i dee 

i would move over to the breast cancer now board my name is ruth and i can message you on there

Thanks for that Ruth, I'll do that once I figure it out x

Hi Deepat

its alot to take in and you feel like youve been run over by a bus i spent xmas in bed on diazepam 

When the numbness wears of you begin do the why me was it the drink weight it goes on and on 

but then you will get your head around it and be ok x

Hello Dee,

just to say I had felt tired for about a year before my diagnosis of lobular breast cancer too. (In October 2019)

The nurse told me exactly the same as you were told that tiredness wouldn't have been about the breast cancer. I am convinced it was though!! I am not half as tired nowadays which is nearly a year after my treatment was completed!  
 

My cancer was graded prior to the op but actually it was bigger than expected in the end, but it didn't make any difference to my treatment.  I had a breast reduction to remove the tumour and then 15 sessions of radiotherapy.  Completed this in February 2020. Really feeling very well and strong now!! It's a massive journey but you will get there. This site is brilliant!  
 

My advice (though you haven't asked for it!!!) is to use the breast care nurses at the clinic to talk to if you have any worries. They are SO helpful and kind at a time when you really need such support. 
 

I wish you well. Take care of yourself. 
Kebbs 

Thank you very much Kebbs, it's a lot to take in and still feels very surreal.

I'm waiting on a date for my MRI and we'll take it from there. 

Can I also ask, if you work how long were you off your work for? I'm a carer and I'm actually off just now anyway with a shoulder injury - I can't imagine going back before my MRI as I'm all over the place at times!

So glad to hear you are doing so well.

Best wishes

Dee

Hi Dee,

yes, I was working at the time of diagnosis but only part time. I was 67 and considering retirement anyway so I decided to stop working altogether before my op. I was sad to leave in many ways but equally wanted all my energy to get well. So I was in a fortunate position really. Have to say though had I continued work I would have taken 6 months off I imagine given my treatment was completed in 5 months. 

I think it's great you are having an MRI before surgery by the way as that will make the exact situation absolutely clear. 

Yes you will be at sixes and sevens at the moment. It's a lot to take in. I used to go to one appointment and then the next in a complete fog. Half the time not really taking in what was being said!! 

From my own experience I can say the fog lifts eventually. It's gradual after quite a few tears and low days abd then suddenly there's a light that comes on. The light came on when I realised that there IS hope, there IS excellent treatment available and the oncologists know their stuff!!  All is NOT lost. Truly Dee so much goes into cancer treatment. I know we are living in scary times just now quite apart from cancer but you will be in good hands. 
 

On a personal note I kind of (almost) resented people telling me to be 'strong' and to 'fight' because it wasn't their battle and  it wasn't their fear. It was all mine. I didn't see it in those terms anyway. I saw it as a challenge to get well. To care for me. To listen to what might help. Exercise/good food and being as calm as possible. Love myself. Easy to say I know but it's all helped me get to this fine day where I feel really well and 'mended'. 
 

I wish you well Dee. Your post reminded me so much of me 18 months ago. It's such a huge hit. You will come back though!! 
Go easy. 
Kebbs x 
 

Hi Kebbs,

Thanks so much for the informative reply. Most of the time I am very positive and "know" I'm going to get better - but as you will know the doubt then creeps in. I will feel so much better after I've had my MRI and know for sure what I'm actually facing. I'm 51 and I've been told it's a small lump and it looks as though it's contained but I was also told it's a "sneaky type of cancer and good at hiding" 

Roll on MRI day

Glad to hear you are doing so well.

Thanks again and take care 

Dee

Hi Dee,

I am so glad you have raised this. I found myself hardly able to do anything in the months before my diagnosis because I was so tired. I can distinctly remember sitting in my chair wondering if I should go to the doctor, wondering if I was becoming anaemic. When I did receive my diagnosis it became clear that I had been cooking up my own lobular cancer. Maybe it is just that kind of breast cancer that causes it. I have just seen Kebb 157's first post in reply. I haven't read your whole thread yet because I was so excited to see my own thoughts being published like this, I wanted to reply straight away.

My cancer was 4cm. Grade 2, with one sentinel node appearing to have cancer to the surgeon, but it came back negative from the lab. I wasn't told that until after my second (not really necessary) surgery.
I had a mastectomy, followed by the lymph node clearance although they were free of any cancer cells. ( I'm not bitter or anything ) I had no chemo or rads, just hormone therapy for the next few years. I am in my 70's and was very glad not to have them.  Recovery was a lot easier than expected.

Now, 18 months on I am getting very tired again, but I am reliably informed (by my daughter)  this is because of the boredom of lockdown and pain meds I take for my arthritis!  Cancer wise I have only had telephone follow up appointments except for my annual mammogram on the remaining boob. but I seem to be tolerating the hormone blocker quite well, give or take the odd hot flush and I suffered worse side effects from my COVID-19 jab! ( If you haven't had yours yet, don't worry they only lasted 12 hours)

I will read the rest of your thread now.  Good luck with your treatment, I hope you are as lucky as me!

Christine x 

[@DeePat7]‍ , Hi Dee, I had to reply to you with my experience. Firstly I was raging at what the nurse said, she was wrong on both counts. I have felt tired for the last 18 months, I asked my breast care nurse about it, and she said she hears that many times daily. I was diagnosed in late december, at that point I had probably had my tumour 2 to 3 years, and my body would have been fighting it with all it had, hence the total debilatating tiredness, I thought I was going crazy, I have an underactive thyroid, so suffer with feeling tired anyway, but this was on another level. Also you would get your cancer stage and grade with the biopsy results. I was given them the day I was called back for the original biopsy results, and met by both the surgeon and cancer care nurse at the same time - they were handed to me on a white sheet of paper filled in by the cancer care nurse. Things can change along the way, that is certain, I learned that quickly, but not the original biopsy. All the best, stay here and keep asking questions, all kinds of lovely ladies far more knowledgeable than me will pop up and try help you. All the best with things, big hugs, Lyn. X

Hi Christine,

Interesting to hear about your experience of tiredness too. I was so tired all the time last year and so concerned about it I mentioned it to my Doctor but she laughed it off and said "I'm tired all the time too" 

I'm sorry you've been through what you have but glad you are making a great recovery.

Take care 

Dee