Hi everyone. From what I have read it appears this is THE place for me. I was diagnosed on the 2nd May after having a routine Mammogram in April. I was called back due to something showing up on the Mammogram and subsequently had another Mammogram and Ultrasound and then a biopsy.Diagnosis is that I have invasive breast carcinoma with micropapillary features, provisional grade 3 which is ER and PR positive.Fast forward 11 days and I have seen my surgeon who will operate on the 28th May to remove the lump and sentinel node, at this stage.I guess I just wanted to touch base with those of you who are going through this scary time right now. I know I am not alone, however feel alone, even though my hubby is very understanding. Am I getting in my head too much????? Probably YES! Anyway, I have never waited on a date to arrive so quickly as surgery day! :# I am trying to stay busy and remain positive as the surgeon tells me that this has been caught early, however it doesn't take away the fact that I feel like I am facing a challenge to my mortality. Is this normal?

@Joleystub Feeling a challenge to your mortality is extremely normal. Particularly if you have never experienced such a challenge before. An early diagnosis is always good and you have every reason to feel positive. Nevertheless dealing with one day at a time, one thing at a time, is excellent advice right now. It's easy to overthink. Or to spend time worrying about something that may never happen. Keep your valuable energy for the here and now.However I spent quite a bit of time, a year or more after diagnosis, and when I felt well and confident, exploring my feelings about mortality, with some courses and reading, and found it very useful. We aren't taught much about that, it's not a popular chat subject! But it affects every one of us. Just something to consider later.Best wishes.

I can so identify with you @Joleystub. I was diagnosed on the 4th April, partial mastectomy (lumpectomy) on 1st May and subsequent follow up May was referred for chemo to prevent recurrence which will be followed by radiotherapy and hormone blocking therapy. We really don't have any choice but to take it step by step. It seems like we are always waiting for the next step - after mammogram we wait for the result, after call back we wait for the next result, after results we wait for the referred appointments, after that we wait for the surgery date, after that we wait for the pathology result etc etc. Seems to become a series of "do this and wait" moments which can be really hard and the whole time we all get in our heads about it. I definitely have contemplated my mortality even though I have been told I am curable (indeed on the face of it my cancer has been removed) but we still cannot avoid the feeling that we have/had a disease that might be fatal. That said the odds are mostly in our favour in this day and age and all we can do is keep going day by day because there really isn't a choice. This post is for me as much as it is for you! I wish you all the best with the best outcomes! Everyone here is with you and ready to answer questions and tell you about their own experiences remembering that we each have a different experience. Posting helps to not feel alone in this.

Sorry to see you join us here, @Joleystub - and yes, you ARE in the right place! ;) If you keep posting any questions you have on this thread .... it will become a bit of a 'diary' of your story during your active treatment.It is always a shock to the system to get a cancer diagnosis & a real roller coaster ride, emotionally too xx Yes, we all think we are bullet proof, but this diagnosis mucks even more with our mind, I reckon, than our body! Yep, Try not to get 'ahead of yourself' - take each day as it comes ... Keep yourself busy up til your surgery - cook & freeze some meals so that you have plenty 'ready to go' after you get home .... just keep doing what you love to do - to stop your mind going off on a tangent!!Ask away on any question here & we'll do our best to answer them honestly - as we've 'been there, done that'. Jump onto this thread for some general info on the forum - lots of 'off topic' areas - art & craft, gardens, even a couple of 'funny' sections (god knows we need a laugh!) and some 'wise words' to settle you down when you get anxious. There are even some 'tick sheets' at the bottom, to self assess your physical & mental state ... print them off, fill them in & take them with you, as sometimes it is easier to give them lists instead of talking about it xx. Consider recording all your sessions too, so you can go over them later on too. xxhttps://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latestTalking about anxious - if you need someone to physically 'talk to' .... feel free to ring our Helpline on 1800 500 258 (Mon-Fri) xxtake care & all the best xx

@Joleystub as everyone has already said. One day at a time one step at a time. Use all the resources on here. The podcasts are great and informative. I wont add anymore as all the above covers everything I would have said. keep us posted on how your going and no question is too dumb or too trivial.

All the best for tomorrow @Melvista .... feel free to jump onto the 'Newly Diagnosed' Category & tell us a bit more of your story - then you can add to it & it sort of becomes a 'diary' of your active treatment .... take care

Anxious Newly Diagnosed | BCNA Online Network

29 Replies

janieboyd
Member
2 years ago
@arpie. ……Thank you so much. If there’s one thing I have learnt so far it is that there is never a shortage of people who want to help you make your journey easier….Thank you!!!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
janieboyd
Member
2 years ago
@Joleystub. Thank you so much…..So glad your surgery has moved forward…… All the best!!!…….🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
arpie
Member
2 years ago
Welcome to the blog, @janieboyd - feel free to jump onto the 'Newly Diagnosed' Category & tell us a bit more of your story - then you can add to it & it sort of becomes a 'diary' of your active treatment ....
Also, consider joining the ILC Private Group - we put up any new info that is found re Invasive Lobular ....

Take care, stay busy, start cooking some meals & freezing them so that you don't have to think about cooking after your surgery ....
Joleystub
Member
2 years ago
@janieboyd we're in fine company! My surgery has been moved to Thursday 23rd due to a cancellation. Less time to stress about it.
I see you're in Tassie too. Good luck with your surgery.
janieboyd
Member
2 years ago
@Joleystub……I have just joined this wonderful group as well….. BCNA is a godsend & my Breast Care Nurse has been so helpful!!!….We can be surgery buddies!! My surgery is May 28 as well. Diagnosed late March, Invasive Lobular cancer, stage 1/grade 1. I am taking 1 step at a time in this journey……I am overwhelmed by how much help & guidance is out there…. It is truely amazing….We are most certainly not alone!!…. Take Care & reach out !!!
MillyMollyMulbe
Member
2 years ago
I can so identify with you @Joleystub. I was diagnosed on the 4th April, partial mastectomy (lumpectomy) on 1st May and subsequent follow up May was referred for chemo to prevent recurrence which will be followed by radiotherapy and hormone blocking therapy. We really don't have any choice but to take it step by step. It seems like we are always waiting for the next step - after mammogram we wait for the result, after call back we wait for the next result, after results we wait for the referred appointments, after that we wait for the surgery date, after that we wait for the pathology result etc etc. Seems to become a series of "do this and wait" moments which can be really hard and the whole time we all get in our heads about it. I definitely have contemplated my mortality even though I have been told I am curable (indeed on the face of it my cancer has been removed) but we still cannot avoid the feeling that we have/had a disease that might be fatal. That said the odds are mostly in our favour in this day and age and all we can do is keep going day by day because there really isn't a choice. This post is for me as much as it is for you! I wish you all the best with the best outcomes! Everyone here is with you and ready to answer questions and tell you about their own experiences remembering that we each have a different experience. Posting helps to not feel alone in this.
arpie
Member
2 years ago
All the best for tomorrow @Melvista .... feel free to jump onto the 'Newly Diagnosed' Category & tell us a bit more of your story - then you can add to it & it sort of becomes a 'diary' of your active treatment ....

take care
TaraJ
Member
2 years ago
@Melvista
All the best for tommorrow, we have all been there and are here for moral support
Joleystub
Member
2 years ago
@Melvista the very best for tomorrow. Please keep me updated on your progress. Sending you all my healing wishes <3
Melvista
Member
2 years ago
Hi @Joleystub,
reading your message was just like reading my story. I went for my first ever mammogram back in March. I received a call back as they found some dense tissue. Another mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy followed. I honestly never thought I would be a statistic, but here we are. I am going in for my surgery tomorrow. Feeling a little nervous but as others have said.. the best we can do is take it one day at a time. We are definitely in the right place. It is comforting to hear the good news stories and know there is so much help and support available. Hang in there and. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Stay strong we’ve got this!!!

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Anxious Newly Diagnosed

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