Hi there ...

I had a grade 3 breast cancer in 2017 and a masectomy ... I came on here and found about 6 others going through this too ... and others along the way .. we helped each other through the good and bad days... yes it's really emotional, but l remember thinking after two days crying I'd get myself a pair of pink vertual boxing gloves... get in the ring and punch cancer right back ... 

It's a rollercoaster ride, up one minute and crashing down the next ... it's not easy but it can be doable with hands to hold ... those I started with are still here, and one lass has just had her second baby after her treatment finished ...  

So hold on tight, it's a bumpy road ... but by sharing tears and admitting your both scared .. and just take one day at a time ... don't look at the whole picture , then it's overwhelming.... 

Sending a vertual hug.... Chrissie x

Thanks for writing back. Its a comfort to hear other story's. Its very inspiring and I can pass this to my family also to try not worry too much as cancer dos not have to be a death sentence. To hear any kind of success makes me feel she will get through it. 

Thanks Chrissie x

Hi I thought about answering or not, with me being male and different cancer.but thought it'll give you some ideas about cancer patients (I hope) .

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer gone to lymph nodes spine ribs pelvis and a lung in February 2016 its classed as palative care but I was working (metal fabrication and welding firm , for two years after diagnosis I started on hormone therapy then chemotherapy then had to retire to look after my disabled wife she has Alzheimer's and Parkinson's plus other problems im her full time carer still.

Cancer does bite now and again and treatment changes but I'm keeping positive and fighting,

Oh should have said it's classed as stage 4 no operation just living with my uninvited guest.

As Chrissie says the word cancer scares people but it can be knocked down and beaten back.

Remember keep positive and keep fighting all the family pull together,show cancer who's boss.

Best wishes for the future.

Billy

Thanks Billy, your story is great! Wow you are doing amazing and not letting cancer beat you. My sister has stage 2, but as I said previous it has just been a shock for all of us as never had anything like this in our family. I feel better already hearing your journey and it gives me hope and a way to give her words of strength as since she was diagnosed weeks ago I didnt really know what to say. Now I can give her words of inspiration. Also I'm trying to get a gene test, waiting to hear of accepted. I would hate my poor mum to go through this again, so just want prevent and get it checked for me too

Hi Claudio,

I am so sorry to hear about your sister's diagnosis. Do you know what type of breast cancer she has? I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years. I had lost my Mum to breast cancer 20 years before I was diagnosed. At that time breast cancer was a death sentence and, I was extremely worried for my young teenage family. 

There was absolutely no comparison between the diagnosis, treatment and aftercare which we both received. Breast cancer is now one of the more treatable forms of cancer and people are now living with it instead of dying. I have since seen both of my children go to university, graduate, find gainful employment, marry and have families of their own. As both Chrissie and Billy have shown, a positive 'can do' attitude is a huge help to recuperation. Both of these stalwarts have this in spades and, I'm sure that is helping them both to stay with us.

I am glad to hear that you are trying to get a genetic test for yourself and hope that you are successful in this. It is difficult to know what to say when someone is diagnosed, especially when you have no experience of cancer, but we can all learn. Keep asking questions for your sister and be there to support her along the way.

Please keep in touch. We are always here for you both.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jomaline

Thanks for getting back. Yes she has invasive ductal carcinoma situ. So yea its in her lymph nodes under arm pit, and her neck and collar bone. But they said it hasn't spread any organs which seems good news on top of all that. They said the tumour is quite big, not sure on size. They will be starting soon chemo, radio and operation last, then 10 year medications as I belive she hormone receptive I think. Her symptoms before she was tested were a lump under armpit and discharge from nipple. As I said nobody in family so its been a shock. Sorry to hear about ur mum and yourself. As you said though which is really uplifting cancer more treatable nowadays. So that what we all need to do have a positive attitude to get through this. As for myself I am.hoping can be tested. My father is of Jewish heritage so wonder if came from his side. If I have the gene I probably would be stressed but its best to know so I can take precautions, either regular screening or mastectomy

Thanks again, your very kind too, will keep touch xx