Hi Sandra,

Welcome to Cancer Chat. I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis.You are doing well by trying to cope one day at a time.The first letter you received today wasn't so bad.. It is going to remove the cancer in your breast and give you the chance to live a normal life once all this treatment is over, so the sooner you start the sooner you'll be finished with it all. The second was a definite bonus.

What surgery are you going to have - a lumpectomy or a mastectomy?

I have had 2 bouts of primary breast cancer. The first was diagnosed 7 years ago and the second the following year. Have you got a treatment plan in place post-surgery?

Please stay in touch. Remember, there is always someone here whenever you feel like talking.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine.

Thanks for the reply. 

I have 2 small lumps in my R breast (no one can feel them nor is there any outward change to be seen nor pain. Caught on routine screening).

They are grade 1 and grade  2 both invasive cancers. On MRI my lymph nodes look clear.

I am having a lumpectomy on the 21st as a day case. They are hoping to make 1 incision to get to both but will re assess on day. They are also taking 2 sentinel nodes for biopsy just in case. 

After the op all things being equal I am to have radiotherapy mon to fri for 3 wks.

Wow how matter of fact does it all sound in the written word when it is so not.

7yrs post diagnosis - I tip my hat to you Jolamine. When we are first diagnosed it's like our lives ended in that moment. This is so not true "living with Cancer" never a truer word.

take care Jolamine 

Sandra x

Not really. It’s recovery, your mind and body takes a battering during treatment. When it’s done, if everything has gone according to plan, is when the recovery really begins as you’ll be flying solo, ie at home, no regular hospital trips. This is how it was for me anyway but every one goes through this in different ways. You might not have any major problems and sail through it. 

I just fall asleep when I'm sat down when I finish work I'm so tired just want to sleep my op isn't till next month x

It’s hard. It’s not just what’s happening to your body, it messes with you head as well. I found sleeping at night was a problem so was nodding off at strange times as well. 

Ye I'm finding it hard to sleep on a night to then wake up weird times of the morning doesn't help when I'm on late shifts at work x

Ouch

Morning peeps 

re yr query about fatigue:-

I don’t know if it was because I was retired so work wasn’t hanging over my head ( and more importantly the financial implications that went with it) but I never felt particularly tired or fatigued. 

Don’t get me wrong when 1st diagnosed I felt like - well....,like someone had suddenly removed all the bones in my body.

I found this site the next day. Everyone was saying don’t google, don’t think ahead, live each day as it comes, keep busy..... they were right. I followed this this brilliant advice and....it really and I mean really helped. Pretty much there nd then thought ...ok let’s look this in the eye nd stare it down!

Everyone is different of course but for me this attitude to it “all” worked for me.

Each day when I went for my radiotherapy while in the waiting room I always chatted to the others sitting waiting for their turn ( only occasionally saw the same people). At some point I always asked how they were feeling. Some said tired, some a bit tired, some fine no tiredness at all ( this one was me too even by the end of treatment  I was... fine). So...everyone is different- it’s why we always say “well for me - or my experience was”. Here’s to your experience being as positive as possible me dear. We are here for the good days and of course the darker bad days. Just know however u feel we are here for you . X

Thanks Chrissie. Yes am just gearing myself up for it. Been told I will be in overnight and needing a week off work to recover so am working on that at the moment. Have pre OP booked in so it's just sit and wait now. Although I feel quite strong I've had an outbreak of eczema on my eyelid and torso of all places and have a stress muscular shoulder blade pain. I'm also not getting an uninterrupted nights sleep. But I think this is just the physical reaction to the shock of the initial diagnosis. Im actually surprising myself as I always thought I'd go to pieces if ever diagnosed with cancer as my mum passed from cancer (bladder) when I was 24. Onwards as they say. X

Wow Sandra sounds like your body was kind to you after your op. Fingers crossed I will get through as well. I forgot to buy the lottery ticket lol. Will have to get one at the weekend. 

Omg Nikki me too with the wanting to sleep all the time. I think it's my body's way of dealing with the initial shock which is stopping me getting an uninterrupted nights sleep (No wonder I'm tired lol). When I need to sleep I really need to sleep and have to lie down. Keeping occupied is a good idea. I've a full pamper day booked with my daughter's for Easter Monday at my daughter's house (she's a qualified beautician). I've already had a facial at claims...and am going yo book a spa day for after the op once healed. I had booked up to see Alexander oneil mid April but as it is 5 days after my op I am not hopeful about going. How about you. Are you planning any nice things to do in the lead up to your op and after?

Hi Jolamine. Yes a shock it was. I'm over the shock now but it does still feel a bit like it's all happening to someone else. 

You've definately had a journey haven't you. That must have been quite awful getting through it for it to come back the following year. Eight years on you sound like a tower of strength. 

They are definately talking about hormone therapy foe me too as I'm ER+ fingers crossed nothing will be in the nodes and the margins will be clear. Just the radiotherapy then which I'm not too worried about as it's chemo that has worse side effects. 

I will keep you all updated after the 13th april. Have my pre op appointment on 3rd April and it speed by then. 

If I have any rough days in the lead up I will call on you lovely ladies as you are all living proof that this can be beaten physically and mentally x

Hi Jolamine. Yes a shock it was. I'm over the shock now but it does still feel a bit like it's all happening to someone else. 

You've definately had a journey haven't you. That must have been quite awful getting through it for it to come back the following year. Eight years on you sound like a tower of strength. 

They are definately talking about hormone therapy foe me too as I'm ER+ fingers crossed nothing will be in the nodes and the margins will be clear. Just the radiotherapy then which I'm not too worried about as it's chemo that has worse side effects. 

I will keep you all updated after the 13th april. Have my pre op appointment on 3rd April and it speed by then. 

If I have any rough days in the lead up I will call on you lovely ladies as you are all living proof that this can be beaten physically and mentally x