I was told yesterday I have breast cancer, what now...my husband is away and will be returning home for the appt with the surgeon tomorrow, jeez what is happening ? I went into the doctors yesterday expecting him to tell me that I had a fibroandenoma- he just leaned across the desk and said " I afraid the news is not good" I just sat there. I can't believe this is happenning is there anyone one out there I could chat to ?

Hello, I can remember back to that same moment of shock and disbelief. How awful for you that your husband was not able to be there to support you, but glad for you that he will be back for next appt. Before your appointment, write down anything that comes to mind that your surgeon can answer and get your husband to write down what he says as it can be hard to remember everything. I was diagnosed almost a year ago and had 2 operations then had a mastectomy as the margins were not clear from first two ops. Then had chemo and radio and am now on Tamoxifen tablets for 5 years. On the bright side...I found the time to pass very fast and the doctors and nurses are fantastic . If you need to have all that I had, I think if you just view it as a hiccup in your life and now looking back with all the treatment over I feel relieved but also stronger to have faced it all. Make sure you contact a breast care nurse at the hospital and they will guide you through this first phase. Good Luck with it all and keep in touch with us. Julia

Hi Julia and thanks for your response, it sounds like you have had a huge year and that you are coping well and being strong. right now I am just terrified of what is ahead of me. Thank you for your advice on my appt withe the surgeon tomorrow I will get my husband to right everything down so we can both remember what was said. Thanks again Georgie

Hi Georgie - you are going through the worst time emotionally - it takes a while for it to sink in but do take your husband or other support person to all your appointments as its so hard to take everything in. Its difficult, but you have to put your trust in the medicos you will be dealing with, make sure he/she is a good one, and just go with it. I was diagnosed in November last year and for the first few days kept wondering when I was going to wake up from this bad dream. That first week, the tests and the diagnosis, was really the worst time,but then you get going with treatment and it feels good to be doing something. Like Julia said, this is just a hiccup in your life, things will return to normal one day, just look after yourself and get involved in a support group and/or this site, its a great help. Any questions, just post them, someone will be able to answer or lend a sympathetic ear! Good luck Georgie with the diagnosis and treatment. Julie

as much as none of us want to be here, the reality is that we are and we can support each other thru the hard days and celebrate the achievements (like great scan results, end of treatment phases, etc) The beginning of this detour in ur life can really feel like a rollercoaster ride u want to get off, but go with what the docs recommend, they are the specialists and tick each box off as it comes along..u will get there. like Julie said, contact a breast care nurse-either directly thru the hospital or ask at ur next appt. She should make sure that a BCNA My Journey Kit will be ordered for you-an unbelievable resource which will help not only you but family and friends too...u can also order one thru the BCNA website feel free to add me as a contact, my profile is set to public so u can see it and i am on facebook too (find me under my name) there is plenty of support out there. Ask away, sometimes u may need to vent--we have all been there and we can help Good luck with your appt Looking forward to seeing u about here Sam :)

I was told yesterday | BCNA Online Network

50 Replies

Samantha_Cunnin
Member
14 years ago
Just been reading about ur needle phobia...ask ur chemo team about EMLA cream..it is a numbing cream u put on ur skin (then cover with a patch) where they are going to inject about 30 mins (or up to 2 hours) beforehand and u dont feel a thing!!!

I have my own supply and put it on my port site b4 chemo and even when i go for a CT (coz those canulas are FAT!!!)..i found my skin became very sensitive after chemo

Good luck

Sam :)
georgiebz
Member
14 years ago
thanks guys for your response, I did a bit of researching on the site and yes I think it is a fluid build up - sometimes called seroma, which can be drained if needed. I'll call my GP tomorrow and see if he can fit me in to look at it.. Sorry about being a drama queen Cheers Georgie

I think I really need to get back to work or something to get the brain out of cancer mode and onto live life mode. :)
traxx65
Member
14 years ago
Hi Georgie, a lot of the time you are able to go back and just get things checked where you had your op. They will have your file and be able to check it out for you. If it is fluid it will eventually go away but it may take a while. I'm sure there would be someone at the hospital that might be able to put you at ease. Give them a call and see what they suggest.

Take care.

Tracey
georgiebz
Member
14 years ago
Hi all

I have just had a shower and discovered above my wound site a large area of swelling......it kind of feels like a large lump and is quite hard, I don't know if this is a fluid build up or what it could be ....god will the little/big surprises ever stop.

If it is a fluid build up will it just go away? it hurts to touch......

Anyone else had anything similar to this any advice would be great.

I realise it is Easter and medical practictioners need a break lke everyone else but sometimes I feel so anxious about medical issues that I wish I could just walk into a drs/surgeon office and go" Look I'm freaking out here and I need you to tell me NOW what this is and what to do next" extremely selfish of me I know but scared and selfish are me right now.

Georgie
Susan1101
Member
14 years ago
Awwww jeeze Georgie ... I'm sure they program daytime TV to encourage wellness !!!
Stay safe & vent on here as much as you can ..one handed that is ;)
Cheers
Susan
Susan1101
Member
14 years ago
Awwww jeeze Georgie ... I'm sure they program daytime TV to encourage wellness !!!
Stay safe & vent on here as much as you can ..one handed that is ;)
Cheers
Susan
Di_BCNA
Member
14 years ago
Hope it goes well, Georgie. There's nothing as hard as doing nothing, is there? Come and chat on here if you get bored -- I'm sure we can find something to entertain you. :)
georgiebz
Member
14 years ago
thanks for the reply I don't want to be a pest a the hospital but.......

My surgeon said that he thought I could have torn some stitching in the breast by doing to much although I think it may have happened while sleeping as I instinctively sleep with my right arm stretched high under my pillow (trying really hard not to do that now) both Mum and husband now on my case to do nothing which is basically driving me bonkers and difficult to do as husband working all day and Mum is 1000kms away.

Surgeon said bed rest so I have finished my new book and have watched daytime tv.....omg who do they program that stuff for it's enough to make toss the tv - one armed of course - off its stand. anyway thats my whinge for the day goinng to call BCN and try to wash hair ond handed and go back up to the hospital to get the plummy/pruney breast checked out again.

cheers georgie
georgiebz
Member
14 years ago
Oh my Mel a blue face .....:) No I didn't have a blue face but no need for a blue loo toilet cleaner for me!!! I had the same it got all the more interesting when I took my multi vitamins which usually make my wee yellow so now the toilet bowl is a bright shade of green!! Oh I can't believe we are talking about this - it's just to funny :0

Cheers Georgie
georgiebz
Member
14 years ago
Thanks Di I think I figured out after sending msg. thanks for your help Georgie