I’m 60 years old and I noticed a slight indentation under my left nipple and a dull ache in my left breast. I was supposed to have a Mammogram in May, but you know COVID happened.Anyway I finally arranged my Mammogram for early this month, mentioned change did the scan, had an examination, was told the usual call if something found or letter in 8 days. Well it was the phone call. Went back had the tests exams and biopsy.Was asked to come back with my husband for the biopsy results, while being prepared by staff that things didn’t look good and everything looked very suspicious. I’ve been lucky been diagnosed, had specialist appt and my surgery is due Tuesday exactly 1 week after. We are still waiting for the staining results to come through.I don’t feel like I’m allowed to feel anything but calm about my diagnosis, my husband keeps telling me with our knowledge of cancer (he’s a two time survivor) there’s nothing to worry about, it’s early and contained so I just need to be calm and relaxed about the whole process. For the sake of my adult children I’m trying to be, but the things going through my head, is the cancer still contained, has the biopsy caused it to spread. I can’t ask this question as I haven’t had time along with a medical person since I’ve been diagnosed, I know I have no right to complain, my family want this treated and treated quickly so I seem to have lost control of my treatment and care.Are these feelings normal, my surgeon has told me this cancer I have has a 100% survival rate, so why do I feel like I do, there are so many women/men worse off than me, everything seems to be happening so fast no time to process

Dear @Blister I may be reading your post the wrong way but your family, with the best of intentions, seem to be taking over for you. Sooner or later, and possibly easiest sooner, you may have to gently remind them that it’s your body, even your cancer, and you’d like to be the one leading the discussions. Their thoughts and experience of course are valuable, but cancer tends to be different for everyone - not just the pathology but mentally and physically. So keep the team by your side, but remember it’s your game. Best wishes.

Hello @Blister 🙂You are very lucky you caught it early, yes. The outlook is also fantastic 😊. However, it is cancer. And you need time to process it. And you have every right to feel like you do. It’s fine that people are telling you that you’ll beat it and to be calm, it’s necessary to have encouragement and positivity. But in the beginning I also think it’s necessary to allow yourself to feel whatever it is you feel about it. It’s your body, your battle and your emotions around it. And none is allowed to tell you how to feel about it. You need to go through the fear, confusion, sadness, anger etc. You need to feel all this. Don’t suppress or ignore it, or it will only get worse. Allow to feel what needs to be felt, then after that you can transfer to feeling calm, after things have progressed and you’re more familiar with the whole thing. Good luck with the surgery, and ask for a psychologist where you are able to discuss whatever you feel without being judged or made to feel guilty about it 🍀❤️

@Blister A diagnosis can cause a lot of angst internally. Understandably hubby is trying to take the angst out of it, especially since he is a survivorThere's excellent information on the BCNA website, these links talk about your diagnosishttps://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/what-is-breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/what-is-breast-cancer/ductal-carcinoma-in-situ/https://www.bcna.org.au/resource/fact-sheet-breast-cancer-pathology/Best wishes with your upcoming appointment

Thinking of you as you recover from your surgery @Blister .... make haste slowly - allow the family & friends to 'spoil you' - let them do the meals, the housework & everything else ..... As the others have said, It is totally 100% ok to skip between anger, denial, sadness - and yes, the occasional melt down is a part of it as well - and a great release of tension! But if your find the sadness is overwhelming you, please seek professional help! Your GP may be able to refer you ... or your local Breast Cancer Centre may have help there .... where you are more likely to find a bc specific psychologist. Just talking about it openly and sharing it with a professional should be able to give you coping mechanisms ... Personally I found that it mucked with my BRAIN more than anything else! And sometimes that is very hard to control, as it has a mind of its own! Keeping BUSY doing things is the secret .... try & get back into your hobbies or take up a new one - even more so now with Covid as we can’t get together with buddies as readily as before. Try & keep your sense of humour 'up there' - we have a really good 'funnies page' (called Friday Funnies, but we add them every day!!) Just click on the link to add pics and posts ... https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19116/friday-funnies#latestIf you are into arts & crafts, we have a 'Creative Corner' https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latest and if into your garden, a Gardening post as well!! https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/186078#Comment_186078And we even have a Fishing post, as that is one of my passions!https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19494/fishing-brag-picsThe next 'plan of attack' will be when they get your results back from the pathology - then you'll have a much clearer picture of the path ahead. Wishing you all the best for your results & ongoing treatment. Take care xx

Hi, Thank you for all the advice and support, it has been a bit of a roller coaster, I had my lumpectomy last Tuesday and yesterday finally got my results, it would appear that the little blighter had left and had become invasive, and the area was bigger than initially thought. Good news though it looks like the escaped convicts were contained in the wide incision they took, but they are very happy with the margins, so they are talking of going back in taking bigger margins and first node biopsy, seeing my surgeon this afternoon to discuss next step.

Found out this week I have DCIS

FLClover
Member
5 years ago
Hello @Blister 🙂
You are very lucky you caught it early, yes. The outlook is also fantastic 😊. However, it is cancer. And you need time to process it. And you have every right to feel like you do. It’s fine that people are telling you that you’ll beat it and to be calm, it’s necessary to have encouragement and positivity. But in the beginning I also think it’s necessary to allow yourself to feel whatever it is you feel about it. It’s your body, your battle and your emotions around it. And none is allowed to tell you how to feel about it. You need to go through the fear, confusion, sadness, anger etc. You need to feel all this. Don’t suppress or ignore it, or it will only get worse. Allow to feel what needs to be felt, then after that you can transfer to feeling calm, after things have progressed and you’re more familiar with the whole thing.
Good luck with the surgery, and ask for a psychologist where you are able to discuss whatever you feel without being judged or made to feel guilty about it 🍀❤️
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
@Blister

A diagnosis can cause a lot of angst internally. Understandably hubby is trying to take the angst out of it, especially since he is a survivor

There's excellent information on the BCNA website, these links talk about your diagnosis

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/what-is-breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/what-is-breast-cancer/ductal-carcinoma-in-situ/

https://www.bcna.org.au/resource/fact-sheet-breast-cancer-pathology/

Best wishes with your upcoming appointment
Blister
Member
5 years ago
Thank you
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
Take care
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
Dear @Blister

I may be reading your post the wrong way but your family, with the best of intentions, seem to be taking over for you. Sooner or later, and possibly easiest sooner, you may have to gently remind them that it’s your body, even your cancer, and you’d like to be the one leading the discussions. Their thoughts and experience of course are valuable, but cancer tends to be different for everyone - not just the pathology but mentally and physically. So keep the team by your side, but remember it’s your game. Best wishes.
Blister
Member
5 years ago
Thank you will do
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Sorry to hear your diagnosis. No one wants to go through this no matter how good the prognosis. Its a shock and you will feel what you feel. Its ok to. Other peoples experiences are not yours and you have every right to experience it your way. All the best.
Anne65
Member
5 years ago
@Blister Sending love & strength your way. Such a difficult time & so much to take in. Its OK to feel overwhelmed & confused with so many questions continually going through your mind. Write down all your concerns & questions & ask your medical team at your next appointment. I found a McGrath breast care nurse to be an invaluable source of knowledge & I would ask her all those "dumb" questions. Its hard when you want all the answers now but just keep taking one step at a time & try not to worry about things you cant control....easier said than done!
Another good tip is to take someone with you on your appointments as an extra set of ears is invaluable & take notes yourself.
I was diagnosed with DCIS coming up 3 years ago & have been so blessed with a great outcome & I am praying you will to. I had successful surgery & then had 3 weeks of radiation. I didnt have to endure chemo & I am on no medication so I have been so lucky.
Stay strong & good luck for next Tuesday. Try to stay positive & be kind to yourself. love & hugs xxxx
Blister
Member
5 years ago
@Afraser yes they did a bit, I had a talk them to remind them this is my diagnosis, my body my choice, have spent the day having little melt down, spoke with my Breast Care Nurse today by the end I was calmer, so tomorrow I have a very long day ahead. thanks for your advice
Blister
Member
5 years ago
Thank you everyone for your kind words and thoughts, I have spoken with my Breast Care Nurse today and after having a little melt down am feeling a lot better, not a fan of how things are done at the hospital but it is what it is. its going to be a long long day tomorrow, most of which will be sitting in an armchair waiting for my surgery, but at least after I get as comfortable bed as the hospital give you.

Thanks again for all your kind words, advice and support