Forum Discussion
Scared !!!
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
36 Replies
- If you need more support than we can give you, I would suggest using some of these links. They will have more facts to help you. We can only give you our experience. http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/patients/support-and-services/cancer-counselling/ Remember to remain positive, be a strong role model for your children and husband. They will also be learning life lessons through this journey. My daughter has taken everything in her stride... Just like me. They love you because of who you are and that hasn't changed. Xxx
Hi
I just wish i knew more, Im dying inside not knowing if im going to need chemo or radiation. Ive never been so scared in my whole life...
What is this horrible thing going to do to my children? My husband?
x
I had a bilateral mastectomy and have had to have chemo because the cells found were invasive cancer (grade 4). It will all depend on your individual cancer. You may not find out until after the mastectomy and biopsy results. Ask your doctor for their opinion. xxx
Thank-you so much..
My fear of Chemo is foremost on my mind, probably sounds crazy. I just dont want to get sick, lose my hair etc etc...
Opting for a mascectomy (bi-lateral). Anyone have any advice on this??
Do you all think I will have to have Chemo?
x
Hi Tan!
It really can be a bit scary when you get such upsetting news, but the supportive gals here at BCNA are SO amazing - Being able to hear everyone else's stories, both sad and funny, definitely help make it a bit easier... You're far from alone in all of this, and it sounds like you have a strong and supportive network of people around you which will help so much too!It's going to be scary, sure, but if you're strong and you have people who love you by your side, you're going to pull through and come out the other side of this... Catching it so early means you get the very best results, which is definitely a huge positive, and knowing people in your family have done exactly the same thing means you have people who know you, and how you feel, and what to do to make you feel better as best they can.
Please keep us updated on your progress, we'll all be thinking about you and if there is anything we can help with - we're always happy to do so. Be sure to ask your doctor anything you might be worried about too, they are the professionals and I am sure they would welcome the questions - every bit that helps put your mind at ease is a little bit more time where you can rest and not worry. :)
*HUG HUG HUG* Be brave and strong, you definitely have it in you! :)
TimI was diagnosed in September last year and my initial reaction was how to explain to my husband and two adult sons that I had breast cancer but that it was all going to be ok due to early detection. The fact that I had worked a stint in the Breastscreen Perth office a number of years ago meant that I was comfortable with the knowledge I had gained on the subject and also with the expertise of the medical fraternity who would be involved in my "journey". I decided to completely avoid the temptation of surfing the net on the subject and to be honest I haven't even bothered to read much of the material supplied to me thus far. In other words, I am just going with the flow!
To this point in time I have had two breast conserving surgeries with the second involving sentinel node biopsy during the procedure which showed no spread. My specialist decided I should start on a course of Tamoxifen to put balance into my hormone situation and this I commenced two months ago. Apart from the odd hot flush side effect I have had absolutely no problems with taking it. In fact I believe that it has worked so well that I am no longer experiencing migraines which I now believe were related to menopausal hormone issues. I have now commenced a 6 week course of radiation therapy and apart from the inconvenience of travelling back and forward to the treatments I am feeling great. I go to the Perth Radiation Oncology facility in Wembley for my treatment and because it is for private patients I find that my appointments are on time and I am in and out within half an hour. The staff there are wonderful.
I've experienced many emotions in my journey so far including fear, severe anxiety and even anger but what helps me is to keep busy and make sure to catch up with friends for a coffee and chat and spoil yourself every once in awhile.
Sending lots of good vibes your way!
Vicki
I was diagnosed in September last year and my initial reaction was how to explain to my husband and two adult sons that I had breast cancer but that it was all going to be ok due to early detection. The fact that I had worked a stint in the Breastscreen Perth office a number of years ago meant that I was comfortable with the knowledge I had gained on the subject and also with the expertise of the medical fraternity who would be involved in my "journey". I decided to completely avoid the temptation of surfing the net on the subject and to be honest I haven't even bothered to read much of the material supplied to me thus far. In other words, I am just going with the flow!
To this point in time I have had two breast conserving surgeries with the second involving sentinel node biopsy during the procedure which showed no spread. My specialist decided I should start on a course of Tamoxifen to put balance into my hormone situation and this I commenced two months ago. Apart from the odd hot flush side effect I have had absolutely no problems with taking it. In fact I believe that it has worked so well that I am no longer experiencing migraines which I now believe were related to menopausal hormone issues. I have now commenced a 6 week course of radiation therapy and apart from the inconvenience of travelling back and forward to the treatments I am feeling great. I go to the Perth Radiation Oncology facility in Wembley for my treatment and because it is for private patients I find that my appointments are on time and I am in and out within half an hour. The staff there are wonderful.
I've experienced many emotions in my journey so far including fear, severe anxiety and even anger but what helps me is to keep busy and make sure to catch up with friends for a coffee and chat and spoil yourself every once in awhile.
Sending lots of good vibes your way!
Vicki
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
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
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
