Hi, I have just been diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. Im so scared, wanting so many questions answered..... Does anyone know if I'll need Radiation or Chemo? How will it effect my husband and my children? Id really love to talk to someone...x

Hey, five months in from my diagnosis, I so know just how you feel. Shock, gut wrenching fear, shock, did I mention shock?! Really sorry to hear you've had this crap card dealt...but on the good news front, a stage 1 diagnosis is as a good as it gets -- well apart from the no cancer at all of course! What treatment you will need will depend on all sorts of things -- the size, whether it is hormone receptive, whether it is HER2 positive or negative, whether you have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. Happy to hold your hand through this as much as I can, but do you have any other information on what they've identified at this stage? Do you know what the results of the biopsy found (this usually tells you the hormone status though it is subject to confirmation once surgery pathology is done). That you've found your way here is a fantastic first step. If you doctor has not given you one yet, the next great thing to do is register to obtain a my journey kit from this fantastic BCNA site (if you do a search for my journey kit in the search area at the top right hand side of the page it will take you to the link). It is full of really useful information that I clung to, patricularly in the first three weeks post diagnosis when shock was the a constant, and it really helped to calm me down. Breathe. Breathe. You have to try to breathe. Hugs. x

Thank-you so much. Im having a mascetomy, so does that mean ill have radiation? Gee I cant even think about chemo, that just scared the heck out of me. Im 36 2 young children and the most amazing husband in the world. My mum had a double mascetomy at 38 year of age, and now me.....we just cant believe it.....when will my tears stop. Cant even look at my children without crying....Am i going to die? Am i going to be really sick? Are people going to treat my differently? So so scared... Ohh, 3 tumours in my right breast only... 8mm, 8mm and 5mm in size. xx

Hi, Feeling for you, having been diagnosed 6 months ago. For me the unknown was the scariest thing of all. Once I had met with my team and knew my staging and the plan, I started focusing on each step and not looking any further than that. i am stage 2, with 5 nodes involved. Had an axillary clearance and lumpectomy, which ended up not having clear margins , so a partial mastectomy was performed. I have just finished 6 cycles of chemo and thankfully had minimal side effects. I start rad on Monday (30 days!) and will begin hormone therapy. Def get the BCNA kit, helped me alot to in the first few weeks of diagonisis. When you go for your appointments, take a pen and p Hun, take each day as it comes, let the tears flow (better out than in) and be kind to yourself. Focus on surgery and getting over that. Sending massive hugs to you and know I'm thinking of you and here for you anytime. xxxxxxxxxx

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I was diagnosed in October last year with a very large area of DCIS in my right breast. I had a mastectomy and at the same time a sentinel node biopsy which actually found Grade 4 in my lymph nodes. I went back in for a second op and had a left mastectomy (to be absolutely sure) and a right axillary clearance. Scary yes... but a lot less scary than thinking it may not have been found. I am extremely grateful I am still here to tell the tale and see my daughter grow up. From my understanding you have chemo if they find invasive cancer cells. You have radiotherapy if they find more than three lymph nodes that have cancer in them. I am having both chemo and radiotherapy at exactly the same time. I am almost at the end of the radiotherapy and hopefully starting my second course of chemo today. The radiotherapy is all very easy - just like an xray - just a pain having to go to the hospital every day Monday to Friday. The chemo is also really quite easy although has more side effects. I have nearly lost all my hair and have had some nausea, but that's all for now. I think the symptoms might get worse as you go on. We'll see. Don't worry too much. Look towards the positives. They have found the cancer and they are treating it. It's also Grade 1 which is great news. It hasn't developed too far. Which hospital are you going to? I'm being treated at Sir Charles Gairdner. They have been fantastic. Good luck with your journey! x

Scared !!! | BCNA Online Network

36 Replies

louiseg
Member
13 years ago
I had Peter Willsher (Arlene's husband) and Arlene Chan at the Mount and my plastic surgeon for the reconstruction was Tony Connell (amazing man!!). They are a wonderful team so if you've got any of them, you will be in very good hands!! I actually went to see Arlene yesterday for my annual check-up :)

I have had breast cancer twice - firstly at age 35 (mastectomy and TRAM flap reconstruction) and then again at age 42 (mastectomy, immediate lat dorsi with expander reconstruction, chemo x 4). What do you want to know about the expander surgery? I had very little pain, if that is any help! And the result was great :)

When I had breast cancer the first time, my kids were only little (6 & 8) and I just told them that I had to go into hospital for an operation on my boobie. They didn't really want any more info and were happy to just give me hugs. I stayed VERY positive through the whole process though and definitely put on a brave face for them. It helped them cope with the whole journey very easily (and my husband too!). The second time, they were older and I told them that I had breast cancer and that I would probably need chemo and lose my hair. They were a bit clingy during this time but still coped really well because I was so positive that I was going to beat this thing. I truly believe that a positive attitude not only makes the people around you feel better about what is going on but also helps you heal and feel better more quickly too.

Feel free to ask any questions,

Louise
tan_g
Member
13 years ago
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fungooleyruley
Member
13 years ago
My surgeon is Diana Hastrich at The Mount Medical Centre and radiation oncologist is Yvonne Zissiadis at Perth Radiation Oncology in Wembley. What I love about Dr Hastrich is that she doesn't beat around the bush and comes across quite gung-ho in a positive way. She has a good sense of humour but I guess that may not appeal to everyone during times like this. It works for me though! Also, I previously had a bad experience with a male specialist at SJOG Murdoch Hospital when I was in being treated for a breast infection and he certainly didn't have a gentle touch or manner about him. It put me off ever having a male medical professional ever touching my breasts again and I have since sourced only female surgeons/specialists. Glad to hear you have managed to source someone you are more comfortable with and all the best.
tan_g
Member
13 years ago
Arlene Chan ?? Wow, thats made me happy, thank-you

x
ShazK
Member
13 years ago
Heard good things about Peter (he's married Arlene) You are in good hands hun.

Will be thinking of you x
ShazK
Member
13 years ago
oops (hit enter before I had finished)

I also go to the Mount. I see Richard Martin - surgeon and Prof Arlene Chan - Oncologist.
ShazK
Member
13 years ago
oh Tan :( What happened??
tan_g
Member
13 years ago
Hi there

Who was your surgeon?

I had a terrible day

:-(
fungooleyruley
Member
13 years ago
Wishing you all the best and I am sure that you are in good hands whichever hospital you are going in to. I went, on my own for both my surgeries, to The Mount and felt very comfortable with everyone being so caring and helpful.
tan_g
Member
13 years ago
Saw the resident surgeon here today.

Referring me to Perth, so Im off to Perth tomorrow on Skywest for an appt with the Breast Surgeon and Plastic Surgeon. Having bilateral Mastectomy with expanders.

Surgery booked for 19th March, was hoping for sooner but thats the best they can do.

Anyone want to tell me anything about expanders.

xx

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Scared !!!

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