Hi everyone! Been reading the wonderful advice here so decided to join up myself. Given I’m recently post surgery, I guess this is the most suitable forum at present.
Diagnosed with IDC -mass of 37mm (shock of my life!) at end of September. Grade 2, ER+ so put on Letrozole in October to shrink before surgery. Tolerated meds very well with tiredness as only side-effect. Surgery on Feb 2nd, which went well-mass at 2mm at this point. Had all the usual nerve-wracking tests before this-breast US, MRI and full CT and bone scan, all of which at this were clear. Bone scan revealed an older leg fracture which cause a bit of a stir for a while, but all others fine. Had some investigation or other every week for 8 weeks until December!
Apart from brief return to hosp few days after op owing to bandages pulling on node incision site making area sore and painful, recovering well from surgery. Arm mobility gradually returning to normal etc. very neat scar. Saw consultant a few days ago, who revealed margin/s weren’t clear and 2/5 sentinel lymph nodes showed meths-one micro and the other macro-another shock as hoped to put all this behind me once WLE over. Yet to receive full pathology report. Basically surgeon went over some options, eg chemo, rad, or further surgery but nothing conclusive, though she appeared to be veering towards chemo. Have appointment with oncologist next week who I’d imagine will shed more light on the situation. Personally would dread chemo, based on other ppl’s experience so would like to hear from others who experienced any of the treatments mentioned.
Hello and welcome to the forum. Although not a place you would want to be by choice, It is a lovely place to be where you can laugh, cry, rant, rave and generally be rather silly as well, as you will see when you read the other threads.
In terms of chemo there is a thread on here where you will get support and help. Also there is a thread for radiotherapy. If you go on the hormone thread there is a post there entitled Progesterone, hormones and fluffy stuff which is a lovely one Basically it is just a great place to be with lots of ladies who totally get you and with whom
I had a WLE and SNB, then went on to have 20 sessions of radiotherapy which I finished 19 January this year. I am on tamoxifen for the next 5 years.
Let us know how you get on next week after you see your onc and good luck
I’ve just had my first chemo and was dreading it. I’m a sicky person, but I can’t believe how well I feel compared to how I thought I would be. I felt nauseous and dizzy with a slight headache on the first day. Haven’t felt sick since. My dizziness stopped the next day and my headache stopped yesterday. But all was quite mild and stopped with a couple of paracetamol. I am tired, but that’s due to being on steroids and being up early.
There are four of us just been through our first, and we are all doing really well, so don’t be scared it you need chemo.
Good morning Helz sorry to hear that your treatment is still in conclusive. We have all had to put our life in the hands of the experts and allow them to do what they need to do in order that we may recover for the sake of our families!
I am now 3 years down the line and commenced with chemo then db mx then radiotherapy now taking Letrozole which I have been taking for 2 years and have just had DIEP reconstruction! Like you I wanted it all over within the year and I was upset to find it would go on! This forum is a huge source of support as we are all or have all experienced your thoughts and feelings and know how helpless and out of control of the situation you feel! But we have no choice other than to let the medics plan our path for treatment! The effects of chemo are doable and it is for a relatively short time. Most treatments last for 6 sessions every 3 week! I had to have 8 every 2 weeks due to tumour size and grading! Radiotherapy is much kinder but wearing as you have it every day for 6 weeks excluding weekends!
Hopefully the full path report will be through soon and you will understand your onward treatment!
Do keep in touch via the forum to let us know the outcome. Meanwhile we do empathise with you having to wait for results do hope it won’t be too long!