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 . 

Hi Butterflywing,

I am delighted to hear that all went well with your op. It sounds as if you are already making good progress, when you managed a walk today and have been able to do some of your exercises already. Just give yourself time to recover and don't overdo things. Did they say when your pathology results will be back?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine 

Guess who can't sleep  

I was told I'd get an appointment within 3 - 4 weeks which is sooner than I expected as was told 5 weeks in the breast clinic.  

I don't know if that includes oncytype testing ( I'm Er+ Her - ) I never asked if they were doing that type of testing on it. 

How are you doing? xx

Hi Butterflywing,

I didn't expect to hear from you at this time - I was hoping that you might be catching up on your lost pre-surgery sleep. As far as I recall, they test that your surgeon has got clear margins and that your lymph nodes are clear. If they find any additional changes, this can mean revising your treatment plan.

I'll never be the same as I was pre-cancer, but I'm doing ok. Spent all day at the hospital today with my hubby, who has broken his shoulder in a fall. He spent 3 weeks in hospital before Christmas having collapsed and broken 5 ribs. He also had a Haemothorax and developed Pneumonia when he was in, so he is still very frail.

Hope that you manage to get to sleep.

Jolamine xx

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

Think I have post surgery insomnia,  am hoping I'll crash out in  a little while lol.

So sorry to hear about your husband it sounds like you and he have been through alot both physically and mentally . I hope he has a speedy recovery and he can get back home to you very soon .

My 88 year.old mum fell on Christmas Day and I ended up in A & E with her for about 6 hours which looking back now wasn't too bad but at the time felt like  lifetime . Thankfully she hadn't hurt herself.other than a bump on the head and knee so she was allowed home . I stayed with her that night to make sure she was OK but I think in reality she looked after me more as.i really struggled mentally with my diagnosis and felt I had.no head space for other people's problems as I couldn't process what was happening to me .

I'm hoping post surgery my anxiety will ease .but results day is a concern I'm.already thinking about 

All we can do is take one day at a time , one step at a time and trust all this will pass  .xxx

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 B!

I am sorry to hear about your Mum's fall over Christmas but glad she didn't hurt herself too badly. I bet she had some spectacular bruises afterwards though! 

My results day, post surgery is on 19th of this month and I think you hit the nail on the head, one step at a time.

I used to be in a hurry to get back to normal whatever that was, but I am just so very grateful for you guys and all the supportive folk in my tribe who are praying for me. So much love for you all it makes my heart burst!

V xx

Thinking of you today V as you start your journey. 

Sending you lots of love and will message later xx ️

• Xxxxxx

Hi V 

Just wanted to let you know I will be thinking of you tomorrow as I have been today.

Sending you lots of love and calming.prayers xxx

Hi V 

Just wanted to let you know I will be thinking of you tomorrow as I have been today.

Sending you lots of love and calming.prayers xxx

Hello B

Everything went well with the dye and scan so onto the next hurdle now....Bless you for you love and prayers and sending some right back at you! xxx

Thinking of you today V 

Sending an abundance of love xxx

Hi B! 

Am over the worst now and a bit sore but they are very good at managing pain!

Hope to get some sleep tonight but have a deaf lady opposite and her visitor shouts! Still, it's all part of the experience...and it is what it is! Am just so grateful to have got through my mastectomy!

Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes 

Love

Vivienne xx

Hi V !

So good to hear from you ! Have been thinking about you all day .

Am glad your operation went well and your pain is being managed well . 

Try and get some rest while you can  .

Onwards and upwards now V ! ️

Sending you much love and good wishes for a speedy recovery. 

Please stay in touch  , your a very much valued friend ! xxx

Hi B

I didn't sleep at all last night and rather than listening to my beating heart I got up and did some housework to distract myself. Was exhausted this morning but went down first to theatre about 10.30 and have been in catch up sleep ever since! I feel so blessed with all the love and kindnesses expressed. And yes we have a valued friendship, so will definitely keep in touch!

Love and blessings to you too for your recovery and a good treatment outcome!

V xxx

Am glad you went.down early for your op and didn't have to wait around .

You were right about being one of the morning ops with having the tracer in yesterday .

We both now have a new path to travel and we will continue to do that together ️ 

Are you going home tomorrow  ? xx

Yes, will be released tomorrow for home, though not sure when, but expect they will want the bed for the next days elective. Think it was you who suggested I would gone down early,p so the credit goes to you!

Sleep well with love and many blessings 

V xxx

Sleep well V

Speak tomorrow xxx