Breast cancer

Your reaction to the coming radiotherapy is completely understandable; it's an unknown that is far different to the anticipation before a surprise party, to say the least.

As for the rest, I think you are echoing the way a lot of women here have felt, especially when their medical teams were able to get them going fast through surgery. It's great that they move fast, but has the effect of not leaving any "breathing space" to even start digesting what has, and still is, happening.

Have you been told when you are starting your radiography? 

No but I have an oncology appointment next Friday. They have said to allow 2-3 hours so that is worrying me as to why the appointment should be so long. 

It was 22 days between diagnosis and surgery which of course is good but I feel it was a bit surreal. 

My cancer was picked up during routine breast screening and as I had no idea there was anything wrong it all came as a bit of a shock. Although it is good it was caught very early which meant it was small and hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes. I did have cancerous calcifications too so that was operated on at the same time. 

I had wire guided surgery as the cancer was small. 

I really don’t know how I feel about it all.  My family are of the the opinion it’s over and I’m cured and everything should be back to normal.  

I’m not sure that I should even be here on this site as there are many worse off than me.

I really don’t know what to feel.  I’ve been off work since 25th Jan but should go back soon but I don’t know how I feel about that either.

Thank you for letting me have a bit of a rant.

Hi Sharon. I know exactly how you feel. I was diagnosed in November, had lumpectomy in December, just finished my radiotherapy and am taking tamoxifen. The relief that the cancer is all gone is brilliant but at the same time the roller coaster journey is overwhelming and sureal. Its normal to have good days and bad days and hopefully eventually the good days will outweigh the bad.

Hi Steph. Thank you for replying and I hope you’re doing okay. 
My surgery was a local wide excision which I think is another name for lumpectomy (I’m not sure). 
It is a rollercoaster of emotions but it’s nice to be able to connect with others who have been through it too. 

Hi Sharon . My story is similar to yours. Picked up through routine screening, small (8mm) and non palpable. Saw consultant on 11th November and surgery on 7th December. Finished 5 sessions of RT on 9th Feb. End of treatment review on 7th March and now on patient led follow up and yearly mammograms with 5 yrs of anastrozole. I only had 4 weeks off work with some flexi working and now back full time. 

It feels surreal doesn't it  and I'm finding I still have low days as still processing and letting my head catch up. Having some good days too so hopefully they will outnumber the low ones ! 

Take care and best wishes xx

Regarding the length of the appointment, it could be several things, all routine, sounds like they are maybe trying to get several things out of the way in one day. If you feel very concerned, you could contact the nurse and ask for a few more details, so you know what to expect on the day.

Family and friends tend to make that mistake a lot. Many of us here feel that those who have not been through the experience do not quite fully get what it's like. There are different ways people deal with this; some nod and smile, some stop talking to certain people, some of us try to explain, and so on.

"I don't know how I feel about it all" is something that again a lot of us here can relate to. It can take time to figure this part out too.

As for whether or not you should be on this site, from where I am looking, 100% absolutely yes. Our situations are unique, how we react and feel has nothing to do with anyone else's situation or condition.

About going to work, does your oncologist know? I would seek their advice first, seeing you still need to get through radiotherapy.