New breast cancer diagnosis

Hi just wondering what to expect.

I am 32 years old and been diagnosed with lobular breast cancer after finding a large lump in one of my breast and changes to the shape of that breast. I've to get more tests done, mammogram which is booked for tomorrow, an ultrasound and an mri. I've been told the prognosis is good and my age should be a benefit for me. My work has been really good and gave me a little over a week from the day I was diagnosed to get my head around it and I've to decide by Wednesday if I want to go back to work or wait till after treatment. I'm of 2minds about this as would be good to have a bit of normality on the run upto surgery and treatment. 

I am dreading the mammogram due to still being bruised and very tender from the biopsies that were taken.

Thank you if you've read this far, any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Sarah

Parents
  • Hi Sarah ,

     

    It can be shocking when you first get your diagnosis but it sounds like you have a good employer and you seem to be coping OK so far. 

     

    I would also say to see how you feel and of course it will depend on the treatment you ultimately have. If you don't need chemo you can hopefully avoid the old chemo fog!! I've got that and simply couldn't be trusted to do my old job right now but that will get better,  I'm sure.

     

    There will be lots of appointments and tests etc along the way so maybe continuing to work will be good to keep you focused.  And of course your hospital appointments would have to take priority but it sounds like your work will be reasonable. 

     

    The prognosis is good, so fingers crossed you can avoid chemo, do a bit of work and maybe take some more time off later as and when you need it. But if you do need chemo, it can be OK. I know I've been lucky but have not suffered at all really, just feel a bit 'weird' with the steroids for a few days after chemo then OK for a few weeks. So if that happens for you, you might be able to work part-time around your good and bad days. Fingers crossed you won't need to! 

     

    The mammo can be a bit painful but it's only for a few seconds so hopefully your poor bruised breast will be OK. Good luck and I'll be thinking of you. It's a nice friendly forum on here so we can all glean info from each other. There's always somebody on, all hours due to the steroid induced insomnia ! And you will find somebody who has the exact same tumour as yours and same treatment plan etc, which I personally find really helpful.

     

    Keep smiling and you'll get there.  When you get more info and test results you'll be in a better place, I reckon. Less uncertainty and more focus.

     

    Take care!!

     

    Rachael 

Reply
  • Hi Sarah ,

     

    It can be shocking when you first get your diagnosis but it sounds like you have a good employer and you seem to be coping OK so far. 

     

    I would also say to see how you feel and of course it will depend on the treatment you ultimately have. If you don't need chemo you can hopefully avoid the old chemo fog!! I've got that and simply couldn't be trusted to do my old job right now but that will get better,  I'm sure.

     

    There will be lots of appointments and tests etc along the way so maybe continuing to work will be good to keep you focused.  And of course your hospital appointments would have to take priority but it sounds like your work will be reasonable. 

     

    The prognosis is good, so fingers crossed you can avoid chemo, do a bit of work and maybe take some more time off later as and when you need it. But if you do need chemo, it can be OK. I know I've been lucky but have not suffered at all really, just feel a bit 'weird' with the steroids for a few days after chemo then OK for a few weeks. So if that happens for you, you might be able to work part-time around your good and bad days. Fingers crossed you won't need to! 

     

    The mammo can be a bit painful but it's only for a few seconds so hopefully your poor bruised breast will be OK. Good luck and I'll be thinking of you. It's a nice friendly forum on here so we can all glean info from each other. There's always somebody on, all hours due to the steroid induced insomnia ! And you will find somebody who has the exact same tumour as yours and same treatment plan etc, which I personally find really helpful.

     

    Keep smiling and you'll get there.  When you get more info and test results you'll be in a better place, I reckon. Less uncertainty and more focus.

     

    Take care!!

     

    Rachael 

Children
  • Thank you, I'm leaning more to going into work until treatment starts, dunno if I'll even be aloud in work at that point depending on what treatment they decide would be best as I work as a nurse. My bosses are willing to help in any way they can however I work within the gp practices so will see what can be arranged between everyone if I feel well enough after surgery and going through treatment. 

    Fingers crossed the mammogram isn't too bad then.

    Thank you, will let you know how I get on though thinking taking a couple of painkillers before going this morning could be a good idea lol.

     

    Sarah x