Breast cancer confirmed - I’m so afraid

Hello JJ,

Totally, understand how stressed and anxious you must be feel. Particularly,  as you have a young child to think about. Your child is still very young to comprohend the illness so best at this stage not to say too much. Maybe give a positive out look e.g. doctors are helping me to get better and have a plan to help me. I recently had a CT scan and it wasn't painful in anyway. You just lie there and the machine does all the work. You are right about the feelings during the day you can be distracted but as soon as you stop. It's like reality kicks in. I close my eyes wishing for a normal life. But when I open them and bosh! It's all real again. I'm getting through by talking to friends and family crying when I need to and trying my very best to be positive. Know that the Dr's are amazing and really want the best outcomes for you.

I'm sorry about the level of your diagnosis but wish you all the very best in your treatment. Stay strong and you got this. Sending you lots of love xx

Thank you. It’s very kind of you to reply. I’m so sorry to hear you are going through this too. It really is tough.

thank you for you positive words, I hope you ct scan results were okay, and their taking good care of you. Big hugs.xx

Hi,

I am so sorry you find yourself here but it is a great place for support from people that understand exactly how you are feeling. 

I won’t go into details as you may come across my own posts or responses while browsing but feel free to ask anything. I found my lump 3rd Feb last year and completed Chemo, Lumpectomy and Radiotherapy over 10 months. My results from the op indicated the Cancer had melted and nothing found in my nodes. This is doable, you will get through, it’s a journey but you will find strength you never knew you had. Staying positive goes a long long way and you will feel better once you know the treatment plan and it starts. I cold capped through Chemo and didn’t lose all my hair. I’m changed, I see life differently but I’m here and going to start living life again after this last year.

i am thinking of you and wish you the strength you need but you will be amazing and come through this. Please let me know if I cann answer any questions xxx 

Thank you Harrigoose, it’s so good to hear you’re on the other side and there is hope. 
hopefully I’ll feel less worried once my ct scan has been done and a treatment plan in place. 

thank you for taking the time to chat to me. I really appreciate it.x

Hey don’t worry the Ct scan is painless and doesn’t take long at all. You aren’t inside the machine - it just slides in and out for a few seconds at a time, telling you when to hold your breath. Like others I have had chemo mastectomy and radiotherapy and have been told ‘clear’ so take one step at a time. Best of luck x

Ps don’t worry about hair loss - mine has come back very thick and curly ! X

Sorry to hear your news. It is an emotional time. It is easy to think the worse.

However, grade 2 sounds early and that is really important. Chat with Macmillan or friends or here, when feeling rough or down.

Waiting  for a scan may depend on your hospital. Yet, with cancer they normally try to get it done quickly. Within a few weeks.

I hope all goes well for you.

Best wishes,

Try not to worry about the CT scan. They are quick, the machine is very open, so it’s not claustrophobic. They will probably want to cannulated you so they can scan without, and then with a contrast dye. It feels a bit odd when the contrast dye goes in, almost as if you have wet yourself. You will probably be in and out in 10 minutes. 

In terms of waiting, I got a phone call asking if I could go in that evening, a couple of days after it had been requested. Waiting for the results was unfortunately a different story. 

Thank you all for taking time out to talk to me. It really helps. I rang them today and my appointment for the ct scan is Tuesday. I’m not too worried about the machine as the nurse explained it was a doughnut like machine not the other ones where you have to go in the tunnel. It’s the results I’m really fearful for, I’m so scared if it’s spread. I had a scan of my armpit and nothing suspicious was there, but you just never know.

it’s all the unknowns it’s so overwhelming. 

Hi JJ,

 I don’t know if it helps but I also have a grade 2 breast cancer of approx 4cm. Mine has spread to my lymph nodes but the CT scan (which was much easier than the MRI scan) has shown that it hasn’t spread anywhere else.

My treatment plan is to start with chemo to try to shrink the tumour.

It’s terrifying waiting to discover the full picture. Hopefully yours is contained in the breast and you’ll make a full recovery. I’m expecting to!

Thinking of you and wishing you all the very best xxx