74 and newly diagnosed

That’s awesome news @Beb46 ... almost a mirror image of my own treatment, 3 years ago this week ..... tho mine was missed by BreastScreening and found ‘by accident’ by my GP, 4 months after a clear mammogram!

You sound in good spirits, which is terrific.  Keep it up! Lots of funnies on our Friday Funnies page to give you a giggle, too ... feel free to add any of your favourites!  I hope you’ve been able to get back to your hobbies again - and not been badly affected by the cyclone!

all the best for your Rads .... many of us find it almost ‘easy’ compared to what we think it will be like .. tho I got a bit emotional on my last treatment!

take care xx

Well it is now 8 weeks since my diagnosis ILC and things have proceeded swiftly and smoothly thanks to the wonderful staff at my local public hospital. Had lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on 7th January and pathology results were the best I could have asked for. Grade 2 , stage 1A , no spread to lymph nodes, HER2negative and oestrogen +. Everything healing beautifully and not too much discomfort. Had appointment with radiation oncology this morning for CT scans, tattoos etc . Will  only have to have 3 weeks of radiation probably starting in a few weeks then hormone blockers for 5-10 years. The breast screen doctor was spot on.  So I consider myself a very very lucky lady but really feeling for the 2 other ladies I met in overnight recovery whose results weren’t so positive. Their BC  journey will be so much different to mine. 💕

Hi @Beb46,

You have a good sense of humour which is great. Glad things are progressing for you and have your surgeon appointment. This is great as the treatment plan will progress now.

I had an invasive cancer as well. I was lucky no lymph. They tested my lymph mid surgery. I had a wide local incision, chemo x 13 rounds and 19 rounds of radium. My cells were aggressive grade 3 but my cancer was stage one.

It was great to have my surgery as I felt then my cancer was gone. It also felt like progress and each part of my treatment was another step to being cancer free. My surgery was in may, chemo June to September and radium in October. I am now taking tamoxifen for 5 years. So far so good. 

I hope things move along quickly for you and any treatment you have goes well.  Good luck with the appointment on Friday. 

Big hug to you. 💐

Had MRI today . I have asked my best friend to draw a cartoon of me lying face down in machine with boobs hanging in what I describe as cup holders like in modern cars, face in a similar thing as on a massage table, Ear plugs, head phones ( you ladies all know the drill) could have gone to sleep if it wasn’t for the noise. Feels good to have the wheels in motion. Appointment with surgeon next Friday to determine treatment. Bring it on. .biggest hugs to all going through, been through and like me yet to start treatment. 😘🤗

thanks Locksley🤗

Hi and welcome.  Sorry to see you here.   Forum is a great place to vent, ask questions. feel safe. 

Thanks Dory65 and same back to you.🤗

Big hug to you @Beb46 :)

Thank you all so much for the advise, suggestions , encouragement etc. I really appreciate it. It’s amazing how something so awful can bring strangers together to support and care for each other. We are so fortunate to live in this modern world of technology . So different to the experience women in earlier generations had when diagnosed with breast cancer. Biggest hugs to you all 🤗

Hi @Beb46,

Sorry to hear of your unwanted birthday experience. 

I was diagnosed with ILC in late June and still going through treatment. I had quite a large cancer though. I remember well some of the things you speak of. Telling family was difficult and emotional. In the beginning you want to protect them and yourself. Your head is still spinning and you are trying to get to grips with it.

I remember how long getting to action seems to take, endless googling and the uncertainty. It sort of unravels as you go along.

I had a single mastectomy and i was under the impression that i would recover in about 2 weeks  where i got this from i dont know. I didnt fully grasp that the solution might be more.  It is a short operation in many cases but it takes time to recover from as do your emotions.

I have really now only fully accepted the diagnosis and what it means. Like you i have a good prognosis following treatment. Treatment can be long and less than glamorous but  a positive attitude will buoy you along as you go. You may also experience other emotions like annoyance, questioning, crying, ranting. All normal. There is a kind of grief that i experienced for the loss of my pre-cancer life and my carefreeness. This wasnt on my radar.

There are so many more experienced people than me to gleen info from and so many resources here, cancer council, breast care nurses, doctors, cancer service groups and patients themselves are brilliant sources to hold you up when you need it.  But if you need please feel free to ask any questions you may have. 

I wish you well
Michele