Community

We warmly welcome you to Our Online Community

Register or login below to get started with Our Online Community.

Login

Register

posted by Fairyandbutterfly
14 June 2022

Axillary clearance and chemo ahead. I'm 39 with an almost 8 yr old and a 3 year old. I feeling completely detailed after yesterday's lumpectomy and node results.

Last reply: 18 June 2022 22:23
I don't know what to feel think, say or do. I turned 39 in April and as a present I was told I have breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy on May 31st and nodes were removed. They thought tumour was 2cm and that it didn't look like any nodes were effected. I got my results yesterday. Tumour was 3.4cm and 5 of the 6 nodes have cancer in them. I now have to have every single node removed from.my armpit. I think its called axillary clearance. I was told I'm borderline stage 2/3 but that can go up based on results of axillary clearance. Chemo will start about 6 weeks after this next op. And last for 6 months(maybe more, maybe less). I have 2 young girls. Amira, meaning princess, is nearly 8 and a huge worrier and over thinks everything (like me) and Yara, meaning little Butterfly, is 3 and a huge Mammys girl and was breastfed up until 2 weeks before my first op. I havent told either of them yet what's going on. I was hoping to have lumpectomy and radio therapy as was thought initially based off ultrasound and scans. Now I will have to tell them. Have you advice about how to tell a complete worrier and Mammys girl almost 8 yr old. I don't know how or what to say. And also I'll have to say something to my 3 yr old. How do a explain things but not have it scary? I'm scared. Amira will be 8 on Friday and all thats going through my head is .... Will I be alive for 9th? Its so over whelming for me. I also have a tumour consistent with looks to be a meningioma which is parked aside for now. I feel like I've a huge mountain to climb and I don't know how to do it and still be a mammy. My husband works long hours. He's gone from 5.30 am til about 6.30pm so I do everything else, school runs,(about 25/30 min from home) activities (about 35 mins from home) and playdates, parties etc. Plus all in the house. We've cats, dog and chickens. Is there anyone who is in similar situation to me? How did you manage everything? How sick were you? Have you recovered? Did it get worse? I feel alone, I don't know anyone similar age with young family with this horrible diagnosis. Plus since my op, I cane home to a 5 day tummy bug inn3 yr old then I got uti and the bug, now I'm over them and she gets a uti (started antibiotics yesterday evening) yesterday (yes day of results) and 40.2 degrees fever I'm struggling to keep down. How do ye manage cancer, chemo and surgeries with young family? Sorry for long post. I feel completely derailed and overwhelmed. Thank you for reading.
2 comments
Read the post
posted by SusanK
27 May 2020

Father - new diagnosis Non-small cell Lung Lancer

Last reply: 17 June 2022 02:59
Hi All, I'm new to the forum. My dad has just recently been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer about 3 weeks ago. sadly it has spread liver bones, brain. Prior to this he was a fit and well 66yr old.Primary indication of diagnoses was what we though was a bad chest infection(or Covid) so news came as a shock. He is home with me at the moment and we are starting radiation treatment tomorrow to tackle the brain. I'm really just looking for information from anyone who has dealt with this type of lung cancer at this stage. As i say he is relatively well at the moment just weaker and very tired all the time. He has only had 2 instances of pain(at night) days apart and in both instances pain passed after a while. We are waiting on our palliative care appointment so in the meantime i'm looking for some information on what to expect from an escalation in his pain levels. Thanks
6 comments
Read the post
posted by Beechfield34
12 June 2022

Lump

Last reply: 15 June 2022 13:34
Hi. I finished treatment for triple negative cancer in Feb. Follow on mammogram last April. Came back clear. Told the doctors I was sore. They said it’s normal after lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I pushed it and asked for an ultrasound. Got it last Thursday . They did two biopsies - one on the scar tissue and one on another lump they could see. The lump is away from the breast and couldn’t be seen on the mammogram . Scary. Other than a recurrence what other lumps could be in the breast? I’m worried sick
1 comment
Read the post
posted by Fairyandbutterfly
05 June 2022

Close friend has barely contacted me since my diagnosis.

Last reply: 14 June 2022 11:02
Hi was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer in April 2022 and due to other ongoing yet to be diagnosed issues going on, I had extra tests, scans done before I had surgery last week. A close friend has barely been in touch since my diagnosis. I had sent a few msgs without a reply until I passed her while driving and I waved at her. I got a msg to meet the next day with our young kids for a playdate. We met up and had a chat. It was mostly me answering questions about my cancer and plan and tests etc as she hadn't been in contact prior(bar a few texts about generic kids stuff) to know what was going on. My surgery was booked for her birthday. When leaving the playdate, there was no good luck or hug or any mention of my surgery etc. There was nice normal messages for the next 2 days about normal everyday things, kids, summer etc then nothing for 3 days. On the day of the surgery, I was in hospital a few hours and people were messaging me with nice messages before surgery so I was replying while waiting. I sent her a little birthday gif to acknowledge her day. It was only then that she replied asking if I was in hospital already and thinking of you. I replied a short message (as nurses drs etc were in and out to me for tests and talks) saying I felt positive and calm and i told her the time I had to be in at. I was supposed to be home that evening but due to an "episode" (reason for my extra tests etc) post surgery i was kept over night until all had settled the next day. I was sent home with 72hr holter and started on beta blockers until I'm reviewed by cardiologist in a few weeks to try figure out whats causing these spontaneous attacks. Obviously I was in a bit of pain post op too and with extra issues I felt a bit off plus I arrived home to our 3yr old with a vomiting bug. I got no msg from my friend until 3 days post op asking how I am, how was op, and that she didn't want to be annoying me asking how I am etc. I replied with a shortened version of how all went including episode post surgery and result of that being that I've to be followed up by cardiologist too. I didnt get a reply to this. I got a short msg 2 days later about a kid birthday party venue question and that's it. Is it normal for a close friend to distant herself and avoid the whole cancer situation? Do you have advice on how I can approach this with her without causing insult or upset? I definitely dont want sympathy, I never want to be looked at with the "aw poor you" look. But I want to be able to chat about our lives, mine and hers good and bad like we used to. I feel if I leave it, that our friendship may end and I don't want that but I also don't want to put her on the stop with a straight out awkward question. I don't know if she cares, or if she doesn't know what to say or she doesn't want to know. I'm not sure what is going on to be honest. Sorry for the long post. Thank you for listening. 💛
9 comments
Read the post
posted by tesssa
06 June 2022

Breast surgery

Last reply: 09 June 2022 05:13
Tomorrow I am going to have a breast lump removed at st Vincent's hospital and I am very scared, has anyone had this type of procedure and can share their experience?
2 comments
Read the post
posted by pamy
30 May 2022

Tamoxifen

Last reply: 03 June 2022 16:20
Hi I've been taking tamoxifen for the last 3 months & the last 2 weeks I've been getting joint pain every day. Pain, inflammation & swelling in my hands. Hip pain, sore knees & feet. It can be very painful. Does anyone know if these side effects go away or what can help them.
1 comment
Read the post
posted by Christine Eichbaum
25 May 2022

Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Last reply: 02 June 2022 20:59
Hi, I have been diagnosed with stage 4 BC about three months ago, am on Ibrance/Anastrazole and starting on Zometa injections. Had initial BC four years ago, after that clear Mammograms. By chance they detected nodules in my lungs through a CT scan, and now have confirmed it to be secondary BC. It is also in my bones and lymphnodes. Would love to hear from someone in similar situations...it's an avalanche of treatments and a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts...
1 comment
Read the post
posted by Pisces25
22 May 2022

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Last reply: 02 June 2022 17:52
I’m 40 years old and on Tuesday I was diagnosed with breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma. Everything since then has just been a bit of a daze, moving through the days but without really being present. I had an MRI on Thursday gone and have a CT scan Friday coming and a bone scan the following week. The waiting it so hard, I want it dealt with immediately. I am a mother of 3 children, 20, 16 and 15 and my youngest has her JC in 2 weeks so I’ve made a choice not to tell any of them until that’s over to give her the best chance. I don’t know if that’s the right thing to do. I’m absolutely petrified. I know I need to be strong and positive but right now I’m anything but. My mind is wandering to the worst places, I can’t sleep, I’m lost and in limbo and I’m really angry. I just want to wake up from this bad dream
6 comments
Read the post
posted by libra1975
18 May 2022

Cording

Last reply: 27 May 2022 20:51
Hi everyone, I was just wondering if anyone else has had the same problem. After my lumpectomy I developed cording in my armpit, going down past my elbow. I got physiotherapy for it, and it was as good as gone. I am doing my exercises every day. But now it's actually back again. The therapist signed me off last week, saying my range of movement is great. I told her then that it felt like the cording is coming back, but she just said to continue with exercises. Has anyone else experienced that? I thought, or hoped, once it's gone its gone.
2 comments
Read the post
posted by dublinsouth1
16 May 2022

Prostatectomy query

Last reply: 26 May 2022 22:21
Hi all, I am a 44 year old man who only last week was diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer. while I am considered very young to have cancer of the prostate I think I am lucky that it was spotted so early. however there is always doubt and worry. I am due to to have a full radical Prostatectomy at some stage over the summer. I am just hoping to speak to somebody else who may have had an RP. Specifically I wanted to know what life is like after the procedure.. Specifically around continence and erectile function etc? Nice to meet you all and now be part of this community.
2 comments
Read the post
© Irish Cancer Society 1999-2025 All Rights Reserved

Irish Cancer Society Head office, 43/45 Northumberland Road Dublin, D04 VX65; Charity Regulatory Authority No. 20009502; Revenue Number CHY5863; Company Number 20868.