Hello everyone, I am new to this group. I wish everyone strength though their cancer journey.
I was diagnosed December 2023 with locally advanced breast cancer (cancer to four lymph nodes, with a 2cm tumour and some extra capsular spread.) I have a grade one tumour, so I am dealing with the fact that it has spread as far as it has. Is this unusual? My oncologist seemed surprised, but he is not the most expressive of men! *smile* My mother had cancer at an earlier age and died when she was in her 50s, so I have lived with the fact of cancer (what it can do, how it affects families) since I was 12.. Even with my family history, I was not given a yearly mammogram. My surgeon told me I should have had one every year after 45, given my history. I had my first mammogram at 50, as is standard, and was diagnosed then.
I went to my GP in spring of 2023 and told them my family history, and asked them to check inder my arm, as I felt a lump. I was seen by a nurse, who said, (I quote): "Go home, you're fine." Of course, I went home singing, so I had a double shock when I was diagnosed last Christmas. Surgery, radiotherapy (15 'shots') and hormone therapy for the next ten years, as I have a high chance of recurrence. Also bisphosphonate infusions for the next three years. I consider myself fotunate as I know the outcome could have been more challenging: I know what my mother went though, and treatment is different (certainly much faster) now. However, I am still frightened - of a recurrence, of a loss of mobility - in time. I have cerebral palsy and have limited mobility with two walking sticks, so exercising, the great recommendation, is a challenge. I live alone and am wary of sharing my situation with friends, as most people I know don't have personal experience of cancer. Thank you for reading this.
Hi Orpheus and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but sorry to hear about your diagnosis and the challenges you are facing.
Navigating a cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help a lot. (I have a completely different cancer).
This New to Community area is like our reception desk where we look to try and direct you to the best part of the Community for you to get support.
The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend that you look to join and put up your own post in 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 in with the group please click on the link below…….
……. and once the group page opens you will see a [Black - Click to Join - Banner] at the bottom of the page, click in this box and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.
You can then introduce yourself to the group by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.
You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
The Macmillan Support Line is open between 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 or just a listening ear.
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 ((hugs))
