Hi,I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Thursday the 8th November. My eldest child finishes school this year and we were meant to be heading off to Europe on the 28th November for the trip of a lifetime which had been in the planning for 2 years and now I face the biggest challenge of my life and I'm absolutely terrified. My anxiety levels are through the roof and I can't sleep. I feel totally consumed by this cancer diagnosis. I saw my GP yesterday who is trying to get me into see my surgeon ASAP but I have to wait until Monday until I'll know some more. How do I get through the weekend and the weeks ahead?

Hi @CathyMac,im typing this while I lay on the couch recovering from my lumpectomy and node removal yesterday. I am only 50 and was quite surprised to discover I had breast cancer on 24/10/18. The worst weeks are the ones when you don’t know what you’re dealing with and what the future holds, but it gets easier. I’m still waiting for pathology results and this will determine my path. While it’s probably not for everyone, I’ve found that being open and sharing my diagnosis with my work colleagues, friends and family to be the best decision I’ve made to date. The outpouring of support and kindness has lifted my spirits and made me feel very cherished. I’ve also had people tell me about their cancer and discussed their treatments which has helped me a lot. I wish you well, stay positive and take it a day at a time. Tracey.

You can do this Cathy, you’ve got this you are a strong person with a loving family surrounding you.This is the start of becoming healthy.Excercise, throw yourself into some housework or gardening to take your mind of things.Meditation is really good, listen to some relaxation music and concentrate on your breath.Spoil yourself and get a relaxation massage.❤️Sending big hugs your way xx

As others have said @CathyMac try focusing on the fact that you are taking control and acting - getting that cancer out of your body. At the hospital where I had my surgery, they had small balconies off each room with the doors firmly locked. I can remember joking (or trying) to my surgeon that it was really so we couldn't escape while we were waiting to be taken down to surgery. I was positive but very anxious - it's normal and if you can be given something for the anxiety, take it. When the anaesthetist was putting the drugs in one arm ready for surgery, my surgeon was holding the other to reassure me (apparently, it's normal practice for him).You will get through this.

You were lucky @Sister to have such a wonderful surgeon. In the 3 surgeries I had this year I never saw my surgeon once in the theatre. I saw everyone else though and they were awesome. Maybe he was having a quick coffee before he started. ( I can't believe how many people are actually in the theatre. ) I still remember for the first surgery though the surgeon registrar who was helping rubbed my arm and looked right at me and said everything will be fine and they would look after me. I never saw him again until after my last surgery the following day as he had pulled the short straw in the weekend to check on patients and I told him I had remembered him and what effect his kindness had on me that first time. ( they usually only hear the complaints) Isn't it funny small gestures make a huge difference when we are at our most vulnerable.@CathyMac You will get through this. I can honestly say my mastectomy surgery was not as bad as I thought it would be as I had little pain albeit with the help of some great drugs LOl. But totally doable. ( I didn't have reconstruction ) Al the best and big Hugs. <3

Thank you lovelies❤️ for all your reassuring words. I'm terrified but determined. It's been the year from hell for me and the trip was my light at the end of the tunnel but it now seems I was not challenged enough. I just want this cancer out of my body and I hate every day that I know it's still part of me.

Terrified of what lies ahead! | BCNA Online Network

138 Replies

Mjheke
Member
7 years ago
@Wonk & @CathyMac
Absolutely, nice to have a plan. All the best-we were all diagnosed within a few weeks of each other although I am a little ahead of you both-2.5 weeks since surgery and all going well now. All the best ;)
Michelle xx
Flaneuse
Member
7 years ago
@Wonk and @CathyMac - good progress! xo
tigerbeth
Member
7 years ago
So glad for you both @wonk & @CathyMac ,good results always help in the planning
Cathy your situation sounds similar to myself , lumpectomy then radiation followed by letrozole for 5 years .
Good luck girls ,here's hoping that the good news continues xx
SoldierCrab
Member
7 years ago
So glad you have results and can plan forward now
Wonk
Member
7 years ago
@SoldierCrab I’ve had good news.
Originally they thought I had two tumours - 1 benign and 1 invasive cancer. It turns out there were actually 3 in total all invasive (two Grade 2, one Grade 1). So the original benign biopsy was not accurate!!
Thank god I had a good surgeon who took extra tissue when he was in there because it didn’t look right.
Anyway good news is that it hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes, I am so happy about that.
Hormone receptors are ER+, PR+, HER2-
Best outcome I could have.
Next step is oncologist next week for chemo/radiation/hormone plan, which they will start before Christmas.
Thank goodness for early detection because it was growing quickly.
Thank you for all your support xxx
SoldierCrab
Member
7 years ago
how did you go @Wonk
@CathyMac
it is great to have a plan ahead.
kezmusc
Member
7 years ago
That's fantastic news @CathyMac. Brilliant! xxx
Wonk
Member
7 years ago
Hi @CathyMac
So pleased the waiting is over for you and you now have a plan. You must be so relieved your scans were good, that’s one thing you can have peace of mind on. So happy you’ll be able to see Tom off to his formal and attend his graduation. I’m sitting in my surgeon’s waiting room right now waiting to hear the results of my surgery.
CathyMac
Member
7 years ago
After a very anxious morning I am home from seeing my surgeon and feeling a certain amount of relief. I am having surgery on the 6th December and have opted for a lumpectomy which will be followed by 4 to 6 weeks of radiation therapy after I have recovered from the surgery. Pathology results after the lumpectomy will determine whether I need to have chemo or not. My scans were all clear aside from some arthritis. She thinks it's contained and early stage. Having surgery on the 6th means I will see my Tom go to his year 12 formal and also see him graduate school on the 19th. Probably the best possible outcome I could have❤️❤️
Shellshocked201
Member
7 years ago
That’s awesome he looks so handsome

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Terrified of what lies ahead!

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