Hi there ...

So sorry you've had this diagnosis ... it's really scary at first ... but looks like they have caught yours early ..  l had a grade 3 lump ... and thought it was "game over" but there's lots of us breast lasses on here trying , all different stages and different treatments.... but those that's joined the thread "the good and bad" are all still standing .. they hold each other up and they are all kicking cancers *** right down the road ...

I'm sure cancer doesn't want us all staying strong, it wants us to bend and brake ... but on here we won't let it .. we've got our pink boxing gloves on, stepped in the ring and wer all knocking it strait back .. that thread started by @Sandra123  ... makes everyone welcome ... there's some who like me are about 2 years in... some a year ... some new ones ... but you'll get any info you want on there ...

So when that initial shock goes and believe me we've all been there .. (always take someone with you on appointments and tests )  they remember what you can't... hopefully some of those amazing lasses will pop by ... @cournishpastie @rilleyroo  @jbains have all been here a while ...

And one younger lass who went through this cancer journey, is now expecting a baby soon ... she is a wonderful example of hope .... so I'm sending you some vertual pink boxing gloves .... when your ready , jump in the ring with us ...sending you a big vertual hug .... Chrissie xx

Hi Nikki,

i am sorry about your results but it really does sound like they got it early...also I think the mouth ulcer is likely to be unrelated...

once your " on the road" you will cope beautifully....I promise. My lumpectomy was the easiest bit...it was day surgery and I was home having dinner by 5 pm! 

Dont be looking too far ahead, just deal with the here and now. Soon enough you will have your MRI.....tick that one off, then it will be the op.....get that one ticked off.....do it bit by bit....it's the best way....

always here....it's a great forum xxx

Hi Chrissie & Marlyn,

Thank you for sharing your stories, your positivity is inspiring  it’s really comforting to hear how you dealt with things and sound stronger than ever! 

I think the one day at a time approach is a good one, trying to not let it affect day to day life.

Good to know you’re all here throughout the journey.

Thanks

Nikki xx

Holding your hand all the way Hun xxxx

Hi Nikki

So sorry to hear you;ve been diagnosed with this.

It's such a scary feeling but once your treatment dates are confirmed and you know what's happening and when, it does get easier to deal with. I've got a lumpectomy on Tuesday - they don't think mine has spread so I'll get 4 weeks radiotherapy afterwards (need to wait 4-6 weeks after the surgery) and hormone tablets as mine is ER+. If however the lymph node shows it's spread I'll need chemo but I'm hoping that won't happen!

It's horrible but you'll get through it. This is a great forum - there are so many of us on the same journey and we're all here to support each other.

Andrea xxx

Thanks Andrea,

What stage is yours? Mine is ER+ too so will also need the tablets. Mind is working overtime, I’m convinced now that I have a burning sensation in my arm but not sure if I’m imagining it because of everything I’ve read!  

I have got my fingers crossed for you that you don’t need chemo Is the radiotherapy everyday?

Nikki xxx

Hi, I was diagnosed 10th Jan, after noticing my mass in mirror while brushing my teeth after a bath . I'm a radiographer so I was seen in my actual department 3 days later to be told by colleague's had a sizeable mass in top left breast, had ct scan thought in my liver but 3 cysts , a trulely awful day delt with on my own, as i was actually on a work day i had to phone my husband. Been off since. a week later told grade 1er+pr+her2- left mastectomy then chemo then radiotherapy and 10 yr tamoxifen im 45.

2 weeks later had mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy. 2nd results appointment was awful grade 2b 36mm by 30mm with second invasive tumour growing and node positive and invasive present (blood system). Still told will have  all treatment to which I honestly was definitely happy with, they did send away tissue for onco dx test, however I was in a daze.

So when 2 weeks later called in and told result (this is all before I saw an oncologist) I was told low score of 10 and told no chemo probably radio and tamoxifen I can honestly say I became hysterical I wanted and had prepared for all treatment , the surgeon and oncologist had discussed me the day prior and made their decisions . My emotions since have been up and down, I started tamoxifen for 3 days but cried and sweated continually whether I was just not in a good place emotionally to start it I stopped. And try again after radio. I did see oncologist a week later and sadly begged for chemo but no, I havn'ent had a bone staging scan that I was supposed to of had either. I started radiotherapy this week. And going to have breast counceling from mid May. I'm concerned as in  nodes have spread and in blood system, Told to save chemo for possible future reoccurring. I'm in such dilemma I'm obviously glad future reoccurring score low but thought I'd have chemo for the cancer I have now.!! I have 2 youngish children 12 and 8. And being positive and happy it is exhausting. My daughter is beside herself saying she does not want me to die. In the last 2 years 2 of my close friends have lost children 5 year old to brain tumour and 12 yr old to bone sarcoma. We helped with both children, so my children have a very sad introduction to cancer. God I'm sorry for the rant my brain really is wobbly most of time. Thank goodness for my dog and walks on beach so I can freak out and cry alone in peace.worried to work back in the very department it all started. Work have been great.  Love Ruthie a young fit 45 yr old.

Not sure of stage yet, it's grade 2 though. I'm thinking it will be stage 2. ER+ is good, it means we have the tablets as an extra line of attack!

I keep thinking that every ache and pain is the cancer spreading! That's been the hardest thing to deal with for me. I've coped well with the diagnosis itself, but I'm just so paranoid about it spreading!! 

Yes, the radiotherapy will be Mon - Fri for 4 weeks. The hospital is 120 miles away which is a bit of a pain so I'll need to make arrangements to stay somewhere nearby. I can get chemo in the local hospital, so at least if I have to go down that route, I won't have to travel so far for it xxx

Hi Ruthie

Wow, sounds like you've been on a rollercoaster. It's all very scary - and I sometimes think it's worse for people who work in the medical profession as you see so much of this every day. It must be so difficult when it then happens to you, and even moreso with all the confusion that's gone on.

If it's already spread to your nodes and is in your blood system, I would have thought they'd have to give you chemo now. Was there a mistake in the diagnosis? Could you see another oncologist if you're not happy with what they're offering you?

I really hope you get some peace of mind soon. Such a shame that your children have already had to deal with cancer losses, especially other children, It's heartbreaking xxx

Hi there Ruthie ..

Bless ya .. it's a real scary time that's for sure ... but I've heard sometimes chemo isn't used now for some breast cancers .. I had a grade 3 and was told after no need for chemo .. they offered radiotherapy though ... it just maybe the risks out way the benifits. . There was a programme on t.v a while ago .. 

And when I started tamoxifen, I went from a strong person to a blubbering wreck ... I cryed for weeks and felt like stopping the tablets ... but once on here hearing so many having problems with them, I carried on .. took a mild anti depressant for a couple of weeks and the side effects evened out .. I've been on them now a year and I'm fine ... so if I'd have known about the emotional rollercoaster they may send me on, l would have at least understood why it was all happening ...

I'm nearly 2 years post masectomy now... and that's without chemo ... so trust they know what you need .. if your still unsure, ask the percentage with and without treatment ..  so you get those feelings out .. I sure did at the start .., then take on this cancer ... get your boxing gloves on .... there's lots of us in that same ring with you ..

Chrissie xx