Diagnosed

Hi Melaniep6687 

I am sorry you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Waiting for your results is very stressful. Once you know a bit more about how they propose to treat you, post a little more detail and many of us will be able to give lots of advice. Meanwhile try not to look too far ahead. It’s unfortunately a common cancer but most of us have good outcomes. 

Hello Melanie,

I’m so sorry you find yourself here, but you will always get support from someone on this site, no matter what time of day, and I, for one, am very glad I joined this community.  Given that, it’s not a community anyone wants to join really, is it?

Some tips, given my experience, are to try not to make assumptions at an early stage regarding the full diagnosis and treatment.  I have found it can change very quickly, as more results come in, some better than expected, and some less so.  And that goes for ongoing treatment too.  Assume you are in it for the long haul.

Try and find a support group if possible via your local hospital or Macmillan, it’s been invaluable to moan/rejoice with a group of people going through a similar experience!  Frankly, they have been better at supporting me than my family, but that’s another matter!

I’m a planner and an organiser, so for me it’s knowing the ins and outs of everything (which is possibly driving my oncologist nuts), but for you it may not be the same.  Have a think about how you might want to approach this new aspect of your life (clearly unwelcome, I know), as only you know you, and how it’s best for you to be treated.  Advocate for yourself and your treatment, as sometimes that’s what you need to do.

Kind regards,

Pollyanna x

Hi Melanie

I’m sorry you have to be here, but welcome! 

In my view exercise is the best thing you can do to support yourself throughout and beyond cancer, both physically and mentally. Doesn’t matter what you do, but, if you can, get your body moving. It comes up in research over and over again how exercise strengthens the body ready for surgery, aids recovery, helps with side effects from cancer treatments and reduces risk of recurrence. There may be times you don’t feel like doing anything but, if you can, then do. I swear by it and consider exercise as much a part of my ongoing plan as the medication.

As has already been said, once you know your treatment plan I am sure the lovely people here will be able to share their similar experiences. x 

Hi Melanie, my wife was diagnosed with Her2+ breast cancer in January which had spread to the lymph nodes by the time she had mastectomy in April. She is currently undergoing chemo, to be followed by radiotherapy then immunotherapy. I have learnt a lot on her journey so if you could update your diagnosis and treatment strategy I may be able to pass on some advice that you may find useful. Such as whilst you may lose your hair during chemo, use Vaseline on your eyebrows and eyelashes as this will help protect them during chemo. My wife lost her hair but not her eyebrows or lashes. 

Hi thanks for the reply, I’m her2 + and hormone receptive positive, the pet scan show 2 other areas that need investing, adrenal gland and ovary. Was told I’d be starting 8 courses of chemo but within a couple Of days of being told they they changed their minds. I’m not waiting for test results to come back before any treatment even though it’s been 69 days since referral. Iv been into my key nurse but things are not moving quickly. How’s your wife getting on? 

Hi Shell6044 I am sorry your wife is suffering from breast cancer. I noticed you have replied to a number of posters describing your wife’s treatment path. Whilst that’s absolutely fine, please be aware that not all breast cancers are the same and that treatment pathways differ a lot.

In telling people they are likely to be treated with immunotherapy, you may be raising expectations of something that isn’t likely to happen for most people. Please be careful about this.  

I hope your wife is doing well.