Diagnosed on friday 13th in the middle of a pandemic!!

I am so sorry you had to hear the news on your own.  It must have devastated you.  I was fortunate in that my diagnosis was 2nd September 2018.  I am a widow and live on my own, but my friend went with me and she was there for me right up to me having to isolate at the end of February prior to first surgery.  Mine is Grade 3 Stage 3c HER2-positive breast cancer.  Also in my Lymph nodes, just 5 of the 22 taken out when I had surgery.  No sign of it anywhere else.  My treatment was chemo, 6 x 3 weekly cycles.  Anne came with me for 5 of these.  My surgery was scheduled for 23rd March 2019 - lockdown day. On my own for appointments and treatment since then. 

My last chemo will be next Friday, 30 chemo appointments, 2 separate weeks in hospital, Neutropenic Sepsis and then really bad Flu, that was frightening because of Covid!  I also had15 radiotherapy appointments, really tiring as I had to drive myself, then all the scans and heart monitoring, on my own.  But I  have had so much support from the staff, especially Debbie, my MacMillan nurse.  I have called her many times when I have been feeling really fragile, or had a pain, or a swelling, or even to ask how long will I be bald!  

It is awful to be diagnosed with something so serious and having to deal with it on your own.  The staff and other patients have been brilliant.  We are all in the same boat, but they understand and support us. My kids have been great too, they are 43 and 41, I'm 65, they have their own lives and families but have helped where they can.  They know my treatments and result.  Not always how I've been feeling.

Tuesday I had a virtual Oncologist appointment.  Full pathological response.  They can't see any cancer, though I will always be looking over my shoulder.  Surveillance for the next few years, mammograms, etc.  I have remained positive for the majority of the time, I have talked to my friends when I really needed support, and I have questioned some of the treatment, but always ended up following their treatment advice.  They know what they are doing, we have to trust them.

Sorry I can't tell you what you should do, only what worked for me.  Not sure how old you are but I had an early menopause at 35, not nice at the time but no periods afterwards.  I just went with the sweats and flushes, my husband had to ride the rollercoaster of moods it caused, but it did get easier.  You should have a MacMillan or breast care named nurse.  Do use them.  They have helped so many of us, they know what you are going through, they've seen it before.  Best of luck with your treatment.  Hang in there, you know you can do it.  Hope a word or two of this helps in some way.  :-)  x

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm glad to see that you are doing well, seems like its been a long journey for you. Unfortunately my cancer is not curable but with the drug combination I may have a couple of years. I'm taking it one day st a time and trying to be as positive as I can 

Again thank you for your reply x