Forum Discussion
Just diagnosed
Hi Everyone,
I am new to this.... breast cancer and posting!
Having read other posts it has encouraged me to do this and reach out to others, and maybe even be able to help others.
I was diagnosed with early breast cancer on the 12th March 2014, I had a mastecotomy on the 25th March and am now about to go down the path of chemotherapy, FEC 100 for 6 cycles and hormones as well.
It has all happened very quickly and still reeling from it, but there are a lot of positives, caught early, no lymph nodes involved and had clear boundaries. The hardest thing for me is I lost my partner almost 12 months ago and trying to deal with this without him is sooo hard.
I am lucky to have a wonderful group of family and friends, but not having my special rock is terrifying, he was always there for me, no matter what.
Wishing everyone the very best with their own journeys.
16 Replies
No you're right not long, and will be glad to get started and then the sooner I finish. At least I now know what the next step is and can start to plan my time from now on a bit.
Glad your appointment went well and thanks for the thoughts for the 5th. Take care x
Hi Annie
My diagnosis was five weeks ago and mastectomy four weeks ago tomorrow- my new body shape will be one month old tomorrow :)
I know what you mean about a mismatch of expectations and realityin ewound healing. Over Easter I popped a stitch whilst stretching my arm above my head - a bit disconcerting being able to look inside the cavity where your breast once was! I was back in hospital overnight and have been on antibiotics for 10 days; the openning is dressed everyday witha thing called aquacell. I really had expected the hole to be closed by now and it still isn't. I am not normally this slow to heal. The surgeon is seeing me tomorrow and I think I may need to have an aspiration of the fluid as well- same as you. I haven't been sore or tender over the scar line at all but have been really sore up near where the muscle ridge is - so sore in fact that I have rubbed some voltaren cream on it which bought some relief - was really careful that I didnt get it near the scar line.
As for the tiredness I am stunned - I had a bilateral hip replacement about 10 years ago and even with a trip to ICU due to blood loss and a low Hb, I did not feel as tired as I do now. I am worried about returning to work next week as I am not sure how I will go. I will ask about flexible working hours but am not holding my breath... we will see. I most definitely run out of puff about 3pm and think 'ok for sure tonight I will have a good sleep' but seems not to be the case. I think the emotional processing that is required to get your head wrapped around everything to do with not only the diagnosis and treatments, but the roller coaster ride and politics of family etc, has a lot to do with the fatigue and is really a normal part of this journey.
Annie how long between your chemo consultation and starting chemo was there - is it a matter of days or weeks?
Cheers for now and thank you for engaging in a chat; it really does help me sort some of this stuff out
MLE59
Hi Annie
My diagnosis was five weeks ago and mastectomy four weeks ago tomorrow- my new body shape will be one month old tomorrow :)
I know what you mean about a mismatch of expectations and realityin ewound healing. Over Easter I popped a stitch whilst stretching my arm above my head - a bit disconcerting being able to look inside the cavity where your breast once was! I was back in hospital overnight and have been on antibiotics for 10 days; the openning is dressed everyday witha thing called aquacell. I really had expected the hole to be closed by now and it still isn't. I am not normally this slow to heal. The surgeon is seeing me tomorrow and I think I may need to have an aspiration of the fluid as well- same as you. I haven't been sore or tender over the scar line at all but have been really sore up near where the muscle ridge is - so sore in fact that I have rubbed some voltaren cream on it which bought some relief - was really careful that I didnt get it near the scar line.
As for the tiredness I am stunned - I had a bilateral hip replacement about 10 years ago and even with a trip to ICU due to blood loss and a low Hb, I did not feel as tired as I do now. I am worried about returning to work next week as I am not sure how I will go. I will ask about flexible working hours but am not holding my breath... we will see. I most definitely run out of puff about 3pm and think 'ok for sure tonight I will have a good sleep' but seems not to be the case. I think the emotional processing that is required to get your head wrapped around everything to do with not only the diagnosis and treatments, but the roller coaster ride and politics of family etc, has a lot to do with the fatigue and is really a normal part of this journey.
Annie how long between your chemo consultation and starting chemo was there - is it a matter of days or weeks?
Cheers for now and thank you for engaging in a chat; it really does help me sort some of this stuff out
MLE59
- Hiya Annie, Wow not long before you start chemo. You will do amazingly. Just take each day as it comes. My radiation onc appointment went well. He is happy with how it's all going xx Will be thinking of you on the 5th xx
- Hiya Annie, Wow not long before you start chemo. You will do amazingly. Just take each day as it comes. My radiation onc appointment went well. He is happy with how it's all going xx Will be thinking of you on the 5th xx
Thanks for your thoughts and hugs for next week, not looking forward to it, and yes naturally scared, but trying to look at it as one down and only 5 more after that.
How long is it since your op....for me it is five weeks today. I have to confess I have been a bit disappointed with how long it seems to be taking to heal. On the other hand have been lucky, no complication apart from having some fluid taken out a week or so after drain was removed. I know it is major surgery, but for some reason I thought about three weeks and would be fairly normal again, but still very tender and by the end of the day I seem to run out of puff. I still haven't been able to speak with anyone that can really tell me if it is sort of normal or not????????
I have managed to go into work for a few hours each day, and then if need be able to bring it home and finish it off after a bit of a rest. From reading the posts here everyone is different and from what I can work out, you just have to do what works for you.
Take care x
Hope all went well with your oncologist today. I have just heard my chemo starts 5th at 9am, so that will be one down and only five to go, the count down has almost begun.
Take care x
Thank you, this is all so supportive and really does make me feel better. I just hope I can be helpful to others and you have been to me. Glad you have finished your treatment and hope all goes well with you in the future. x
Cyber hugs to you Jodie! Sounds like you are on track to a fab year....Jen x
Welcome to the site, as youa re finding there are many lovely ladies on here all with our own stories but more improtantly all willing to provide that much needed support.
Everyone is at different stages and some of us are lucky enough to be out of the treatment cycle now.
So we are here to show you that it is treatable and that whilst sometimes you wonder how you will get through it all you do and life is different but its all doable.
I am so sorry about the lose of your partner, that is terrible and to do it without your rock is hard. So sending you big hugs.
Donna
