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my normally spotless home has turned into a pig sty, I just can't seem to get out of this slump and I've completely withdrawn from the world, the thought of having to go out causes quite severe panic attacks.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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Hi Soundy, best of luck for 19th, so good to have a date to work towards. Glad psych allowed you to go ahead with the double mastectomy to help stop you worrying.
My date is estimated at mid/end November but still waiting for results of lymph biopsy to see if cancer has spread from breast or is behaving itself and staying insitu. I got infection from canula during lymph op so have been feeling a bit yuk but starting to feel better now.
Had a bit of a wobble yesterday but back to feeling positive about it all, it's hard to stay positive the entire time with all the waiting, too much time to think!
Aw the waiting is actually the worst part so far. I know treatments will be hard. But so hard to stay positive. I’ve been using exercise. Walking every day. Cbd oil and meditation with headspace to get me through it. It’s been better than using the fluoxetine. I hope you get your results soon xxx
Yes I’d agree with you both the waiting is the worst part. I’m annoyed at myself that I expected to feel more relieved after the surgery and now just scared waiting on the next part. I have a meeting on the 6th November so I should get an update on pathology then. I’ve had a lot of support from my mum and my husband thankfully. My energy levels are pretty low after surgery but each day I’m seeing progress! That sounds like positive progress for you both too! It is definitely ok to have a wobble every now and again. It’s a lot to go through mentally and physically x
