My diagnosis

Hiya I am new on this site and it’s my first ever post. I wanted to find out other people’s experience as I’m going through a recent diagnosis and have started treatment 

my diagnosis is similar to your I think. I was diagnosed in August after feeling a lump.  And following scans biopsies and MRI treatment started in sept

 I am HER2 positive and my treatment plan includes chemo first followed by mastectomy and axiliary node clearance  

mine too is right breast but grade 3 and  multi central and intermedia DCiS - tbh I don’t know what half of this means 

I have started chemo before having surgery and have had 2 sessions already - awaiting my consultation this week with oncologist to see if it’s made and difference to the Tumours or not and if my treatment plan is on track  if so I’m having  a possible 5 more sessions before surgery  - thinks this pathway is called the NEOADJUVANT PATHWAY Where u have chemo before surgery  

my main worry at moment is whether it spreads or not this way and going through the mastectomy -  

not sure if anyone else on this forum has had experience of this pathway and what your thoughts are. I’m also not sure of whether to consider have reconstruction surgery at same time of mastectomy or not,  or whether not to bother with it. 

my head is already overwhelmed 

Would love to hear other people’s experiences. 

Hi Rani786

really sorry to read your diagnosis but I hope by posting you are finding it helps. I always found writing out my fears got them out of my head.

sorry I have no direct experience of your treatment plan but you are doing the best you can by asking here.

what I can say is that the overwhelming feeling in your head is normal, it is a truly difficult and scary time for you. Take all the help and support from family friends that you need to help you through. Try to take this roller coaster in small steps. We can manage a small step on a journey but trying to do the whole thing in one go is impossible 

be good to your self and try not to set yourself impossible targets

wishing you all the very best and a huge cyber hug

Hi ltommo88

that does sound like really great news, I’m so pleased you have had this as the treatment plan, it must be a huge relief, still scary be a huge relief.

i have just today had a very similar meeting with my surgeon but post mastectomy oh and I am male. The fact you are not having chemotherapy is so positive, a really good result. My cancer hadn’t spread so no chemotherapy for me either just tamoxifen hormone therapy for 5 to 10 years, hope I don’t get the hot flushes side effect. If COVID wasn’t around my partner and I would have gone out for a celebratory dinner after getting that diagnosis.

I understand your concern about the effect of the lumpectomy, I was really worried about the effect on my appearance from the mastectomy but after two weeks I’m getting accustomed to it now and it is no longer an issue for me. My wife had a lumpectomy as part of her treatment for her breast cancer, followed by radiotherapy, chemotherapy and tamoxifen. Her appearance hardly changed and apart from a small scar there was no serious impact, I hope yours will go equally as well.

All the best for the remainder of your treatment, still very concerning for you, but one step at a time and you will get through it.

mark

Hi Rani786 

im so Sorry to hear your diagnosis but I am glad you are on the road to recovery. If I’m honest I feel I would prefer your treatment plan as I hate this waiting around I want to just get started straight away and would also prefer a mastectomy but I am having the lumpectomy and I’m so scared I will look completely different and then that it will come back. 
how are you feeling with the chemo? Do you have a good support system around you? 
remember we are all here for you x x x

Hello MrT1

thank you for your response, my mind is so much more at ease now, before the meeting I was so scared. I know it sounds odd but I would prefer a mastectomy as I don’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering if it has come back. 

I am glad you are becoming used to your results and also don’t need the chemo. It must have been very scary for you and your wife to have gone through this. Also hearing about your wife’s lumpectomy puts my mind at ease a bit. After having 3 children I don’t have a lot of breast tissue anyway. The scar doesn’t worry me but some photos scare me.

thank you for your response x x x x

Hi Mr1

Thanks for the lovely words of encouragement 
im holding onto my faith and taking one day at a time 

all the best with your treatment also 

Hi ltommo88

thanks for your kind words 

I am blessed with a lovely and supportive  family  but this covid situation is not helping that emotional and physical link we need. Still-  luckily we have phones and video chats 

I’m not that forthcoming with reaching out at moment for any kind of help maybe cos I don’t want to trouble them or upset them further more  

at home it’s just me and my husband.  
my husband is great and looking after me well but we both new to this and not sure what to expect or what is normal or not . 

Hey but we both have each other and managing best we can Alhamdolillah . We Taking it One day at a time for now as Some days are better than others in between treatment weeks so that gives me some hope that all is going ok i think. 

hope your treatment starts soon and you get on the road to recovery quickly  sending you  lots of love and prayers