Scared and alone

Yes, Pandorica, it is very scary!!! When I got my cancer diagnosis about a week ago, I was terrified and I kept thinking that that was the worst day of my life! I'm trying to pull myself together and stay strong and positive which is not easy as we all know! Please stay strong and positive, cancer treatment is so advanced nowadays and it is not the end of the road! It's a long process - surgery, chemo, etc, but people get better and live for decades even with metastatic cancers! It is really important to fight and to be optimistic no matter how terrible the whole thing might seam especially after the initial shock. I just read about Sarah Ferguson's breast cancer, it can happen to anyone... Big hug, xx 

Hi Pandorica, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I can imagine how scared you must be not only with a tumour but also the blood clot which seems to be very big. I do hope they can give some blood thinners to get rid of the clot quickly so you can move forward to the next part of your treatment. It’s hard to stay positive but I have tried throughout all my treatment to remain happy, bubbly and upbeat - my normal self as my mum would say. My oncologist is lovely and always is very positive too which is great to have that support from him too. 
Wishing you all the best

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hello Pandorica 

I am so sorry to read that you lost your sister to breast cancer 18 months ago.  Not only do you have that devastation, but have to deal with your own diagnosis as well.

That is a huge blood clot, have you queried the size as it seems enormous?

I presume they are testing your for BRCA gene because of both of your diagnosis'?

You say you were diagnosed with high grade DCIS, have they diagnosed a tumor as well?  If you have DCIS on its own, then although it's not good news to have DCIS, it's the best news you could get with a diagnosis.  DCIS is (in another way of saying it) pre-cancerous and could possibly turn into cancer, but hasn't yet done so.  Therefore it doesn't matter the size or grade of the DCIS as it is stage 0.

I had high grade DCIS - 2 areas totaling 54mm and a medium grade tumor of 15mm.  My treatment was based on the 15mm tumor only, because that was the only life threatening part my diagnosis.

Do you have another family member or friend who can support you at this time?  It does sound as if you really need someone to talk to.  If not, always come on here as there are plenty of ladies who will, I am sure, understand what you are going through.  Or give the Macmillan helpline a call to chat to someone.

Kindest wishes, Lesley

Pandorica sorry about your diagnosis and your sister.  I remember when waiting for my diagnosis being terrified and full of gloom.  In 1988 my mother was diagnosed with bowel cancer and died within weeks.  Th3n in 2012 one of my sisters a brain tumour and gone within a month so when I'm awaiting biopsy results in 2015 I thought it's my turn.  I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS and had surgery and radiotherapy.  8 years on I'm a NEDDY no evidence of disease.  Do you have a date for surgery yet? 

Thank you lesley my mum and dad live 150 miles away and all my mum can see is she has lost one daughter and is terrified about me. The size of the blood clot is that size and is deep also

Have only just got my date which is 11th augustb

Hi Pandorica 

I am guessing that as your appointment isn't until 11th August, the team can't be overly concerned which must be good news.  I don't know anything about blood clots within a diagnosis, but their delay is, in a way, good.  If they were rushing you in, in 5 minutes type of thing, you'd know it was serious - if that makes sense.

For your Mum (and Dad), it would be worth reassuring them and provide them with information about DCIS as this would hopefully ease your Mum's mind that it's not yet become cancer and the fact that they know about it, it can be prevented from becoming cancer - so she won't be losing you any time soon!

The treatment is very similar to if it were cancer, but please try and ease yours and their minds that it's not turned into cancer.

I hope this helps a little,

Kindest wishes, Lesley