Hi,
Thanks ladies, its still sinking in that I don’t have to go back again for more treatment, and this will be my last bout of side -effects. I’m still having hot flushes, as I was pre-menopause before, and am now obviously going through the change. It’s really unpleasant, and disturbs my sleep, but hope it will improve soon…anyone else had these?
I think its good to be er/pr +, it gives you a little more in the ‘armoury’ to fight with, as you can have a number of drugs like Arimadex, Tamoxifen etc to help prevent any recurrence… HER2 I think is less clear cut, these days having Herceptin available evens up the score. Maria, well done too for finishing! I asked about Herceptin the other day, and was told it does mean going to the hospital once every 3 weeks for an infusion, a little like having chemo, but at our place they do it in another ward. Unlike chemo though, you may have some minor side effects, but it is nowhere near as aggressive as chemo. I haven’t really looked into it any further yet, but doesn’t sound too scary.
So I guess we’re all approaching decision time about surgery - anyone know what they will do yet? I’ve had some good feedback about my surgeon from ladies she’s operated on before, they said shes very good, so having considered the options, I’ve been happy to go with her recommendation of an immediate recon using a permanent tissue expander implant. She told me there would be no delay in surgery, but I will have to wait a few weeks longer afterwards before I can have rads. This make the op and recovery time much shorter and easier to recover from, and I won’t need further surgery. My only doubt was about the actual implant, if I had problems down the line, but she said I can always have a DIEP/LD flap etc at a later date, and I decided if I’m around to worry about an implant replacement in 10 - 15 years time, I’ll just thank my lucky starts to still be here to worry about it!!! Also I think this type works better for smaller women, I’m only 34AA. Its a very individual choice, but have heard you need to find out what your surgeon is best at - and if you decide you want something different then to ask about another surgeon who would specialise in your type. From reading a lot of other posts, this is a very individual decision though, no rights or wrongs, just what works for you physically and emotionally.
On the cat front, we don’t have the cats in the bedroom at night, that seems to be their play time - we’d never get any sleep!!! I’m hoping when they get a bit older and more settled that might change, also we should be moving from a flat (where they stay in all the time) to a house with a lovely garden sometime soon (I’m hoping before my surgery) so that might chill them out a bit.
Tracey, hope the nausea and sickness don’t get too bad, and your mum is helping loads. Sounds like you little lad is a handful! Did you say you had a little girl too?? Hang in there, not to long to go now…
Alison, take care, only one more for you too!
Oh, and just for interest, was going to ask how old we all are? I’m now 45, was dx in July last year at 44. I did book a place on a weekend seminar with BCC for younger women (I just managed to scrape in!) but will have to cancel as I’ll be in for surgery the week before, but it did sound interesting, so will try and book on another one at a later date.
Wishing you all good sleep, no sickness, and general well being, peace and happiness!!!
Shannon
xxx