Newbie

Hi Lisa, sorry to hear of your diagnosis and I think many people would agree you’re in the worst phase - waiting.  Certainly I found when I had a treatment plan it was much better.

Regarding work, cancer is protected under discrimination legislation in the UK.  If you are concerned about this, Macmillan do offer advice and support.

Hope this helps 

Firstly hello and big hugs. 

I'm Louisa and I'm almost 45.

I have the same diagnosis as you but I had a mastectomy first and I've got chemo to follow. 

Do you have a friend who you can take with you and ask the questions? 

Irishgirl is right in that cancer is protected under discrimination legislation and the waiting phase sucks. I've got my oncology appt on 16 Feb.

We are here if you want to chat or ask any questions xx

Hi Lisa,

I am 48 and got diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma over Christmas.  It has spread to the adjacent lymph nodes and the mass in my breast was quite large so I am doing 6 rounds of Chemo first (which I started last Friday), a mastectomy, then radiation.  Things moved really quickly for me.  I started Chemo a month to the day after I found out I had Cancer.  The waiting is the worst!  Every second advert on the TV is about someone living/dying with cancer.  The 'not knowing' is excruciating.  I had to have a CT, to confirm if the Cancer had spread to other parts of my body, the wait for those results was almost unbearable.  Luckily, it hasn't spread.   

I started Chemo a week after I saw the Oncologist and I was just eager to get started.  One thing I will say, is try not to compare yourself to others.  I would ask why did they have a mastectomy first?  Is my Cancer worst because I am having Chemo first?  But I am unique and my cancer is unique to me.

It's a long road ahead, but once you know what you have to face, it will get easier.

As for the itching, talk to the nurse, call the number you have been given.  I wish you all the best and good luck with your results.

Jo xx