Time to process
Hi All, my intro post. Such a roller coaster of emotions and processing suddenly going from perfectly healthy to not! I had a Diagnosis 22/12/23 IDC with 2.9cm tumor and lymphnode involvement from BreastscreenSA. ER and PR +, Her -. (Xmas is harsh to get such news, both in the slow down of services and in telling nearest and dearest) It has taken a while (necessary tests, scans and byopsies), but looking at treatment beginning Wed 28/2/24 with surgery (partial masectomy, axillary node clearance). Then most likely chemo, radio, hormone therapy. Overactive imagination has been a problem, general stress/anxiety, and not sleeping well. It is settling a bit now, as Ive met surgeon and feel comfortable I am in good hands, met with Breast nurse (and now have a bright pink pillow and lovely accessories pouch for fluid tubes). I am participating in a clinic trial that I meet criteria on that I decided yes to assist. I am going ahead on a planned and booked holiday next week (which several family are also going), the surgeon was supportive on proceding with this as mental health positive. Then it is full steam ahead! I am fortunate to have supportive family, and some great friends, some who have had a bc journey themselves. Was concerned about work for a while, but Ive let the h.r. depts know (two jobs) of upcoming medical, and am scaling back for as long as I need (casual events hospitality - high energy, physical and customer facing, they will still be there when I can manage again!) So I think I am in about the best positive I can be for now! Not keen on whats to come, but ok to get on with what needs to be done! Thanks for reading, and thanks to all those sharing posts and info themselves - it has helped.
Anxious Newly Diagnosed
Hi everyone. From what I have read it appears this is THE place for me. I was diagnosed on the 2nd May after having a routine Mammogram in April. I was called back due to something showing up on the Mammogram and subsequently had another Mammogram and Ultrasound and then a biopsy. Diagnosis is that I have invasive breast carcinoma with micropapillary features, provisional grade 3 which is ER and PR positive. Fast forward 11 days and I have seen my surgeon who will operate on the 28th May to remove the lump and sentinel node, at this stage. I guess I just wanted to touch base with those of you who are going through this scary time right now. I know I am not alone, however feel alone, even though my hubby is very understanding. Am I getting in my head too much????? Probably YES! Anyway, I have never waited on a date to arrive so quickly as surgery day! :# I am trying to stay busy and remain positive as the surgeon tells me that this has been caught early, however it doesn't take away the fact that I feel like I am facing a challenge to my mortality. Is this normal?
Upstaged
When i joined a couple of weeks ago, i had been diagnosed with grade 3 DCIS on left breast and a small area circa 5 mm diffuse DCIS on the right. I had been to multiple mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI, 4 vacuum core biopsies and continued to work full time throughout. A mad round of waiting rooms and multiple strangers male and female poking and prodding and squeezing and compressing my breasts. Pathology results showed bilateral lumpectomy would be best course followed by radiation therapy to mop up any stragglers. On the 9th i went in for surgery and was home the same night. Still feeling a little numb but positive all was clear as I've been having mammograms on a yearly basis. Results provided on 19th with the specialist however read differently. Left breast shows invasive DCIS 8mm across with some margins not clear on area up to 52 mm. Right breast had only identified a small area 5mm by 5mm on MRI, however lumpectomy excision was expanded twice to almost 35mm and still unable to get clear margins. Now classified as stage 1 invasive DCIS. So i go back to hospital next week for bilateral mastectomy and bilateral sentinel node excision. It's sudden unexpected and a shock. No symptoms, no lumps and damn lucky we checked the right breast as everything had focussed on the left. It's starting to be real to me now. I've only had cancer for 4 weeks that i know of. I was at work full time 2 weeks ago.
First post - struggling with the anxiety
Hi. Just diagnosed this week, still waiting for receptor status but I know I’m starting chemo of some sort next week. Too extensive for surgery at this point. 4 young children (teens and pre-teens). I’m really struggling with the anxiety this weekend. Like I can’t breath. I guess I’d love any tips or just support. Thanks.
Feelings of Panic
Well, the next scan, blood test and education program at the Greenslopes hospital done today. I am starting to feel this is real and my heart is pounding. I have been gradually telling those who need to know. A friend rang and told me the story of a young friend with cervical cancer who at 32 lost the battle. She asked why I was having chemo first and then the op. The surgeon said I had two options and in my mind I felt this could be the better option for me, no real reasoning. I am seeing my local GP tomorrow to talk the final decision over with him. I realise my friend was talking from the point of shock but she has sent me into a bit of panic and dread which is not where I want my mind and h
Feeling scared and just a bit angry
Hi, I'm Karen, 61yo, from Victoria. I was diagnosed in September, my birthday actually, I was numb. I had been dealing with a very coercive relationship, narcissism, gaslighting the lot, to be told this news was just too much, I had all sorts going through my head, How do I tell my children? How do I do this? Why me? Everything was so hard to process and even now I'm struggling. I was told it was an Oestrogen based cancer, sorry I cant remember much of that conversation, but 2 Biopsies, the first one they biopsied the wrong lymph node, Pet scan, M.R.I and blood test later to be told sorry its not good news, well having a lump in the breast isnt good news anyway but, I had my right breast and Lymph nodes removed, then to be told its bad news I'm so sorry was another kick in the guts, 35 of my 36 nodes were affected, so onto another more thorough Pet scan, blood test and M.R.I, To get the good news that it wasn't anywhere else in my body. Now I'm preparing for Chemo to start on the 2nd of Jan and I'm absolutely terrified, I have no emotional or any other support at home, even though I'm told everyday that he cares, they say actions speak louder than words well Im yet to see any, my son who is my heart, doesn't know how to deal with this and neither do I. They have just had an Eptopic pregnancy and I'm hurting for them, we were all so excited and happy. I don't know what to do or how I'm going to do it, my living situation is so toxic to my mental health and is impacting on my son and daughter-in-law as well. My partner is trying to get me out of the house and that is something I can't deal with at the moment as I'm trying to deal with being there for my son and daughter-in-law and Chemo, I feel like I'm rambling, my life is a mess, I just don't know what to do. Sorry for the rambling talk I'm not very good at putting things on paper, everything is very disjointed.
But I'm only 31...
January 2016 I found a breast lump but I just shrugged it off, most of my friends had them, no big deal right? Being in the medical industry I knew I had to do the responsible thing so I went to get an ultrasound which showed a query cyst like structure. I didn't think anything of it, the size of the lump would go up and down with my period and my GP said it was very likely, nothing to worry about because of my age. Fast forward to October and the lump still there...another scan showed that it had grown and now was the time for a needle biopsy. Did I mention I am ridiculously needle phobic??? No thanks, I opted for an excisional biopsy so that I wouldn't have to worry about it. (A friend of mine from school had just passed away last year after a long battle with breast cancer...freaking out is putting it lightly!). I got the results back on the 22nd of December (2 days before flying home for xmas), I was so sure it was going to be nothing...the surgeon said I had over a 90% chance of it being benign, I was so sure that I told my husband not to come, to be told "I'm sorry its not good news" I remember the moment clearly, shock/confusion/panic! My first thought was-I'm glad Andrews not here...what if this is my last Christmas with Andy and our family? How can this happen? The next 3hours were a blur, I had so many appointments lined up, I had to go see a fertility specialist because chemo would kill my chances of getting pregnant (we had been trying for the last 6months), I decided not to tell anyone except my boss for time off. One of the hardest things Ive ever had to do because I didn't want to ruin Christmas for everyone. The fertility specialist was nice but the examinations were so invasive and so much information was bombarding me from all sides, I felt like I couldn't breathe. I feel slightly less panicked now, ive had time to process and I've told my immediate family which has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. I have even been brave enough to inject myself everyday in preparation for IVF...I know this is a small thing considering whats to come but I'm afraid the needle phobia won't listen to reason. Ive decided to go with a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using a prosthesis but my first hurdle will be a sentinel node biopsy to make sure the cancer hasn't spread yet...and a portacath insertion so that will make the whole needle thing easier. I just wish there was someone out there my age that has gone through/going through this now...my spirits are pretty lowMastectomy and reconstruction tomorrow...trying not to freak out
Its exhausting, all of the tests, fertility preservation went well yesterday, they managed to get 11 eggs! Ive got my fingers crossed that there will be some survivors out of this batch, I know I'm strong but I can't do that again...71 injections/cannulations to date. It's suppose to get easier right? Im still waiting for it to. The most exhausting part is trying to keep it together for everyone else, especially my hubby. Im living a world made partly of quiet optimisim/depression/denial, hubby said to me he's waiting for me to fall apart and thinks it will happen once ive finally had the mastectomy... I don't really know what to think or how to feel about this? I really don't have any spheres of reference...im just trying to keep positive and only focus on one step at a time. I am a bit worried that Im having the mastectomy tomorrow but still haven't got an oncologist yet, probably should check on that! Anyway, hopefully things will go well tomorrow ❤Newly diagnosed and need support
Hi all, I’ve been reading here for the past couple of weeks but finally have the courage to reach out and ask for help. I’m really struggling right now. I was diagnosed just before Xmas with lobular breast ca and will be having a mastectomy and left auxiliary clearance in the next few weeks followed by chemo and probably radiation. I have a large ca in L breast and one node. Have had pet scan which surgeon said looks good but to have bone scan and CT on Friday just to be sure, but she said she’s confident from pet that there is no further spread. I was so relieved to hear that news but now my fear and anxiety is huge again and I’m really not coping well at all. I’m a single mum but have good family support so I don’t know why I’m not coping better, I’m just terrified. I’ve opted for double mastectomy and meet with my surgeon and the plastics team next Friday, will have expanders put it. The surgery could be as early as the week after next and I to and fro between just wanting it done with to wishing I had more time to get my head around it all. Xmas was so difficult as I didn’t want my young kids to worry, they’re 14 and 7. I told them only a few days ago but I haven’t told my 7yo I’m having double mastectomy, just that I’m having surgery. I’m not even sure what I need right now but I’ve seen so much support on other posts I thought it’s really time for me to reach out and ask for the same, and seek some reassurance that it’s all going to be ok 😢
Newly diagnosed and pregnant
Hello, I am very very new to this network and I was hoping to hear from anyone who may be or have been in a similar situation to me. I received my diagnosis on Monday just gone and am 17 weeks pregnant. I am going in for breast conserving surgery tomorrow and will meet with the oncologist next week to discuss chemo. There is no family history of breast cancer and I have just recently turned 30. I have been told we have a very small window for safe treatment and we are going to be meeting our baby much much earlier than we would like to. Feeling very scared and stressed and hoping for some advice from ladies who have gone through this themselves! I really wish everyone in this community all the best on their journeys xx