Feeling isolated - Windsor based

Hi Sarah and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm really sorry to read that you've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and it's natural to feel as you do. However, you've come to the right place to be able to talk to others who will understand exactly how you feel.

As the community is divided up into cancer specific groups could I recommend that you join the breast cancer group where you can ask questions, share experiences and get support from others who are living with this type of cancer.

To join just click on the link I've created and then choose 'join this group' on the page that opens. You can then introduce yourself and post questions after selecting 'start a discussion' and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.

When you have a minute it would be really useful if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

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Hi Sarah, 

I am in the same situation, though i do not have to have radiotherapy. I had a mastectomy 6.5 weeks ago, with delayed reconstruction if i choose to go down that road later. I was told it would be 12 months until i was able  to take this option though.

I am due to phone the hospital to see if they are doing prosthesis appointments yet. I was given leaflets about support groups, but of course they are not meeting up yet.

Due to covid, appointments were rushed through so i felt i did not have time to process exactly what was going on, or have a chance to talk it all through at my pace. I am scared of the chances of the cancer returning somewhere else, but again there is no one to discuss these feelings with.

Now my pain is so much better i am starting to feel better about everything, and with good padded bras, when dressed i can push what has happened to the back of my mind. 

Hope you start to fell better about it soon. 

Sending you lots of love. 

x

Thank you SansB for your reply. Yes, I have felt rushed due to Covid and also that there is no one to discuss things with. I actually rang the MacMillan help line the other day and they recommended signing up for the telephone buddy system so I have done that.

Can I ask why you are not having radiotherapy as it is not in your profile? I feel anxious about not being offered chemo (not that I want it) as two of my nodes were affected but apparently it would not give much improvement in percentage survival rates - when you hear 4-5% though you do wonder if that is worth having or not...

Its a scary time and I am looking forward to feeling a bit more positive. I do think it will be a long wait for reconstruction though as they cancelled so many people's appointments and there will be a back log.

Sending you love too x

I know what you mean Sarah, I am anxious about not having radiotherapy. Any extra % you are given means a lot!! Maybe you can discuss this when you have your radiotherapy.

I was diagnosed with high risk DCIS with the hope that the cancer cells had not spread. It was confirmed that it had not spread into my lymph nodes with the sentinel lymph node biopsy, but the initial lumpectomy was not successful in removing all the cancer cells, hence the mastectomy. When I went back for my results from the mastectomy they said it had been successful and I was given the all clear, though I do not understand why some who have had this happen do still go on to have radiotherapy.

One piece of good news though - I have an appointment for my prothesis tomorrow afternoon. 

I hope the buddy system helps you, and please message me any time. It is so nice to have contact with someone who shares the same concerns and worries during such difficult times. 

Take care. x