Diagnosed last week and MRI today

Hi mir-ie

I was told today that i may not need chemo too, however it was a big MAY! Did you find out after surgery that you needed it?

Sorry you had to get your head around this, must’ve been hard. As if the BC diagnosis isnt hard enough.

Clare. X

’A bit naughty’ is British understatement at its best. I salute you

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@clare81
Hi Clare81,
At my first appointment 3 weeks after the surgery, I was delighted to be informed that I had clear margins and the lymph node biopsy had come back negative. At that stage they were still unsure about whether adjuvant chemo would be recommended or not. Then I was offered the Prosigna genomic test to see how likely the cancer would be to come back and unfortunately this came back as high, so chemo was recommended.
We just have to take every thing as it comes - the waiting is the worst! - but we must try to stay positive about things as fear is not conducive to our bodies being able to heal. The breast care team at the hospital have been very helpful and supportive.
Stay strong and make a list of any questions you can think of - they can go out of your head as soon as you’re face to face with the medical team!
Wishing you all the best at this difficult time x

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Hello all!

I went to have my dodgy mole looked at this afternoon and the GP said it was normal….but my Blood pressure is really high and they have upped my BP meds.
Do you think this will have an effect on my surgery that’s coming up ?

How is everyone doing today ?
@mir-ie Did you meet your friend ? Did she give you lots of good advice ?
Xxx

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@positivepants1
Hi! Great to hear that, like in my case, your GP told you the mole is not suspicious :slight_smile:
I don’t know much about BP so can’t say anything about that- sorry!
Lovely having a good catch up with my friend yesterday - just good to chat about lots of unrelated things but also to share experiences too.
You could search you BP question on this forum and see if there are any comments.
I did lots of research online trying to find holiday insurance - the things you don’t think will suddenly become a problem - with companies who won’t insure you or charge extortionate rates. Someone on here mentioned a company set up by a woman who had BC with much more reasonable rates…

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Hi @positivepants1

My BP was so high at my pre- assessment appointment that the Anaesthetist assessing me said if didn’t come down he would have to admit me to Hospital - which of course made it even worse . I had been on Ramipril 5mg and then started Amlodipine as well and despite the fact that I wasn’t allowed to take the Ramipril for 24 hours before surgery by my surgery day my BP was back to 135/86 .

There’s no wonder your BP is high just now as there’s so much going on but it’s good news that it’s being attended to. It’s not unusual for people to have high BP before surgery due to stress - doctors are used to dealing with this and something could be given before surgery if needed to bring it down . I remember that panicky feeling that everything was wrong - I went to have a smear to make sure that was ok . I had to have repeat blood test cos one of my results was abnormal ( finding that out was one of the things that made me anxious and sent my BP up) .I lost a root filling and was worried about that . It felt like I was running around trying to put out fires that hadn’t had actually caught light.
I hope that when your MRI results come through you can get a plan and will be able to move forward. My bet is that your BP will then come down .

Until then take a day at a time , keep going to the gym - that will help . I’m not sure when your Christmas party is but if you can go and there’s a chance of a boogie that would certainly help you let off some steam. If you can find some time to do some Yoga or mindfulness that might help as well but you sound like a strong lady - and you’ve got this.

Well done for staying at work as well .

With love
Joanne. X

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Evening everyone!

The GP gave me a higher dose BP tablet to try and get it down before surgery on Monday the 11th.

Took my BP today and it’s not going down…
I think I need to take something to help me de-stress…any ideas ?

I’ve tried using my Calm app to meditate and sleep better. I’ve also been walking/exercising and keeping busy.

I think I’m so stressed about the results on Thursday and just the unknown.
Xx

Hi again @positivepants1

Sorry it’s not gone down - I think it might once you’ve had your results also how long have you been on the higher dose ? It may take a couple of days to make a difference.

It sounds like you’re trying to do all the right things . A couple of things that might help if you haven’t already tried - either eliminate or minimise your caffeine intake . I couldn’t cut it out completely without feeling like a zombie in the morning but had ordinary tea 2 or 3 mugs a day up to about 6pm and if I wanted coffee I had decaf . No fizzy drinks either as they have loads of caffeine . Camomile tea helped to keep calm to

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Hit the reply button by mistake !. I was just going to say as part of the mindfulness / meditation - when your mind goes off down a rabbit hole be aware of the fact that is happening . Don’t get angry / upset / frustrated that you can’t control it - just bring it back to the present and concentrate on your breathing. I’ve heard there’s a video on Abdominal breathing on YouTube which might be worth a look - I was taught abdominal breathing for Yoga and Mindfulness and it’s much easier to calm down if you are doing abdominal breathing . Mindfulness / meditation can be the hardest to do when we need it the most but it is worth persevering .

Also don’t get obsessed with taking your BP - that can be stressful in itself ( from experience ) and if you are going to do it wait 30 mins after exercise to take it then wait another 5 mins and repeat it . Record the best one - that’s what I was told anyway.

Take care
Joanne x

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Hiya @JoanneN Thank you for replying

I started the higher dose on Thursday.
5mg of Ramipril.

Yeah I’m going to try camomile tea tonight, I’m not sure I’m going to enjoy it, but if it helps!
I drink Coke Zero, but only one glass a day.
I’ll up my water intake tomorrow and see if that helps as well.
Xx

Yeah more water is always good. I don’t much like the taste of the camomile tea either but it does seem to help and tastes better with a bit of honey in it . Someone on another thread had just mentioned the Bach rescue remedy and something herbal - but if you’re going to go herbal just make sure it doesn’t interact with Ramipril or anything else you’re on.

Jo. X

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Evening All

It’s my Birthday today!
I went this morning for my pre-op appointment and paperwork is all ready for surgery on Monday at 7.30am.

I’m going out tomorrow night for dinner and a few drinks with friends.
I’ll have a good ole boogie and de-stress

Xxx

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Happy Birthday @positivepants1

I hope you have a great time tomorrow night and yes - a good boogie always does you good. I went to a Silent Disco last week and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Did you mean de-stress ? :partying_face: :laughing:
The perils of predictive text .

I will be thinking of you on Monday

Joanne x

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@JoanneN
:joy: Whoops I definitely won’t be getting undressed!

Thanks :blush:
I love a silent disco

Xxx

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@positivepants1
Happy birthday! Have fun this evening and I would definitely agree that it’s always good to have a bit of a boogie :slight_smile:
Hope everything goes well with the operation and wishing you a speedy recovery from the surgery x

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@mir-ie

Thank you!
Had a good night out, a few drinks, lots of laughter and a good ole dance.

An early night tonight, ready for surgery tomorrow at 7.15 am.

Xxx

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My first routine mammogram was the day before my 50th bday - recalled & told definitely breast cancer / ultrasound & core biopsies done. The wait for further details/ treatment plan was hell; wait for surgery now is torture too.
Bday pressie was recall, Xmas pressie is surgery 21st Dec
I don’t feel strong or positive at the minute but admire those who are.

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Hi Hiker50

My surgery is on 19th Dec, 74 days after being referred for investigation at the beginning of October. I think I am officially insane with the waiting right now!

I don’t feel strong or positive either. Can’t believe I’m wishing to have a mastectomy more quickly than the 19th. Can’t recognise my life at the moment.

Take care xxx

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I had biopsies 20th Nov, results 29th, op 21st Dec & still find the wait horrendous - just want surgery done. Can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you with a longer wait.
I just can’t focus on anything/ feel in limbo. Hope the next week goes quickly for both of us
Xx

Hi I feel for you both, my 2nd op was on the 23rd November, now waiting 4weeks for those results on the 20th December. All I’ve done since being diagnosed in September is wait & wait & wait, still no treatment plan.
I am starting counselling this week to try & help keep me sane.

Love to you both
Jackie
Xx