Hi all,

Hi Loz,

Welcome to the network.  You've come to the right place for support.  So sorry to hear about your diagnosis, it's what brings us all together in the first place, I guess. 

I can understand your whirlwind roller coaster ride feeling.  I was diagnosed at the end of April and the month of May was just a blur.  I was offered a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy initially too, thinking a mastectomy would be too drastic a measure.  I hope my story doesn't worry you too much, but pathology showed a larger more irregular tumour than was expected and DCIS in tissue margins.  I followed up with a further excision which was still unsuccessful.  In the end, I had a mastectomy, as I really didn't have much boob to start with (quite small breasted). I really miss not having a boob.  My first excision was a neat little smiley face line under my nipple and it would've been followed up with radiotherapy.

However, I was glad I was given the decision.  And would still have made the same decision based on information known at the time.  I had spoken to a couple of surgeons who would have done the same thing. 

It is a scary roller coaster ride initially, but I remember being reassured on this network that once you start your course of action, you do feel like you're getting somewhere.  I found waiting for results to be the worst and waiting in dr's rooms etc.  Have you received the 'my journey kit' from BCNA?  I found it invaluable.  Also coming on here.  Take someone with you to your appointments so they are aware of the concerns you have and can remember to ask questions you may have forgotten. 

All the best with your surgery.  It's normal to be scared, but remember you're not alone in all this.  There's some amazing women who regularly come on here who are further ahead in their survivor journeys which is so reassuring.

Be kind to yourself in these early days.

Karen xx