New diagnosis

Hi Fi66

My diagnosis is very similar to you although I am further down the treatment pathway. I had a screening detected 8mm grade 2 invasive ductal . Biopsy said hormone positive and HER2 negative. I'm 57 in Jan

I was diagnosed 11th Nov and had my surgery on 7th December  and got my results 23rd December. No surprises thankfully  tumour as though at biopsy, node clear and no lymphvascular spread detected. Meeting yhe oncologist on 4th Jan to talk about radiotherapy and started hormone therapy on boxing day so adjusting to that right now. I have already been given my end of treatment appointment for March 

I can relate totally to your feelings. I was told straightforward to treat and so far it has been but you still have all the emotion about the diagnosis as well as feeling guilty for having a more simple care plan than many of the women here on this forum. The emotion has walloped me in the past week or so triggered by the news about a friend who has had much less positive breast cancer diagnosis. If I hadn't of had that news something else would have triggered it I'm sure but that caught me like a juggernaut. My sleep is awful too.

Your head will catch up and it needs to as this is not just about physical recovery but emotional. I'm going to have some counselling to help me process this as it's all been so quick 

Sorry this was such a lengthy post but wanted you to know that you are not alone on the rollercoaster 

Much love xx

Hello Fi66

Sorry to be meeting you on here, however you have come to the right place to get info and support. All of us have here have felt as you feel while waiting for treatment to get started, It does get better as treatment gets underway and you feel that you are progressing through your treatment plan.

Do you know yet what your receptor status is and whether you will be getting chemo, radiotherapy or receptor blockers? Rest assured that your BC team will do everything possible to help you to beat your gremlin. Treatment nowadays is tailored to the individual type of BC and your MDT will come up with the l best bespoke plan for you.

Just concentrate on one day at a time for now. Some folk find walking helps and others find talking it out with trusted friends can be  a help.

Wishing you all the best with your surgery. You can do this and you will.

Use the forum to the max for any questions you have and to vent as you need to.

WallyDug

Hi Fi66

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas.  It's perfectly understandable that you are struggling with your diagnosis and you're not being selfish at all.  It's a shock getting a cancer diagnosis particularly just  before Christmas. 

Try to keep busy doing the things you love doing to take your mind off things.  I found going for a walk or reading a good book helped anytime I was struggling.  Also if you feel like talking to someone you can ring the Macmillan helpline and there will be someone on the end of the phone line to give you advice on how to cope or if you would like to arrange counselling for you. They also do a phone buddy system where they put you in touch with someone who has the same type of cancer as you if that's something you would like. The number is 0808 808 00 00.

I was diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer last year and after having chemo, surgery and radiotherapy I am now cancer free.

Wishing you the best of luck with your operation next month.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Thank you Daisy53 for your kind words and advice going for a walk is such a good idea and won’t do me any harm to get out in the fresh air!  I love knitting too so I’m hoping I’ll be able to use that to keep my mind busy over next few weeks Thanks again it’s good to talk I should have joined a forum earlier and I might be feeling a little less anxious at this point mind you don’t think I was in the right mindset a week ago.  Congratulations to you on being cancer free that must feel so good? …thanks for sharing xx

Hi WallyDugthanks so much for advice good to hear feelings lift as treatment gets underway..I don’t know what my receptors are but have been told will have surgery then radiotherapy although not sure what determines this?? To be honest so phased by diagnosis news couldn’t tell you half of what surgeon told me at my results appointment. 
love the one day at a time advice will definitely do that! Many thanks Fi66

Hi Jurassicgirlwow your diagnosis is so similar to mine hope you don’t mind me asking did you have a lumpectomy and have you had to have any lymph nodes removed? How much pain were you in post surgery?
So sorry to hear your friend has not had such a good diagnosis I can only imagine how that has impacted on your own recovery, counselling sounds like a good option. I really hope that helps and with time things feel more in perspective it’s great from discovery to diagnosis is a fairly quick for some but can totally understand like you that the speed of it all is somewhat overwhelming too. 
Thank you for reaching out xx

I had a lumpectomy and then a single mastectomy and lymph nodes removed.  I was quite sore afterwards.  It was a nuisance carry my drain around but felt better once it was out. I had staples along my scar and felt better once they were removed.  Now it's just numb in places and has that tingly feeling like after you've been the dentist for a filling. Also I'm struggling to find a bra that's comfortable.  X

Hi Fi66

No problem for you to ask and happy to share

Yes I had a lumpectomy and Sentinel node removed. I recovered quickly physically and, as seems to often be the case  it was the armpit incision that was the most irritating . The lumpectomy incision was under my breast so fine with a soft crop top type bra and pretty invisible  

Very little pain to be honest and I was only occasionally taking paracetamol after 3 days. I followed the advice to take pain relief for first 48hrs even if I though I was ok. 3 weeks on I only have occasional healing twinges in the breast although the area just below my shoulder near the armpit is very sensitive I am able to massage both scars now. 

It does seem we are very similar treatment path wise so very happy to keep in touch Please feel able to  if its helpful to you   It's a breakneck rollercoaster and although that's great in lots of ways it can feel overwhelming 

Xxx 

Hello!

It's never easy hearing the news especially just before Christmas. 

I was diagnosed on 8th December with stage 3 idc which pretty much sums up how great 2021 was!

Thankfully Christmas has been a welcome distraction from the ups and downs of the unknown that is 2022. 

I struggle with sleep as so much goes through my mind and what is going to happen, how the family will cope and so much more.

We are always here if you need to chat or ramble xx

Thanks @ Bettyboop69  I have also been thinking about a comfortable bra for post op, since biopsies have been living in a vest top but could do with something a little more supportive have just ordered post surgery bra from M & S they were £20 in sale which I didn’t think was to bad price wise.  Am I right in thinking will need to wear one day and night after surgery?