Need some positive stories

Hi Lara,

I am 49 and was diagnosed in march this year, had a partial Masecomy and was told that my lymph glands were clear by an ultra sound and would only have to have radiation.
After the OP that went well, a week later had to path results, the lump was alot larger that they thought but it had started to go into my lymph nodes. This meant that i now would have to have Chemo, Radiation and 5 years of tablets - my husband and i were devestated, but when the Doc explains to you in percentages of the benefits of having all the treatment or only radiation the window of recovery was huge and a no brainer to our decision.

I am half way through my chemo, then 6 weeks of everyday radiation and then 5 years of tablets, but the outcome is good for me.

Please i know it is hard not to dwell and think the worst - the WAITING is the worst, but wait for the results and deal with it then.

Hope to keep reading on your progress honey, all the best with the OP.

Jody xoxoxoxoox

If I tell all the women on the BCNA website to look out their front window and tell me what they see, then that is what breast cancer is like.  It all depends on the view, the attitude and your own experience.

I had to have 2 operations to remove nodes, but I never once felt terror, just thought, lucky it hasnt gone further.  As you go through your own experience, it will greatly depend on how you think.  and how positive the stories are around you.   I found It is easy to focus on the negative because its not great being diagnosed with Cancer, but you do adapt and ultimately, trying to be a  positive person, I feel will have more positive result .   I am so glad the view from my window was tranquil.

xx Bel

I was 46, it was 8 months ago.  Stage2, Grade 3.  I had a tidy removal of the tumour with minimal scaring.  2 ops under the arm to clear the nodes and the operations were no drama.  I see you used the word, minimal, that good right!  I am Triple Negative and if I wanted to panic, I could have because that is a more difficult one to treat.  But I also think its a bonus because I dont have to take those tablets for the next 5 years.  (smile).  I noticed you have family support.  Thats wonderful, some women dont.  Your beautiful children are old enough to understand and I think thats a bonus.  Most women eventually leave behind the constant contact, so the survivors are out there back at work or doing other fabulous things they didnt get to do before this happened.  There are plenty of positives..... oh and there is ONLY ONE YOU AND NO 2 PEOPLE GO THROUGH THE SAME DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENTS.  (very often).  (smiling helps).  Big hug, Bel

Hi Lara,

Just had a read of your blog and am so pleased for the surgery result you have had.  I was diagnosed in September last year and because I had worked at the BreastScreen office in Perth a few years ago I was reasonably aware of what was going on.  I ended up with two surgeries because the first one didn't get the clearance required but thankfully my nodes pathology came back clear.  I completed 6 weeks of radiotherapy in April and I must say that apart from the odd bit of stiffness and a diagnosis of gastritis which has been connected to the radiotherapy, I am feeling pretty good.  Going to the last Perth Group get together and spending time chatting to the other ladies in the group has also given me a more positive outlook, so if you are in a position to come along to the next one on 24 August I can guarantee wonderful company.  Be positive and don't forget that there is plenty of support for you out there!

Vicki R oOo