New to BC

Hi there,

I had my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy yesterday. I was advised to shield as much as possible prior to surgery. I opted for things like click and collect for groceries. I shielded last week, had a covid swab on Friday and isolated during the weekend. I guess I’m lucky as I work from home so that part hasn’t been that much of a challenge. Let me know if you have any other questions xx

Thank you for your quick reply. How are you dealing with the mental aspects that come with all of this? 

I also have the additional worry as my mam is also being treated for cancer, hers in inoperable and basically not going to recover from it. 

I have a lot spinning around my head. 

Oh bless you. That is a hell of a lot on your plate. It’s absolutely no comfort I know, but I lost my mum to cancer 11 years ago so I kind of have some idea of the emotions you’re going through. Basically I try to take it one appointment at a time - I remember doing this with my mum and it does help. With my mum, it was beyond awful but I remember being thankful for the good days she had and focusing on those. I think it’s important to almost train your brain to find the positives however little they might be.

So I had surgery yesterday, go back next week to find out what’s next, but I’m not letting myself get beyond that.

I try to stay positive and it helps that I have a dry and dark sense of humour so my partner and I try to find a lot to laugh about. My surgery was actually originally scheduled on 5th March, but shortly before I found out I was pregnant, then miscarried a few weeks later - I’m all ok now and surgery was quickly rebooked but it’s taken a lot of mental effort! 

Sorry I’ve been rambling but I definitely think it’s important to take it one step at a time. Have they given you any indication of the grade of cancer or if it’s hormone receptive? Xxx

Wow you too had a lot going on. Well done for getting through what you have. 

Mine is grade 2 and hormone receptor positive. So I think that means it will be radiotherapy and then medication for 5 years. Obvious that's depending on what they find out after the operation. 

I too have a dark sense of humour which is somehow helping. 

I’m in a similar position, luckily I’m grade 1 and oestrogen positive. Hopefully it’ll all come back as grade 1 and no spread to my lymph nodes so just radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Fingers crossed. 

A dark sense of humour is definitely an advantage! They told me at my initial breast clinic appointment that is was most likely cancer, so I was a bit tearful then but after that I’ve just been laughing about it in a weird twisted way. The hardest thing is no knowing what’s coming at each appt, but I just try to block that and deal with it there and then. Xxx