newly diagnosed

Hi Anita

Sorry for late reply, still learning my way around the site. Thanks for the lovely reply above, it warmed my heart :)

I'm 51 years old, and my children are 21, 23, 24, 26 & 31...I also have 3 beautiful grandkids, 3, 5 & 8. So I have wonderful love around me and a heck of a lot to live for, lol.

My family are my everything. Even though they are all young adults I think it has been difficult for them. They have struggled with my diagnosis, but have been a wonderful support. I think they are all relieved the surgery is behind me and we are all praying that the only other treatment needed is radiation.

My daughter and son in law arrived a few days before surgery, all the way from London. She has been looking after me, cooking me meals, getting me heat and ice packs, driving me around etc. I also have my 31 yr old daughter who lives on the coast helping out as well. Thank God for their support as I don't have a partner and really appreciate them at this difficult time. Stay strong, will keep you in my prayers and will stay in contact.

Cheers, Karen..xxx

Hi Anita.  Keep smiling and stay positive. You will be surprised how quickly time flies and at the end of your treatment you will feel like you can take on the world. I was always very open about my treatment with my girl and if i was ever feeling down she always said the most perfect thing to make me feel better. Kids are very resilient.

Take care

Maryrose

Hi Maryrose.

the best thing I ever did since being diagnosed is join the network as you know all the support you get is from people you know have been there and know exactly how you are feeling.My daughter will be 10 in febuary and I'm already trying to think of ways to celebrate it,she's doing a little better since starting her antibiotics but there's nothing worse than seeing your little girl in discomfort but she slept through the night last night and so did I for a change as for chicko we can just making him confortable and my husband is looking into alternative therapies and he seems to have found one so we are hoping it will prolong his life for a while, he's so special. I've spoken to everyone I can at Angelena's school and they are all going to keep an eye out for any changes and in their words give her more love and special attention, especially the teachers who all know and adore her I know my friends at the school will watch her too as she's going to see me go through the treatment as she'll be on school holidays I hope to chat again soon big cyber hug anitaxxx

Hi Anita.

12 months ago i was where you are now. Take baby steps snd dont think too far ahead. My daughter turned 10 a few days after i was diagnosed. I let her teachers know to make sure they keep an eye out for her and give cuddles if required. Life at home was relatively nornal throughout my treatment. Take all the offers of help you can get. Most importantly listen to your body and take care of yourself. Think nothing but positive thoughts and spoil yourself at every opportunity.

Ps. My daughter wanted to spend her birthday shopping. So two days after my lumpectomy i spent the day shopping with her as promised!! 

Maryrose 

Hi Scalena,

Do they tell you after the surgery how big the lump was? On the Ultrasound it said my Lump was 23mm but my surgeon who I trust completely thinks that isn't as big as that but I just want it out I'm not too sure about the Lymph Nodes though, I guess I'll find out soon enough only 10 days to go now but I'm not nervous I just want to start on my journey of being Cancer Free I have so much to live for and my daughter and husband are the world to me and I too am trying to get as organised as I can as I don't want my daughter to have to not be able to find her things and for everything to run smoothly at home here while I'm in hospital as we also have 2 dogs, as usual with us women a house would fall apart for 1-2 days if we aren't here, did you have much pain after surgery? 4 days after my surgery my daughter has a birthday party and I really want to take her as she'll be on school holidays and it's only 2 hours and I will need to get out of the house. You need to stay positive before and after surgery and I just want to move forward with my life I'm going to start writing my story in a diary today maybe that'll help on the days leading up to surgery I'm sure everything will be fine as I too have a great support network of family and friends without them I don't know how I would have coped, hope to talk again soon.

Thanks Anita.

I too am in your shoes, surgery was yesterday. I just stayed busy, I have great supportive friends and family, no kids at home though. I had a 18mm lump, stage 1 , they have removed that and three nodes, yesterday. Yes I was terrified yesterday, but I stayed positive and did not try to guess the end result. I reinforced myself with the knowledge it has to go. It helped to keep busy at work and being organised.

Hi Rachael good luck with your surgery Friday.

You can do it, I'm 3 years post diagnosis and so far so good, I remember before my surgery I couldn't wait to have it done, I was not nervous as I had great confidence in my surgeon, it may sound silly but I had a mantra which was in a book that I imagined my surgeon with a big sword ready to take everything away I thought about this right till they put me under. Maybe crazy but I focused on it. Once you've got your path you will be fine it gives you a sense of control.  Adean x

Hi Anita,

I felt exactly the same as you when i was originally diagnosed with ductal cell carcinoma insitu. Insitu means that it is contained (which is good!). This was just after i came back from holiday and he told me over the phone! I had a wide local excision of the left breast soon after this (which was the 2nd procedure - the first being a duct excision).

I think having a positive attitude really helps (well, it did for me) but I still have days where I am quite "low and depressed" which is completely normal. This site is great if you want a chat/have a question - anything!! Have you ordered your journey kit? I did and I believe this has also helped - it has a lot of information, a journal of sorts where you can write down a lot of your feelings, a diary where you can keep appointments etc and lots of other stuff which is greatly helpful.

Keep strong. When the pathology came back from my second procedure saying that the cancer cells had spread outside of the ducts, it was recommended that a mastectomy and reconstruction be done. This will be done on Friday, 12th June. I am beginning to feel quite nervous now.

Dont forget...everyone's breast cancer journey is different. What you are feeling is completely normal. Chat soon xxx

Cheers from Adelaide

Rachel H

Hi Kazza,

I'm in my 3rd week since my official diagnosis on 21st May but my gp actually told me ironically the day before mothers day but my surgeon is acting very quickly as my cancer is in the early stages and curable but a long road ahead but I try to stay as positive as possible It's hard enough with one child it must be even harder with 5 my daughter is 9 and 1/2 how old are your children if I'm not imposing, I'm very lucky to have a wonderful husband who is very supportive and an amazing group of friends without them I'd be lost and I don't know how I would cope, I'm praying for you and I hope your surgery goes well, keep your chin up and if you need to talk send me a post I too believe in a greater being and he is watching over us I especially know my dad, grandma and lots of other relatives up there and forever in my heart if I'm feeling down I look at the night sky and look for the brightest star I know that's my dad he allways said he'd be the brightest star in the sky and would allways watch over me. I cherish those words he once told me and it helps a lot. I hope to hear from you again soon keep on smiling lots of smiles are coming your way from me.

A big Cyber Hug Anitaxxx