Forum Discussion
New diagnosis
Today, I have received my diagnosis of Stage 1 Breast Cancer. This has followed a long, ongoing investigation into a blood test which showed raised Tumour markers CA19.9 which is associated with the stomach, gastro intestinal tract, pancreas and ovaries. The testing I had revealed a cyst on my ovaries and, while I was waiting to hear about treatment for that, my doctor suggested I have a mammogram "just to rule anything else out". I wasn't expecting they would find a lump, I would have a biopsy and hear that it was indeed cancer, all within 3 days. Monday morning my life was normal, or at least as normal as it can be when you are feeling generally unwell. Now my treatment has switched from focussing on my ovaries to my breast and I am being seen by a breast surgeon next Tueaday. I feel nothing! No fear, no upset, nothing! This in itself is a bit unusual! Shouldn't I feel something? Anything? I am thinking I might be in shock but that doesn't feel right either. I know I want to see a breast care nurse but I'm not sure why or what she would be able to do for me. This journey feels like a minefield. I don't know what questions to ask and feel that if I don't take charge of my health, I might just get swept along with whatever gets organised for me without my having any say or making the best choices for me! Is there anyone out there who has had similar feelings or experiences. Help!!! I feel like I'm drowning!
Views
Sign in to react to this post
13 Replies
Sorry to hear you have been through the wars. I did 30 sessions of radiotherapy finishing on 12/5 this year. I found it fairly easy to deal with. Up until the 20th treatment my breast was fine, then I started to get broken skin under the breast which the lovely nurses dressed every day for me. Once the radiation ended this skin healed very quickly. I was quite fatigued after it but I had only finished chemo a few weeks before radiation so it was hard to tell if the fatigue was a mixture from both treatments. It was also my left breast, so they gave me an echocardiogram to make sure my heart was fine before I started. Just follow all the advice for skin care and you should be fine. Wish you all the best, take care,
Hazel xx
- I enjoyed reading your posts and can so, so relate to the feelings. At times I thought I was just turning into an emotional ratbag. It all feels so unreal. I too have a grade 2 cancer and I am to start the 6 weeks of radium treatment Monday morning. I only have to drive about 10mins as they have the service on the Sunshine Coast close to where I live. One good thing about a not so good experience. However the oncologist picked up a heart problem I didn't know I had so now I have to deal with this and my tumour was close to the chest wall. I really am past thinking about it all. It is good to know other are feeling the same as myself. All the best, I am sure we will make it through this next stage. Margaret
