My story
Hi Everyone
Well this is all very new to me, the blog thing I mean not just the breast cancer.
I guess sometimes I feel that I want to ramble on and I don't want to impose on my family or friends. Yes sometimes I just want to feel woe is me but I guess this is very normal - must stay positive.
I go in on Monday for my op and then play the waiting game for results I think that is going to be the hardest time - the not knowing.
Would love to hear if this is all normal and your experiences.
Narelle
Comments
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Sounds very normal to me and probably to all the ladies here on this site. After the initial diagnosis shock,I think we go into "battle mode".We just want the cancer out quick smart and so brace ourselves for the op.Yes,you are right -the waiting and the unknown are the worst bits of this journey.I'm so sorry that you have breast cancer but you have come to the right place.Here at BCNA you'll get lots of info and support or just vent when you need to.We have all been or are going through breast cancer treatments and know how you feel -you are not alone.Blog here anytime and if you need any tips before your surgery let us know(not sure what op you are having).I've had breast cancer twice(2003 and 2010)same breast so have had all the treatments except reconstruction.But there are ladies here who have.Try not to think too far ahead but rather your immediate treatment or it does your head in.Keep really busy from now until Monday.Clean cupboards,stack freezer and shop for button down the front pjs etc. Make sure you have some loose shirts/tops to wear at home.Stretchy singlets are good too because it might be awhile before you can wear a bra.Hope you have the bcna info pack and that you've seen a breast care nurse.They are terrific and can organize a free Berlei post op bra and soft form for you. You'll have about 3 days of pain but it's quite tolerable with pain killers. Let me know if you have any specific questions.Will be thinking of you.
Tonya xx
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Hi Narelle
I am sorry to hear that you will probably be going through what some of us already have. I hope all goes well and you will be in my thoughts.All that you are feeling at the moment , I can truly say I was feeling the same. I to have recently been diagnosed with BC. I had my op on 21/3/12 and had my lump removed from the right breast and 20/20 lymph nodes removed all with cancer. I will be starting my chemo on 27/4/12. So feel free to ask whatever. This site is fantastic and I praise the wonderful ladies on this site with their courage and encouragement they all bring. I also am the "baby" on this website, but it doesn't take long to know that you have great people here to help and great friendships will develop.Keep posting.
All that you feel is very normal, so remember to ask heaps of questions , and remember no question is too small to ask.
Good luck and big hugs to you
JulieXX
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Hi Narelle
I am sorry to hear that you will probably be going through what some of us already have. I hope all goes well and you will be in my thoughts.All that you are feeling at the moment , I can truly say I was feeling the same. I to have recently been diagnosed with BC. I had my op on 21/3/12 and had my lump removed from the right breast and 20/20 lymph nodes removed all with cancer. I will be starting my chemo on 27/4/12. So feel free to ask whatever. This site is fantastic and I praise the wonderful ladies on this site with their courage and encouragement they all bring. I also am the "baby" on this website, but it doesn't take long to know that you have great people here to help and great friendships will develop.Keep posting.
All that you feel is very normal, so remember to ask heaps of questions , and remember no question is too small to ask.
Good luck and big hugs to you
JulieXX
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Hi Narelle
I am sorry to hear that you will probably be going through what some of us already have. I hope all goes well and you will be in my thoughts.All that you are feeling at the moment , I can truly say I was feeling the same. I to have recently been diagnosed with BC. I had my op on 21/3/12 and had my lump removed from the right breast and 20/20 lymph nodes removed all with cancer. I will be starting my chemo on 27/4/12. So feel free to ask whatever. This site is fantastic and I praise the wonderful ladies on this site with their courage and encouragement they all bring. I also am the "baby" on this website, but it doesn't take long to know that you have great people here to help and great friendships will develop.Keep posting.
All that you feel is very normal, so remember to ask heaps of questions , and remember no question is too small to ask.
Good luck and big hugs to you
JulieXX
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I was diagnosed on 22/12/11 and had a nipple sparing and partial skin sparing mastectomy with immediate silicone implant reconstruction on 03/02/12, and began TCH Chemo on 02/04/12 (second cycle due 23/04/12), my cancer is ER+, PR-, HER2+, LVI+, and 1 sentinel node was + (with a small deposit/ few cells, 5mm I believe).
I turned 41, 3 days ago, so began my journey at 40, but breast cancer doesn't dicriminate by age, I seen members here who are only in there 20's.
All that you mentied sounded normal to me. The waiting is the worst _ I had to wait for 25 days after I got my initial diagnosis of breast cancer to see a breast surgeon (Christmas is NOT a good time to get diagnosed becasue all of the Dr's are on their Christmas/ new year break), all I knew was i had a nearly 3cm tunour that was stage 2, and it was oestrogen receptor positive. Then I saw my surgeron found out more, decided on my mastectom and the - yep you guessed it - waited again this time for 18 days to have to my surgery. Then Yep - I waited again for my results, this time for 32 days to get my pathology results, and find out that Chemo was on the cards, and then I waited agin, this time for 27 days to begin Chemotheapy.
So waiting- yep know ALL ABOUT IT. It is hard, but it can be done (a lot of my waiting was becasue of ebing diagnosed over tChristmas and then when the Dr's and theatres started up again they had to clear the back log of urgent cases, of which I was only 1, and the extended wait for my pathology results was becasue ym surgeon wanted to (and did) present my case to the oncology "meeting" thing they have here once a month, where all the surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologist get together and discuss cases and what treatments are best etc. As I have a rather unusaly pre-cancer medical history my case was a little more involved than most, and they wanted to talk about it before making any decisions.
I still don't know if I am having radiotheapy, but it seems unlikely as they think the risks outweigh the benefits for me.
My best suggestions on the waiting is to try to do anythign you can to take you mind of it and to not dwell on it, I found nights the hardest, as my mind didn't have anything else to focus on, but I found that reading or watching Tv untilI was tied before going to bed helped. And allow your self to yell, scream, cry, laugh etc what ever you need to do to get through the waiting.
Hope this helps (even a little).
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I was diagnosed on 22/12/11 and had a nipple sparing and partial skin sparing mastectomy with immediate silicone implant reconstruction on 03/02/12, and began TCH Chemo on 02/04/12 (second cycle due 23/04/12), my cancer is ER+, PR-, HER2+, LVI+, and 1 sentinel node was + (with a small deposit/ few cells, 5mm I believe).
I turned 41, 3 days ago, so began my journey at 40, but breast cancer doesn't dicriminate by age, I seen members here who are only in there 20's.
All that you mentied sounded normal to me. The waiting is the worst _ I had to wait for 25 days after I got my initial diagnosis of breast cancer to see a breast surgeon (Christmas is NOT a good time to get diagnosed becasue all of the Dr's are on their Christmas/ new year break), all I knew was i had a nearly 3cm tunour that was stage 2, and it was oestrogen receptor positive. Then I saw my surgeron found out more, decided on my mastectom and the - yep you guessed it - waited again this time for 18 days to have to my surgery. Then Yep - I waited again for my results, this time for 32 days to get my pathology results, and find out that Chemo was on the cards, and then I waited agin, this time for 27 days to begin Chemotheapy.
So waiting- yep know ALL ABOUT IT. It is hard, but it can be done (a lot of my waiting was becasue of ebing diagnosed over tChristmas and then when the Dr's and theatres started up again they had to clear the back log of urgent cases, of which I was only 1, and the extended wait for my pathology results was becasue ym surgeon wanted to (and did) present my case to the oncology "meeting" thing they have here once a month, where all the surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologist get together and discuss cases and what treatments are best etc. As I have a rather unusaly pre-cancer medical history my case was a little more involved than most, and they wanted to talk about it before making any decisions.
I still don't know if I am having radiotheapy, but it seems unlikely as they think the risks outweigh the benefits for me.
My best suggestions on the waiting is to try to do anythign you can to take you mind of it and to not dwell on it, I found nights the hardest, as my mind didn't have anything else to focus on, but I found that reading or watching Tv untilI was tied before going to bed helped. And allow your self to yell, scream, cry, laugh etc what ever you need to do to get through the waiting.
Hope this helps (even a little).
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Hi Shazinoz
"Crikey" as they say. Your waiting game, must have been horrible, can't believe how long you had to wait for everything.
With me, I found the lump in my underarm on a Saturday had tests on the Wed/Thursday, diagnosed on Friday, saw the surgeon on Monday, had CT and Bone scan on Tuesday and was in surgery the Wednesday and results that Friday. So in basically a week I had all done. I start chemo next Friday. I also need to have radiation after that and then Hormone treatment for 5 years. Also my oncologist talked to me about having my ovaries removed later. I thought, "what the heck" dont need them anymore, I have two beautiful boys aged 11 and 12. My health is more important.
After all the "waiting", at least now you are on the road to having treatment.
I am 47 years old, and me to can't believe how young some members are. Really isn't fair. While I was in hospital, two doors from my ward there was actually a male with BC. Gosh, I felt for him. I suppose males think this doesn't happen to them, it only happens to females. As they dont have "breasts" as we call it, they cant get BC. Wrong!!
I try not to think about it to, but at times it just "creeps" into my head. A little upset now and then , but then I just try to get on with it.
anyway take care and keep in touch
Julie XX
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Hi Julie
Thanks for your encouraging words. After reading some of the stories that people have written to me about I have to think that I am lucky - some have had to wait a great deal longer than I - but Monday is just around the corner so not long now.
It is really nice to be able to write how I am feeling without worrying about what people will think - my family have been great but sometimes it is just nice to vent without the worry of hurting other peoples feelings. Gosh I sound like such a dragon but I am sure you will know what I mean.
Thanks again
Narelle
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Hi Shazinoz
OMG I have nothing to complain about - I take my hat off to you for your courage having to endur all of the waiting time. I did not have anyone else in my family who had BC however my Mother had two different types of cancer so they were extremly interested to hear all that. My cancer is very deep and I have to have a hookwire inserted first as they are unable to feel it - it is only small 2cm but I have 2 - one contained and the other invasive so the sooner I have the op the better and Monday is just around the corner.
Take care with everything you are going through - I found that after reading everyones comments to me that this site is great. Just to be able to vent, share whatever is lovely - as I feel that sometimes I have to watch what I say in case I offend family & friends who have been great but sometimes I do not want to be nice.
I will keep in touch
Narelle
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OF COURSE you have something to complain about. Waiting is horrible weather it is for 1 day or lots of day.
None of should have to suffer and wait if it can be helped.
I was just REALLY unlucky with the timing of my diagnosis being over the Christmas/New Year holidays.
I just wanted you to know tht the waiting can be done, and as long as you keep your mind busy, you can get through it and come out the other side.
I know what you meanabout not wanting to offend or upset family and friends, as I feel my husband especially is doing so much, I don't want to dump more on him.
Monday is just around the corner and everything will go Fine. Good Luck (not that you will need it) for the Op and for your pathology results afterwards.
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OF COURSE you have something to complain about. Waiting is horrible weather it is for 1 day or lots of day.
None of should have to suffer and wait if it can be helped.
I was just REALLY unlucky with the timing of my diagnosis being over the Christmas/New Year holidays.
I just wanted you to know tht the waiting can be done, and as long as you keep your mind busy, you can get through it and come out the other side.
I know what you meanabout not wanting to offend or upset family and friends, as I feel my husband especially is doing so much, I don't want to dump more on him.
Monday is just around the corner and everything will go Fine. Good Luck (not that you will need it) for the Op and for your pathology results afterwards.
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Thanks for your wishes - Monday almost here - I bought a high pressure cleaner to my husband today but I have just cleaned all the paths and stepping stones - just for something to do - was great - felt so much in control after enduring a well meaning lady at the checkout at woolies rambling on about her friend and how she had cancer and now a 'miracle cure' - I started tear up and the poor lady had no idea why - probably thought I was over emotional - little did she know. Felt a bit stupid and got out of there as quickly as I could.
Hope your treatment is going well and the outcome is a good one for you.
Take care
Narelle
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Yeah,
I have already had people trying to tell me of miracle sures, if I eat this or eliminate that etc then my cancer will go away and I wont need chemotherapy or anything (just take this ginger powder) - what a load of C#%*.
I ignore people who tll me this (I have had it in the past with the genetic condition I have and a neurological condition I have, people who tell me I can cure myslef by eating only this, or that, eliminating this or that or doing this or that exercise - I laughed at the ones who told me it would cure my genetic condition, like a food, exercise or elimination can re-write my entire genetic code <LOL>).
My recommendation is to IGNORE stupid people, and if they try to tell you of miracle cures, just tell them to stop (You can go one step further like a friend of mine, she says - look I will stop you there and ask you to call, email or fax my Doctor/ specialist - Dr........ and tell them because I am SURE they would LOVE to know how to cure all of there paitents. <LOL).
As to people who are insensitive or who accidentally say the wrong thing without knowing. Ignore them, if yo wish you can explain why you reacted the way you did or you can just walk away.
Of COURSE you got upset, you are a human being, if someone said that to me I think I would probably tear up too. She probably realised or at least thought you had some kind of cancer experience (ie. cancer patient, lost someone to cancer etc). Don't worry about it or feel stupid, it is a 100% natural response.
I am waiting to see what I do when I get my first comments about my shorter than short hair cut or my little bald head when my hair loss finishes. I REFUSE to feel that I have to wear a wig or cover up to make OTHER people comfortable, I have been shopping, to the hospital and to the local mall,with no hat on since my hubby gave me my crew cut (it is 8mm long but looks shorter,becasue my hair if VERY fine and it lies down instead of standing up). ihave had a few looks, and double takes and like, but I fel that THEY are the ones with the problem NOT me.
My treatment is going well (2nd cycle of Chemo on Monday (so I will be thinking of you , while I am having my chemo, hoping your surgery is going well), I have no obvious signs of the cnacer having spread ut 1 of my sentinel nodes was positive (5mm deposite) , and I was LVI positive as well.
Where abouts in OZ are you? (If you don't mind answering).
(OH WOW, My posts tend to be very long - SORRY!)
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You sound so much like me - I tend to ramble on though.
Just been speaking to my sister as she lives about 5 hours away she feels that she should be here - er why - I tell her that I'm the lucky one in the family - I got our fathers heart condition and now BC - also have just been diagnosed with Thyroid problems - just how many chinaman did I kill in past lives (lol)
We live in Qld - where r u?
Gosh those pesky people have been in my house again and made a mess in the kitchen - left dishes everywhere and pots & pans for miles - guess I had go and clean up.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Narelle
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I am in Canberra.
I am lucky, my hubby has taken on all the cooking & cleaning etc.
I am the same, my brother who has never been to my place (they live in Vic - & I have lived here 15 yrs), decided he had to come see me when I told him of my diagnosis, I toldhim this was not the right time, because of chemo etc,I wouldn't be able to show them around or spend much time with them, & instead they should visit after I finish treatment.
Like yo I must have been on a chinaman massachre in a past life (I got Breast cancer (my Mum & did's sister both had it), a genetic connective tissue condition from my Mum, arthritis (from my Mum) & more).
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