Hello Ursulah

I noticed your post and wanted to pop by and try and connect you with [@Sooz28]‍ who has alo been diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer today. You can read more on her thread here. 

I'm sure that the two of you will have many shared concerns and worries at the moment but hopefully you will be able to offer each other some support. 
I suggested to Sooz28 that she calls our team of nurses for a chat and I would say the same to you - when you feel able to give them a call. They will be able to help with support and information. 

Whilst this is a very difficult time Ursulah please don't feel that you're alone. Keep in touch with us here and I'm sure that the other ladies on the forum who have been in your position will be along soon to offer their support. You are not alone - we will do our best to support you. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator

Hi there ..

Bless ya .. so many of us have been where you are now... scared / overwhelmed/ angry and crying and doing all the what ifs ... well hunny .. feel what your feeling ..  it's important we acknowledge those feelings .. I took myself away for over a day cussing cancer ...

But then my daughter in law got us together and said no more what ifs... no more panicking... well live in the day and take every problem as and when it comes up... and well do it together... it was the best advice I've ever had ..

I had a grade three her 2 neg oestrogen positive lump... thought my number was up... planned my funeral... wrote letters to loved ones..then I got my big girl pants on ... and got a pair of pink vertual boxing gloves on and jumped in the ring ready ... that was in July 2017 ... I had a total right masectomy...  which wasn't half as bed as I'd thought ...

You see cancer wants us to lay down and never get up... then it feels strong ... I came on here and found 5/6 others with breast cancer... all different stages and treatments... but we held each other up .. a hand to hold in those hard day's .. a high 5 on good ones .. and tiny tiny steps we got through it .. most of those lasses have gone back to their life post cancer... a couple of us stay here to chat to new lasses .. my untie got breast cancer after me .. and my nephew also got it .. well all those lasses and my family are all still standing ... 

You hear the sad stories on the t.v ... but there's lots of us living with and going beond ... those letters I wrote and my funeral plans are safely tucked away... hopefully for a good while yet ... 

It knocks us down but we cuss yell rant and then get back in the ring to kick cancers ***.... so come on .. join us ... and you'll always find a hand to hold here ... sending you a vertual hug... Chrissie xx

Hi Ursula

I was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma a week ago and had to decide on mastectomy or not there and then or miss a chance at the op. Op booked for 6 April, so only two week window to come to terms with it all. And then today the op was cancellled like all cancer ops in Wales it seems. So it's hormone treatment or nothing. All more scary than I thought it would be. I was ok with the mastectomy - if it's bad get rid of it and then move on. But now it's just live with it and hope it doesn't get any worse. I do hope you get a better outcome and soon, but in the light of the current crisis I suspect we'll all be in the same boat. I did get offered a slot at a private hospital with unspecified NHS surgeon, but not the one who diagnosed me and I'd have been in and out in 24 hours with no follow up or aftercare; no breast nurse and having to go almost 3 hours back to the private hospital if there were any problems - no guarantee that anyone would be there with the expertise to treat. Not much of an option then.

Thanks for listening - here to listen if you need an ear. But do take up that offer of talking to the nurses on this site. I might do that myself.

What a week it's been. 

C

Thank you 

Thank you Chris for your post. I'm trying my best to be in the kick cancer in the butt mind frame but sometimes I am overwhelmed by complete sadness and the tears just start rolling down.

Hi Noddysmate, thank you for your post. I can't imagine what you must be feeling right now. It is my biggest fear since they told me. I was saying to the nurse why now this is the worst time to be having any health issues. I hope you get better news soon

Hi Noddysmate,

How are you getting on? I have also been told that my operation will be delayed. Are you getting any additional screening or are you taking drugs to slow down any growth?

Ursulah x

This covid 19 situation is adding an extra element of risk that I think all of us could do without! If your NHS trust has to cancel surgery you could consider approaching a private clinic. I know not everyone can afford to pay but if you can beg/steal/borrow the money to get treated before the covid outbreak gets worse it could be money well spent - for your physical AND mental wellbeing.
I was fully diagnosed (stage 2 invasive lobular) on Thursday 26 March. Mastectomy scheduled for Tuesday 14 April and surgeon would not offer me implant reconstruction (I'm not a suitable body shape for non-implant). I couldn't bear to wait that long fearing that surgery could be cancelled at any time (what if I or my surgeon fell ill?). I also felt my chances of having a natural looking reconstruction were being taken away from me. So, on Monday 30 April I saw a surgeon privately and had my surgery that Saturday (only 5days later!) WITH implant reconstruction. It has all gone quickly and I'm recovering well. I know I'm very lucky to have been able to take this path and I recognise this advice won't help everyone but just adding my experience to the mix... If I get through this it will be the best purchase I ever made :)

Good luck ladies!

Hi Mallory,

Thank you for your support. I have been advised that in a London all hospital operations are now approved by the nhs so there is no private option. Each case is assessed and given a priority number. My doctor said she will put my case forward as she thinks my age should be considered. I think cells grow faster in younger women but not sure.

Ursulah x

Hello Ursulah,

yes it IS a roller coaster of emotions. I was diagnosed last October  (stage 2 ductal breast cancer) I was shocked more than anything.  I felt so well  and despite having a breast reduction op to remove the tumour in November and 15 sessions of radiotherapy I still do feel well. Completed my treatment on 28th February  which was very lucky for me  as it was just prior to the covid situation taking over.

I have a great husband and family and friends support  BUT I still felt isolated and didn’t really think anyone truly ‘got’ what was happening to me. To be honest I still don’t think they truly understand how frightening it all is and how it separates you from normal life a lot of the time.  People on this forum DO get it so I feel it’s a good place to vent/say what’s happening etc. 

I found the care and the support from the NHS to be second to none. For me it was the emotional support that was so precious and helped me through.  I can still have a bad day despite being through the treatment.  It’s hard to explain but I can get scared it’s all coming back. Some days are like that. Most now are not but I visit this forum to gain strength from others and at times to offer a view hoping it might help  

You are in the early days of all this and no wonder you are feeling confused and threatened. It will settle as long as you express your feelings  to a trusted friend or even better a MacMillan nurse.  They really will understand, even those things that you feel are crazy. Nothing ever IS crazy. Cancer turns us upside down and inside out.  It’s all perfectly normal  

Yes covid does make things more complex but the nurses will still be there for you and with you.

 Hang on in there. Life will get better than it is right now. Sending positive vibes. 

Kebbs x