Recently diagnosed with breast cancer

Hi everyone , I’m 44 recently diagnosed with Breast cancer DCIS and also hormone positive . Its in my lymph nodes aswell . Had CT , Bone Scan and MRI . I’m back on Tuesday to find out results . I’m freaked out having pain in the middle of my back and kept thinking it’s spread . Everyone says it’s stress . I’m fairly healthy never smoked . Just wondering has anyone any advice please . Xx

Parents
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    Hi BigJean,

    A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry for the reason you've joined. I hope that your results on Tuesday can help to put your mind at rest. Even if the news is not so good, it helps to know what the next moves are and puts a more positive slant on things.

    I suspect that the pain in your back is consequential to your diagnosis. We always seem to think the worst and develop all sorts of additional symptoms. In most cases this seems to be due to stress.

    I have lost my mum to breast cancer and, have had 2 bouts myself within the past 9 years. Waiting for results is always one of the most stressful times of a cancer journey. Try to keep yourself distracted by other pursuits and do your best to stay away from Google. The fact that you are healthy and have never smoked, should stand you in good stead with any treatment needed.

    Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on on Tuesday. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

  • Hi Jolamine ,

    thank you for your kind words . I’m so sorry you lost your mum and you going through it twice . I am not going to let it get me down just back from a big walk with my family and I feel great . That’s the weird thing I don’t feel sick at all . 

    I’ll let you know how I get on on Tuesday but I am ready to fight 

    talk soon xx

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    Hi Woolylamb,

    I'm glad to hear that your appendix doesn't seem to be an issue and hope that Friday's scan doesn't show up anything untoward. Have you been told when you will get the results?

    You will probably get some very strange questions, but this is only natural from children. It is good that you have already told the children and spoken to their teachers.

    I hope that you have drawn up a list of questions for your oncologist tomorrow and that you are taking someone with you to this appointment.

    I have my fingers crossed for you tomorrow and hope that all is still ok with your appendix. I expect that you just want to get on with your chemo now and, hope that you can do so.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

     

  • hi jolamine

     

    So big UTurn, the PET scan showed up my appendix still and they couldn’t say with certainty that it wouldn’t cause issues during chemo. So the surgeon and I agreed to take the risk away and remove it, that was on Wednesday. He was fabulous, and moved things around and took it out this morning.  So I’m in hospital hope to be discharged tomorrow, swift recovery and on to chemo.  I feel like a weight has been lifted and I’ve actually moved forward a step rather than hanging in limbo. 

    I feel significantly less anxious now.  Hope you are ok.

     

    WL 

  • Hi WL,

    hope you are keeping well after your surgery. When do you start your chemo?? I’m due to start mine this Friday . Just want to get star on it now and fight this . 

    I met another lady while at the hospital she’s under the same oncologist as me , I’m a bit anxious as he gave her a  percentage on her cancer . I asked him was mine curable he said yes but didn’t tell me anything else . Is this normal , I’m starting to worry a bit now !! 

    Sorry to rant on . 

    Let me know how you are doing. 

    Xxxx

     

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    Hi Wollylamb,

    This is great news. I remember when I first went to have my gall bladder out my surgeom was reluctant to remove my appendix, despite my telling him that I had pain in that area. When I went for my surgery, I stopped breathing under anaesthetic and had to wait a further 2 weeks before they could try and operate again.

    On the second occasion, my surgeon informed me that he had removed my appendix, to ensure that it didn't cause further problems and, like you, I felt  relieved to know that it was away. I'm glad to hear that you too feel relieved and hope that you make a quick recovery before moving on to chemo.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    Hi BigJean,

    I just want to wish you all the very best as you start your chemo on Friday. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • hi

    great to hear from you. I’m doing ok, my shuffling around looks more like walking today, still sore but I’m getting there. I see the oncologist today so I’m hoping for a start date for my chemo, I’m guessing it will be in the next 2 weeks assuming my recovery continues as it is. 

    My oncologist hasn’t given a percentage, but to be honest I’ve stopped asking for affirmation that I will be ok as everything she says about my BC freaks me out, so decided to focus on the practicalities of moving forward rather than looking back. 

     

    Glad and to hear you are starting chemo on Friday. I wish you the most amount of luck I can send you and I really do hope it goes well. 

    Keep me updated 

    WL

  • Hi 

    Bigjean and WL

    Have been following your progress as I’m a few weeks behind you both in diagnosis. Just had my ct scan to see if it has spread as it’s in my lymph nodes. Provisionally booked in for mastectomy and lymph node clearance on 20th May but hoping the ct results come back clear.

     

    good luck big jean with your chemo starting tomorrow x

     

     

  • hi Mejules

     

    Sorry to hear you are on the same journey. When do you get your CT scan results? 

    I’m provisionally booked in to start chemo on the 21st May following my appointment with the Onco this morning. Been told to rest up and recover from my appendix removal so that’s what I am doing.

     

    keep in touch

    X

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    Hi Woolylamb,

    I'm glad to hear that you have at long last got a date for starting your chemo on 21st May.

    I hope that yourrecovery is still doing well.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Everyone, 

    sorry haven’t been on in a while. 

    Started my chemo last Friday, felt grand after it but wasn’t too good all weekend. Today is the first day I’ve started to feel ok , nausea has been quite bad and the tiredness has really hit me . 

    Had a meeting with radiation oncologist today just to touch base she explained I will need radiation under my arm under my collar bone and somewhere else in my breast . 

    Has anyone else been told this ? Is this normal?

    im back to the hospital tomorrow for bloods and meet with the oncologist. Feeling good about this . 

    Hope everyone doing well and keeping well . 

    Xxxx J

Reply
  • Hi Everyone, 

    sorry haven’t been on in a while. 

    Started my chemo last Friday, felt grand after it but wasn’t too good all weekend. Today is the first day I’ve started to feel ok , nausea has been quite bad and the tiredness has really hit me . 

    Had a meeting with radiation oncologist today just to touch base she explained I will need radiation under my arm under my collar bone and somewhere else in my breast . 

    Has anyone else been told this ? Is this normal?

    im back to the hospital tomorrow for bloods and meet with the oncologist. Feeling good about this . 

    Hope everyone doing well and keeping well . 

    Xxxx J

Children
  • hey

    Great to hear from you, I’m so sorry that the chemo is giving you those side effects.  But just think 1 down already.

    so I’m still recovering from my appendix removal, having some wound issues, hoping if I rest over the next few days I will be good to start on Wednesday.  I’ve had great weather for resting up so far. I bought a wig this week, the boys have been trying it on!!!!!

    I will let you know if I end up starting next week. Hope you are feeling better.

    X

  • Hi WL , 

    great to hear from you. Sorry that you are still having issues with your wound . Hopefully it all clears up soon and you can get started . 

    Hopefully it won’t be as bad next time but I’m going to ask the oncologist for stronger anti sickness drugs !! 

    Thats mad I bought a wig aswell , it will be hard to see my hair go but hey it will grow back and it’s only hair!! 

    Let me know how you get on and when you start . 

    Talk soon 

    J xxx

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    Hi BigJean,

    I am sorry to hear that you weren't too good after your chemo last Friday. If you get a chance before your appointment with the oncologist tomorrow, write down the questions that you need answers to.

    I haven't had radiation, so cannot answer your question, but this is one to ask your oncologist. There are several anti-nausea medicines, so they should be able to give you something more effective.

    I know that it's hard, but hang on in there. How many chemo sessions are you due to have?

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    Hi Woolylamb,

    I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with your wound, but glad to hear that you are walking a bit better today. I hope that all heals up soon and that there will be no delay in starting your chemo.

    You've certainly been lucky with the weather for resting in.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi bigjean

    how are you doing? X hope you feel better after your first few days of chemo? X 

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    Hi Wollylamb,

    I wonder whether or not you started your chemo today? I hope that your wound has healed sufficiently to allow this and that you are now on your way.

    Thinking of you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi mejules , 

    im really good this week , feel back to “normal “, ready for the next session this Friday!! 

    Really great to hear you are at home and recovering well after your surgery. I think that’s the part I’m dreading the most ! But hey I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it . 

    Talk soon 

    J xx