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Today was the day - single Mum newly diagnosed with breast cancer

vicky1
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Hey everyone,

I've read lots of these posts and been overwhelmed by the support everyone receives so I guess that's why I'm posting!

Today I was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer. I'm not sure if it's sunk in yet even with the amount of times I've said it. 

I am 44 and a single mum of two children 10 & 13, so was in the mind set I was too young for cancer even after finding the lump and being told it was suspicious. I went today with a glimmer of hope it was not going to be cancer.

My mum died of breast cancer in 2015 so I have seen the impact it has on lives. I am worried I am going to struggle to juggle work, children, hospital appointments etc as I so want to be strong for my children. The added pressure of being a single mum is huge as it is without throwing an illness in the mix.

My doctor has a plan and is positive it is treatable. Chemo, CT Scan to stage it, then surgery once the chemo has done it's thing. 

I have told my children as I believe they need to know and they need to process things and understand what's going on. They took it was better than I thought which was encouraging but I'm fully aware they may not have processed it yet.

I guess I just wanted to write all this down somewhere to hear from people in similar situations.

Thanks for reading,

Vicky.

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    Hi Vicky. I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I was diagnosed on 19th April with a 44mm oestrogen + grade 1 cancer.  I have a 5 and 6 year old. I like you lost my mum to this horrible disease in 2019 and I've found it very triggering. I want to say, I understand. 

    I have coped by keeping things normal. Keeping busy and thinking positive. 

    I am just focused on getting to my surgery on 26th June.  Its been longer than it should have been because I needed extra MRIs and I need to come off the tamoxifen for 2 weeks before the op. 

    I wish you all the best. Keep us updated with how you get on. 

  • Offline in reply to RedRuth84

    Hi RedRuth,

    Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Your cancer is similar in sizing to mine at 44x23mm. Have you had any side effects from the tamoxifen?

    I'm so sorry you too are dealing with this after loosing your mum, it's so hard to not make comparisons I'm finding. 

    Let me know how your surgery goes, fingers crossed for you xx

  • Offline in reply to vicky1

    I agree  it's so hard not to draw comparisons and when I found the lump I'd already hit rock bottom thinking the absolute worst. I'm now trying to think positively.  They say the power of the positive mindset is incredible. So I'm trying that too. 

    The tamoxifen has made me more thirsty but other than that I've not noticed any.  I've got everything  crossed for you too.  Do keep in touch. Xx

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  • Offline in reply to vicky1

    I agree  it's so hard not to draw comparisons and when I found the lump I'd already hit rock bottom thinking the absolute worst. I'm now trying to think positively.  They say the power of the positive mindset is incredible. So I'm trying that too. 

    The tamoxifen has made me more thirsty but other than that I've not noticed any.  I've got everything  crossed for you too.  Do keep in touch. Xx

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