Hi all, just over 4 weeks ago I found a lump, it seemed to appear overnight. 2 weeks ago I am diagnosed with breast cancer, grade 2 and its a 7 cm lump. Next week is the surgery. Whilst the consultant nurses had probably done all they could to prepare me without actually saying it was cancer, I still remained positive and stupidly thought it was something over nothing. Deep down I knew it wasn't right but was either holding onto positivity, or I was in denial. The consultant surgeons words were 'I am sure its not a surprise, but it is breast cancer and it will require a mastectomy'. Total shock, and lucky I knew what the words meant. The tough thing is, I haven't been given a choice, in one fell swoop I was told that I had breast cancer and I was losing a breast. I have been well developed from an early age, and whilst at times I have disliked my size - I had never imagined a time without one of them. They are part of my identity. I am having difficulty in its all so fast, whilst I know its a probably a good thing that it was discovered early. I feel like I am on a treadmill that will not stop, and I have no choice and just have to keep running. I know the treatment is required to deal with it, but I am scared about it all - the surgery, the waking up and finding part of me missing. I was also told at the same time that reconstruction within the op was not advisable, due to radiotherapy later. I hadn't even considered a mastectomy, never mind reconstruction. I am on the whole positive that i will resume all my activities, yet my immediate concerns are surgery, dealing with the loss of a breast, and deciding on reconstruction later. That's my Hello to all!
