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
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 :-)
