Introduce yourself!

Hi Cosette,

I'm Catherine. I've already done a post and had some lovely people respond that I have found really helpful.

I'm 45 and was diagnosed with breast cancer in my Right breast 6 weeks ago. Initially I was going to have chemo to reduce the size of the tumour so I could have a lumpectomy but I had a fine needle biopsy under my nipple and it showed cancer cells so I had a full mastectomy.

My results were good-clear margins and no lymph node involvement that was detected but i'm in the grey area with the size and grade of the tumour. In my post I was saying that I have been given the option of chemo which is just plain awful. I'm finding this an agonising decision. All the hormone treatment is a given but to chemo or not to chemo is hard.

I'm married with two children-7 and 11, one of which has cystic fibrosis so I am torn about what to do and want to be around for my kids. But i'm also aware that chemo is serious business.

I'm a nurse when i'm working and i'm annoyed at not being able to work because I love to work and I love my job. I'm also annoyed at not being able to get a HCC because my husband earns just over the threshold amount to get one.

When i'm not working I love pottering around my garden, walking, eating, reading, having coffee with friends and taking the kids to the park.

Oh my goodness, I've just read this back and I sound like such a whinger-just trying to get used to the big lifestyle change!