Newly Diagnosed

So sorry to hear this - you're right, it certainly does suck!

I was diagnosed on 19th November and went straight into "business mode", focusing only on what I needed to do about it. I remained there until my meltdown this week where I started crying on Tuesday morning and didn't really stop until late afternoon. I felt so much better for it I must say so will be letting the tears come whenever they fancy from now on.

My treatment plan is the same as yours except my ultrasound didn't show any lymph node involvement so for now I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy, which is happening next week.

I've found it can be quite a lonely place to be even you're surrounded by people who love and care about you because they won't ever really understand how it feels unless they've been through similar. The peer support here is amazing and from people who are all at different stages of the process so you get to learn something too.

I hope you find the support you need and wish all the best with your treatment. x

Hello. 

Welcome to the forum. Really sorry to read this. 
It really does suck! 
The support on here is amazing, and you can always contact the MacMillan helpline too. 

It is a lot to take in when you get diagnosed. It’s good that it hasn’t spread. 

Sending hugs. xx

Thank you so much for replying and good luck in your journey, sounds like we are at very similar stages. I have been through so many different emotions today. I'm not going to lie I am terrified of the surgery I have never been in hospital but reading other people's experiences is helping to put my kind at ease. Good luck for your operation next week hope all goes well and the recovery goes ok. Sending healing hugs your way X 

Totally understandable to be terrified of surgery, especially if it's your first. It involves having to put a lot of trust in people you barely know. My surgeon and breast care nurse key worker have already managed to build up that trust with me and I think if you have that, it can make it less scary so it's important to be sure you're happy with who you're working with.

The information overload you mentioned when you're newly diagnosed is definitely immense because they've just described potentially almost a year's worth of really horrible sounding stuff to do in about 10 minutes. I've found that the overwhelm has subsided for me now and I'm managing to take it one step at a time and enjoy the spaces in between all the 'cancer admin'.

I'd say the uncertainty of it all has been the absolute worst aspect for me, however I'm now managing this a lot better by taking control of what I can and accepting what I can't. I mean when you think about it, who really has 100% certainty in any aspect of life anyway, right?

Thank you so much for your well wishes and I hope things settle a bit for you soon x

I had a diagnosis of stage 1a  grade 2 on 11th November, following a routine mammogram, a biopsie etc. I had my lumpectomy with sentinel lymph nodes removal on 26th November and I will get my results on Tuesday. The surgery and recovery was not anything like as bad as I thought it might be and all staff have been fabulous through the whole thing. I did have a total meltdown on the third day - I think it was a completely normal reaction to shock, pain and anaesthetic. Someone made the mistake of telling me I had to be positive. I won't repeat my response word for word but it was not polite. Most of the time I am, but I do know that the results could be worse than expected and that  causes the horrible 'waiting for results' anxiety. 

I knew I needed a soft, supportive bra so I went for an M&S fitting. I then needed to go up a cup size post surgery. I found the ASDA post surgery bras the most comfortable at night and the M&S ones during the day. PJs with a button up top were a big help. The hospital gave me a lovely little, soft, heart shaped cushion, made by volunteers. I have found that really useful. It gives a bit of protection and stops me hugging my arm too close -  which can cause a frozen shoulder. 

It's not what anyone wants, but it is doable and not as painful as you might expect. Very best of luck. 

Our journeys sound very similar indeed. When I was at the hospital on Friday I was given one of the heart shaped pillows you have talked about and also a bag to put the drain in for after the surgery. I was also given soooooo many leaflets and booklets which I havent even looked at, I know it sounds silly but by reading them I'm accepting it and I just don't want to at the moment. I thought I was ok but today I had a mega meltdown everyone has been so matter of fact with me. The most common phrase I have heard the last couple of days from friends and family is "you will be fine, they have caught it early" don't get me wrong I'm not expecting hugs and tears as that would make me upset but I feel like I'm not allowed to be feeling the way I am like I'm not entitled to feel sorry for myself. I know they care and they are probably just as frightened as me and don't know what to say. Thank you so much for the advice re the Bras as I was panicking about getting the wrong ones lol. Good luck for your results I really hope it goes well for you x