That’s great ! Not at scary as you think . I’m on day 7 but feeling really tired . Looking forward to the break at the weekend. Take care
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Hi Bella
Well that’s me 5 down . You must be fairly close to finishing by now. Hope you’re still finding it relatively problem free. I was told if there were any side effects (skin irritation?) I would likely not see anything until second week? I’ve had no swelling, redness or fatigue so far 
You’ll soon be ringing that bell 
Hi jooliepie
That’s great . I have 4 left . I’ve found this week a bit of a struggle to be honest but more mentally . I think it’s a combination of the hormone treatment taking affect and the emotional catch up … I have 4 left to go ! My skin seems to be fine apart from being a bit red . My voice is a bit croaky as the radiotherapy treatment is close my throat to treat some of the lymph nodes . I had a review today and everything is fine and that’s to be expected… was told that the tiredness usually comes 2-3 weeks once treatment stops so not making any plans . You’ll soon be through this too and out the other side . Onwards and upwards 
Good to hear - next 4 will fly by. I’ve got the croaky voice too. In fairness the chemo had irritated my throat and lungs a little but I thought it was getting better, however last few days it’s gone a little dry again. Radiotherapist said it’s normal with supra clavicle (?) node irradiation- seems we’ve got the same plan which I guess is reassuring. Start my hormone blocker tomorrow - hope I’m one of those who tolerate it well (I’m fairly confident most of the horror stories re side effects are just because those who are happily managing nicely with little to no inconvenience don’t post on forums!)
Hi Bella
Been counting the days…Congratulations on finishing radiotherapy 
Hope you got to ring the bell!
Let me know how you’re getting on. I’m on day 9 today. So far so good - a little itchy and ‘firm’ but otherwise all ok.
Julie
Hi Julie
Thanks for remembering that I had my last radiotherapy. I did ring the bell and felt very emotional and relieved ! I hope you’re doing ok , it will eventually pass. My skin is ok got a bit redder and uncomfortable but got some cream from the radiographers . I was looking forward to celebrating but have been in bed with a horrible virus . Not sure if it’s Covid or a flu . Hoping it will pass quickly… Let me know how you are getting on . Best wishes
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Hi Bella, Well finished radiotherapy yesterday. A bit weird walking out of the hospital Macmillan suite knowing I (hopefully!) I won’t be back.
Anyway managing ok. Pink and itchy around the collar bone/top of chest and sore under arm. Moisturising and drinking water like mad. Hope your virus has cleared and you should be well on the path to recovery by now. Been on Letrozole two weeks now and no side effects noticed - which is a relief!
Stay in touch and let me know how you are getting on.
Hi Julie
That’s great . Well done 
it’s such a relief when it’s over . Did you ring the bell ? I’m still not a 100 % Went to Gp and now have antibiotics for a chest infection. Not prone to chest infections at all . Think it maybe a combination of being run down and the radiotherapy treatment. Starting to feel a bit better now. Just sick of being ill . Not been much of a holiday for my kids although they manage to keep themselves entertained. That’s good you are tolerating the medication . Hopefully you won’t have any issues . Do you have any plans now your treatment is finished ? How are you feeling about everything ? Hope the better weather keeps up and you get to enjoy a better summer . Take care
I had micropapillary bc. 13mm, 4 positive nodes. 100% ER + PR positive. High LVI’s, multifocal and grade 3. Had a lumpectomy. Was given AC-T chemo and radiation. Did 2 years of hormone therapy then quit. Extremely dense breasts so get a yearly mammogram and mri. I’ll take my chances. My research shows if there is going to be a regional recurrence it will be early and body wide is less common. It tends to move in clumps. There are many unknowns in breast cancer and oncologists are so variable in their approach. Most haven’t researched micropapillary as much as us who actually have it.
Hope you are doing well now. 
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Hi Sally thanks for sharing this information. It was useful to know as I don’t have to much knowledge on this specific type of cancer despite trying to find out . I had my first mammogram last month and all good so that’s reassuring. I am struggling with the hormone Therapy though particularly the hot flushes but have been asked to participate in a trial of a new medication that helps that’s if I don’t get the placebo ! The worries of recurrence never leave so just managing that the best way I can which I’m sure is the same for most ladies in this situation. Hope you continue to do well . Xx
Yup I’m still here too! Mammogram in Feb to good boob only as had implant to naughty boob. But all good so far. Occasional anxiety as lumps, twinges, shape changes, pain etc… that could be recurrence are exactly the side effects from surgery scars, healing, radiotherapy and Letrozole. Managed to get a bone scan last October due to rib pain but all clear. Some cosmetic changes (contracture) but I can live with that. So far so good…… nice to hear others doing well too with this unusual variant. x
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Hi jooliepie30 and the other ladies here. I’m happy to have found others to connect with about this type of cancer. It really does sound frightening, so I’m happy to hear that you are doing well.
I’m not far into this nightmare…I’ve had surgery and my first of 8 chemo treatments. I am er/pr positive, her2 negative, stage 3. 6 of 8 lymph nodes had cancer cells. My tumour was 2.2 x 1.1 cms. I had clear margins with surgery.
My nodes were expected to be clear so it was a shock to find out I needed chemo.
I meet my oncologist again on Monday and have more questions for him.
I’d love to hear updates of how you’re doing now.
Hi Meich
Sorry to hear youve joined the club no one wants to be a member of! It’s pretty shitty while you’re going through treatment but I kept reminding myself my team are treating this with “curative intent”. While the thought of a rare variant was initially scary I was reassured that treatment and outcome/prognosis not different to non specific IDC. I’m sure like everyone that has been cursed with the big C wobbly days are unavoidable but I read something on here early on that resonated with me.
Worrying about something doesn’t change the outcome but it does steal the present. When the thing you’ve been worrying about doesn’t happen then you’ve suffered unnecessarily. …. I’ve probably not put that as well as I remember but you get the sentiment.
It’s been a year now since my treatment finished and I’m feeling good. I (mostly) don’t worry but just keeping vigilant. I do have a few more aches and pains but it’s all tolerable.
There is light at the end of the tunnel - stay positive and if there’s anything regarding experience I can help with just ask. Wishing you all the best xxxx
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Hi juliepie30,
Thanks for responding and I’m happy to hear that you’re doing so well!!
Funny thing is my oncologist didn’t even tell me this is a rare variant, I saw my pathology report and googled it to see what that was.
I am staying positive and my 1st treatment was easy on me. I was afraid, but the anti-nausea meds had me sleeping before they even started the chemo drug. My hubby said my head was hanging, mouth open, snoring and drooling…lol. How embarrassing.
I have a full time job but I’ve enjoyed being home! My surgery was the end of May and I had seromas that caused a cavity. I have wound care every other day to get the breast incision healed. I’ll be happy when that’s done.
Wishing you continued good health and happiness!
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First rule of BC club is don’t google 
- but of course we do! My surgeon reassured a very anxious me that the data id found (old Asian clinical trials!) was at least 20 years old (remember data was collected years before study published) treatments have hugely improved, detection better in UK (most patients in those studies presented with advanced disease). It certainly was scary stuff on google but after having the chat I honestly felt better - I’m certainly not blasé, but can now believe, as my team does I’ve got a pretty good chance of beating this.
Been NED for a year now - long may it continue. Wishing you well. xx (P.S I was snoring like a train too during treatment!)
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Yep it was a shock to me as well with such a small tumour already in 4 nodes. If the tumour didnt have calcifications that could be picked up on a mammogram it would have been another story for me, as I certainly couldnt feel any cancer lumps on an already extremely dense and very lumpy breast. Actually no point in feeling them at all!
Micropapillary loves nodes and is less likely to go body wide if caught early. But is more likely to return early regionally. ie within the first 2-3 years. I’m feeling positive 3 yrs after my diagnosis.
Hi Sally123,
I also have dense breast tissue and had a “clear” mammogram in May 2024. Six months later I found my lump. It was confirmed with ultrasound and biopsy. Even the day of my biopsy it was not seen on mammogram and it was a substantial lump. Both my family physician and surgeon originally thought my nodes were clear. It was a shock to find out that 6 were involved and I’d need chemo. I’ve learned that things are not always as they seem and can change suddenly.
I’m happy to hear that you’re doing well 3 years on!
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Curious about above information- did your oncologist tell you this? Mine said nothing……I’d better stay vigilant for the next two years then!
Hi Meich
Sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis . I hope your treatment is going ok . It’s quite a journey but breaking it down into manageable steps helps. I too had positive lymph nodes despite them looking clear and healthy in the ultrasound scan . I wonder if that’s a common symptom with this particular kind of cancer . I only had the sentinel node removed for testing during my surgery but then had radiotherapy on my axillary and breast . My surgeon said that studies show that radiation treatment is as effective as removing the lymph nodes without the same problems with side effects although I have some lymphodemia in the breast and arm due to the radiation. I didn’t have chemo as they did another test to check the protein and it came back low . I had surgery , radiation and I am now on endocrine therapy which I’m finding a bit of a struggle . I had my first surveillance mammogram two months ago and it was clear . So very relieved. One thing I am learning and have to continue to remind myself is to be kind to yourself . Treat yourself like you would as a friend … it is a big adjustment. Take care xx
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Yes Micropapillary does seem to be quite sneaky - I had mammogram in the February and then found the lump myself 8 months later- my lymph nodes were also clinically clear and looked healthy on ultrasound but two were found to have macromets.
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