Diagnosed yesterday

Hi junouno,

It's a worry, however once you know for certain the type if it is cancerous by the time you see the oncologist in 3 weeks time they will have a treatment plan for you.

Treatments have advanced greatly. That is if you require treatment.

Try to take one step at a time and be kind to yourself.

Fingers crossed all goes well for you.

Please keep us updated and plenty of support on her and from the macmillan nurses and cancer care.

Take care xxx

Hi junouno,

My situation was exactly the same as yours, no family history and found on a mammogram. It turned out to be stage 1-2 and I had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed in April, then had five days of radiotherapy - in August I was told I was clear.

That said, yours could turn out to be benign and all will be well, but if not don’t panic, at least it’s getting seen to quickly. It is a shock when you are told and it is important you take a bit of time to let it register and sink in. The strides made in modern cancer medicine these days is amazing and they can do so much for you. However, there is so much you can do for yourself too.

You have made the first big step by finding the Macmillan site, also do visit your nearest Macmillan centre, a list is on here, or ring them on 0808 808 0000, they are superbly helpful and give you lots of great info, do walks, talks, help with benefits, bills, open 10-4 Mon-Fri for coffee and chat and lots more. Please also get a good support structure in place, family, friends, good work colleagues, I’ve lived on my own for nigh on forty years, but realised you can’t do this on your own. I also go for a short walk every day (British weather permitting) and do a daily diary, this is mega helpful, as it gets everything off your chest and out of your system. It is important during the day to keep yourself occupied, hobbies, interests etc., it stops you from dwelling on what is going on. You may also find it beneficial to listen to a meditation podcast, they really help you to relax especially when you are trying to get to sleep. I use one called ‘Go Gently’ by Christine Elizabeth Smith, it does a lot for me. Whatever you do, do not visit Dr Google as there is so much conflicting information, your head will spin and it will stress you out, listen to your medical team and ask your breast cancer nurse as many question as you want. Also, you get great support on here.

I know it’s hard sometimes, but try and keep as positive as you possibly can, have positive people around you and dump the negativity, above all, be kind to yourself - I promise you, you will get through this. You are never alone and can always come and chat to us shower in here.

Keeping fingers and everything crossed for you.

Take care and big hugs.xxx

Thank you sooo much xxx you can’t believe how much you’ve helped me

Many thanks for taking the time to reply, you are so kind…

im struggling with when to tell my children… or what to tell them…

im wondering if I should wait until I get the pathology back?

No problem anytime, we’re all in this together.xx

Hi junouno

Welcome to the forum and I am sorry to hear that you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis.  You are probably better off waiting until your results are back before telling your children.  Just tell them everything you know about your diagnosis and what treatment you will be getting.

Wishing you the best of luck with your results.

Best wishes

Daisy53

I would tell them right away, as you need their strength and support.

It’s never easy telling loved ones this kind of news, but your children are older and I think would appreciate you being upfront and honest and not let them find out another way. You could just say, that you are having some tests and are awaiting the results, but need them to be there for you.

I wish you all the luck in the world and do let us know how things are going.

Love and hugs.xxx

Yes I’ve spoken with friends and this seems to be the consensus… thanks so much x

Many thanks xx 

Thank s how it was for me, we never expect it although we know it's possible. Hopefully it's early enough to treat and recover well from. Xx