Just diagnosed

Hi there sweetie,

I hate that you finally had to join us but feel welcomed by our loving and forthright circle.

Don't forget as women we have waited for crap forever, lol.

 You know you can and will do this as a woman you are born to be tough for your kis so scream, laugh, love, cry, shake, shut down and talk to us whenyou need or want, we are always here.

Hi Sharon can't imagine being diagnosed so young. I am 40 and have had bilateral mastectomies recently (30 May) just like Narelle and Ange and just wanted to say if you have had a baby you can definitely do this. The hardest part will be being in hospital away from bubba. Even though you will be itching to get back home get all the rest you can while you are in hospital. I have an 8 and 4 year old and they can really wear you out. However they can be reasoned with and even bribed when required :) 10 month olds can be a little trickier....I'll be thinking of you and sending you healing vibes!! Just take all the pain killers offered and be kind to yourself.

Take care

Lara xx

Hi Sharon

I am 33 and in the last three weeks, I took my baby to the doctor for her 4 month injections, was sent for an ultraound, was diagnosed and had a total left masectomy.

The week between diagnosis and surgery was just agony - I felt all of what you have described, every twinge, niggle it wa the cancer spreading. Having to go for the CT and bone scans to rule out spread terrifying.  I was breastfeeding too and was advised to stop.  

 I am the third in my family and it has been reccomended to have genetic testing done but they didn't want to take the other breast just yet. I was disappointed with this as I just wanted to get it all over with but have followed the reccomendations of the surgeon to get on with the treatment and worry about the rest later

Now, a week or so past surgery I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. The sentinel nodes came back clear but I am Her2+ and grade 3. ??. It was hard being away from the bub and my toddler and not being able to lift them or have cuddles but I am getting stronger every day.  I was so lucky my sister was able to come to help with the baby so I could focus on myself.

Next comes the appointments with the oncologists - I guess I have learnt in the last 3 weeks that the brain can only cope with so much and will just shut down/out. Things have happened so quickly I often wake up and forget that I am in this nightmare, only to remember....  I often think that the doctors are keeping things from me - I wonder if it is becasue they do this every day and know that we become overwhelmed with what is happening to us. 

I am concentrating on eating and sleeping well and spending time with my children while I wait for the med onc appointment next week. The waiting is agony.?......

I have heard that triple negative is a more aggressive type but at this stage try not to guess your pathology. My surgeon told me that due to the size of my cancer I had a 60%chance that it had gone to my lymph nodes -well they were all clear.I was also told that I had only an 8%chance of bc coming back after radiation - well I lost on that one.This bc journey has more twists and turns than a theme park ride.You can't see around the next bend.I've come to hate statistics but I suppose the doctors have to base their treatments on some yardstick.It's good to research and be informed,doesn't always help the anxiety though.My mantra has become-prepare for the worst but hope for the best.        

                              Tonya xx

I have heard that triple negative is a more aggressive type but at this stage try not to guess your pathology. My surgeon told me that due to the size of my cancer I had a 60%chance that it had gone to my lymph nodes -well they were all clear.I was also told that I had only an 8%chance of bc coming back after radiation - well I lost on that one.This bc journey has more twists and turns than a theme park ride.You can't see around the next bend.I've come to hate statistics but I suppose the doctors have to base their treatments on some yardstick.It's good to research and be informed,doesn't always help the anxiety though.My mantra has become-prepare for the worst but hope for the best.        

                              Tonya xx

The waiting does your head in and there is no getting around that anxiety you feel.I just kept really busy in the day and took an over the counter pill that the chemist gave me to sleep at night leading up to surgery.With my first breast cancer diagnosis I was a mess.I wanted the cancer out pronto and I had visions of it spreading like wild fire all through me just like you.So what you are feeling is quite normal. My lump was 2cm and cancer hadn't gone to any of my 18 lymph nodes.I then had radiation and was ok for 7years and then it grew back in the same spot would you believe.So in 2010 I had a mastectomy and the lump was 3cm. I am fine now and touch wood,the cancer didn't travel anywhere. I was driving and doing normal stuff  about 3 weeks after surgery and I am older(56)and probably  way unfitter than you. You just have to tell your rational self that a week or two wait is not going to make the cancer spread.It's a big operation but after 3 days you don't have too much pain and you can move around ok. You'll get through it- you're in battle mode now.I think it's terrible that young women like yourself should have to face bc.It's unfair and just not right and I am so sorry for you.We are here for you any time you are scared or want to vent. Thinking of you and sending a hug.

                                Tonya xx