I am scared ....

Hi Danka

So sorry you have been diagnosed.  I am recovering from lumpectomy for a 5.5 cm invasive triple negative ductal carcanoma.  It is quite normal to feel like everything is getting worse while you wait for surgery, and to feel like they are not going fast enough.  I had a CT scan and a bone scan,after surgery and was told they do this routinely for everyone now, just to check that it has not spread.  My friend had a very swollen lymph node when she found her breast lump, but the lymph node was still clear, so try no to worry.  No matter what, the medical people know what they are doing and will look after you, the HER2 type of cancer you have has the targeted therapy Herceptin that everyone is talking about which was not available years ago, and means so much less chance of anything returning.

I have been writing about my journey so far on my blog breastcancerreadyornot.wordpress.com  an talk about the bone scan I had its called 'Dont look Down'    It may be encouraging to you as I am a few weeks ahead, and start Chemo in a week and a half.

It is very normal to be afraid, but you will be able to do it Danka. 

Lots of love, Yvette

Yes, it is very scary , isn't it Jane? But what can we do? At least I know that I am lucky to be here in Australia  and not in Vietnam for this situation. We do get maybe one of the best health care system here! Lots of love from my way to you, take care xx

Thanks for your great advices Rosanna, they are definitely very helpful.  As my husband is a microbiologist I really do believe in researching and new drugs ( he always tells me so anyway :D ).  Take care xoxo

Thanks Karen, I hope the surgery will be ok, too!! xx

Thanks Gillian, I agree with you, this is the time for me to accept help from others who care about me ( normally I always try to do things myself :D)!!!!!! xoxo

Hi Danka : welcome but sorry.....it's good you come to here the web, you will find lots of information, and could more prepared when sharing from other pink sisters.

The hardest part that I feel was "waiting", you were right, it happened and it already there.  You are positive.  But when waiting and don't know where to go is so hard, right?

I read other information, some of the ladies having chemo a week or 2 after surgery... I was waiting for 6-7 weeks, and also just right after surgery, I have to wait for the pathology report (just in Christmas and New Year time 2013/2014) so waiting waiting waitng.......But now if I think back, it's good to be apart between surgery and treatment, at least I could have more time recover from surgery before chemo.

Chemo, well sounds terrible, but it wasn't that really.  Needle IV to vein is no good feeling for sure, but once it fixed, it's fine.  Chemo feel heavy cold & flu.   

I learnt a lot from here the ladies when sharing experience, so I put myself be positive and stay healthy.  exercise is important during chemo.  Plenty of fluid, water, or juice.  It will knock you down couple days and back to normal like a cycle.

However I was thinking, even without cancer, I still have to take good care of myself.  Don't you?

Please don't let "cance" fool you around.  Stay positive, believe the technology nowadays.  It really common now.  I had 2 more herceptin to go, and now stay with Tamoxifen for 5 years (tablet) so I am the same as you HER+2.

Take care and good luck (hugginggggggggggg)

Rosanna

Hello Danka,

Oh, I know the shock of that diagnosis! All the questions. In December, it felt like a blizzard of tests for me after my diagnosis of the same thing. In my case, the ultrasound showed a tumour of 20mm and a suspicious mass in the lymph nodes. The pathologist did a biopsy of the tumour and of the lymph nodes which showed that both were cancer.

My surgeon said that a Wide Area Excision with follow up Radiation, and an Axial Excision (remove the lymph nodes) would give me the same outcome as a mastectomy, so I chose the Wide Area Excision.

I also had the Bone Scan and CT Scan straight away.

The Breast Surgeon said I should start chemo a month after the surgery, and took care to recommend an oncologist who could see me straight away. Now I have just had my first treatment in a 6-month chemo program, followed by radiotherapy, and then by hormone therapy.

I found that I was much calmer after the operation. Some of my initial shock was anxiety about the surgery. So maybe some this early distress will lift for you at that point.

It's wonderul to know you have a good support network! My motto has been to accept every little bit of help that's offered - it's not only good for you, it's good for the people who love you!

Good luck Danka. You have a beautiful family.

Love from Gillian

Thanks Tonya, as a mother of 2 very young kids I am super busy, which is very important to help me to get through this!  xoxo