Hi there,
First time post. I have exactly what you have and the waiting sucks. I am going for surgery on 30 January to remove my nipple and lump. They will be taking some on my lymph nodes should be tested to see what treatment I need.
I’m still in shock
Hi Carolyn, I know exactly what you’re going through, and we are all on this journey with you. Let yourself deal with the shock and cry or swear when you need to! I find it helpful to let it out, and often feel a bit better emotionally afterwards. Reach out on here, phone the number, reach out to McGrath Foundation website, where you can find a phone number for your local breast care nurse, reach out to any other numbers or resources you have been given, trusted friends/family. All of these angels were extremely helpful for me. Rest assured you are in good hands, and try to distract yourself other times while you wait. Also, I now know any niggles and perceived pain are most likely from biopsy inflammation and/or the brain’s imaginings. Lastly, I am now a few days post- lump removal and lymph biopsy. There is some soreness and stiffness at times, to be expected, but only need Panadol now. Gently does it.
Be kind to yourself and we are all in this together *big hugs*
Hi, I have good days and bad days. I hate the unknown feeling.
Do you have to have the hormone blockers? Any radiation? I’m still getting my head around it. I feel normal like nothing is wrong. How can I have bc?
Hi Carolyn, that’s ok, take your time to get your head around it. Yes, it is so weird that you feel normal, but take comfort from that - it’s really only a teeny tiny part of your body that is being naughty - when you think of it like that. It’s just that bloody part, no matter how small, needs the help of doctors to eff right off!
I have a few weeks yet to see the radiotherapy/oncology team. But, yes it is likely I will have radiotherapy, even just as a precaution when the breast is conserved (as opposed to breast removal) and yes, hormone blocker tablet will be started. I try to see those two things as a positive: to zap any remaining naughty cells, and prevent the mofos coming back!
I hope this helps big hugs
HiCarolyn12 I am so sorry to read about your recent diagnosis: not the New Year news you would have expected. I am sending big virtual hugs.
Some excellent suggestions for you fromlfillmore (and it’s also good to hear your surgery and recovery has gone well so far lfillmore it’s a milestone on the treatment plan worth celebrating).
Carolyn12 there are many variables in how our breast cancer is treated but in my case I also had radiation therapy and - after completing some more chemotherapy I was started on hormone blockers (about 2 years ago). The 15 doses of radiation was manageable, in my experience the build up effect on my breast by the last dose was no more painful than sunburn with some itchiness. There are side effects with any treatment (and many people experience these differently), having said that the nursing care and oncology support checked for any side effects and tried different things to minimise them, sometimes adjusting treatment, to make it manageable.
I decided I would take the recommended treatments, and even now I don’t love being on hormone blockers ( !) but I really want to give myself, and my lovely family, the best chance of not having to go through a bc recurrence.
I feel for you finding it surreal. I had a feeling of being fully let down by the body I had tried hard to look after and with no family history I was surprised. In the weeks before my treatment began (I had to have chemotherapy before surgery) I was very frustrated because I had to start suspending plans and explain to people that I simply didn’t yet know when I could resume. But in amongst it I feel I was lucky to have been able to do a few “holiday” type things (being January), like going to the tennis (the Australian Open), some exhibitions and a concert.
I felt more purposeful when my surgeon had the pathology information and explained what my course of treatment would be. That’s just my experience and what is so good about this forum is there are many versions and experiences and there’s no judgement. Occasionally you’ll read someone’s post and think “wow they nailed it, that’s just how I experienced it/or am feeling”
Will be thinking of you andlfillmore as you approach your similar courses of treatment and sending positive vibes your way :-)
