Hi my name is Linda I am 61 years old and back in November I had routine mammogram.... I got a letter couple weeks later to go back ....
They told me had found very small lump that they needed to do a biopsy on in my left breast ...
Couple weeks later I returned for results... it was cancer ... they talked me through the next steps which was a lumpectomy ... which although initially I was in shock ,I came to terms with ,telling myself " it was caught early, all will be fine "
A date was set for surgery ,I in formed work who were very good and supportive about it .I had to attend breast unit for a couple of pre-surgery procedures the last one being 3 days before my plannedsurgery.. it was to I believe insert markerers and magseed . However during this appointment the Dr was running the ultrasound over my breast for quite a while, saying nothing ,I started to get a lttle nervous and so asked if there was a problem.... I looked at her face and could tell there was ... she asked when my surgery was . . Then replied would have to cancel as had found a area on concern and needed to take another biopsy... I then and there burst into tears .
After a wait of almost 3 weeks I returned to hospital ( my daughter-in-law came with me this time )
I was told yes there was another area that was cancer and best option was mastectomy... several options were discussed for reconstructive surgery but the only suitable one was with implant... again I was given a date for surgery with an appointment in between to see consultant to finalise decision.
A breastcare nurse then went through everything in detail and gave me some books etc to read ... was a lot to take in ..
I am now at home 7 days after surgery (opted for reconstructive) and not sure how I feel ,what is next,how I will cope ... ( I live on my own )
Sorry seemed to ramble on for a bit ...
Thank you for sharing your story, and sorry that you find yourself part of this amazing supportive community. I found my lump a month before what would have been a routine mammogram in November, I am now half way through chemotherapy after a mastectomy and axillary clearance. 4 more cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy and then years of hormone treatment. Hopefully you won't need all that, but keep it broken down into manageable bits and it is doable. At this stage I would advise concentrate on recovering from the surgery, do the physiotherapy, be kind to yourself. If you need chemotherapy it is unlikely to start until you have recovered from surgery. Sending you healing hugs, if you have any questions please ask xxx
Thank you
Yes I go back on Thursday to have dressing and drains removed .. then will wait for results, they took some lymph nodes out ... and will biopsy them and the tissue from breast .... from then they will decide what further treatment needed ...
Yes trying just to take it step by step and to stay positive.
But strangly comforting to come on here and know it is not just me .
XXX
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