Journey beginning help

I finally saw the consultant on Thursday , who told me that I had caught it early and she would remove the lump then radiotherapy .  This was good news.  But then after she examined me she said the lump was quite large and she wanted a deeper biopsy to get some tissue from the middle of the lump.    It was really painful and still sore as not completely recovered from first biopsy.  I still wasn’t phased by it just thought she was being careful .  3 days on I am now starting to panic again.   I don’t feel physically great so worried that this is the cancer and it has spread.  I know my mind is probably working over time but Thursday is a long way off.   My mum is also ill and needs a fairly risky operation , so this is crappy timing for me .  I have a host of other personal issues I am trying to deal with .   I don’t know how much more my head can take.   How long is recovery from a lump being removed?    Is radiotherapy going to stop me potentially helping mum and or working ?  I just don’t know what to expect .  

hope everyone else is doing ok any advice welcome Deb xxx

Hi. I suspect that they want to get more info on lump from you so just being thorough. It can be a worrying and anxious time and everyone reacts and copes differently.  Have you read my tale - click my name. Surgery can be daunting and you'll be well looked after. It will take time for you to heal and cope with light duties, get the drugs out system and rest up so your body can heal. You may just need to play it by ear. Rads was ok for me but again everyone is different. I'm struggling a bit with skin effects. It's been 9 days and boob is red  itchy and I have a large long red welt under boob. I have seen post from others who worked throughout as did I but due to delayed appointments a quick trip for treatment often turned into 2 or 3 hour round trips.

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Did you have others that can help you or your mum?

I know its hard but you need to distract yourself with things you enjoy until thurs. Worrying or trying not to is exhausting both physically and mentally and you need to look after yourself. X

Sending you a virtual hug Harleybear the waiting and not knowing is the hardest part. When you get as plan in place it will feel easier. We all have different plans but it is do-able. Step by step. As Tired Minion says, try to find positive distractions to help pass the time. Good luck.

Hi Deb it’s such a hard time especially with all you’re having to cope with at the same time.  Completely understand your anxiety as I have found the waiting so hard to deal with too but try and hold on to the fact it’s been caught early so doesn’t sound as though it’s likely to have spread anywhere else.  If it’s any help I had lumpectomy yesterday and apart from feeling a bit sore I haven’t really needed any painkillers and managed a long walk today.   I’m still not sure what’s to follow but radiotherapy has been mentioned a few times and if it is just that, mine will be an intensive 5 day treatment which might be an option for you and hopefully you will recover quickly to help your Mum. 
Very best wishes xx

Hi Deb, I came out of my appointment all positive because the doctor talked about lumpectomy or breast reduction but need MRI because of discrepency in size between mammogram and ultrasound.  She explained everything and I took everything in but now I am thinking all sorts.  I even had a thought of what if they are lying and want to do MRI scan because it is worse than what they said, or another thought I had was why was the doctor so positive when she didn't even have my receptors back.   I am scaring myself with these thoughts but I think it is just normal behaviour because I am anxious as no actual plan yet. So I think the panic is a normal feeling of the unknown.

My mam had radiotherapy this year on benign pituitary tumour and she had no ill effects whatsoever. She is 72 and had a round trip of 4hrs a day to the radiotherapy centre.  I hope I have inherited her strength.

Take care Mel xx

Thanks , just read your story .   Your right the mental anguish is totally exhausting. I have had anaesthesia in the past and usually take a while to recover so am prepared for that .    It is just me really for my mum at the moment, maybe the surgery won’t clash with mine .  Xxx

I know the news I have had so far is really positive and reading some of the stories on here sounds like I have been lucky .  In think it is just really crap timing with everything else that is going on in the family xxx

Glad your operation went ok and your not too sore.     Hope the news following this is good xxx

Hi Mel , I know just what you mean .  I was on cloud 9 when I came out ,now the doubts are creeping in .   I think as others have said distraction seems the answer.  Xxx

Hi I had an mri to check sizing, and confirm position of tumour for my surgery. Its gives them a better picture for surgery  Best wishes xxx