with breast cancer

Good morning  and welcome to the Online Community, although I am sorry to see you finding us and so sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Any cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of stress, confusion and questions but talking with people who are on the same journey can help a lot so can I direct you to this link to our very supportiveBreast cancer group as this will open up your concerns to a wider audience who know exactly what you are going through at the moment.

A place to ask questions and get to know folks on the same journey.

Just follow the link above, hitting ‘Join the Group’ tab just under the main group name, then go to the 'Start a Discussion' tab and set up your own Discussion and introduce yourself to the group - you could just copy an paste what you have in this first post.

You may also find our various Macmillan Support Line Services to be helpful - call them on 0808 808 00 00 This free service covers Emotional Support, Practical Information. Clinical Information, Financial Support and Work Guidance mostly open 8.00 to 8.00 but check the link.

Our Online Information and Support Section  is a good place to find information covering cancer diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers.

Talking to people face to face can help a lot so check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area or a Maggie’s Centre as these folks are amazing.

All the very best ((hugs))

Hello, I was diagnosed on Friday. I'm petrified. I know how you feel. My chemotherapy starts on the 4th December. I cant sleep, eat and I'm being a nightmare around my family. I need help with preparing too as well as my head space.

Hi Charlieandlola

Warm welcome to the club no one expected to join.

Certainly messes with your head when the cancer rock gets lobbed into the lake :-/

As you only have a couple of weeks before starting chemo do click this link to take you to the Breast Groups November Chemo Chat.

The link puts you on page 1 as there is a Chemo Tips link in the very first message -The discussion is up to 17 pages now but you can reply to any of the messages there as an intro where you can ask any questions you may have and this will take you to page 17

While you are there you should also click the 'Join This Group' button under the groups title so you can get email updates to any of your messages.

Hope this is of some help for now...

Look forward to seeing you over the fence in the Breast Group, G n' J

Hi Charlieandlola & Wittie,

Sorry to hear of both your recent diagnoses. I’ve been there and have felt everything you’re feeling right now.
I’ve had 7 cycles of chemo and it affects everyone differently. The only real advice I can give is after you get the first cycle out of the way, you’ll know how your body handles it and you will realise once the only choice is to be strong and get through the next one, you’ll get through it - one cycle at a time. Affirmations helped me and still do; My favourites are ‘I Can, I Will’ and ‘I Will Live and the Cancer Will Die.’ Repeating these over and over whenever I feel overwhelmed and afraid really helps me. What got me through sleepless nights was trying my hardest to focus on the fact that yes, I’ve been diagnosed with cancer but I am also doing everything I’m supposed to be doing to fight it.
DON’T google anything and don’t expect anyone who has never had cancer/chemotherapy to understand what you’re going through even your own Family & Friends. DO let your oncologist know of all your concerns and questions and do keep a journal or Planner to write down everything you’re feeling and to make plans for the future (that helped me alot).

Please know, that it will be tough but you’re stronger than the cancer and you will get through it. Xxxx

Thank you for your message,  it's all true what you are saying. At the moment I'm finding it so hard to process everything. It's in my lymph nodes as well. I have 6 months of chemotherapy then lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed. I'm terrified of the whole thing. I had a full active life and this has pushed me into a dark deep hole.

Xx

I know that dark hole very well.

I was like you - young, active, I don’t smoke, hardly drink, breast cancer doesn’t run in my family.. and I remember feeling so angry along with the tsunami of every other emotion. I felt angry and still do sometimes, as to why this was happening to me. I’m a good person, I have a good heart, I pay my frickin’ taxes. Why me?? Now, almost 2yrs in with my cancer journey I know those feelings are normal and makes me human after all, but the most important thing I’ve learnt is acceptance and gratitude. Because your diagnosis is so fresh you will struggle with processing everything at first. But I promise you, the moment you accept what is happening the journey will be that little bit easier. Easy and Chemo - those two words don’t go together, but you’ll realise just how strong you are and how lucky you are to be alive right now to fight the fight. Xxx