Breast cancer

Polly, I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Each of us responded/responds differently on receiving our diagnoses but most of us felt slightly calmer once we had a treatment plan. 
I hope you have a good support network - partner, children, parents, friends, work colleagues etc.

At first I chose to share my diagnosis only with my husband. I kept to that and it served me well. Once I’d had surgery I told a very few close friends but no detail. I didn’t want to reinforce my own negativity by constantly repeating information about diagnosis, treatments and prognosis.
That has served me well. You may be different. 
It may not feel like it but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Some of the treatment is tough and the side effects unpleasant but they’re better than the alternative. 
I wish you well. We’re here when you need a shoulder to cry on or a place to vent  

Hi  I haven't been diagnosed yet I'm waiting for a biopsy of a lump they found deep in the tissue of my right breast  but I'm falling apart all ready I keep thinking the worse  and I haven't even been diagnosed yet  so I sympathise with you it's not easy  you never think it will happen to you  make sure you get lots of support  cancer is a truly horrific thing sending my love to you  

Thankyou so much had my pet scan today got mri on Monday had biopsies on Monday and even without everything else they told me it was cancer.. I’m just crying all the time I had a stroke 4 years ago but got myself fit again and went back to work and now this it’s distroyed me , my kids and partner are very supportive but at the same time devastated and upset .. now every little pain I get I’m wondering if the cancer has spread everywhere . Thankyou x

Thankyou yes it’s a awlful disease it took my mum nanna and auntie and feel it’s now come for me I’m not coping x

I had a mammogram on 11 March 2025. Assessment clinic 3 April. 2nd mammogram...

Then biopsy needed. Ok...

We've noticed skin changes too. Not so ok.

And changes in your lymph nodes... Oh flippity fidgety BEEP BEEP BEEP

2 days on, kids told. Not telling my mum until I know 100% as last time round she fell apart and since then she's bed bound and I'll herself.

Having been through the c journey before, oral that time, my mind has already gone to power of attorney, (anyone know anything about them) getting a will done again and concentrating on what to pack for my many MANY upcoming trips to London.

All that sorting and not even got my results yet! 

Hey, I send so much strength to you. Xx

I am awaiting biopsy results and have over 2 weeks to wait. I hope you have good support around you, allow yourself to be held by them or us here. Please don't be alone.

Be kind to yourself and keep talking x

Hi Pollyperk, I am sorry to hear you're struggling with the early diagnosis and I do think this period of half knowing but not really knowing is incredibly difficult for so many people, you really are not alone in this. I hope you get a full diagnosis, and a treatment plan, soon as most people do find it's easier to cope after that.

I was wondering gif you've thought about having a chat with the lovely people here at Macmillan on their chat line. The number is 0800 0808 0000 and they're at the end of the phone for advice, support or just to provide a listening ear.

In the meantime, I hope things have gotten a little easier, best wishes 

Morning I haven’t thought about chatting to anyone yet, I wake up in the night and the first thing that comes in my mind  is I’ve got cancer , I’m having the odd few hours where I forget about it then I may see one of my grandchildren and I brake down , I’ve nursed for 27 years and being this side of the fence is a whole new ball game , I’m not sure I’m strong enough to cope with treatment mentally I’m wrecked and physically I’m now probaly the same , I hate to see my family going through pain because that’s something that I would never do to my children , my youngest son who’s 32 and lives with us with his partner and 2 kids is constantly being sick with worry , and that hurts me , I hear him each morning throwing up … I don’t know if I will be a success story with such a negative mind , one nurse colleague said I’ve got to stop being a negitive Nelly and become a positive polly , my journey is only a week old tomorrow and I feel my life’s over as the cancer in my breast is measuring 5/7 cm , so I’m guessing it’s been there ages and in my head I’m thinking it’s gone to other places , which if it has would there always be something they could do I don’t want to die … sorry it’s a long rant but I am one scared negative Nelly xx

Morning, Pollyperk 

When I was diagnosed this time last year I thought my world had ended. Like you I had been through something significant and worked hard to get myself back to health and was feeling great when I was diagnosed so it felt like a huge kick in the teeth. I was convinced my life would be ruined forever and cried all the time. It was awful, so I genuinely empathise with where you are now.

But, as hard as it may be to believe, things do get easier. Getting your treatment plan and knowing what is happening and when really helps. Other things I did during this time was writing in a journal each morning to try and process my feelings or just rant in a safe way. Exercise was so beneficial too, it took my mind off things temporarily and I am convinced helped me to have a quick recovery. MacMillan also offer counselling. I had a couple of sessions and it helped put some things in perspective, maybe worth a call to explore?

The part you are in now is the worst by far. Keep reaching out and everyone here do their best to support you and answer any questions. x 

Thankyou yes it’s the not knowing that is making me worse but then I’m scared of how bad the cancer is , I battled through the stroke it’s 4 years next week and I felt less of a woman after it and kept asking my partner if he really wanted to be with me as mentally I didn’t cope with that and had to have years of counselling but now I’m going to feel if. It more the same with the added dark places I’m visiting daily , what if there’s nothing they can do for me or is there always something they can do , I got upset yesterday thinking this Christmas just gone could have been my last and I’m doing the same with people and things … I’ve ordered a journel this morning , I had one when I had the stroke , I also have bad health anxiety and so sensitive to medications so that’s another thing that’s stressing me out really bad … I’m a complete mess I keep comparing this journey to my mums who from diagnosis to passing was 5 weeks , and when I bought her home after her diagnosis she said to me my brother and dad who had the begining of dementia, she doesn’t want to talk about her diagnosis it’s not to be spoke about in the house . My head is screwed up xx