I am so sorry to hear this. Do you know what type and stage of breast cancer you have, or have you discussed any treatment plans?
I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and 1 of pre-cancer. First time I had a lumpectomy and I had a double mastectomy for the second bout. I still lead a busy and fulfilled life - hopefully, you can do the same.
Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
I am sorry to hear that you've had a cancer diagnosis too. Do you know what stage or type of cancer you have and have you discussed any treatment options yet?
Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
Grade 2 and waiting for surgery date been told 3-4 weeks but everything so far has been double what they have told me so I’m worried it will end up at 6-8, weeks. I’m worried it’s growing as starting to get a dull ache/slight throbbing pain in my lump. I found out yesterday my aunty had exactly the same breast cancer, same size 21mm, same position, same breast and hers advanced from a grade 2 to grade 3 while she was waiting so now I’m petrified. My husband and kids don’t seem to understand at all
Don't worry about the length of your wait. That's a pretty average time scale. The doctors wouldn't leave it that long if they felt that there would be much growth in that time. It is normal to find additional aches and pains while waiting for treatment. Fortunately, these usually disappear after you've had surgery. I am sorry to hear that your aunt had the same size and type of breast cancer. How long ago was she diagnosed? Treatments have improved massively over the years. I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer and developed 2 bouts of breast cancer and 1 of pre-cancer myself. This was 13 years after I lost mum and there was just no comparison between the diagnosis, treatment and after care which we both experienced. I don't know what stage or type of breast cancer you have, but grade 2 is quite treatable. I am now 19 years post-diagnosis and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.
What ages are you kids? If your husband and kids have not had to deal with cancer before they won't appreciate what you are going through. With time you'll see that a cancer diagnosis in a family impinges on the whole family and they will gradually start to understand what you are going through. You do need the support of your family as you travel your cancer journey. Do you have a Maggie's Centre, or another cancer support group anywhere near you? My hubby saw a counsellor at Maggie's when I was first diagnosed and this gave him some insight into what we were facing. Don't bottle up your feelings. It really does help to talk about your them. If your hubby doesn't understand, do you have a family member or friend who you could confide in?
First of all thank you for such a lovely lovely reply and taking the time to do this
They did tell me at the hospital in the breast I have the cancerous lump there was also so many cysts thry couldn’t count them all so I’m wondering if it’s the cysts possibly causing the pain now and not the cancer?
My aunt was diagnosed 8 years ago and yes even she said friends of hers who have been diagnosed since treatment has changed so much.
My husbands cousin is an oncologist nurse/ward manager so I’ve been going to her for advice but she lives over 2 hours away. All my family now hsve been told too. She mentioned a Maggies centre too there has been no mention of having one where I live by the hospital but I will ask they have only mentioned breast cancer now, who are calling me next week.
i haven’t have my cancer diagnosis letter sent yet, only verbal diagnosis and it was a bit of a blur, thry said grade 2, stage 1-2 ductual hormone fed and other things I can’t remember
The cysts could possibly account for the pain. It's not just cancer treatment that has changed so much. Methods of detecting it and detecting lymph node involvement have also made great strides forward. I have found after care to be excellent, yet I don't recall my poor mum having any at all. Research figures also show that more people are now surviving and living with a cancer diagnosis.
I'm glad to hear that you can talk to your husband's cousin, who should be a good source of advice for you. It's just a pity that she lives so far away. Could you maybe phone her at times? I don't know where you live, but if you look Maggie's up online, you'll find a list of all their centres. You don't need an appointment to pop in for a cuppa and a chat. They offer a number of different services which you might find helpful. They have nurses and counsellors who you can make an appointment to see if you want to. They also offer financial advice on benefit applications and have seated yoga classes. For relaxation, they offer various alternative therapies such as reiki, aromatherapy, massage, reflexology, Indian head massage, etc. They also run walking groups for people of differing abilities.
This is a good way to meet others in a similar position to yourself and people often form their own support groups from other people who are also attending.
I am not surprised that the news of your diagnosis is a bit of a blur. Most of us only remember about 20% of what is said in any consultation, so it is handy to bright someone with you when you can. I also find it useful to make a list of any questions I have beforehand and I take this with me - this saves me from forgetting something important at the time. My hubby came with me to most appointments, so I brought 2 copies of questions and he wrote down the answers to my questions as I asked them.
It is always useful to try and find the positives in what you are facing, as a positive attitude is a great help along you cancer journey - not always possible I know - there will be up's and downs! However there are different stages of Ductal Cancer. Some are more aggressive than others. Let's hope that yours is one of the slower growing types! Ductal Cancer is very treatable, especially when you catch it early. The fact that it is a hormone responsive cancer that you've got is also reassuring.
