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ddon's avatar
ddon
Member
6 years ago

Dark days

Just diagnosed this month, 1.5.cm invasive tumour, plus 3mm by 3mm tumour I couldn't feel. I am 46, have had regular mammograms and ultrasounds for years due to lumpy, dense breasts. I self checked religiously and I still didn't feel this lump until it got to 1.5cm. I had lumpectomy and sentinel nodes out one week ago, and now find 5 out of 6 nodes have malignant cells, and the margin around the larger tumour shows carcinoma insitu that needs to be removed, so I am having a full mastectomy Monday plus full axilla node removal, portacath inserted and I will start chemo before Christmas. I have 4 children, youngest 7, oldest 16 and telling them was horrendous and watching their fears and answering their questions. Trying hard to keep going as normal and reassure them I will do all I can to be here for them. I have a CT of chest and abdomen today that surgeon tells me is just a baseline for the oncologist for chemo but I am terrified it will show metastisis somewhere in there and it will be too late. Its been one month since I found this lump and made an appointment that day with my GP and I feel like this diagnosis/surgery/treatment thing is taking forever. I just wanted it out the day I found it.
 My husband is amazing and this is bringing us very close as we realise we can't take each other for granted any more. I have a very supportive family and have so much to be thankful for when others struggle through alone. But, feeling very alone and scared right now. Thanks for reading.

62 Replies

  • Thank you for your reply. I feel less alone. That lump does seem to get bigger every day - it's hideous and I didn't want to talk my bra off to shower because I felt like my breast betrayed me. Crazy. It's a busy time in your sons life; glad he has grade 12 out of the way. My eldest daughter will be doing that next year during my treatment. Feeling bad for her. 
    I feel like if I cope well then everyone else will but it's sure hard to keep it up. I hope your treatment goes well.
  • You poor thing, so much to deal with!  I feel like it’s taking forever as well, diagnosed a month ago and starting treatment in a week’s time.  All happening in the middle of my 17 year old graduating year 12.  Like you I have dense lumpy breasts which is how mine went undetected as well- and it seems to get bigger every day!  So scary.  Don’t worry about being SO strong for your family, let them be strong for you a bit.  I’m getting my son to help me more and my sisters are coming over offering help too, my girlfriends are bringing soup portions for my freezer, it’s ok to let them rally round and support you.  Lots of love.