Hi all…this looks like the kind of site I need/want(?) to be a member of. I don’t know all the details of my cancer yet and have an appointment today at 3 with oncologist so will try to make this as short as possible☺. I was diagnosed on 18th December with grade 2 cancer and was told that lumpectomy and radiotherapy would be probable treatment however when I had my lumpectomy on 12th January ( just got the results on Monday passed) there was another very small, 2mm, lump hiding behind my original lump and it was grade 3. My consultant told me that he had taken both cancers out and it was gone and nothing in surrounding tissue so that’s positive. I haven’t slept since my last appointment so sorry if this sounds very 'feeling sorry for myself. When I found this page and read all of your stories I knew it would help me through my journey. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all and please believe me when in say I’m usually, and had been up til my last appointment, very positive.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and that you’ve found yourself here, but it certainly is a good place to get support and information and feel the kindness of strangers. You’re not feeling sorry for yourself. This is all very scary at the beginning and that’s why this forum is so helpful.
I’m in a similar situation to you, albeit my second finding was a spread to the axillary nodes, so I had a full axillary clearance 2 weeks ago after my lumpectomy and SNB in December. I’m seeing my surgeon tomorrow for the histology results on the clearance and I don’t know whether chemotherapy will be on the cards for me too.
I’ve subscribed to your post as I’m interested to hear what others have experienced in this situation.
Sending you my very best wishes and hope your appointment with the Oncologist goes well.
Its all overwhelming but just take it one step at a time.
I was diagnosed in September and started Chemo October last year. Had 3 rounds of EC then changed to weekly taxol/carbo. I was terrified at the thought of chemo, but to be fair compared with others i have got off lightly with the side effects. Had a couple of days of feeling lethargic other than that I’ve managed to work full time from home.
I have just had call from my breast care nurse with details of treatment after chemo.
My last session is due 12/3
MRI booked for 19/3
Appointment for counselling/discuss surgery and consent on 29/3 then op booked for 16/4.
So far they are talking of lumpectomy which scares me, I want it gone with the best option of it not coming back.
Good luck with your appointment today, come back later let us know how you got on
Hi Jb2501 - I also wanted to drop in to welcome you to this lovely forum and hope you will find lots of support and advice while you go through treatment. About 4 years ago I had a mastectomy and implant reconstruction, chemo, radiotherapy and now Tamoxifen, so I’m also happy to answer any questions you might think of.
This is a lovely non judgmental place to come on if you have questions, but also if you are having a wobble and need to chat to others who have been through or are going through the same. Sometimes it helps more than chatting with family or friends.
Your comment about trying not to worry about what you don’t know is very good advice - I read the same in a cancer book, which said “fears are NOT facts”. As you say, it’s easier to say than put into practice but it’s good to keep coming back to when fear strikes.
Do come back and let us know how you get on this afternoon with your oncologist and I wish you all the best for your treatment. Hugs, Evie xx
How did your appointment go? Please don’t think that worrying is a bad thing, I know that although I’m generally a positive person my journey through breast cancer has left me very negative at times and there have been many tears spilt and that’s all normal and okay, you have to be kind to yourself.
I have had a few sleepless nights and they are really no fun, do you have someone that you can talk to? I have my best friend and my partner but I also use Maggies which is a cancer charity that offers various groups and counsellors for the times when you need to talk about things that family and friends might find hard.
As for chemo, everyone reacts differently but I have had 3 rounds of EC and I’m having 4 rounds of Doxcetaxel (I’m having round 2 tomorrow). So far my experience have been very positive the EC nausea was well controlled by anti sickness meds and I felt a little under the weather for about a week then I felt fine, the Dox is different you don’t get the nausea but fatigue is worst but it does pass and I feel a little breathless at times but that passes as well. The worst thing of all of chemo is the G-CSF injections you do for 7 days post chemo because they make you ache (they stimulate your bone marrow to make more white blood cells to try and keep your immunity up) but it’s worth the discomfort to keep infection at bay, and don’t forget it’s not forever and you are strong enough.
sorry for the rambling message but I hope it helps x