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Stage 1 breast cancer - just been diagnosed and it's finally hit me. Finding it hard to keep this to myself but don't want to worry my family

Cherry1958
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Hello I have just been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer on my right breast after a routine mammogram. It was a big shock as always thought I was healthy, I walk a lot and on my feet all day in my job. I am not overweight but have put on weight around my waist, usually middle age spread. I went through menopause about 10 years ago and apparently my tumor is estrogen fed which comes from menopause and added weight. 

I am currently having further tests on my left breast as unusual cells came up on a MRI. Since my diagnosis I have been holding it together and carrying on as normal, but today I came home after a walk and was soaked from the rain and just burst into tears. I am finding this hard to keep to myself but don't want to worry my family so dismissing it.

Has anyone else felt this way? I assume this is normal as the shock has finally hit me.

  • Offline in reply to Wiganfc

    Good luck let me know how you get on

  • Offline in reply to Cherry1958

    Hi Cherry,

    I am glad to hear that you have reached a decision and are going for the double mastectomy. Are you going for the restructure at the same time and do you know when you will have surgery?

    Don't forget that we are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine. 

    Yes I'm going for the restructure at the same time as that is how my surgeon does it. However, there will be a delay as he has to liaise with another hospital for plastic surgery, so could be 2 or 3 months. I'm pleased to have made decision.

    Thank you

  • Offline in reply to Wiganfc

    How did scan go? When do you get results? 

  • Offline in reply to Cherry1958

    The scan went well. There is nothing sinister there. The thyroid has been bleeding internally so has built up “debris” but they are just leaving it. I get breast scan results next week so hopefully will then know my treatment plan. Thank you for asking and I hope you are ok. 

  • Offline in reply to Wiganfc

    Evening Wiganfc, sorry I haven't been on for a while. I have had a meeting with the surgeon doing my mastectomy and also the surgeon doing my restructure. I have a few more appointments coming up to prepare me for surgery,  which I believe will be at the beginning of January.

    Have you had your scan results? Do you have a treatment plan in place?

    Cherry

  • Offline in reply to Cherry1958

    Hi Cherry. I am having a lumpectomy and node removal on the 25th November. I have appointments over the next 2 weeks to prepare me for the operation. It still feels very unreal to me so I don’t know when reality will hit. Will need radiotherapy after  but have no dates for this. My consultant warned me that I may need more surgery dependant on biopsy on the nodes etc. Sorry that you have to wait until January. Are you coping ok? Lovely to hear from you. Take care.

    Pam

  • Offline in reply to Wiganfc

    Hi Pam,

    I am so pleased for you it sounds like they have everything under control. I totally understand what you mean about it feeling unreal. I have not really had time to think about what is actually going on, it all seems so sireal and like you not sure when this will hit me. 

    The reason my op is not taking place until new year is because I am having a restructure the same time as the double mastectomy so 2 surgeons involved. They have to find a day when they are both avaliable. Also I have my sons wedding on the 19th November. The first date they gave me was the 16th December, but I wouldn't have anyone to look after me when discharged as my son would still be on honeymoon so have delayed until the new year.

    I'm coping OK thanks how about you? I'm sure you just want this all over with.

    Thinking of you

    Cherry

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