Hi there,

Sorry to hear that you lost your husband last year, especially to cancer, I imagine it makes your current situation that bit more frightening.

While living alone could make things more difficult for you with having a mastectomy there are a great range of resources out there from friends and family to various charities all there to help you.  You probably have people you haven't even thought of who would want to help you through this, some maybe because they've been through it themselves or seen loved ones go through it.

My mum still had my dad (we all live a fair way away) with her second bout of breast cancer and mastectomy but ultimately didn't want my dad helping her wash etc.  Two good, recently retired, friends offered to assist her and they took turns each day in coming round and helping wash and dress her.  I realise that can be a scary prospect given the stereotypical British attitudes towards nudity, but I think when we can accept that help it can be very freeing.  Having seen how much of a difference it made to my mum I would not hesitate to put my own body views aside and offer to help a friend with washing and dressing, I would consider it a great honour to be permitted to give them that dignity in their care.

I will require a single mastectomy but my team seem happy to do a bilateral one so I will probably end up in the position of needing personal care to be provided.  I have a husband but I don't want him washing me.  I have to admit it would be hard but I will put my preconceived views aside and will be happy to have good friends help with my personal care should I need it.

While you have this interminable wait for decisions to be made on your diagnosis and treatment etc. it would be worthwhile getting in touch with local charities to find out what help is available to you, even to the extent of help that you may not even end up needing.  It's comforting to know what is out there.

Let me know if I can give any help with 'Googling' help for you.

Best wishes for the next test.

LJx

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and the loss of your husband. Do you have a friend that you could talk to ? I have been reading a blog that is so helpful its called Chris beat Cancer i will advice if yoy can it out. I had a lymph node taken out 4 weeks ago and the doctors are telling me it's possible low grade lymphoma. What kind of lymphoma did your husband had and what was his treatment any advice or tips for me will be appreciated. It's always good to hear from people who had experience it or cared for someone.

Thanks