Newly diagnosed

Hi and welcome to the group nobody wants to join. 
Really sad for you, this is indeed a horrible time to get a cancer diagnosis and need any form of treatment. But remember that these days breast cancer treatment really is tailored to the individual, and also that it’s generally very successful too. 
My advice, for what it’s worth, is to keep busy in the interim time and stay away from google which has a dreadful tendency to scare and be out of date all at the same time. If you find yourself awake during the night and can’t stay away from the internet, then have a look at the ‘AWAKE....’ thread, begun a long time back by a lovely lady and kept going by her (when she can access the site!) and many fellow bc sufferers and survivors, it is full of all sorts of funny tales and pictures, as well as serious ones. 
sending you a hug and hope that your results mean a straightforward journey through xxx

Hello 

I'm sorry you find yourself here but you are welcome.

Unfortunately almost everyone who posts here has found themselves in your position. It is a scary time in which you are expected to make decisions whilst still feeling shocked you are in this situationin the first place. I think most of us agree it is the waiting and the unknown that is the worse. Once you know your treatment plan somehow things become easier. You have a goal to work towards.

Luckily most breast cancers are sucessfully treated these days. Treatment isn't always pleasant but does seem to work in most cases. I realise you have this complicated decision of mastectomy  versus lumpectomy  to make. Hopefully some other posters who have been in  your postion will tell you how they compared the pros and cons. I only needed a lumpectomy because my three tumours were small so I can't  offer advice here.

I hope all goes well and nothing gets delayed as you wait for specific results. Keep posting. Ask any questions or express your feelings. There will always be someone to ' listen' or respond.

Take care. Stay covid safe.

Love Karen

Thanks Moomy. I was quite surprised at how my thinking altered after being given the news. I know it sounds silly but I felt like I was suddenly different! Still flying between moments of anger/worry/calm but I’m sure I’ll be fine.

I appreciate your advice and I’m just trying to face one day at a time right now. 

Take care xx

Thanks so much Karen. I think, as you say, I have all the information in front of me I’ll be able to think more clearly. Very much of the mind that I just want this thing out of me right now! 

You stay safe too 

Anne xx

Hi Gabbana

Sorry that you find yourself her and I think we all understand how you are feeling. It is like nothing we have ever experienced before and if you haven't experienced it you can never truly understand. I am still a relative newbie, having had surgery two weeks ago and aI am again going through the no man's land of waiting for results and the rest of my treatment plan. But I can assure you that things do get easier as the days and weeks pass and you have more idea of what lies ahead. And there is always lots of good advice and plenty of sympathetic ears on here.

I can't give you any advice on the lumpectomy/mastectomy as I was offered and accepted a lumpectomy. But I am sure there are ladies who will share their experience with you.  We are all different and make decisions for reasons that are important to us and the disease is individual to each of us, but we can all learn something from others who have already been there. Take care and good luck.

Hi Patsy

Thanks for sharing your experience and I sincerely hope that all goes well for you. I’ve had a chat with my breast care nurse this morning and, supposing HER2 comes back favourable and I don’t have to have chemo first, I’ve told her I’m going for lumpectomy and will take it from there.

I actually feel a little better having voiced my opinion and I’m now just keeping busy trying not to think too much! I can’t do anything more for now so I need to relax a little I think.

Take care of yourself

Anne xx

Hi Gabanna, I had two different types cancer. i had a lump in my left breast and Pagets on the right which affected the nupple. I had Her2 negative on the left breast, which was slow growing as i had known it was there for quite a while before I bit the bullet and went to my GP....bad girl....so I have been lucky.....I had chemo which destroyed the Pagets in the right breast, but I still needed a mastectomy for the left one... Being 73 yrs old it was decided that bilateral mastectomy was the best option. I had chemo first...which is not so good...but if you need to have it don't be afraid....you can get through the "experience" ....I had my surgery in September last year.....and woohoo I am still here....Even with the bilateral surgery I came home the next day....so don't worry about a long stay in hospital. I know its worrying with this awful virus.   Myself and my husband who helped me wonderfully through everything are thoroughly fed up as we spent most of last year keeping away from people so I didn't catch anything...didn't go out hardly at all, and then just as we thought we could do a bit more see the family, grandchildren..then bam the virus....I hope you get the news you want, but don't stress, there's a bit of a road ahead, but its something you can get through.......and life will be so much more meaningful after......keep safe...xxx

Thank you so much for this info Rattybaggins. Even tho I consider myself quite a strong person I have to admit my mind has been in a bit of a whirl since Friday! I’m so glad that you’re doing so well - long may it continue! 
I feel happier for actually having made my first decision in opting for the lumpectomy (all being well with HER2 results). 
Im very glad I decided to come on here as the replies I’ve received have been very helpful. 
Take good care of yourself

Anne xx

Update. Tumour was much bigger than thought so I’m having a mastectomy on Monday 30th with lymph node removal as there were ‘signs’ in the sentinel node but no extra capsular spread detected. HER2 was negative. It was very positive to oestrogen and progesterone. 
I feel so scared right now and, with any ache anywhere, I’m imagining it’s spread! I know this is stupid but struggling with it all. 
Has anyone had anything similar? I’m sure I’ll be fine once I get in there and get it done. It’s all the waiting and imagining! 
Sorry for the moans! 

Anne xx

Yes, yes, yes! I had a SNB/ removal before a booked holiday and was frantically imagining it all spreading before the mastectomy a couple of weeks later. But it hadn’t. The mastectomy cleared it all (we hope, of course!) and I had no spread into lymph nodes. 
yes I too was HER2- but OR + and am on meds for that as I guess you will be too.

it’s all horrible but it is do-able and you’ll get there, whatever is thrown at you. You’re stronger than you realise. 

Hugs xxx