Breast cancer

Hi there, welcome to the website no one wants to be on, but it's so supportive, you've come to the right place.  I was terrified when I was diagnosed back in February, a 55mm lump, aggressive growth. I had chemo first and surgery about 3 weeks ago and I am doing fine.  I think it's normal to have all sorts of feelings, my advice would be to talk to Macmillan if you are feeling very anxious and post on here to get support.  Good luck x

Hi Pauline

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.. it’s perfectly normal to feel worried. 

Wishing you the best if luck with your operation in two days time.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi Pauline, so sorry you need to be on here but it defo the right place to be, everyone on here has been where you are now and understand how you are feeling, you are not alone, one day at a time. Love from Ann

Pauline , don't worry you will be ok my mastectomy was 4 weeks ago both breasts gone and to be honest I'm glad both had cancer. The pain from the surgery is manageable and whilst it's a shock to see your breast gone it's for the best as your life is more important . The shock of the diagnosis is hard to come to terms with. The hospital will fit you with a new bra and temporary prothesis when you leave hospital so you won't look any different on the outside. When you are better and this nightmare is behind you. You  can have reconstruction. Try and relax as you have a big week coming up you will get through it and be well again X Take care thinking about you xx Jayne 

Hi Pauline

So sorry to hear this. Mine was also aggressive. I took the view that the most sensible thing to do was to get the diseased tissue removed. It is very worrying to imagine what you will look like afterwards. You might want to consider reconstructive surgery, which can be very successful. It's not vain to be worried and concerned - everyone is I believe. That's what makes us human. 

Hi Pauline, I recognise the worry, fear, vanity and shock and kaleidescope of mixed competing emotions and I think most of us know these too.

 Before my operation there was a truckulant child inside me riling against the idea of subjecting myself to the operation, the radiotherapy and the unpleasant side effects of my medication. It seemed counterintuitive to consent to such treatment when (until the day before I received my recall appointment after m my mammogram) I had been feeling well and was blissfully ignorant about what was happening inside my body. But the sane adult in me won over and I'm relieved that I have had help. It takes quite a while to come to terms with massive changes to one's body, particularly when it is tied up with your identity as a woman. But as you can see from the many responses to your post, women do somehow manage them and things can get better. Wishing you all the very best xx

Hi Pauline, sorry you find yourself here, totally terrifying. We all put on our outside world face but the fears remain. Here for you to vent your worries as are the rest of this amazing community, there’s always someone who knows the answer on here and being part of getting support and offering it has helped me immensely. I’m mid chemo atm but will have a double mastectomy afterwards and I’m really scared too, some days I can joke about the lovely new pair I’m getting and other days I feel depressed about the potential risks and other issues. Big hugs ️

Exactly. There is something in me that really objects to getting myself in a really fit state just to be knocked downwards again. I think this is what upsets me most. The knowledge that you have recovered, got an OK boob after some reconstruction, then this may be destroyed by radiotherapy all over again. It defies logic somehow. It also doesn't help for someone to say "Well no-one will see the scars". I can see them and I don't like them.......but thinking sanely I desperately wanted the cancer out and so that's the result. A pity we can't grow fur like cats and dogs!!!!!