Newly diagnosed

Hi Joanofarc,

Welcome to the forum, sorry about your diagnosis. 

The waits are the worse. Once you have a treatment plan your focus turns to the fighting mode. One step at a time. Loads of appointments.

I was where you are last May. Had my op chemo radiotherapy and now on Letrozole for 5 years.

Be kind to yourself, do things you enjoy whilst waiting as a distraction. Macmillan nurses and cancer care are great supports. Also if you have a Maggie centre close by you will meet with others in similar situations.

Happy to answer any questions. Sending hugs xx

Awhh thank you. Lovely to receive a reply! , if you have any top tips about the op, things that helped I’d be grateful. And I know I’m jumping the gun but I’ll be on letrozole too and am already dreading it as have heard bad reports. How are you feeling? 

Hi Joanofarc I saw your question and wanted to share that I’ve found Letrozole to be okay, though I know people do have a rough time on it. I guess it depends on your own physiology (for instance, I had a terrible time with Zometa), but for me, I haven’t had any bad side effects. Fingers crossed you have a similar experience!

Thank you. Cancer is definitely a game changer. People are very generous with their replies here. So comforting, 

Hi Joanofarc and another warm welcome to the forum. I was 59 at diagnosis. I lurked on this site for a while before plucking up the courage to post, and have found it a great place for support and shared experiences. I’m still rattling around the site at over 6 years post diagnosis so it must be good!
Other sources of support for me have been…. Maggie’s Cebtre at Addenbrookes, it’s an hour’s drive away but when I discovered it, over a year after my diagnosis, it was such a massive comfort and relief to meet people in person who understood. …. A local cancer rehabilitation exercise class - joined this nearly 3 years post diagnosis and it was originally for 12 weeks. I’m still going 3 years later! …..Future Dreams House in Kings Cross - lovely, welcoming place for anyone affected by breast cancer. I’ve done a few in person sessions there, great place. They also do online stuff if you’re nowhere near London. 
Sending love and a big virtual hug, HFxx

I’m in south London but could get to Kings Cross. Thank you! I’m feeling so touched by the warmth on this forum! I have cried a lot.. big believer in expressing healthy emotion. Hope you are thriving 6 years on. I’m going to try and find all the resources near me. And I’m sure I’ll meet some wonderful women. Big hug back x 

Hi Joanofarc,

I recovered well from my op. Buy some good bras without wires. A cuddle pillow for bed and do the exercises as advised.

You can't drive for 2 weeks or  heavy chores for 3 weeks. Sometimes times I put extra padding in my bra at the wound areas I had wound at nipple and under arm for extra comfort. Do a big shop before hand or some online shopping if noone to shop for you. I did a big clean before op helped to work off some of my anxiety. I went in to hospital at 10am. Theatre at 12 and was home for 4pm.

I'm doing good on Letrozole, I have some stiff joints when i get up but walk it out. I have some hot flushes not unbearable. I just think of it as the pill to prevent the cancer returning. I know some people don't have a good experience, but I've been okay this is my 4th month now. Xx

Thank you thank you 

Hi, I was diagnosed last year with grade 3 breast cancer in February and started the treatment in April with chemotherapy and a lumpectomy was done in October followed by radiotherapy now taking Letrozole started in December and had Zometo at the beginning of this month and had 2 substance injection.

My concern is about the relapse. I met a lady at St Bart at the chemo clinic she had cancer 2 years ago and now she has it spread to her lungs and another person got it after 20 years. This gives me a worry.