New grade 1 diagnosis

SarahLM​ I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

I had a similar diagnosis in September 2025 in my right breast.  The experiences we have can vary a lot but my advice would be to focus on one step at a time as each step can vary the steps that follow, and to give yourself a chance to rest when it comes to recovery. Hopefully the teenager will leap to action for things like hanging laundry and putting away dishes at times when your movement might be restricted. 

I made sure to eat extra healthy, stay hydrated, and I was moisturising my skin a lot in the weeks before surgery hoping to give the surgeon the best chance at a neat result :) 

I had a wide lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy at first and the recovery from that was okay. Some discomfort and weird sensations but they passed. I made sure to follow the exercise regime given to me by my Breast Care Nurse to recover arm movement. I returned to work after a week to a physically active job - at first I took a few extra moments in the days to sit down and needed help in pushing/pulling/lifting tasks that needed use of my affected arm but each day things got easier. I learned to do a lot of things with my non-dominant arm!

If you haven't already started, put together a list of questions for the surgeon that you can go through at your appointment. 

Have you been referred to a Breast Care Nurse? If not, your surgeon might recommend one for you or else you can search on the McGrath Foundation website. Mine was helpful for answering questions about surgery, results, and lining up appointments.

I found the initial stages went by very fast. It was a big jolt to go from diagnosis to having my first ever surgery in less than a month.  If it feels frantic, take a moment to breath. 

And reaching out here like you've done is very helpful when you have questions.  

All the best.

Thank you. It’s extremely helpful to hear from someone who has been through it, thank you.

Hi SarahLM​ 

I"m sorry to hear you're on this path, and can completely relate to the feelings of the unknown path ahead. 

I'm only about 2 weeks ahead of you in the process - SO much happens in these first few weeks - it IS a complete jolt and head spin as you're flung into this new world. I had a wide excision and sentinel node biopsy. Give yourself all the time you can in the week or two following to rest and recover. Make sure you have support to do practical things - especially around the house and driving, I had my friends cook for me and provide beautiful homemade meals for 2 weeks which was a Godsend. I personally have had more discomfort with my arm / arm pit from the sentinel node biopsy than the breast. Really working hard on the exercises and massage to get those new lymphatic pathways going. Wearing soft crop tops, button up shirts and open fronted tops helps as it's taken a while to lift my arm. 

Your surgeon will be a wealth of knowledge and the Breast Care Nurses are literal Angels - they'll fill in all the gaps and answer all your additional questions. 

I own my own business and had to completely take my hands off it for the lead up and recovery from surgery. As one of my employees said 'if you can't step back from it now to focus on your health - when can you?' So I hope you can have a similar reprieve from your job as well. 

Take one step at a time, you've got this!! 

Hi, I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago left breast cribriform carcinoma est grade 1. ER+ PR+ and Her2 equivocal. Saw a surgeon last week but all booked out for April so off to another surgeon this Wednesday. Similar stage to you. I'm in Gippsland Victoria, 61yo no kids at home.

We've got this Sarah.

Hi Sarah,

My diagnosis is much the same as yours. I’m 55. I had my lumpectomy / wide local excision with sentinel node biopsy four days ago. I will get the results next week. At this stage the expectation is radiation (3 weeks) and hormone suppressants (5 years). 

I found it helpful to write down my questions and email them to my surgeon before my appointment. I also gave a copy to my husband, who comes to my appointments with me, so that he could ask any that I missed. Just before my surgery I also spoke with a breast care nurse, who gave me additional information and advice.

Since the surgery I have mostly been moderately sore but able to follow the exercise advice, with (very) gradual improvements each day. I only need paracetamol since getting home the day after surgery.

Not saying it’s all going to be easy or that there won’t be any surprises along the way but we’re both starting in a good position in the (admittedly horrible) scheme of things. Happy to be part of your support crew.

Hang in there 🌸

Hi SarahLM - snap, me too (except I'm in Melb and slightly younger). Exactly the same diagnosis, although my kid is 12.  Having surgery in mid April and keep thinking about it.  Having had a read in this group, it seems the waiting is the constant bug bear.  Also have a high pressure job I love and frankly I'm too busy for this!!!  Hope your brain is keeping quieter than mine.  We can do this (ha we have no real choice!).