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

Alfie
Member
9 months ago
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Hi @Joley and boy_boy

Yes a huge waiting game. I think you just have to accept it and follow the process otherwise it does your head in. There are reasons for this.

I am also in the same boat but a little further on. Even the surgery is an investigative process.

In regards to the Optima trial, do your research. I am too high risk of the cancer returning as it was in 3 of 4 lymph nodes. However I did not want to risk it regardless.

Get some prior knowledge so you have an understanding before you see the Oncologist. Although I know it is so much.

All the best with the Petscan results.
Take care
byo_boy
Member
9 months ago
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Hi @Joleystub - That's great news about your surgery results! Honestly though, I feel your pain. The biggest, most miserable part of this whole journey so far has just been the waiting, waiting, waiting - even worse when you're waiting to get results. We have our initial Oncology meeting tomorrow where we find out what the results of Rebecca's PET scan was and what that means for our treatment moving forward. It's really the unknown that's doing our heads in, since we're pretty proactive people normally who just like to get on with things and so far all we've done is tests, more tests and talk, nothing actually practical yet to fight this thing.

I suspect, having read literally hundreds of posts on this site and others, that once we start the treatment things will settle down and get into a more "normal" routine, but that still seems very far away right now! The kids do go back to school next week, which will probably help to make things feel a bit more "normal" too, but yeah totally get where you're coming from about treading water.

Hopefully all your upcoming tests are clear and you can start swimming again :)

Take care!

George
Joleystub
Member
9 months ago
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Hi Everyone.
Well its been over a month since my last update and since then I have found that the surgeon removed all clear margins. My surgery was 6 weeks ago today and after having seen the Radiology Oncologist last week and the Medical Oncologist yesterday, I've felt that there has been some 'treading water' as far as action is concerned. Am I being impatient?
Anyway, my medical oncologist talked yesterday about the Optima Trial before I start any treatment (Chemo) and with all of the information overload, of course I overthought the whole situation overnight!
Action going forward though
Bloods taken yesterday
PET Scan tomorrow
Referral coming for cardiologist to have a heart health screening
I will talk with my oncologist more tomorrow but just needed to reach out again to all of you in the same boat.
When do we ever stop 'treading water'?

#Optimatrial

:neutral:
arpie
Member
11 months ago
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Woohoo, that's great @Joleystub .... I felt HUGE relief straight after surgery xx. Yep it is the waiting that sucks!

I hope you are not in too much pain or discomfort - keep the pain meds up to it if you do xx Make sure you don't do any lifting/cleaning/washing/hanging out clothes or picking up pets and kids ......

Wishing you all the best for your pathology (ask for a copy) - then you'll have a better idea of your 'going ahead plan'.

Take care xx
Joleystub
Member
11 months ago
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Update - surgery done to remove the lump and sentinel lymph node last Thursday. Feeling a bit better psychologically about it all at the moment. Like someone said, it's the in between waiting that can now be the hurdle. Waiting to see the surgeon for details of the pathology is my next step. One step at a time 🩷
staton
Member
11 months ago
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@Joleystub I went through the exact same thing. My mind went places where it should not go.. I was diagnosed in February. My anxiety was extreme, friends and family are supportive but I felt and still feel I'm alone on this journey. I had so much sadness and grief. My anxiety is better post surgery but I cant shake off the bad thoughts. I am having radiotherapy at the moment and have scheduled some counselling support with the public hospital where I am having radiotherapy. Good luck with your surgery xx
arpie
Member
11 months ago
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Hi @WaynesMum - sorry to see YOU join the club too!! Well done on your recovery - they often say that mastectomies are less recovery time than lumpectomies .... As with @Joleystub and @Rachelz .... feel free to put up your own post on this category, so that you can share a bit more of your story & have dedicated answers .... followup on your pathology results & ongoing treatment options ...

Yes, often, learning to say NO to things is one of the hardest, as many of us women tend to try & please EVERYONE all of the time! Feel free to share pics of your dogs/fur friends or art & crafts as well (the links are in here):
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest)

take care xx
WaynesMum
Member
11 months ago
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Hi @Joleystub, so sorry that you have joined the club but you are in the right place for support on this journey. I was also diagnosed on 22 April following a regular mammogram. I had. SMX on 10 May and have been surprised by recovery and how little pain I have experienced. I found the first couple of weeks following diagnosis the hardest. Things are easier now that I have a clearer idea of the plan. Things I found that have helped me so far are not to Google, limit which support groups you are a part of (this one is great) and say no to things you don’t want to do. My family and friends have been wonderful, but hanging with my dogs has been the best comfort!

We are here for you.❤️
arpie
Member
11 months ago
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Hi @Rachelz ... sorry to see you've 'joined the club' too .. feel free to add your own post on the Newly Diagnosed so that you get dedicated replies relating to YOUR story. xx. It can then become a bit of a diary too, that you can look back on later, for all your 'active treatment'.

Make sure you go with a trusted friend or family member to all your meetings (for support and an extra set of ears) and consider recording your meetings too, specially with your surgeon & late, the Oncs/Lymph specialists - as it is difficult to remember EVERYTHING that is discussed.

take care & all the best for your tests next week xx
Rachelz
Member
11 months ago
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I’m with you. Diagnosed today IDC er and pr positive. Grade 2.
More tests tomorrow MRI and CT another biopsy on Friday and back to the surgeon next Friday.
It’s all happening so fast and so unexpectedly.
Sending strength and positivity to everyone.