Hi all. I can relate to you all with the feelings of anxiety, I found a lump on 15th August and was sent by my GP for an urgent appointment to the breast care centre within days where I had an ultrasound, mammogram and biopsies and was told on that day that I either had something called fibrocystic disease or breast cancer. I've since been told that it is cancer and I have an appointment with a consultant on Wednesday but it seems like my entire life has come crashing to a halt. Surreal describes it perfectly, I haven't left the house, I rarely get dressed, I keep my curtains closed during the day, I ignore the doorbell and most phone calls, my normally spotless home has turned into a pig sty, I just can't seem to get out of this slump and I've completely withdrawn from the world, the thought of having to go out causes quite severe panic attacks. My daughter bought me a ring that has little silver circles wrapped around the front that you can spin and that's the only thing that I've found that helps to calm my breathing and stop my heart jumping out of my chest, it's quite soothing, very simple but effective. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say where it came from but it rhymes with glamazon and it was extremely cheap. I've had so many lumps over the years, all of them fibroadenomas, harmless tumours, until now and I really thought it was just going to be another one of those and I've been in a state of shock ever since I found out it isn't. In the past I've had to wait a while for appointments but this seemed different from the moment my GP felt the lump, everything was rushed but I still didn't want to believe it could be cancer. I wish all of you the very best of luck with everything and would really like to hear how you're all getting on, hopefully healthy and well. My thoughts are with you all.

Hi

So much to deal with. I am sending strength and hope you find tommorow is reassuring although can only imagine this will also feel extremely daunting. A route to recovery xxxx Stay strong and do whatever helps at this time. 

Thinking of you Tiffany and hoping for the best for us both tomorrow x

Thank you so much. This means the world. Im just leaving now x Will keep you posted and am also thinking of you lots, and sending strength for tommorow. This group has helped me get to today. You are all so very courageous  I feel stronger for knowing your all there x Thank you x Apologies for my recent radio silence. Ive been in a bubble of fear and business x 

Today I am more than grateful x Tommorow I will be thinking of you & am here for the long run x 

Aw so pleased for you. Must feel amazing. Thinking of you too Carol xxx

I really hope that means you are clear? Xx

I find out my surgery options later on this morning x

Let us know how you get on Carol. Hope they give you some positive options to choose from. xx

Hi everyone,  2nd biopsy showed more cancer, I need to have a full mastectomy and a lymph node op.

I thought I'd be gutted at this news, however I feel a great relief. They are confident a mastectomy will get rid of the cancer as it is Ductal Carcinoma In Situ at present, the least invasive one. My boobs have done their job re motherhood, so not worried in that regard and there is a good chance of reconstructive surgery too, so I just feel grateful they found it early xx

Hey Carol. Glad it’s in situ. Much better outcome. Did they give you advice on mastectomy and reconstruction? I had a call from a psych dr today as I requested double mastectomy. They have to check I’m in my right mind to make that choice. Great you feel relief too now you have a plan. Have they given you any other treatments? xxx

Hiya, no advice as yet, have to see plastic surgeon and team soon to discuss the options of reconstructive surgery. 

I had a 'photo shoot' this afternoon, the poor little photographer was only about 12 and terribly nervous They're obvs trying to recreate my breast as close as possible to the real thing. Is there a reason you asked for a dble mastectomy? Xx

Ah sweet. Good idea though to photograph to recreate as close to they were. 
I want double as they are already testing another lump on the other side and I have very lumpy boobs. The only way I could check if a lump was nothing to worry about was checking if it was the same on the other side. Now I won’t have that. 
I would feel safer with double but need to look into the reconstruction. I’m not too bothered if they didn’t. I’ve fed my kids and don’t have a partner to worry about. 
how long has it been since they diagnosed you? I’m three weeks in and I just want to get on with treatments now. Takes so long. xxx

Ah sweet. Good idea though to photograph to recreate as close to they were. 
I want double as they are already testing another lump on the other side and I have very lumpy boobs. The only way I could check if a lump was nothing to worry about was checking if it was the same on the other side. Now I won’t have that. 
I would feel safer with double but need to look into the reconstruction. I’m not too bothered if they didn’t. I’ve fed my kids and don’t have a partner to worry about. 
how long has it been since they diagnosed you? I’m three weeks in and I just want to get on with treatments now. Takes so long. xxx

It's been just over 2 weeks since result of my  first biopsy, so they are moving quickly but it's very much a stage by stage thing. 

Hope they give you the ok for the double mastectomy, to put your mind at ease.

Stay positive xx

I’m 3 and half weeks from biopsy confirmation. But no treatment at all in place. It’s grade 2 from the centre of the tumour but now they are testing the outsides. And another one on the other side. I’m wondering if it’s worth trying for private surgery to move things quicker. But it would be all our mortgage deposit which has been hard to save as a single parent. So hard to make a decision with all the waiting on top. I hope your surgery comes soon and goes well. xxx

The fact that they are testing other areas is good, it takes time for these tests to be analysed whether at a laboratory or wherever.  I read somewhere it can take months, so I reckon a few weeks is a brilliant turnaround. Even if you went private you can't hurry lab results.

Thanks for the good wishes re my surgery, hang in there girl xx

Is anyone still on this chat? X

Hello, I’m still here. It’s been a busy few weeks and I’ve just been processing a lot. I got the cancer diagnosis and then had my little baby delivered at 34 weeks - she’s doing amazing. Then 10 days later I had surgery to remove the tumour so I’m recovering from this at the moment. Awaiting the follow up and keeping everything crossed they managed to remove everything as hoped. 

how are all of you getting on? 

Congratulations. What's their name? How are you feeling after surgery? 

I'm still here too. I got a call from the breast clinic this morning. They said my other boob biopsy was clear. So it's just in one boob. But I'm opting for double mastectomy anyway. I feel more even with two off. Booked for the 19th November. Any questions you guys think I should ask the surgeon next week about the operation? It's not the actual surgeon thats doing the op as he is away. But I can ask all my questions to him. 

How are you doing Carol on your treatments? 

Her name is Beth. She’s coming along great. She lost some weight initially but has now surpassed her birth weight so all going in the right direction for her ️ 

I’m feeling very lethargic after the surgery. In a bit of pain but managing with pain killers. Can’t wait to get my energy back to do my usual with the girls. Also keen to get some good news from the pathology as would be nice to see a clear path out of everything. 

that’s good you have a date in for the surgery. How are you feeling about it all? X

Ah super cute name. Wish we could see pics. Must be exhausted though between newborn and surgery. Are you getting lots of support? 
im feeling good about surgery so far. But worried the mental side might be a bit more of the issue closer to the date. How long does it take to find out pathology? The waiting on all these tests are mentally exhausting. xx

Wow, you certainly have had a lot on your plate! You must be exhausted. Congratulations on the birth of your baby!

Also pleased they've removed your tumour, and fingers crossed for you that they've got it all and you can start to move forward forward.

I've had an operation to remove sentinel lymph node to see if cancer has spread from breast. Results in a couple of weeks. Mastectomy late November. 

Seen plastic surgery to discuss reconstruction, have chosen a size smaller and perkier!

Let us know how you and the little one are progressing x