Newly Diagnosed and trying to cope
Hi my name is Suzie and I found a lump 1 week prior to christmas whilst checking my breasts in the shower. My lump is under my right breast just above the breast bone. I had one biopsy done with the results being inconclusive then they wanted to do another biopsy this one with a bigger tissue sample of the lump. The drs booked me in an appointment with the breast surgeon and I thought something was up. I was in woolworths shopping and my dr rang me and she said what was I up to and I said nearly finishing my grocery shopping. She said to me could I finish up and come down to see her. The feeling in my gut was not good and it was like I was in a trance at the checkout. I rang my son as he was driving me around and I asked him to come in to the shop and help me go through the checkout. I asked him to drive me to the clinic.My son came in with me and the dr met me at the door. I looked at her and I said it's cancer isn't it and she said come in and sit down. I started to break down and say no over and over. She held my hands and my son sat next to me he is 17. Calmly my dr said she thought it would be best to hear it from her instead of the breast surgeon the next day 2 days before christmas as he would be a stranger diagnosing me and she wanted me to feel more comfortable with it coming from her. My whole world was turned upside down. I had already nursed and cared for my friend whom passed away from cancer earlier this year and my uncle also had passed away from cancer. I said it isn't fair and cried. my dr held my hands and said we will get through this together and you have your son here with you also. The next day my friend took me to visit the breast surgeon. He said he is straight to the point and doesn't beat around the bush and will tell me straight and truthful. I have a 30mm lump in my right breast it is a particular cancer he scribbled it down but I can't read his writing so have to wait to get the correct name in my referral. He did say it is a grade 3 something. I will have a lumpectomy to remove the lump. Good news it doesn't have tentacles but it is a fast growing cancer. I then will start chemo for 6 months approximately 1 week after my surgery. Then commence radiation after this. It is going to be a long haul. good news is it is contained in my right breast only and all of my lymph nodes are clear. Whilst under in surgery they will double check my lymph nodes with this test they do. He said I will lose my hair. My friend and I sat there and cried and cried and I said why me. He said it is just pure unlucky. He said if I follow everything he says and do it I have a 75 percent chance of beating it and it won't return pending all goes well. I went back to my dr with my friend for support with me and asked if I could have something to calm me down 2 days before christmas being told this from the breast surgeon I felt like shit. It is slowly sinking in and I have an appointment with a breast cancer nurse tomorrow to ask any questions etc. I have full body scans this week also to rule out fingers crossed it isn't anywhere else. My son is in year 12 this year his last year I want to see him grow up and have a family and I want to grow old I am only 38 years old. Everything has happened so fast and it is so overwhelming. I just wanted to share my journey so far and if there is anyone out there that knows of any finanicial supports as I am unemployed . Can I apply for the disability pension or are there any sickness benefits? As much info that I can get with where to obtain wigs? I have booked myself into a look good feel good session in February and joined a group on facebook. Thank you all for taking the time to read my journey so far. Kind regards Suzie
