Embarking on an adventure, you are welcome to tag along

Hi Sandra,
My BCN was ever so nice yesterday and she said that there is a possibility that I will also need chemo, I will be glad when I know for defenite so that I can get my head around it all. I’m very supprised to say the least that my results are taking this long, in the begining I was told they would take two weeks! I am also still getting a lot of pain and taking my tablets and she thought it could be a blood clot which would need to be drained or something, at the time I was’nt really taking it all in, I will have to see what happens next week.

Isabelle xxx

HI Isabelle i know its horrible waiting for results again but that is brilliant news that your SNB was clear and they have clear margins at least it shows that it was confined to the lumps and that it hasn’t spread elsewhere and you dont have to have anymore surgery if the margins and nodes are clear .Don’t worry too much about it being upgraded to to grade 2 as they grade them to the highest most changed cells they find even if there is only a few of them at that grade ( and remember they have removed it ) so they are no longer there .The rest of the tests you are waiting for must be for ER and and PR and HER 2 status which will just indicate what other treatment like tamoxifen or herceptin you may need after either chemo or rads.you may not even need chemo if SNB was clear it sometimes depends on the size of the lump and grade and your age.My nodes were clear but i still am having chemo as my lump was grade 3 and it was over 2cm so the benefit of chemo for me was good despite being node -ve.I also waited a long time for full results because my Her2 status came back borderline and had to go for furthur FISH staining to another specialised hospital, they then eventually came back negative aswell. I didnt think i had to have chemo untill a week before so had switched off from that route and had to get my head round it quickly again but im 1/2 way through mine now and thankfully hasnt been too bad although i only have to have 6 x FEC but no TAX. Hope this reassures you a bit take care Julie xxx

Hi Isabelle
well the good news is that your nodes were clear! so that is positive news!
so if you have to have chemo, does that mean you lose your job for the roving radiotherpy job Vickie gave you?
Fingers crossed that it is still radiotherapy only, but whatever you will work through it. just the waiting game…such a pain
Hugs
Sandra xxx

Julie,
Thanks for your most welcome advice, I found out yesterday that my BC was over 2cm which I had not expected and together with the other results which I am waiting for, as you say the ER and PR and the HER 2 status, my BCN said they were still waiting for the histlogy report, I don’t really understand all of the jargon. She told me to come and see her an hour before my appointment next week so that she can go through my reports, and help me to understand them more fully.She did say that it was invasive ductal cancer and that it very often is that with a lot of people. Hopefully all of the reports will be back by next week.

Many thanks,

Isabelle xxx

Hello Sandra,
Well I’ve decided not to jump to any more conclusions in future, I think I will just have to wait and see what they come up with and take anything they throw at me , just like everyone else does around here.
Thanks for being there tonight it’s nice to have people who understand what we all go through on here, and it doesn’t seem to matter when we post there is always someone to listen to us.

Many Thanks,

Isabelle xxx

Sleep peacefully Isabelle, tomorrows another day, or in our case today!! had no idea it was so late. just keep thinking about the no node involvement! happy dreams
Hugs
Sandra xxx

Night , night Sandra !!!

Hugs Isabelle xxx

Hi Izzy,
sorry to hearthat you are being ‘messed around’ with your results…it’s certainly no fun. It took weeks for my results to fully come through from a single op! On the third visit for results the consultant asked me to remind him why I was there!!! I had to remind him that it was because we had not had the histology report back yet! My results were all different from the original ones which were done at diagnosis e.g. measurements and grades, that’s because once they have it in the lab they get the true picture and can get exact information.
When you go to see the BC nurse write the info down as there will be a lot to remember, she will explain everything in full then too and ask her to explain if you don’t get it…I did!!

On a lighter note the no nodes is still great news and chemo is just a possibility and not a definite yet so there’s still a chance that you will still be the roving reporter:-))))

Whatever they decide we have to put our trust in them to make the right decisions and as long as they do that and we all get better through whaichever route we have to travel then it will be worth it in the fullness of time.(still agree with you that it’s a flipping pain the the bu** thinking one thing then not knowing but that’s why we are strong and resilient (most of the time)
anyway…enough for now let’s wait with you and see…
best wishes for dreams and wishes to come true
Hugs Suze xx

Hi Isabelle

Here’s the link to the BCC publication ‘Understanding your pathology report’ which may be useful for you when you do get all of your results. If you want to talk anything through please do call our helpline on 0808 800 6000, it’s open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2.

breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/breast-cancer-treatments/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/91/

Take care
Lucy

Hi All
Well you all survived the weekend , good on you . I think Tors that in the middle of the night "little sod " is very restrained ! Thankfully , as a nanny like Sandra , I can give them back . My only problem , and it´s a big one , is that I don´t see enough of my grandchildren . Still at least i am still here to see them .
Seeing those kitchen fitters has given you a new use of life Maria ! You know what they say …“You Can´t Get Better Than a Kitchen Fitter !” and when they are fit fitters , well you´ve got it made , stick your wig on , take off your glasses and leave your ears alone !
Heather , I know how you feel weight wise . My best friend had BC exactly five years before I was dx . She had to have everything they could throw at it , and put on over 3 stone . To look at her now you would never believe it . She´s lost all the weight plus some , and looks fabulous , her hair looks great although a bit thin from the arimidix . Her dx was not good , but she´s fine .
We are a group of 7 women who meet up for coffee once a week we are between 58 and 65,we have the odd local trip , and we´ve done a few days in London and Paris , yet two of us have had BC and one lost her husband last summer at 59 to prostate cancer , and we all have other friends either here or back in the UK with , or having got over BC . Lot of it around girls is´nt there ?
I wonder if more people got swine flu , when they were on about an epidemic , or more people have BC ? I suppose at the end of the day it´s not of much consequence , but we´re certainly not a particually elite group are we ? Lovely , but not elite .
Kris

Hi Everyone, how are we all feeling today? it has been a lovely day weather wise here today. Thank you all for your best wishes, I am feeling loads better today, I am hoping to see my youngest grandson tomorrow, cant wait I have not seen him for 2 weeks. Glad you all like my pic with my baby Bobby, he is my ray of sunshine everday, he can always make me smile.
Kris, thank you for telling me about your friend putting on a lot of weight and now she has lost it, it gives me hope. How lovely to have friends to meet up with, I wish I lived closer to some of the ladies on here so we could meet up and have a moan together lol
Vickie, glad your feeling a bit better at the minute, I had to laugh at the blue paint, dont you just love them. They do get worse I promise you, any of you more mature ladies with older children agree with me. When my children were small and they use to be naughty I would have a moan aboout them to my mum, and she would say “it’s not started yet wait till they get a bit older” and I use to think silly women doesn’t know what she is talking about, but oh boy she did. It’s a wonder my daughter between the age of 13 and 17 didn’t have me in an early grave lol. The thing is her 2 sons are now 14 and 17 and the eldest one is driving her mad, and all I say is I remember it well lol
Isabelle, thanks for the comments on my pic, I am sorry there still messing you around with your results and treatment. They did it with me, when I was diagnosed my daughter was with me, and because I was to shocked to ask any questions she asked them all. And the consultant said it was between a grade 1 and 2, no I wouldn’t need chemo. So we went home and sent for my son and we were all together to discuss it, this was January last year. My daughter said thats it mum you will have your operation and you will be well on the road to recovery for your birthday in May. Then when I went for my appointment for my results I was told it was a grade 3 and I would need chemo !! so I have just had another birthday and I still have a lot of treatment to go. So Isabelle I really hope they get it sorted for you soon so you will know what the treatment plan is, it does help to know.
Suze, I get fed up of medication sometimes, one of the pills I take are Amitriptaline there to help me sleep, I take 75mg every night and I am still up at 4 in the morning or earlier, this morning it was 2 30. That is a lovely pic of you and your grandson, he is so cute. Me and hubby have 4 grandsons and 2 grandaughters, there ages start from 8 months to 17 years a big age difference lol it costs a fortune at christmas, but I love them all dearly there my pride and joy.
Carol, your hair will soon grow, cant beleive how lovely and slim you are, I feel like a sumo wrestler sometimes lol yes your consultant was right, you can put on 3 stone I am the proof lol
Sandra, glad you like my pic, hope your still feeling ok. When is your next chemo, are you having it every 3 weeks ? Are you still hanging on to your hair ? hope so, but just think how cool you will be when it gets hot. I must tell you though in the winter get a hat ready because you dont realise how cold it is with no hair.
Maria, Hope you kitchen is coming on nicely, I bet you cant wait to put everything in its place. We had to have a new kitchen when we moved in here, it was awfull, it was like living in a bedsit, and having ready meals out of the freezer. The thing is I didn’t know how to cook them, they were awful things, we ended up living on beans on toast lol I hope you kitchen is nearly finished, it has been a big upheavel for you at this present time, but I am sure it will be worth it in the end. Its a pity you didn’t live in England we could have a big ribbon cutting cermony lol
Well if I have forgotten anyone I am sorry but I hope your all well.
Take Care
Love Heather
xxxxxxxxxx

Kitchen up date: I can see the end of the tunnel, A fit kitchen fitter came at 8 am and worked non stop until 6 pm. Now every thing is fitted and working, but I’ve got no work top yet, the work top man is coming tomorrow to measure up. I’m like a little kid waiting for Christmas, I am so exited I don’t know whether I will sleep tonight.
Suze, I love the photo. I don’t like the idea of loosing my eyebrows or my eye lashes, for the moment they are thinner but still there.
Vickie, I’m glad 2nd peachy mother (have I got it right now?) was OK, my 2nd was a bu@@er, I hope number 3 will be better. I’m grateful that my sleepless nights due to children have finished, just sleepless nights due to the anticipation of new kitchens ! or more truthfully, bc
Isabelle, waiting for results or to know what treatment we are going to have is the worst thing in the world, my thoughts go with you, but as you know once you know the sports plan, it is easier.
Julie, Half way through, great. Me too, in a week.
Kris, my fit kitchen fitter was too young even for a toy boy, hardly out of nappies, but he worked hard. Sounds like you’ve got a ggod crowd out there with you.
Heather, I am waiting for grandkids, sounds like you have an army of them.
Sandra, I hope is is going well with you, hair hanging on ?
Hugs to you all
Maria

Hi everyone really enjoying reading the posts although not saying too much,very unusual for me! Guess I’m still so new to this and feel I don’t know anyone yet but you are all so friendly.
I went about my wigs yesterday think I’m going to have a long and a short one. I asked about glasses as I wear varifocals a lot of the time and she said to thread them into the mesh so I’ll have to see how I go but don’t fancy cutting my ears off!
Go to see oncologist 16th July bit of a wait as they are a bit behind and also to give my wle time to heal,
Chemo starts some time after that but all the tips I keep reading will come in useful I’m sure.

Welcome Mum 51,
Fun to have 2 wigs, you will get your family and friends confused ! Are they the same coleur ? The glasses tip seemed different to Sandra’s wig tips, but that is what I do (thread them in the mesh) But you have to hold on to everything when you want to adjust your glasses. I’ve not tried cutting off my ears yet. I see you are also playing the waiting game. When did you have your op ?
Hugs and good luck for the 16th
Maria

Hi Ladies,
Isabelle, Hope your day has been good xxx

Suze, You keeping well? xxx

Kris, My grandson had swine flu, he was so poorly, then my son and l got it, we were all quite ill with it, now rubbish bc! xxx

Heather, Yes grandchildren, love them to bits. l remember my mum saying, “l hope you have a daughter, then you will know what l put up with” luckily we had two perfect boys!! Lol!
But now she realises what a wonderful daughter i am!!
Yes still feeling ok, bit of a wooly mouth and a back ache from the injections but not too bad at all. Hair is still there, but l have noticed a few stray ones in the bath and when l put my hand through my hair! must stop doing that! seem to be playing with my hair more and more!

Maria, No def. no toyboys! never liked them younger than me when l was younger, so certainly wouldn’t now! like them mature!! but not too dribbly! xxx

Mum51 Well come on in and tell us about yourself! best way to start!
Oh going to confuse people are you, one day long the next short! now be careful with those glasses if you thread them into the mesh, we dont want you taking your glasses off quickly and the wig goes flying!!
That is a long wait for the onc. l am sure they use the healing process as an excuse for the long wait for the onc! l remember my bcn saying l had to be able to have a lot of movement in my arm before radiotherapy, for goodness sake, had she forgotten l have to have 18weeks of chemo first!! if it is not moving by then l have a big problem, well my arm has!
Hugs to all
Sandra xxx
PS Vickie is quiet tonight! xxx

Hello Ladies,
I hope everyone has had a good day today. The weather here has been great here and I’ve actually got round to doing a bit of gardening, I thought little and often might be the best way! I keep going out to lunch with my good friends who call on me and I’m wondering how I found the time to go to work!!
Sandra - I’m feeling a lot better about things today and will just have to sit tight and wait for next Wednesday to come round and hope they have got all of my results by then, then I’ll see what comes next.
Maria, your toyboy buliders sound cute! I’m not bragging at all but I’ve got a toyboy of my own at home , well I don’t know if he would count as a toyboy but I’m 56 (last week) and he’s 47, not bad eh!!!
He’s my tall dark hansome man, mind you I was married to a short, fat balding one for 25 years, so this has it’s advantages!!!

Best Wishes from Isabelle and toyboy XXX ha! ha!

Hi all
Haven’t been on for a couple of days; just to say I just kind of balanced my glasses into the hair, mind you I only need them for reading. My friend & I did think we might cut two wee holes in the mesh, but then thought they might unravel (like jumpers). My glasses generally spend a lot of time on top of my head but the wig was more slippy than my real hair so they clattered to the ground loads of times. They’re still in 1 piece though.

hi everyone,

yes i was quiet on the forum last night sandra, but not quiet in real life, was sobbing and having total breakdown and my sister had to come round to help me!

It started with my sons sportsday, which was today, but yesterday tea time i started to wobble about going on my own as i hadnt been out of my house since chemo last thusrday, plus i still felt physically wonky and emotionally vulnerable. I started getting scared and nervous and worrying and basically had total melt down, ending with my sister coming round, calming me down and rearranging a work meeting so she could come with me! I felt everyone would be looking at me, and that i may physically have a wobble or just start crying, was horrid.

Anyway, we went today, i sat on a chair in the shade, managed to get a car park space nearby so less walking and clapped and cheered and sipped my water. My son’s reception class were hilarious and clueless about racing, mine won second prize in the sack race ( there were 2 of them in the race!).

I feel so rubbish for collapsing about something as supposedly easy as going to a bloody sports day, totally foreign to me as i was always the in control coper who helped other people. I feel like other ladies seem to cope much better emotionally and through their chemo than i am doing, i just seem to keep getting hit down by hormonal waves, and feeling its all so unfair and not understanding how this can possibly have happened to me?! Because I am me, and thats me, and these things happen to other people, not me. And other ladies are getting up after their chemo and keeping their lives running whereas i am having to be looked after, so is that cos i am rubbish at coping or what? Anyway, i feel quite a lot better this afternoon ( though you wouldn’t guess it from the post!) and hope that now i have done my first week, things will be turning the corner.

Its wierd that the pattern of chemo is different each cycle. This time, my period was due and hasn’t come and i am wondering whether its my ovaries reacting or soemthing, why cycle 1 and 3 were emotionally harder than cycle 2 was?

Hope everyone enjoying the sun. I am not, too hot, i am the miserable moody girl who wishes for a cool summer!

Thanks as always for reading everyone, sorry it was self obsessed and i haven’t responded to anybody in particular,

Vickie

Hugs{{{{{{{}}}}}}}} Vickie. If tears were pennies I would be a milliionaire. No one cries alone when I’m in the room. Dx
glad you feel better today. Remember people only post what they are prepared to share and they may not want to write about all the bad days. Xx

Hello Vickie,
Sorry to hear that you are feeling so bad after your treatment, I hope you feel a bit better as the day goes on.
Well at least you made it to your son’s sports day, they look forward to their mum’s being there, and your sister seems to be just the sort of person you need there to give you her support.
We all have our wobbly days but at least they make the good days all the better.

Best Wishes and lots of hugs,

Isabelle xxx