Hi Everyone, my name is Lois and my life got bit of a shock last week when the doctor said "It is Aggressive, Invasive Breast Cancer". The emotions went into hyper drive and I left his room and promptly threw up in his garden. Luckily, my husband was there for that much needed clean up and cuddle. My "Lump" had been there for over 5 months and as I have Lupus, merely thought it was a torn chest muscle that was taking forever to heal. Unfortunately it wasn't. Instead it is a Stage 1, Grade 3 estrogen receptor cancer (I think that is what they said!!) located in the upper quadrant of my left breast on my chest wall. The lump is nearly 30 mm...Yesterday, I met with the Specialist for the first time and my Breast Care Nurse - both very calm, methodical, easy to approach and allowed me for the first time in nearly 3 weeks to let my breath out and come home with a positive outlook - even though I know the months ahead will shake, rattle and roll me to exhaustion and beyond.At the moment, the decision is to take out the lump and relevant lymph nodes then radiation therapy. The view to full removal of both breasts will be considered once I have done healing....especially as "we" are unsure how the Lupus will react as I have been in constant flare up with a myriad of symptoms for nearly a year now. The whole thing of rejection of breast tissue for reconstruction etc needs to be considered at length and with advisement of specialists.I am alternating between being scared and rationally calm. The hardest bit of this news, was having to tell my children and watch the sheer horror cross their faces. That took my breath away.So...that is me. Trying to find a sense of positivity amongst the fear and monumental freak out sessions since I was told the news.

Dear @Lois_56 Hang on to that positivity! It won’t make you well all by itself but it can make bc and treatment a bit easier for you (and your family) to handle. As you have already found out, this stuff is best attacked bit by bit. As far as you possibly can, take it day by day. Things can change, your own views of what you want can too, so it’s good to see how each stage of treatment goes and make decisions as needed, with relevant advice. If you have to do this, Stage 1 is a reassuring start! Best wishes.

You'll find lots of help and support on this forum . As Alfraser says. Take it one day at a time. I was stage 1,grade 3 with a 55mm lump so I had chemo and rads. If it was smaller it would have been like you, only rads. Already you're in front, no chemo . The survival rate is huge so plan to be one of them. I certainly found the answers to a lot of my questions, and fears shared here on this forum..I didn't know about this forum in the early days of my diagnosis when I could have benefited from the info here..Luckily you have arrived here early and everyone will help you .

It sends you reeling, doesn't it? But believe me, it does get better. Once you have a treatment plan and start down that path, the fear and shock seem to recede a bit. My advice...take someone you trust to appointments as two pairs of ears are better than one; write down any questions you may have as you'll probably forget otherwise; stay away from Dr Google as the information there is often old or irrelevant; ...and breathe. Also remember, if you don't want to talk to all and sundry all the time about what is going on, you don't have to. You can update people if you want to in many different ways but it is up to you how much you talk about it.

Hi @Lois_56, I am sorry to see you’ve joined the club no one really wants to join. The diagnosis really rocks your world and those around you. It mucks with your brain bigtime too. But as the girls have said, once you’ve had your surgery, you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel, just knowing it it OUT! I was amazed at how sore I WASNT following my surgery 2 years ago - but it is very important to take the pain meds to keep it at bay. Your pathology will determine the rest of your treatment. I was lucky and skipped chemo too, and found the rads quite easy to cope with. Try and keep busy as you can as wait for your surgery. The waiting is the pits! Keeping your mind and body active helps. Your family will be your biggest supporters, so lean on them. Let them do things for you and definitely have a good buddy with you in appointments. I recorded all my early ones on my phone as I found I couldn’t remember half of what was said. Take care ... and put up any query that you may have, as there is a wealth of support and comfort here, from those who know exactly what you are going thru. Xx

Thank you for the kind words, wisdom and advice. I must admit I did come home and seek Dr. Google's info. I roamed as many sites as possible but kept on being drawn back to this site, especially when my Breast Care Nurse said joining the forum would help me. I knew I had to be educated as much as possible and also to answer any questions posed by my family. I found using social media to put one post up on facebook helped combat the need to individually tell my extended family and friends - it was reassuring indeed to have the outpouring of love and friendship - even though my initial reaction was not to tell anyone - that was a natural reaction I assume to "protect" feelings both of myself and others. I have been told that Radiation can leave you exhausted and the skin becomes highly sensitive for weeks after the sessions are completed? Would soft flowy clothing (cottons) be preferable? Thank you once again (big Hugs) Lois

Newly Diagnosed 18/2/2020 | BCNA Online Network

26 Replies

cranky_granny
Member
6 years ago
@LoisLois just read everyone’s comments. Agree with them all.
Mine was similar to yours
Though i didn’t get to miss the Chemo 1st surgery 2nd then the Rads.Looking back 3 years now the radiation was the easiest part. Did everything i was told to do plus took suggestions from here
each of us have similar and different experiences through this. What I found was someone on this forum has experienced it and has a good suggestion to go with it.
I read it all as the search bar became my best friend on here in the early days And went with the ones i felt comfortable with Now I just ask
best advise all Drs appointments have that other set of ears. My notes on my phone got a hammering then on appointment days my other Set of ears would read them And ask the questions mostly due to Chemo brain.

My funny was my Son decided he was taking me to hospital on the day of surgery. I must not have retained a small detail about the special Dye. at 7 am in the morning a red faced son decided he couldn’t sit with me while i was going to so exposed. He rang his aunt to come take over for that part.
I have never seen my son so red faced and they were happy to wait the 10 minutes for sister in-law to get there. I still giggle when i think back on it.
Most of all good luck for surgery and do as you’re told. As well pamper yourself. And let loved ones help Even if it is just bringing you your favourite snack I ended up with 6 months supply of chocolate and chips
Oh yeah open front shirts are the go for certain. And loose clothing
Giovanna_BCNA
Member
6 years ago
Hi @LoisLois
All the best with your upcoming surgery! Take care of you
regards Giovanna
LoisLois
Member
6 years ago
TWO DAYS until surgery and I am so damn excited!!!!!!!!! :)
Tinks
Member
6 years ago
All the best for your surgery this week @LoisLois! Soon it will be gone. Lots of love Tinks xx
Blondy
Member
6 years ago
@lLoisLois moo goo is an approved cream when having radiation .There is an online oncology pack for around $40 with more than $40 worth of goods. Personally I found the cream given me at radiology was too thick to apply without using pressure . I lurve my nicknames
Tinks
Member
6 years ago
Thanks @Caz1!
Caz1
Member
6 years ago
Hi @LoisLois @ Tinks some chemists also stock it. :)
Tinks
Member
6 years ago
hi @LoisLois, MooGoo is a commercial product, you can find it on line. The original moisturiser is called udder cream. That’s the one I’m using and my radiotherapy team endorsed it as well. You order online, and worth checking out the Chemo pack as it is for us and is great value! Best wishes xx
LoisLois
Member
6 years ago
@Caz1 - good luck for the surgery.
@Blondy - You are a LEGEND.....I may nickname you "Vamp" or "Temptress" shortly. lol

By the way - what the heck is Moo Goo and do I buy it or get it from the hospital?

Hope your weekend is a groovy one!

Lois xxx
Caz1
Member
6 years ago
@arpie haha maybe it could be secret sisterhood of the travelling pants! Imagine! :D

@Blondy hmmmmm ....crotchless would be hilarious but not sure I’m brave enough ;)

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