Frightened angry anxious disbelief

Hi Polly17 and welcome to the Macmillan Community but I am so sorry to hear about your Breast Cancer diagnoses.

The cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from others who are dealing with the ‘exact same' cancer type can help a lot.

I see that you have realised that the Community is actually divided into dedicated Cancer Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) as you have already joined our dedicated 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.

To connect with a group click on this link Breast cancer then once the group page opens yyou can introduce yourself by clicking “+new” or “+” in the top right next to the group title.

You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post…… you can also scroll through other members posts and click “Reply” to get involved.

It’s a challenging time for you so you may want to use the Macmillan Support Line is open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00. This service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear.

We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.

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.

Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.

Hi Polly,

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April this year after I discovered a lump. Coming so soon after my husband's diagnosis of oesophagus cancer in 2020 it has been terrifying.  The good news is he came through his ordeal as it was caught at Stage 3, mine is Grade 3 and treatable and I'm currently undergoing chemo. It is hard, and some days all I want to do is cry as my emotions are all over the place. Yes it feels unfair as it means putting life on hold again just as we thought we were ready to move on but hang in there. There is so much that can be done medically and it's OK to not be ok. Its taken me a while to accept that, once you do it will help you. And chemo is scary but if it shrinks the cancer at least it means its a less invasive operation. 

Thank you.

First there was covid,then I broke my right wrist on holiday then 6 weeks later after another slip on a wet floor. I broke my leg.I was just feeling that I had gotten my life back when this happened.

I had no warning,no lump.I had a mammogram on Tuesday and was phoned the following day to say I was a recall.They offered me an appointment the next day and when I voiced my anxiety as such a quick appointmenybI was told it was because an extra clinic was put on.

I’m a health care professional and was about to start another clinic .I forced myself to focus on work.

The radiologist told me when I went in that there was an area of my breast that they couldn’t quite see so I was reassured.

I then asked the radiologist why I need an ultrasound and that’s when I knew I was in bother.

I think I was so completely blindsided by my diagnosis.

A younger sister had breast cancer but after attending a genetics clinic I was told I didn’t need BRACaTesting and that I had no increased risk of breast cancer.I had my 3 yearly mammograms,I did regular breast checks,I breast fed all of my 5 children,I never smoked and take little alcohol. I had put weight on while sitting around with my fractures.

I’ve had so much love and support from my husband and family which helps but my sister has secondary breast cancer which doesn’t help.

I want to be someone who can help others ,be a support to others and do something positive for others suffering from cancer but I’m not there yet and I’m still coming to terms with my diagnosis.

I’ve holidays booked for later in the year ,skiing for next year,work is so short staffed I’m needed.my grandchildren need me as I look after them 2 days per week.

I have my date for surgery.I know my plan,I know I will wait for results that will determine the next path

I just need to learn to accept this diagnosis 

Your words are so wise Polly. Despite knowing that I must, I am finding the acceptance very hard and feel I am wasting energy fighting against it.