New breast cancer diagnosis

Oh Pammie, sorry no experience to share but wishing you all the best.

I haven’t had a similar experience, just wanted to send you a virtual (((hug)))

Oh Pammie, I have a sister in law, and a close friend who have made the journey you are now undertaking. Both are well now ( twenty years on and fifteen years on). I can't help in the way that others with experience can, but I couldn't read this without sending you huge good luck wishes.

Pammie, I'm sorry to read your post and understand exactly how you must be feeling. The same thing happened to me in 2022. I had the lump removed followed by radiotherapy and five years of anastrozole. In 2023 I had my check-up and mammogram and all was well. Even with lots of support from family and friends it can sometimes feel like a very lonely journey but the breast care team were marvellous both before and after. I hope everything goes well for you and you can manage to stay positive

Been there two years ago. I had two cancers, which were both removed and radiotherapy. I'm now taking hormone blockers for another three years. I couldn't fault the care I received, although I guess that depends on your hospital.

Everybody responds differently, so I'm not sure how useful my experience is, but here goes ...

I experienced very little pain. The radiotherapy made my skin dry, so it needs massaging with a good cream every day. The hormone blockers have cause some hair loss and tiredness. I'm also finding it more difficult than usual to control my weight.

My operated breast is now smaller and harder. To me, this is the worst side effect because I can't find a suitable prosthesis and I'm self-conscious about swimming and wearing T shirts. I'm now on the waiting list to have my other breast reduced to match.

You'll be given loads of information booklets. I still have flashbacks to the diagnosis and the shock I experienced. You're allowed to cry or scream! However, I can honestly say that two years later, I've got used to it and the whole experience was nowhere near so bad as I thought it would be.

Yes, been there twice. First time diagnosed as DCIS and treated with small surgery and radiotherapy.

Two years later it came back and I had a mastectomy and a short course of chemo.

Happy to say that was 14 years ago and no problems since.

They can tailor make treatments now.

I wish you all the best. Trust in the professionals.

Pammie - thinking of you - I hope all goes well

You are in my thoughts Pammie. 💐💐

Hope all goes well for you.

I haven't had this experience Pammie but I just wanted to wish you well

Hello Pammie, sorry to hear this and I completely understand how you feel and what a shock it is.

I had a mastectomy, removal of lymph nodes and 5 years of drugs, and that was in 1998. I have been clear ever since, and no doubt surgery and treatments have moved on in those 26 years.

You're in my thoughts and I hope all goes well for you.

Very best wishes to you, Pammie.
I'm sure the early diagnosis will be in your favour, and hope you need minimal treatment.

Pammie1, I have had a double mastectomy (3 years apart) due to breast cancer, ER+, followed by radiotherapy. Diagnostic testing showed that chemo would not be of any benefit for me. I am sorry you find yourself in this situation and wish you all the best moving forward. I am happy to discuss by private message if you would like to ‘chat’. All the best x

Wishing you well Pammie*, my DDIL has been through a similar experience lately and is now taking tablets each day. She is well and back at work.

I have had double mastectomy first time 2014 with chemo then second one 2yrs ago no chemo it's a journey nobody wants but both times my treatment and care was good .Hope all goes well for youxx

Sending hugs and best wishes Pammie. will be thinking about you in the weeks to come and please let us know how you are. Remember, you and everyone else struggling just now, have the whole of Gransnet behind you.

What a shock for you Pammie1. It sounds like they're on the case and things should go as well as they have for all the Grans who posted here. Good luck on this journey.

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to show such lovely support and to share your own stories. I’m with the Clatterbridge Centre in Wirral, and so far the experience has been very positive. I think l’m in very good hands, which is reassuring. I’ll have much more information next week whenI see the surgical team, as by then they will have the biopsy results so we’ll hopefully know what type of cancer I have, which I’m told, determines the treatment path.

I’m coming to terms with things a bit better now - the shock has worn off and although the world looks a bit different now, I’m staying positive. Thank you again for your support and I’ll update when I know more.xx

Sorry to hear this, Pammie.

I hope the news is good next week. Health really is one of those things that we can take for granted until we are forced to confront it.

I too have had breast cancer. I was diagnosed in 2018 and had mastectomy in 2019. During the operation they found it in 2 lymph nodes so had chemo then radiotherapy. I take an oestrogen blocker and probably will continue for another few years. I have had annual appointments ever since. I used to have curly hair but now it is thin and straight but I am still here.

Very best wishes to you.

Pammie1

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to show such lovely support and to share your own stories. I’m with the Clatterbridge Centre in Wirral, and so far the experience has been very positive. I think l’m in very good hands, which is reassuring. I’ll have much more information next week whenI see the surgical team, as by then they will have the biopsy results so we’ll hopefully know what type of cancer I have, which I’m told, determines the treatment path.

I’m coming to terms with things a bit better now - the shock has worn off and although the world looks a bit different now, I’m staying positive. Thank you again for your support and I’ll update when I know more.xx

I spent many months of my childhood in Clatterbridge and sometimes felt like it was a second home. My mother was cured of cervical cancer there in the late 1960s, when the treatment she received was considered innovative. She was also treated for breast cancer at Clatterbridge about 10 years ago - the cancer didn't return before she passed away. You'll be in good hands!

I have walked in your shoes. My world turned upside down for a while, but eventually things got better and i got back to my old self, better in some respects. Remember there are people who love you and want you to get better and will help you through this time. You are not alone.
It’s helpful to join an in person or even online support group for breast cancer patients. I learned a lot through these groups and there is a comaderie too. Good Luck and God Bless You!

Hello Pammie. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in 2017. The lump was the size of a peanut. I had the lump removed as a day patient. No chemo or radiotherapy as I was part of a combined Oxford/Cambridge trial for women over 60 with small tumours. Anastrozole for five years and an annual mammogram for five years. I was under the Churchill in Oxford. Absolutely no complaints about my treatment. Good luck with yours.