Diagnosis

Hello and welcome   It’s scary getting a cancer diagnosis but the treatment is doable .  There is a sticky thread for each months Chemo & radiotherapy so if you post in there you will get support.  

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/breast-cancer/f/breast-cancer-forum/195320/february-chemo-club-2020

Dearest ,

I am so sorry you find yourself here, you are here and you know what this group with the ladies and gents on here will really help you thought this.  You are with a group of people that 'get how you feel' totally understand you and have either walked in your shoes or very similar shoes.

Please try to think of all this as a roller-coaster ride, a ride you didn't buy a ticket for, one that was given to you and you were pushed on the ride before even having a chance to think at what was actually going on.  You are well into the ride now, you have come so far already 'Well Done'.

Be prepared for some very low moods, anger when you least expect it, at some point you will start to grieve for the person that you was before this started, friends will amaze you in that you thought they were friends yet they will disappear and people you never expected help from will amaze you.

There are two threads one relating to Chemo and the people currently going through it this month (New thread each month) and also a Radiotherapy thread (I think you said you won't need this now - however, if you find you to there is a thread for this).

This 'should be' the Chemo thread - please have a look as the advice and information will be of help to you, along with been able to chat with other ladies going through the same or similar treatments....

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/breast-cancer/f/breast-cancer-forum/195320/february-chemo-club-2020?Page=2#1428853

If you have any random thoughts or worries during the evening hours, there is a thread called 'Awake' - its where any of us pop on and try to pass the nighttime hours away - some nights the thread is busy or nights it can be fairly quiet.

Please remember 'you are not alone' - any questions, worries, concerns, anything ask away and there will be someone along that should be able to help, the knowledge in this forum is totally amazing.

You will be safe here, we are real people and we understand......

Sending love and hugs xxx

Hi

thank you for responding and the information it was really interesting and helpful. Plan to check out the info regarding chemo now.

Hi , sorry you are here but welcome. I was also diagnosed stage 3 in November but I am having chemotherapy first then surgery. Some good advice above and links to the chemotherapy thread are useful to read.  What I will say is everyone is different but it's not been as bad as i was expecting touch wood! There are drugs/things you can do to help with most side effects.  There are some ladies who sadly have really struggled but then there are lots who are ok. My oncologist rightly said you hear about the ones with problems because they are the ones asking for help. It's not easy but listen to what your body needs and ask if you need help. All chemo units have a 24 hour helpline if you have concerns. You can use a cold cap to try and minimize hair loss. 

Good luck with everything and do join the February chemo thread if you need more advice. Sometimes if the page is really busy with new threads they get missed but the chemo thread always at the top xxx

Thanks Cheeboe, I had surgery first to remove a mass I did not know I had. It was picked up on a routine monogram in November had first surgery on 3rd December then 2nd on 31st December as the margiBe were to close. At this point was told I would need chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy as the mass was stage 3.

have joined the February chemo thread as suggested as I am sure I will have questions.

Ally

Thanks, Have looked at it as suggested.

Ally