New and struggling with recent diagnosis

Hello Jane your reaction is perfectly normal and I’m sure everyone who has joined this group has felt the same as you at one time or another . I was diagnosed in March after a mammogram . I had no symptoms at all and the diagnosis came as a huge shock . I had a wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy in May and I was very lucky in that the cancer hadn’t reached the lymph nodes . I am starting radiotherapy within the next two weeks and then Letrozole after that . The word cancer does put the fear of god into you when you first hear it but as your treatment gets under way you will find that what’s in your head isn’t as bad as you think . As for not having anything to offer , you are still you and the cancer doesn’t  change the essence of that . Be kind to yourself and if you feel like wallowing in self pity for a while well just  do it ! It does get easier  and I’m sure you will find yourself again . Sending you a big hug x 

Hello, I'm 77 and was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in June & had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal last Thursday. I am recovering well, minimal pain just soreness in the two sites. I'm really looking forward to my first shower in 3 days and stocking removal in 6 days - I'm counting down. I am totally accepting of my diagnosis and quite frankly relieved that the tumour was found and initial treatment has gone ahead. One in 2 of us gets cancer so I refuse to be a 'why me?', I'm more let's press on with the radiotherapy. Best wishes to you fir your journey. Linda MM 

Hi  JanePJ  

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

I was diagnosed two years ago and found the stage you are at between diagnosis and surgery the most difficult. For various reasons it was seven weeks with lots of changes to the plan and I tried to work but couldn’t focus so was signed off. Being honest, like you when I heard the word cancer I was convinced life could never be the same again. But, for me, this perspective changed massively once surgery was done. As soon as possible I focussed on getting back to my usual routines including returning to work and my exercise routine. I know I’ve had a relatively straightforward experience with cancer and been fortunate but, in all honesty, my life went back to normal surprisingly quickly. I agree with Hat that the treatments I had were nowhere near as bad as I feared. You’re going through one of the toughest parts now but, in my experience at least, it does get easier. x

Hello, just wanted to say it know how you feel I was diagnosed 7 weeks ago er pr positive no her 2 lumps 4cm total mass ive got my consultant appointment later on today to discuss next steps, its been a long wait it hasnt really sunk in for me yet, i dont "feel" like i have cancer i think after today when I know all the ins and outs and treatment options it will hit me properly, I struggle at work too ive taken some time off sick which I didnt want to do but I just cant concentrate, I find im getting really irritated and frustrated too which is not good in my customer service job

,I have started to write a journal which helps with getting my feelings out, im not a big one for discussing my feelings openly either, this forum is brilliant for support and advice too, ive tried to carry on as normal but its hard to get past the word cancer I feel like i cant look to the future, im just trying to take each day and each appointment one at a time 

All the best, if you need anyone to talk to one to one message me all the best ️ 

1. Thank you so much for your reply, wise words xx

Onwards and Upwards !! Xx

It’s not a

good feeling at all and I hope it gets better for us both soon. I hope your appointment goes as well as it can today x