Twenty years ago at the age of 48 I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I had a mastectomy, radio and chemotherapy and have lived to tell the tale.
I recently found a small lump below my collar bone and am waiting for an urgent referral to the breast clinic. I am terrified that the diagnosis will again be cancer but more than that I’m terrified that it will be secondary to my initial cancer.
Only my husband know at this stage and he is a great comfort but I’m really struggling emotionally and finding the waiting really difficult. All sorts of thoughts are flooding my brain - none of them good.
I know I just have to get through this - along with all the many thousands of others who are in the same boat, but is very hard.
Hi Milliemoomoo and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but sorry to hear about your ongoing diagnoses.
I have relapsed multiple times over my 24 years years with my rare incurable but treatable blood cancer…. so I can testify as to how much the body and mind can endure and go through….. but I will say that I did have a lump appear on my neck just after my last treatment 8 years ago and it is not cancer.
Getting support from people who have walked the ‘exact same' cancer type journey can help a lot.
The Community is divided into dedicated Cancer Specific Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) abd I can see that you have already joined our dedicated Secondary Breast Cancer support group. This is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
To connect in with the group click on this link> Breast, secondary cancer then once the group page opens you 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.
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 and give support to all the family.
Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community ((hugs))
