Hi - new to cancer & new to Macmillan. Experience to date has been exceptional all round; it’s like being wrapped up in a warm, comforting, & truly knowledgeable community with all its diversity. Thank you.
Found the tumour on evening of Friday 13 Jan - shocked at its size as did regular checks - just how had I missed it! Called GP Monday 8:35; app by 9:25. Referral to Breast Surgery unit. 1st app Tue 24 - exam, mammogram of both breasts, ultra sound + biopsy of l. breast & axilla nodes, & bloods. Results: P5, M5, & U5 - tumour 10cm. 2 app Fri 27 - full body bone scan & CT scan upper thigh to head. 3 app Wed 8 - Breast surgery team - diagnosis: l. breast, ER+, HER2+, 10cm, grade 2 invasive lobular cancer with involved lymph nodes, no evidence of metastases. Allocated cancer nurse. Plan: 6 cycles chemo, mastectomy & axilliary node clearance, radiotherapy, and finish with hormone therapy.
The worst period was after 2 app, but once I told my daughters pressure lifted & I found my equilibrium. I started my research/reading, found: cancerresearch.org, macmillan.org, forcecancercharity.co.uk, breast cancer care.org, & a number of specialist medical sites. I’m now waiting for my oncology app tomorrow Wed 22. Never thought I’d be wishing to undertake such a punishing regime, but essentially it will made the surgical step so much easier & result in better outcome & ultimately the best prognosis.
Im feeling good, strong, & optimistic, but realise that I’m only at the start of the journey, no idea how it will go & grateful to be surrounded by so much experience & patience for those times when being me is not enough. 
Hi barca54 and a warm welcome to the Online Community but so sorry to hear about your diagnoses.
The cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but you have done the right thing in reaching out to a place where you can ask questions and getting support from others who are on the ‘exact’ same cancer journey.
The Community is actually divided into dedicated support groups (discussion rooms) and I can see that you have already joined our supportive Breast cancer support group. This group is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
If you'd like to connect in with a group click on the Red (Bold) Group Text Link I have created above then once the group page opens you can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘new post’ by clicking in the box near the top right with + New or + (Depending on the device you are using) and you are ready to go. You could copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
The Macmillan Support Line is open from 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 where you can talk with someone about specific cancer and practical information, get emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just connect with a listening ear.
We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.
We also have our Telephone Buddy Service where you can be matched with someone who understands what you're going through, and they'll give you a weekly call.
Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and aim to give support to all the family.
Do get back to me if you need further help.
