Hi Everyone, Just wanted to say hello. I have been diagnosed this week with early stage breast cancer - invasive lobular carcinoma. It's been a scary week going from a slightly inverted nipple to rushed tests here and there to having cancer. Going in for surgery for removal on Monday and then will be looking at radiation and hormone therapy from there. My head is still spinning and my emotions are all over the place. At 44 with no family history this was the last thing I would have ever expected.feeling positive but have moments of complete fear also. Shaylee

Welcome Shaylee and sorry you have to join our group. Yes we are all so shocked at the beginning and the barrage of tests and appointments are overwhelming but I must admit I was much happier when I went in for that surgery and hot my resukts of nodes etc. Your final treatment plan will come after surgery as sometimes the pathology is different to the initial biopsy results (mine a diff grade and larger ). Are you having a sentinal node biopsy also? Hope all goes well with surgery and ask anything...no question is dumb. Take care. Kath

Hi Shaylee,It can be a bit overwhelming with how quickly things move and it can leave your head spinning. I found once I started treatment I felt better because at least I had a plan. Having moments of fear is pretty normal. Good luck with your surgery on Monday.Angela

Thanks ladies. Yes having sentinel node biopsy also. After seeing the surgeon Wednesday I felt a little better even just having a bit of a plan. Will have to see what results bring after the surgery but at least my path is paved a little at this stage making it a little less daunting. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions along the way and glad that I have found this site to talk to others that are and have gone through this same experience.

Hi Shaylee so sorry to hear that you will be going on this journey. I know exactly how you feel, firstly its the shock of hearing the "C"word and then all the tests and words you probably have never heard of . My Breast Care Nurse explained it the best to me she said its like boarding a train that is going 100 miles an hour and you just want to say stop let me off ! I promise I'll get back on, just let me get my thoughts together. I was blessed to have a wonderful Breast Care nurse and relied on her a lot. Great that your feeling positive but almost know its ok to be scared, jump up and down, stamp your feet and say its not fair! I felt everybody expected me to be positive all the time and a didn't have the right to feel angry. Its now 18 months since I finished my treatment (Chemo, Bilateral Mastectomy, Radiation & Breast Reconstruction) and it wasn't always smooth sailing but i got through it and am feeling like my old self again,Sending you happy thoughts, Take careJustine xx

Hi ShayleeAll the best for Monday surgery.It's a surreal time with so many unknowns when first diagnosed with bc. For me, it was the most vulnerable time.So glad you've found some support here already. Please keep sharing your feelings and asking questions.Keep focusing on one step at a time, too.Di

New Diagnosis | BCNA Online Network

30 Replies

rowdy
Member
9 years ago
take care
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Well done Toni, what a relief for you. Such a good decision. Keep us posted with how you're going. Xx
Brenda5
Member
9 years ago
Great decision. I reckon what we choose for ourselves is often the best treatment.
iserbrown
Member
9 years ago
Woo hoo you're on your way to a new you
primek
Member
9 years ago
Such a relief you chose a bilateral. Hope you heal quickly and the pain improves.
Toni63
Member
9 years ago
Hi all, well it has been a whirlwind 3 weeks since my last post..after talking to the plastic surgeon, i then needed to decide whether to have a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction or just the mastectomy. Wow my brain almost exploded from thinking. I am very lucky to have a supportive husband and with lots of loving discussion I decided to have the bilateral and TRAM reconstruction. . My decision was vindicated when the pathology came back with early cancer on the right side too. So now I am 10 day post surgery still in pain but grateful it is done.
Michelle_R
Member
9 years ago
Hi @Toni63 - as the others have said, come online and pour it all out - we will understand and always be here. We cope because we have to, our families don't always do well. Please keep in touch with how your biopsy goes. Sending you a big hug. xx Michelle
Share
Member
9 years ago
Hi there and welcome to you @Toni63.
I can totally relate and understand your shock.
I got to the 4 year mark - routine ultrasound & mammogram - another lump - same breast. This was after chemo and radiotherapy 4 years earlier !
With the first bc diagnosis, one of my worst fears, and I think most women go through this - "What if it comes back" ?
Of course, the fact that your family is so distressed heightens your worry.
Please feel free to unload and share your concerns and worries - the forum is great.
Let us know what your next steps are and the support is always here.
Best wishes Sheryl xx
Brenda5
Member
9 years ago
This is a great place to share your worries. I realise now with all the known variables of cancer journeys it is rather frightening for family too. Much of the time when I was having treatment and being in rather a dark place in my head and body in those days, family did want to see or hear negative things from me. Get in here and rant to your heart's content. <3
primek
Member
9 years ago
Welcome @Toni63 A difficult time with the unknowns. Hoping your journey goes smoothly.