Just been diagnosed with grade 2 invasive carcinoma and in one lymph node. It has been a challenging few weeks. Trying to get my head around all the appointments. Scans and treatment options

Hi Mucca,

Welcome to the forum.

I also have breast cancer grade 3.

Have had lumpectomy and chemo now having radiotherapy and started on Letrozole.

It's difficult at first to understand it all and come to terms with it.

Once you have a treatment plan you feel a bit more in control.

Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to process it.

Discuss all treatment options with your team and family.

Wishing you well with your recovery please keep us updated xx

Thank you Missymolly 

I'm going through scans now and team appointment is in November x

Hi Mucca,

I had a lumpectomy some months ago and lymph nodes removed (stage 1-2), I finished my radiotherapy recently and have now been told I am clear. It is a shock when you are told, but 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

Thank you and good news that you are clear.  I will check out Macmillan centre. I had started a walking group for women and there are 4 of us now and they have been supportive when I got diagnosed. I do have a great support group of friends too plus my 3 adult children. I’ve been organising things at work. Sleeping better now than I know. I’ve read all the leaflets I’ve been given. How was the first chemo? X

Hi Mucca,

The first cycle is okay you may feel a bit tired ehen you get home. You may feel tired for a few days. I found on the 21day cycle I had about 10 days where I felt fatigue really bad. However I've read others had no effects whatsoever.

The staff are very good and give lots of information on what to look out for and cards about steroids and the cancer helpline. You will be an expert by the time you leave your first appointment.

Make sure and eat a small breakfast before you go. I didn't and felt a bit queezy but had some lunch and felt better.

Importantly listen to your body. Take the time to rest and heal when needed.

Good luck you can do this xx

Hi Mucca

I was diagnosed with the same in August and ended up having a double mastectomy. They found breast cancer in both breasts and because I was so big breasted, 44G, diagnostics became an issue in my right breast and they said it was safer to remove it, especially as they know radiotherapy doesn't work so well on big breasts. My left breast only had a 2cm tumour but they didn't want to leave me lopsided, and that was why I had the double. I wont lie, the recovery from surgery has been tough but five weeks on and dressings are finally off and I am about to start chemo on Friday. It is one appointment after another. It's just relentless. Today I had my heart scan and tomorrow I go to have the port fitted. plus nurse visits, oncologist, preassessments, etc etc and when I dont have an appointment then I am planning them. I can be on the phone all day. 

But, I occasionally stop and tell myself this is all for my own good, it is life saving so I just have to suck it up and get on with it. I have great friends around me, and my husband and two grown up kids supporting me.

I have been anxious about Friday but I just read someone else's post on here about chemo and it didn't sound too dreadful. I will try cold capping and went and had a good chat with someone at Guys at Cancer Hair Care and got lots of information. I have also had semipermanent eyeliner and eyebrows done, and tomorrow I am getting my hair cut a little (more a debulking as it is quite thick) and my roots coloured. I feel these are the things I can control.

Also, it seemed to take ages to get my treatment plan due to the problem with diagnostics (I'm sure I didnt have the largest breasts in the world but I felt like I did). Once I made the decision to have the double mastectomy for safety reasons then things moved at alarming speed.  I always took a list of questions to all my appointments and even asked the same questions a few times over as I found myself forgetting the answers.

I feel I have rambled. This is my first post so forgive me.

D x

Thank you D 

I appreciate any advice and am thank ful. Not sure when the whole reality of it will hit me. X