Hello

It's hard not to at this stage. I was in a state where f disbelief, in limbo. Keep trying to be positive where you can. For me working on positive mantra just positive statements that I had learned from spiritual sites over the years. Even so I was facing this head on but trying to pretend it wasn't happening to me. It was and I had surgery on 6th Dec last year. Grade 2 stage 2. 

I'm on Letrozole now, had the radiotherapy and trying to build my stamina back up. It's not easy but keep going. I have a dog but he's a bit slow, bowel not working as well as it was. I'm in this for the long term, only 66 yrs young. Want another 20 if possible. Hope and prayers. Xx

Hi MamaG

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  It's perfectly understandable that you are all over the place at the moment.  Things should start to fee better once you have a treatment plan in place.  There's plenty of support on here so don't be afraid to ask for help should you need it.  There is also various supports that you can tap into from Macmillan.  Here's a link to those supports: Emotional, financial and physical help for people with cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support.

Wishing you the best of luck with your treatment when it starts.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi there I too have been diagnosed with the same cancer.  I have had my mri scan and have an appointment with my consultant on 25 May, expecting surgery in June.  The waiting is hard.  I've been put on Letrozole and have had some side effects but as I'll be on it for at least 5 years I'll just have to get used to it!  I'm trying to get all the small jobs done in my new home so that is giving me something to focus on and a sense of achievement as I know I won't be able to do much physically after my surgery.  Try and find a destress that works for you and herbal sleep tablets help with the sleepless nights (Asda Sleep Aid or Nytol Herbal with Valerian, Hops and Passionflower).   x

Thank you

Distraction, reading when the brain cope with it, TV and pain killers for 2 weeks. I walked outside the day after my op, anaesthetic was still working. It was the relief. You will find your own was. The arm exercises were a challenge to start with. It lifts up well now. Best wishes, you will get through this. X

Hi,

Sounds like we are at very similar points in this journey. I have my MRI next Tuesday then see surgeon on Wednesday to plan surgery etc, nurse says will be mid June. They haven't mentioned any hormone therapy, maybe that comes after surgery? 

Yes the waiting is the worst isn't it? But it's going to be a busy weekend and then it will be scan day! 

All the best,

MamaG

The waiting bit is the hardest. It is a time when the imagination can run wild and sleep can be difficult. Once the scans are done and you know what your plan is, it gets better. In the meantime, the Macmillan helpline is amazing and the breast cancer now helpline. 

I found that distraction, company and doing things that I enjoyed really helped me. I also found taking control of things that I knew improved cancer outcomes was good for my state of mind too.

 exercise improves how we cope with all our treatment and reduces the chance of it coming back - it is the most important thing we can do for ourselves to improve our outcome. If it’s not your thing, maybe start small with more walks. A healthier diet, more vegetarian elements and less red meat and processed food, and less alcohol. Taking care of gut health with natural yoghurt, kefir yoghurt, sauerkraut, miso and plenty of variety and colour of fruit and veg.  I also took vitamin D. And increased my fluid intake, particularly water. I even found some ten minute yoga, meditation or breathing exercises useful (and I am not normally into that, but it was helpful). And lastly, one that I could not face…the daily cold shower! There’s lots you can do to regain some control, but maybe pick one or two you can manage and if you can, choose more exercise as it has the biggest impact of all.

thinking of you in the waiting period. It’s not easy now. It definitely gets better with a plan x

I agree and I would add reconnecting with your social group. Mine is connected to dancing, quite a few have had breast cancer and are still there years later. Lots of positives.

Thanks, lots of good ideas! I do try to eat reasonably healthily, I walk every day and have been vegetarian for about 40 years, but I do enjoy a glass of wine in the evening :-) Like you I can't face a cold shower, but I will try to get back to yoga and swimming before surgery puts a stop to it.