pigleto, as far as I and my doctors know the mastectomy did remove all the cancer. The chemo is a precaution, which is usual since I had one positive lymph node removed (with a healthy margin around it). Having chemo halves the chances of a recurrence.
Personally I didn't feel all that shocked, I had a creeping realisation that I had cancer all along, especially when I went for the mammogram and ultrasound, I knew something was wrong because of the way the doctor and sonographer were behaving. I resigned myself to the inevitable. I felt more shocked after the mastectomy, when I saw my new body. But it sure beats the alternative!
A mastectomy is fairly painless and simple, and it does the job, saves your life. I am finding chemotherapy difficult, it is making me ill a lot of of the time, and I am in low spirits. But I know how long it will be for, friends and family are supportive because cancer is a word they understand. But all this is temporary, my hair will grow again, I will have a reconstruction operation, I have a very good chance of living to be old, and this is just something I have to get through. Early intervention has saved my life, even if it has been put on hold for a while. When I first found out I had cancer, I was worried, but I kept thinking about all the people who can't be treated, all the people who suddenly die of heart attacks, strokes, road accidents, who have no warning and nothing left in an instant, or the poor buggers you see on real crime TV who are murdered when they are teenagers or in their twenties. We have much to be thankful and positive about.
Keep posting and do use mumsnet as support, it's been wonderful for me. And do CAT me if you want to talk about it more with me.
zonedout, we are all waiting with you till Tuesday