Hi Maccy

What an awful time for you and very very worrying, especially when you lost your mum at such a tender age. December does seem a long time to wait but in my experience they are very knowlegable and there must be a reason for the wait.Tests and scans and results do take time and when you are the one waiting it seems like eternity. Your breast care nurse should be able to answer any questions you have so maybe contact her to ask about the delay.

I found a lump and after ultrasound it turned out to be 2 very close together, had biopsies and was diagnosed on 7th July with breast cancer. Had an MRI to confirm sizes of the lumps and consultant did a lumpectomy operation on 1st Aug. It turned out I had grade 2 stage 2 breast cancer, but no cells found in margins or in lymph nodes. Chemo wasn't receommended for me but had 20 sessiosns of radiotherapy and am now on daily hormone tablets and monthly hormone injection. My last radiotherapy session was on 21st October. It has been a rollercoaster summer and think I am still wating to wake up from the nightmare.

Sleeping is hard, I have an excellent relationship with my doctor and he was great and saw me through the process. I did end up taking medication to help in the end but only for a very short time. I felt once I knew exactly what the treatment plan was and had dates to aim for I was then in control again, it sounds funny now saying that but it did make me feel better in a way. Don't suffer alone though talk to your breast care nurse again and she will be able to advise on next step. I felt talking about it and having a rant to others in same situation did help me and knowing you are not alone is invaluable.

If I can give you any advice or I can help you in any way just shout, others did the same for me, and somehow you will get through this use anyone you need to.

Sending you lots of positive vibes and love. Take loads of care of you.

Claire

xxx

Hi Maccy, 

Im sorry to hear your news. I can empathise , as I'm in same position , having been diagnosed 4 weeks ago with stage 1 breast cancer , requiring single mastectomy and not sure what further treatment needed, but probably chemotherapy  and radiotherapy. 

I did read that having a lavender plant in bedroom helps sleep, also aloe Vera plant and white jasmine, not sure as haven't tried .

scared stiff also. 

Thinking of you and wishing you mental strength and  positive thoughts. 

Take care and keep me posted on how you doing. 

MariaC

HI I know what you mean about the not sleeping I havnt slept since I was told I had kidney cancer I'm ok one minute next time I'm in floods of tears my Hubby dosnt know what to do with me because I'm usually the one in control with all the answers I only made up my mind yesterday to have the operation to have part of my kidney REMOVED I wish you all the best with your treatment and your sleeping and think whatever CANCER we have we all have one thing in common fear and uncertainties all we can do is put our faith in the surgeons and medical staff who are treating us

My husband has stage 4 renal cell cancer and we haven't slept properly since he was told it had recurred in the stomach and tissue behind the kidney that was removed in July 2015, that was in September. We tried Kalms this week but they didn't work. I think worry, the drugs you take and symptoms from the drugs effect sleep patterns. Try to take some naps during the day if possible and I have been trying some of my yoga breathing. Unfortunately it doesn't work for my husband. My friend said there are sleep apps that are good but haven't tried any yet.

Keep positive and talk to your care team or GP. This site is also brilliant so many ideas and helpful tips from people who are going through difficult times like us all. 

Best wishes

Hi Maccy,

Basically snap! Me too, mastectomy in early december. How are you coping with this? have you considered reconstruction? Still in shock.

Wishing you luck x

My husband has stomach cancer diagnosis and having difficulty sleeping. He keeps his e-reader handy and reads when he cant get back to sleep. The waiting for appointments and treatment is so hard.

Best wishes

What is the plan of action for your husband. I just wondered how it had been found and what his symptoms were too. I am 55 non smokers, occasionally have a drink and healthy eater so getting told i had stomach cancer was like a thunderbolt. I was on my own when told and I don't think ive slept a full night's sleep since. I wondered how your husband is doing and hope you are coping too it's difficult to comprehend how our lives have changed in just 8 weeks. 

Hi Abc,

My husband started to have stomach pain about 7 weeks ago he went to the docs who prescribed Lanzoprazole. That didn't help and he went back to the doc almost three weeks ago. Waited  a week for a gastroscopy which showed abnormalities in the stomach and oesophagus. Had a CT scan last Tuesday and got the diagnosis last Thursday from the Specialist Nurse. He is waiting for an appointment with a Consultant to find out the plan. Every day waiting is dreadful and the last two weeks feel like 4 weeks. He is 63, eats a healthy diet, was quite physically fit and strong, doesn't smoke, hardly drinks alcohol.

The pain is constant and is very draining and he feels tired, with very little energy. Luckily I was in the waiting room for his gastroscopy and they called me in to tell me about the abnormalities having already told him. He was devastated and so was I.

You have probably started Chemo by now. How is it going? What are you having? Best wishes