From @Caroline71 Hi Everyone I am new to the site, just turned 48 and only diagnosed 2 days ago with stage 3 invasive breast cancer.It has spread to my lymph nodes and the muscles in my chest and I still have to have scans to see if it has gone to other organs.I am utterly devastated as I only had a scan in December and it was clear but I developed a large lump in my breast out of nowhere I put it off for 2 months as I thought it was another cyst as I had one in the left breast which is why the scan was done in December I did not realise that breast cancers could appear that large out of nowhere and then to be told it is advanced and spread already has hit me like a ton of bricks.I have not seen the oncologist yet as I am waiting to be contacted i am absolutely terrified and depressed as well.I am worried it has spread to my liver or lungs as I have been having back pain and shortness of breath for months now,I am scared of the chemo and how sick I will be.i watched my dad die of stage 4 lung cancer last year which came out of nowhere and he only lived 5 months after diagnosis after developing sepsis as a side effect of the chemo.I am just a absolute mess and have no one I can really talk to.i have a 25 year old son and the thought of dying and leaving him has me so devastated I am feeling hopeless and depressed and like I just do not want to have to go any further sorry for such a depressing post and feeling sorry for myself.just needed to get things off my chest and hope to hear other people’s experiences on how to deal with it all

Thank you to all you lovely ladies, I feel so much better about things after reading all your messages of support and your stories and experiences.i can look at things without as much fear after reading all your messages and for that I am truly grateful.i am so happy to have found this wonderful support network and know that there is someone there to talk to when I am feeling scared or down and that there are other people who have felt exactly as I have.Much love to you all and I look forward to getting to know you all xx

@Caroline71 This time after diagnosis but before heading into treatment is really really hard. I spent that time veering from fog to absolute despair. Somehow, once you start treatment, the anxiety while not going away, does tend to calm a bit for most people. I'm guessing that you know who you have been referred to - give them a call and find out your appointment time - the staff should be used to people who are anxious.It sounds to me that you have a lot of trauma to deal with having this come so soon after your father's sudden death. Do you have a psychologist/counsellor? If not, I would suggest that you try to get in to see someone who deals with cancer patients & families. You can get a mental health care plan from your GP to offset some of the costs. And I know at the moment that probably seems too much to even contemplate but talk to your GP or oncologist - they often know of someone who they can recommend.The thought of leaving our kids is an awful one. It has been my shadow throughout and I don't know if it ever goes away. On the other hand, my kids have been amazing since my diagnosis 18 months ago. They still drive me to distraction at times and it certainly has affected them but they have really risen to the occasion when needed. As the others have said - come here when you need information, want to vent or even have a laugh. We get it.

Hi there @Caroline71, welcome to the group that nobody joins voluntarily. Anyone who is not knocked for a six upon learning that they have cancer, would be a rare bird indeed. All of us here, young and not so young. Single and partnered, with and without kids, male and female, "get" it. When I was given a list of things to get before chemo, the first thing I purchased was a plastic bucket from Kmart for the anticipated puking. Well that bucket remains unused for the purpose and now lives a peaceful life as a laundry bucket. Never even had the collywobbles, let alone full on vomiting. Plenty of other stuff happened, but not that. I was diagnosed Grade 3 Stage 3 Triple Positive in 2016. Had AC chemo X 4 doses followed by Paclitaxol X 12 and Herceptin for a year. This was followed by bilateral mastectomy after chemo finished. Currently NED (no evidence of disease). Nothing else to add to the above posts from other members. Sending a big (((cyber hug))). Ally.

hi Caroline71 it is normal to be scared and upset when we are first diagnosed. there are many great ladies and gents on this forum who will answer questions and guide you as you go through this process. Dont do Dr google he can be deceiving. Ask questions here, have a vent and know we get it... as you go through the process and have a plan things will start to settle a bit. Hugs Soldiercrab

@Caroline71 It's always scary the thought of chemo. But so many of us are here and got through it and mostly without major issues.It's normal to feel scared and worry that all things are bc related. They may not be. I know saying that won't help as until you know for sure you will worry. We get it. We've been there.I too had a clear mammogram 5 weeks before I found a lump which in my case was close to the nipple. It would have been much larger before being found in a different location. As to your oncologist. ..if you haven't heard from them by Thursday morning I'd be following up.We are here for any questions you have. No question is silly. Remember that. XPlease let ys know how things go.

Diagnosed 2 days ago | BCNA Online Network

63 Replies

primek
Member
7 years ago
I'd be holding off in aspirin or fish oil...which also thins blood until after the ovary is sorted in case they need a biopsy.
Caroline71
Member
7 years ago
Hi Arpie,
No I have not gone through menopause yet, this medication will put me into menopause though from what I’ve been told
I have a mass on my right ovary also so I have to see the specialist about that on friday and see what will happen with that
arpie
Member
7 years ago
Great news, @Caroline71 - Tamoxifen is the only AI that I haven't tried yet! LOL It has been around for decades, so they'd have a pretty good knowledge of any bad side effects. From what I've read here, many don't have any side effects!! Fingers crossed it is the same for you. Have you started to go thru menopause yet?

All the best for your Onc Appointment xx
Brenda5
Member
7 years ago
If you are worried about strokes on Tamoxifen just take a low dose aspirin daily. I am so drug sensitive after chemo that half of a tab (25mg) aspirin was suitable for me. Keep up to date with getting your eyes checked as Tamoxifen can have side effects there. Not so much with actual vision but with stuff behind the eye which a specialist can monitor. Keep up your walking exercise as it will help you greatly.
suburbangirl
Member
7 years ago
Hi Caroline,
Big congrats on the great news! I am so very pleased for you.
I can't comment on Tamoxifen as I have been on Arimidex for about two months now. (= Post menopausal).
So far I have been fine, but we are all different as others have said.
Hoping you can take time to try to relax over the weekend.
xx
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
No spread is awesome @Caroline71. What a relief.

Tamoxifen has been around for decades. Some people have a hard time on it but many don't. Take it with the knowledge that it can be a very effective drug and that you're doing everything you can to stay cancer free. Try not to anticipate problems that may never arise. Hang in there, K xox
primek
Member
7 years ago
Hi there lots if ladies with similar diagnosis and many on tamoxifen.

This link may be helpful.

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy/
Caroline71
Member
7 years ago
Hi Ladies
more waiting
i have to wait til the 16th to see the surgeon/oncologist
it has not spread to the bones or lungs
its stage 3 oestrogen/progesterone positive
I have to start a drug called tamoxifen tomorrow
Has anyone had experience with this as it has some serious side effects
Risk of stroke, blood clots too so I’m pretty anxious about it
BlackWidow
Member
7 years ago
@Caroline71 - wondering how you are getting on. Lots of ladies have been in touch with support which is really great.
Hoping the results and treatment plan are not as bad as you were thinking. Anne
strongtogether
Member
7 years ago
@Caroline71 good luck today. We are all thinking of you. Dont stop believing!

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