Hi Mo 

Hope your doing ok. 

I had the same procedures as you with cancer pretty much confirmed at that appointment.  Got a call 8 days later to say biospy results were back and my appointment was 4 days after that . I have a lumpectomy booked for 5th Jan.

I absolutely understand your anxiety level , the waiting seems to be the worst part and my anxiety went through the roof ( and still is) .

Best advice I can give you is stay off Google,  it takes you to places you don't necessarily need to go . Be kind to yourself and try to keep busy if you can .

Please feel free to message if you ever need to chat  xx

Hi Butterflywing,

I am sorry for taking so long to reply to your kind message. I am feeling calmer now, all symptoms are disappearing gradually. I have accepted the reality and am ready to fight the monster in me off! I had my appointment with my surgeon today who had reassured me that my case is very early and treatable, despite of high grade cancer cells. I was told that because of my age (in young age group), the cells tend to be more aggressive. But nothing to worry about. I am hoping to get my receptor results this week. But my surgeon had already booked me in for the surgery on Jan 8th which is nice. I hope it will take place, but really depends on the type of my c cells. I will probably reach out every now and then if you don’t mind, I wish you had had a fantastic Christmas and Happy 2026 when all of us will thrive! Thank youxxx

Mo

Hi Mochop and Butterflywing,

I am writing to you together, as you are both at a similar stage in your cancer journey.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and 1 of pre-cancer all within under a year. I had a lumpectomy first time around and a double mastectomy for the second bout. I had previously lost my mum to secondary breast cancer and I was terrified at the thought of surgery. As it turned out, it was much more straightforward than I expected. I surprisingly found that I had fewer side-effects post-surgery with the double mastectomy than I did with the lumpectomy. It is now 16 years since my first diagnosis and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life and I am hopeful that you will soon be in the same position. 

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for both of you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine 

Thankyou for reaching out , its good to hear a positive story from lovely ladies like yourself .

For me the biggest fear is the unknown  , will I wake up after the op, will they have.got it all  , will I need chemo.etc etc . I'm trying to go one day at a time but my mind takes me to dark places at times . In a way I still.cant believe this is happening  .

This time next week I'm hoping to be 2 days post op and feeling calmer xx

Hi Butterflywing,

I agree that the unknown is a scary place to be. Your over active imagination can certainly take you to all sorts of dark places.

The tissue removed will be sent to pathology after surgery. It will take 1-2 weeks to get the results, but this can tell you if the surgeon has attained clear margins. If not, you will have more surgery. This is a common occurrence, so nothing to be concerned about. Your care team will also keep an eye on you for 5 years post-surgery, so any new growth would be picked up quickly.

As for chemo, if you need it you should have it, but the decision is up to you. However, no amount of worry will change the outcome. I have previously stopped breathing on the operating table, but had no trouble with my cancer surgeries. Any anaesthetic is a risk - we take risks every day in life. Place your faith in your care team - they do this surgery every day and they do know what they're doing.

This is a surreal experience - everything happens so quickly at this stage - it can feel as if it is happening to someone else! This time next week all of these worries will be behind you.

Please keep in touch and remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Might be worth considering the pact I had with a dear friend who had breast cancer.  We agreed we would both only worry about the things we can actually change.  Anything else is just a waste of energy.  Hard to do in practice but I’d also try to focus on things that give you joy, anything that gives you joy.  Only a few more days to wait, yes they do seem like an eternity but it really is coming closer. Try to hang on to positive thoughts.  We are all routing for you.  

Hi Cazza,

I agree with your friend.

My mantra is in the words of Paterfamilias:

"Never worry worry, till worry worries you,

for you'll only double worry

and worry others too."

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Yes, I’d love to have a diving license one day. I truly hope you will go on the cruise to have a big celebration! My op was done yesterday. All went well. I do not have much pain nor mobility issue which is great. How are you getting on?

Thanks Jolamine for your encouraging story!!

That is great news.  Mine was 17 Dec, different cancer.  My margins are clear   I’m sure yours will be too.  Hold on to the joy, you can do this.  

Yes, I am positive and hopeful. We all will be fine!!!!

Hi Mochop ,

Glad your op went went and you aren't in much pain. I've hit a wall today and seem to be hurting more tonight but I think that's my fault for over doing it so don't make the same mistake as me , make sure you take it easy ! 

Am so hoping we get on our cruise  , Time will tell  but fingers crossed

Am sure you will get your driving licence , somethijhnyo aim for in the future ! xx

Hi Mochop ,

Glad your op went went and you aren't in much pain. I've hit a wall today and seem to be hurting more tonight but I think that's my fault for over doing it so don't make the same mistake as me , make sure you take it easy ! 

Am so hoping we get on our cruise  , Time will tell  but fingers crossed

Am sure you will get your driving licence , somethijhnyo aim for in the future ! xx

We are have different experiences, but we all can and will get through this. I keep my fingers crossed for you to be on that cruise!  Haha, I am hopeless with cars, hence no driving for me. But I am pretty good with water. The diving thing is part of my training to become a marine scientist one day. 

Oh heck mochop I thought you had written driving not diving , I really need to wear my glasses !.

Am sure you will reach your goal and be an amazing marine scientist , that would be such an amazing career ! x

Thank you. I hope you are feeling better and have a full recovery soooonxxxx

That made me laugh!  All the best with the diving.  Being a marine scientist will be really cool, go for it.  

My first target (after driving which I’ve been told I’ll be able to resume soon!) is riding my horse.  Am looking forward very much to that.  It is possible that I have been sneaking into the field to see them though I have been compliant and have someone else doing all the work until my shoulder is healed.  And I agree we won’t be defeated!  

Aha, that’s nice. I only see people riding, but have not yet tried myself. One more thing to put on my list. Yes, we have so many good people behind us and fight with us. The victory will be ours! 

The consultant doesn’t want me in the field in case I fall over or get kicked.  Not massively likely since my girls are well behaved and miss me and strangely enough I can stand upright!  They underestimate us tough ladies!  

Teehee, they are just being cautious. When I was asked if I have any questions about the surgery, my only question was can I swim tomorrow…Obviously not, but all I was thinking was swimming. How many horses do you have? 

That sounds very like me.  I had to stay in hospital for a few days and I kept telling them all the reasons why I needed to go home.  Not least to look after my animals. I have two ponies one is 25 and one is 11.  I too have a list of things I need to be getting on with, this is just a bit of a hiccup with normal life resuming soon.  I start physio to help with my shoulder and arm mobility on 20 Jan.  Looking forward to that.  My sling has been ditched (with permission) in the house.  Hopefully your swimming will resume soon too.  

Just checking in with you Mochop. I’m pleased to see that your op went well and you’re sounding a lot more positive now. Hugs, Crystal

That’s very sweet of you Crystal! Thank you so much! Yes, I’m almost fully recovered from last week’s surgery. I am ready for the next whatever challenges they may be. I can defeat them all! I am sure all ladies here can do! We are super women!