Shock but believe I will be okay

Hi Sisters

I was diagnosed Friday 13 Jan. I am fit and healthy, 49 yrs (50 in a couple of weeks) run a full Gold Coast marathon 42.2 km in July 2016 with the lump in my armpit (in lymph node). Dr said lump was due to shaving and examined my breasts before and after marathon. Finally got around to mammogram before Christmas but felt so sure about lump due to shaving. So far nothing has showed up in neither breasts through mammogram nor ultrasound (but am waiting on MRI results), did bonescan and CT scan last week. It is so surreal and there is no family history whatsover and I eat well, exercise regularly so it has come as a complete shock.  I feel I will be fine just need to fix it. Next time I read another article saying that exercise, maintaining healthy weight, and eating healthy prevents cancer I will laugh (or maybe not). Later today I am supposedly getting a treatment plan, surgery this week or next who knows?  Don't even know type of cancer yet.
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Comments

  • Glemmis
    Glemmis Member Posts: 343
    Hi Monicasfootsteps, yes I was shocked too being so healthy, running & gym, minimal alcohol but your fitness will put you in a good position for treatment & recovery. I have had 4 AC & 7 of 12 Taxol treatments so nearly there. I have had minimal side affects & worked & exercised all way through. Good luck with your treatment plan!
  • Monicasfootsteps
    Monicasfootsteps Member Posts: 13
    thanks @Cate64 I think you are right, and somewhere i believe my body decided to just placed it and encapsulated it in the lymph node so i would find it. Perhaps I will be able to go GCAM 2017 after all, not so sure about the full on training for a full marathon again though.
  • Cate64
    Cate64 Member Posts: 446
    @Monicasfootsteps being so healthy going into treatment will help you cope with it better. I managed to keep parkrunning each Saturday thru treatment & also to work full time. I firmly believe it is because I was as healthy as I could be when starting Chemo. PLUS, I am one stubborn, stubborn piece of work, telling me I cant or wont be able to do something does not compute with me...

    Maybe we can run alongside each out at GCAM17 in one of the shorter legs... 5.7km or 10km... We are tough women...

    I am XENA Warroir Princess!!! 

  • alih
    alih Member Posts: 4
    Hi @Monicasfootsteps this is my first post, I was diagnosed in October and its been a whirlwind. All I can say is stay strong and take on any advice you can onboard then do what feels right for you.
  • Monicasfootsteps
    Monicasfootsteps Member Posts: 13
    Thanks @Glemmis what does 4 AC mean? I am sure i will learn all the new acronyms soon.
    definitely all the #BCNA running events are on my list now, and am definitely thinking GCAM2017 again thanks to @Cate64
  • Cate64
    Cate64 Member Posts: 446
    @Monicasfootsteps AC Chemo is what I had but I have 6 cycle. I was lucky & suffered little from it. Hair loss is all & actually having no hair made my life easy, I got up each morning & put my hair on & went to work, there was not wasting 30 mins of my day washing, drying & styling it :) Bonus!!!
  • Mira
    Mira Member Posts: 678
    HI Monicafootsteps, add me to the list of people who ate healthy and kept fit and still got cancer.  Being fit and healthy did mean that I found it earlier and made treatment easier so I am thankful that I was.   Good luck with it all :)
  • melclarity
    melclarity Member Posts: 3,528
    @Monicasfootsteps Uuuugh goodness!!! It really is crazy isn't it??? and yes it doesn't discriminate no matter how fit and healthy you are or family history. 95% of BC is random. Its like any health issue, they recommend eating healthy and exercise, it all makes sense and yes you certainly feel better, now that Im finally moving, it does feel good, after being so very ill from treatment. Its that crazy that a rehab course I did, the Dietician stood there and said that all the studies that come out about different foods that cause it are actually all minority studies. I was floored! Ive had it twice in 4yrs always been very healthy and luckily caught early both times but only because Ive been in the system for 10yrs All the best, let us know how you go! Hugs Melinda xo
  • socoda
    socoda Member Posts: 1,767
    Hi @Monicasfootsteps, just wishing you all the best for your results and ensuing surgery and treatment plan. Let us know how you get on. Xx Cath
  • RNSW
    RNSW Member Posts: 121
    Hi, I just wanted to wish the best also. I have come to the conclusion that if your going to get cancer you will despite how well you look after yourself.  I also have no family history. I do agree with the others that because you have taken such good care of yourself, you will get through this better. Once you have your surgery you will know what you are dealing with. We are stronger than we know!  Thinking of you.
    Rita xo 
  • Cupcakes
    Cupcakes Member Posts: 24
    Hello, also newly diagnosed just before Christmas. Still in the 'WT' phase. Trying to recover from sentinal node biopsy while kids are on holidays and get my head around treatment and surgery options. 
  • melclarity
    melclarity Member Posts: 3,528
    Cupcakes welcome! You can start a discussion if you hit Home, then post a discussion in General or anywhere, that way everyone can see your post and interact with you :smiley: Glad you have the school hols while you recover, its hard running around whilst trying to recover. All the best with results, then you'll have a clear path of your diagnosis and treatment plan. Let us know how you go! Hugs Melinda xo
  • Butterfly 40
    Butterfly 40 Member Posts: 150
    Hi Monicafootsteps,
    You are so amazing running marathons! Don't let this experience stop you doing exercise, maintaining healthy weight and eating healthy. I am sure you won't. I was diagnosed with BC recently. I am 40, not running marathons like you, but go to gym 3 times a week, eat healthy and maintain a healthy weight. No family history as well. I had the WHY ME phase, I was doing all the right things what the books say. 
    I had lumpectomy already, but I need mastectomy in the near future. I am doing well.

    Wishing you the best, you will be OKAY! Take one day at a time! 

    Lots of loves and hugs for you
  • nikkid
    nikkid Member Posts: 1,766
    Hi Monica, I was similar age and in a similar boat - no signs and no symptoms, nothing evident on ultrasound - only those nasty little granular planetary calcifications that popped up in my lefty boob in a mammogram...I'm vegetarian, exercise, don't drink much (haven't drink any alcohol the past 12 months). So it came as a shock.

    Once I felt like I was back in control, I managed to handle whatever they threw at me...but I felt like I needed to make the important decisions (who my breast specialist would be...I got 2 opinions; timing of the surgery; the staged recon with the plastic surgeon etc).

    Afterwards, I was so excited to recommence my pilates and to get all movement and flexibility back.

    Now it's a matter of being as fit as I can be for the next phase - the full recon. But I do believe the hard bit (the cancer bit) is over. The rest is icing on the cake.

    Good luck to you.

    Will be thinking of you,

    Nikki