Newly diagnosed

Hi AlyCatB

Welcome to the forum and I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  While the thoughts of having treatment for cancer is scary in actually it 's not as scary as it seems.  While I won't say it's easy it is doable.  You will have plenty of support from your medical team should you need it and keep coming on here if you need any extra support, we're a friendly bunch on here and we all understand how scary having cancer can be.

Wishing you the best of luck with your lumpectomy.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi AllyCatB

Welcome to the forum.i had my lumpectomy and sentinel nodes removed in June. The recovery went well. There was more discomfort than pain and I was back doing normal things within a few weeks.

I needed chemo which finished last month. I'm now having radiotherapy which is okay.

It's a scary world but once you have a treatment plan you take it step by step.

Please use this forum and the macmillan nurses who will give support and reassurance.

Good luck with your treatment plan. Keep us updated xx

Hi AllyCatB,

I had a lumpectomy some months ago and lymph nodes removed, I finished my radiotherapy a few weeks ago and am now taking one day at a time. 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 questions 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

Hi AllyCatB

It is a scary time, but you will get through this and as Daisy53 said, the thought is more scary than the actual treatment. I had a lumpectomy in April and radiotherapy in July, have been fortunate to recover well and life is good again. I remember at the beginning thinking life would never be the same and I was wrong, it can be. Any questions just shout, everyone is here to support you. x