Hi butterflywing

Firstly I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  I went through something similar in 2023.  I found a lump and was referred to the breast unit and it was a whirlwind from there once the biopsy results came back positive.  I was convinced it was a cyst (as I'd had one before in the same location) so didn't take anyone with me for the results appointment.  Needless to say it was a bit of a shock.  Mine was about 3cm in the end but it was triple negative (non-hormonal) with no real understanding of how it happened as it doesn't run in the family. 

Once the results came back, follow-up appointments were very rapid and a treatment plan was soon in place.  I had 6 rounds of chemo, 7 rounds of immunotherapy followed by a lumpectomy (which by the time the chemo had finished, they couldn't find any cancerous cells so took tissue to make a clear margin).  A couple of months after the surgery I had 9 rounds of radiotherapy.  I'm happy to say I've been clear now for just over a year and life is very much back to "normal".  

I know it's scary but once the diagnosis is confirmed, you will be offered so much support from your breast cancer nurses, oncologist and treatment team you won't feel alone.  Sadly there are lots of ladies on here that will have been through something similar, and they will all support you too.  

Good luck with your biopsy results.  It sounds like it's been caught early as it is a small lump, so don't think the worst yet.  Just listen to your consultant and the professionals but don't be afraid to ask questions. 

Am here if you need to talk.

Carol 

Hi Carol ,

Thanks for replying .. My head is all over the place ! One minute I'm relatively positive  then something hits me and I start to believe I'm going to be given the worst news possible and I won't be here to see my grandchildren grow up . I worry I'm going to loose my hair ( stupid I know considering the bigger picture ) but every thing seems so massive at the minute.  I'm up and down like a yoyo with a big black cloud of fear hanging over me . 

Am glad your op went well and relatively painless .  I've literally just got off the phone with the post surgery physiotherapist ( pre op appointment) and she told me if I develop a seroma it's nothing to worry about but to give the breast care nurse a call if I'm worried  . Not sure if that helps you on anyway x

• Thankyou for your reply that has reassured me ,I am going to try and for get about it all and enjoy the holidays .I hope you can manage to enjoy it all too 

Thankyou Ruggles ,

Merry Christmas to you xx

Hello again!

It's not always easy to know who to tell and it also feels a heavy weight for others to keep it a secret especially within the family. Such a dilemma!

Having said that my only family members were not really interested in my journey, they are too wrapped up in there own lives and all the challenges they have faced this year so I can't blame them, it is what it is! I have told my wider circle of friends this time around and I am glad I did!

Real friendship is about sharing the good and bad with each other and there are some amazing folk who offer their friendship in beautiful ways that can be very uplifting. Yes, some will say stupid things, offer pitying looks or worst still avoid you, but it's just their way of dealing with it and it isn't about you, but all about their reactions to cancer. So take heart and know that you are loved by your family and friends. And you can talk to any of us at anytime in the knowledge that we share similar experiences although not exactly the same as yours...x

Thankyou V 

I'm learning its very much an up and down process and dealing with the challenges it throws at me on the way .

I'm grateful for all the ladies on here who have reached out and offered support it definitely helps in my uncertain moments .

I hope you are doing well and you have a peaceful, joyous Christmas filled with love xx

A very enjoyable Christmas to you too and hope you are surrounded with loved ones today and have lots of lovely presents to open! After today I am self isolating to try and avoid picking up any bugs, but look forward to hearing from you before the 5th! xx

Hi V !  

Just wanted to check in and.see how your doing . Hope you had a lovely Christmas  c

Hi B, yes it was quiet but good, how about you?

Glad you had a good day  .

Sadly mine not so good .. My 88 year old mum fell so we spent the evening in A & E ,  thankfully she is ok apart from a black eye and a lump on her forhead .

Seems to be.one thing after another at the minute. 

I have my pre op tomorrow and am so scared. The closer Jan 5th gets the worse I.become.. Crying etc etc  , my husband even told me.today I have ruined Christmas  which makes me feel even more alone and.frightened than I was before x

Oh gosh B am so sorry... it's a tough time for you and husbands can get stressed too but don't always know how to deal with it so they say insensitive things, but hope he is lovely in other ways!

Have you thought about calling the help line to talk to them about your fears and tears, they are so very understanding and it sounds as if it might help you. I too am anxious and my heart races each time I think of it. However, once done it's then on the road to recovery, so have bought a set of Ann Cleeves books to keep me from getting bored! What have you planned for your period of recovery?

All the best

Vx

Oh gosh B am so sorry... it's a tough time for you and husbands can get stressed too but don't always know how to deal with it so they say insensitive things, but hope he is lovely in other ways!

Have you thought about calling the help line to talk to them about your fears and tears, they are so very understanding and it sounds as if it might help you. I too am anxious and my heart races each time I think of it. However, once done it's then on the road to recovery, so have bought a set of Ann Cleeves books to keep me from getting bored! What have you planned for your period of recovery?

All the best

Vx

Hi V ,

I haven't planned anything , I just think life will carry on as.normal after a day or two . We look after the grandchildren 4 days aweek and I think apart from a couple of days away they will be here as normal .

It feels like life is too overwhelming at the moment. I'm worrying about everything from will I wake up after the.op to what the results of the pathology will be be and next steps .

It's feels like  a very long uncertain road that im travelling alone without the support of my husband x

If life feels overwhelming then I can't recommend enough that you ring the help line. I was told after a mastectomy that I wouldn't be able to walk the dog for a couple of weeks at least, just in case she pulls. So having grandchildren around might be too much for you to handle after your op, but do check it out with those who know your circumstances such as your Macmillan nurse. It's important that you look after you! Am sorry you don't have the support of your husband, is there anyone else in your family who is supportive? Please talk to someone in your team so you understand what you can and can't do after your op and what support you might need.

Sleep well, I don't know about you but I sleep a lot more than I used to! Wanted to watch a programme on the TV but fell asleep after tea and missed it! Oh well, maybe I can watch it on catch up! x

Hello Butterfly

1. Please don't be so scared of your lumpectomy  ,They are all so kind .You go in take off you topclothing put on a gown, your surgeon will come and have a chat then the anatheatist  .Going my case i walked to the operating room climbed on the bed a small mask was put over my nose and mouth I was told to think of something nice and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room with a lovely nurse looking after me .After about 20 mins I was wheeled back to where my clothes etc were and had a cup of tea and biscuits half an hour after that I was allowed home.
2. The next day very little pain but you do have to take it easy no hoovering heavy lifting etc.
3. Like you I am a little scared of what my treatment might be but whatever it is it will be getting rid of that Bas###d cancer. 
4. Chin up Best Wishes 

Hi Butterflywing

I wasn't allowed to lift anything heavier than a kettle for 2 weeks after my lumpectomy, so be careful with those grand children!  Same as Vivaldi, I was also advised not to walk the dog for 4 weeks.  I live alone so my sister came up for the first week after my surgery to stay with me and make sure I ate and kept the house tidy for me (and it was nice to have company of course).  A very good friend came to stay for the second week and after that I just asked for help with vacuuming and bed changing etc from friends and neighbours.  I was lucky my op was in the spring, so at least the weather was half decent. 

You will be tired for a good few days after the op, but other than that, you should feel pretty well.  I was surprised how well I felt, just the physical restrictions to lookout for. 

Good luck on the 5th.  Hopefully your pre-op meeting before then will help alleviate a lot of your fears.

Carol xx

Hi V 

Thankyou for your reply .

I've had my pre op today and feeling slightly more confident about things so am going that continues though no doubt the closer to the op I get the more anxious ill become..

How are you doing today? x

Hi Ruggles 

Thankyou for your message.  I've had my preop today so feeling a little more confident though am sure as Monday approaches I'll get more anxious .

Am glad you got to see someone regarding yoir seroma , it's good to have that reassurance. 

Hope you are recovering well xx

Hello ,Just wishing you all the very best for tomorrow, once it is over you will wonder why you were so worried

 ruggles 

Thankyou so much for your message , it means such alot .

Am hoping this time tomorrow I'll be back at home rather than in the hospital .

Thankyou again,  your kind words are very much appreciated xx

Hi Butterflywing,

I got very nervous about my op the night before it, but by the following day, when it was all over, I wondered what had made me so anxious, as the surgery was very straightforward on both occasions.

I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and hope that it all goes well for you.

Please stay in touch and let us know how you get on. As you know, we're always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

 Thankypu Jolamine ,

Am.struggling to.sleep at the minute , mind is in over drive will be glad when the op.is.over and I'm awake xx