Hi, I have just been advised I have breast cancer after finding a dimple in my breast and now I feel like my world has been turned upside down, I am terrified of what is to come which I guess will be Monday when I have appt with Surgeon. My head is just buzzing is this normal.

Hi @Nomadd,Aside from the wonderful support and advice above, you may like to check out BCNA's My Journey resource. BCNA’s My Journey resource is accessible online or as a downloadable app. This resource provides high quality, evidence-based information which can be tailored to your individual diagnosis and which provides insights from others diagnosed with breast cancer (It also has a symptom tracker). It is easy to access via computer, tablet or smartphone. The following articles can be helpful for someone newly diagnosed with Early Breast Cancer: The Facts - you should know about breast cancer Recently diagnosed with breast cancer? Top 5 tips Health professionals involved in your treatment and care Support for you when diagnosed with early breast cancer BCNA’s ‘Just Diagnosed: what’s next?’ Webcast: Just diagnosed in 2022, what’s next? is an on-demand webcast for people recently diagnosed with breast cancer. You can also check out our Upfront About Breast Cancer podcast series You are welcome to call our Helpline 1800 500 258 anytime to chat further.

To be honest, the weekend between seeing my surgeon and confirmation of diagnosis was the worst part of my cancer experience. It’s the unknown. You were never going to get this, you don’t know what will happen, you have no idea how you will manage anything and you’re scared! If you can hang on to the idea that things will actually improve from this point, it can help. Knowing exactly what helps, knowing when helps, having the words helps. Day by day, your knowledge will get better and the confusion will get less. Do take someone with you to your appointment if you can, it can be hard to take everything in at once. Keep breathing! Remind yourself that many have travelled this road before, just as unprepared, and have done well. Best wishes.

I can sympathise. I got a call back from a routine mammogram, second mammogram found a 2cm tumour. My world had been turned upside down, please know you’ll be okay. Lots of great advice here from the lovely ladies helped me. My appointment with the surgeon gave me all the facts and put my mind at ease, because at least then I had a plan. Not knowing what to expect was the hardest part for me. I decided on a lumpectomy and radiation. Surgery was on Wednesday. It’s a long day, yesterday pain wasn’t too bad. It’s slightly worse today. Not going to lie, it was a shock looking in the mirror after the operation, but not as bad as I expected. As the surgeon said, this is a lifesaving operation. Hopefully this puts your mind at ease a bit.

Hi @nomadd - so sorry to see you join our select little group - we've all been where you are now & know 100% how you are feeling - this time 5 years ago, I was in your shoes, in between identifying the lump & waiting to see the surgeon - but didn't see him til mid Jan! :( (Being rural has its problems!) Well done on being proactive & getting checked after finding the dimple.Yes, it is totally normal to have your head buzzing xx ... This diagnosis mucks with your brain even more than your body, I reckon. If you find yourself feeling a tad overwhelmed or sad, jump onto the Helpline (Mon-Fri) 1800 500 258 or chat with us - remember, there are no silly questions.I hope you have a trusted buddy or partner to take with you when you see the surgeon (and all appointments from now on) both as support and a 2nd set of ears - it is easy to 'miss what is said' as you ponder a previous comment from the surgeon - so I would suggest that you consider recording the appt as well, on your phone - to go over later on, if needed. I recorded all mine til I finished my active treatment.@GorgyS is right - distracting yourself with the Podcasts or Movies/Netflix is good - as is maintaining doing things you love doing in the mean time and once you are able, after your surgery. The Charlotte Tottman Podcasts are brilliant to listen to - she is a BC psychologist who was diagnosed with BC herself & had a double mastectomy, choosing to stay flat. She only then 'really discovered' what others had been actually thru and just how it affects you mentally, once she'd been diagnosed herself. You can listen to them here (start at No 13 for the First Series, then go back to No 1 for the 2nd series.)https://soundcloud.com/search?q=charlotte%20tottman Jump onto this thread & read up a bit more on other areas of the forum .... you can show off your furkids, your garden, art & craft & also have a laugh (we all need a laugh!) Also there are tick sheets down the bottom that you might like to check out - to sort of 'self assess' how you are going xxhttps://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latestTake care and all the best for your surgeon's meeting

Hi @nomadd You have come to the right place.BCNA has a wealth of information and resources for those diagnosed with breast cancer and this forum is a place you can ask any question and you will receive advice and support from those who have “ been there”.The best advice I received from my GP when I got my diagnosis was to take a trusted person to all my medical appointments at least in the beginning as you will not take in everything being said as you will still be in shock.Take care.🌺

New Diagnosed | BCNA Online Network

Mez_BCNA
Community Manager
2 years ago
Hi @Nomadd,

Aside from the wonderful support and advice above, you may like to check out BCNA's My Journey resource. BCNA’s My Journey  resource is accessible online or as a downloadable app. This resource provides high quality, evidence-based information which can be tailored to your individual diagnosis and which provides insights from others diagnosed with breast cancer (It also has a symptom tracker). It is easy to access via computer, tablet or smartphone. The following articles can be helpful for someone newly diagnosed with Early Breast Cancer:
The Facts - you should know about breast cancer
Recently diagnosed with breast cancer? Top 5 tips
Health professionals involved in your treatment and care
Support for you when diagnosed with early breast cancer
BCNA’s ‘Just Diagnosed: what’s next?’  Webcast: Just diagnosed in 2022, what’s next? is an on-demand webcast for people recently diagnosed with breast cancer. You can also check out our Upfront About Breast Cancer podcast series
You are welcome to call our Helpline 1800 500 258 anytime to chat further.
GorgyS
Member
2 years ago
I know how you feel. I am also newly diagnosed although already went through the lumpectomy. Try to get some information from BCNA although the breast surgeon is the one who has to provide you with all the relevant information and guide your through the treatment. When I feel down, I browse through the BCNA podcasts and information, doing light house chores, watch movies and look for any other destructions not to think much of my cancer. I really try to focus on healthy eating and exercise although I like resting the most. I have to go for re- excision as the cancer/margin is still there. My lump was 8 cm ( initially just after 5 cm) and 15 lymph nodes removed. Still my surgeon said that it is curable . Who knows what is ahead, but I know I need to deal with it and try to have a positive attitude if possible.
JodieMaree
Member
2 years ago
I can sympathise. I got a call back from a routine mammogram, second mammogram found a 2cm tumour. My world had been turned upside down, please know you’ll be okay. Lots of great advice here from the lovely ladies helped me. My appointment with the surgeon gave me all the facts and put my mind at ease, because at least then I had a plan. Not knowing what to expect was the hardest part for me. I decided on a lumpectomy and radiation. Surgery was on Wednesday. It’s a long day, yesterday pain wasn’t too bad. It’s slightly worse today. Not going to lie, it was a shock looking in the mirror after the operation, but not as bad as I expected. As the surgeon said, this is a lifesaving operation. Hopefully this puts your mind at ease a bit.

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