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 . 

If its just the injection then that was easy , 5 minutes and it was done ..Longest bit was waiting for a porter to take me back to daycare .

I stayed in my own clothes till about half an hour before the op which I thought was nice and I wasn't put in a bed on a ward  I sat in a room with other ladies due to have the same or similar op that day so that was nice . Made it feel more relaxed somehow xx

Oh wow this is really helpful bless you, its so hard to know what to expect and all the paperwork doesn't really help put it into perspective but you have! I've checked the paperwork again and I am having the injection tomorrow afternoon followed by a CT scan so am not worried about that. Will just have to wait a good two hours from the tracer before the CT scan, but it sounds like you had the tracer and your op on the same day?

I may be put in a bed on a ward on Thursday because I am staying over for one night, but maybe the bed will be allocated afterwards, who knows, either way I know the team in my local BC clinic are lovely so it will be okay...

Just one question, were you able to take your mobile phone in with you? They say no valuables so am not sure if mobiles can be kept safe or not. From the paperwork it doesn't sound like it!

Love and virtual hugs

V xx

Yes I took my mobile in ( so did all the other ladies) . I even charged mine in a plug socket while I was there .

We were told no valuables but that didn't include mobiles . I think its more laptops etc.

I had my tracer dye put in at 11.15 and op at 4.30 ish .One lady had her tracer dye in and her op an hour later  xx

It would seem strange to be without my mobile, so that sounds good! If I cant sleep, am planning to watch Vera on catchup with headphones in! :)

Ah well, if the tracer is tomorrow perhaps I shall have an early op on Thursday - we shall see!

V xx

Wouldn't surprise me if you weren't down for a morning op if your having your tracer tomorrow. 

I'd taken my headphones but forgot I had them !

What time do you have to be at the hospital for on Thursday? xx

7.00 am! xx

Same time as me .. You may well be a morning op x

I shall know soon enough as the time seems to be rushing by. How are you doing? Feeling tired or okay?

Try not to do too much too soon will you?

V xx

Time always seems to go faster when you don't want something to arrive .

I'm doing ok , better than I expected to be honest . I went out this morning for a walk but have just sat in my pjs and watched a film this afternoon.  I've made lunch and washed up etc.  I'm just being careful not to lift anything heavy or to over stretch my arm .

What time is your appointment tomorrow ? x

Good heavens that is such good progress and just shows how modern medicine has come on in leaps and bounds! 21 years ago I was in hospital after a bilateral lumpectomy for three days and had drains and bottles that had to be cleared before I could go home. Now look at you, just one day after your op!!!

Appointment is 2.15 for the dye and 4.15pm for the scan..

Sleep well!

V x

Good heavens that is such good progress and just shows how modern medicine has come on in leaps and bounds! 21 years ago I was in hospital after a bilateral lumpectomy for three days and had drains and bottles that had to be cleared before I could go home. Now look at you, just one day after your op!!!

Appointment is 2.15 for the dye and 4.15pm for the scan..

Sleep well!

V x

Hi Vivaldi,

I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and hope that all goes well. You'll find the whole process muck slicker than it was last time - great advancements have been made in the interim. As far as dressing is concerned - you'll find it easier to wear clothing which opens at the front instead of having to raise it over your head.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine, it still doesn't seem real. I try to imagine what it will be like having one side flat but can't. I guess I will know soon!! I don't think it will bother me as it might have done when I was young, it all feels like an odd dream. When I am at home everything seems normal it's only when I go for appointments does it start to sink in. Am a little anxious about tomorrow, but still surprisingly calm. Have prepared my wardrobe of button down/zip fronted clothes so I should be okay.

Where are you in your journey? You say you will never be the same as you were pre-cancer, are you prepared to elaborate on that? I know my own experience of it, after all the treatment was finished, is that it's always there in the back of your mind... 

Sorry to hear your husband is in the wars so to speak, I guess he is in a lot of pain with 5 broken ribs and shoulder and that must have been some fall! Hope he is on the mend soon! That can't be easy for either of you, so hope you have a lot of help and support.

All the very best to you both

Vivaldi xx

HI Vivaldi,

I hope that all went well for you today and that you manage to get some sleep in hospital tonight.

I am 16 years post-diagnosis. I had pure mucinous stage 1 breast cancer, Within a year of my first surgery - a lumpectomy, I was diagnosed with pre-cancer in the other breast, then another primary cancer in the original breast. I had a double mastectomy second time around and still manage to keep busy and live a fulfilling life. Please send me a friend request and I'll be happy to elaborate why I'm a different person post-diagnosis than I was before - I think most people who are diagnosed with cancer do change and many live with the fear of recurrence. 

Hubby has a lot of co-morbidities and we seem to jump from one emergency to another. We live independently, so it can be a strain at times. 

Some people do find it difficult to cope with one side flat, but this seems to worry younger people more. You will get a prosthesis for your flat side and these can look good when dressed. I am now totally flat, but use 2 prostheses when I go swimming, which I do regularly.

I do hope that you are not too uncomfortable tonight.

We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine my op is tomorrow or should I say today? Will message you later as I have to be up early to shower etc before getting to the hospital by 7.00am!

Am hoping to get a hour or twos sleep, but no luck so far! Xx