3 weeks Sunday I had my routine mammogram, 5 days later the recall letter, 6 days later breast centre , where I was told I had a 1.5 cm tumour , chose my treatment centre . Today first meeting , results of biopsy. Early breast cancer is very surreal, I feel well , I don't even have a lump and yet here I am , I have cancer . I feel very lucky to have been seen so fast and I'm glad I chose this hospital . My dr and nurse today were completely brilliant , they had so much time for me. I'd gone in all guns blazing , thinking I'm team mastectomy , just do it,take it all away . They gentley directed me towards lumpectomy & radiotherapy. I still have worries about long term effects of radiotherapy , but having a mastectomy is clearly a big deal. Having choices comes at a price , what If I went for mastectomy and then regretted it ? Being at the centre was very emotional, obviously most people there were a lot obviously iller than me , I felt almost a fraud , I also felt a huge compassion to people who are now my tribe, I'm no longer an outsider looking in feeling sorry for people with cancer , but beginning to really understand their journey. It was awful seeing so many older frail people on their own, which seems so wrong, I tried to chat a bit , some people seemed lost , just a simple hello .It felt a huge relief to be told kind of cancer I have , oestrogen receptive , to have a plan , to have some reassurance, to have a bit of control, but I also realise this is just the beginning of a long journey , that I'm sure there will be other days when I don't feel so positive. Anyway my beautiful tribe of cancer people , sending lots of love and posotivity , so grateful for this forum , where we can safely express what we really feel , and learn from each other and support each other
