Hi, I was diagnosed on Friday after 2 biopsies discovered a cancerous tumour in my left breast which has spread to my lymph nodes. I wasn’t told the exact type of cancer just that it wasn’t receptive to hormones.
I have been told I will need a mastectomy and chemo but they are not sure in which order. I had a clear mammogram in January so this has come as a huge shock.
I have to meet with the surgeon on Wednesday to discuss treatment but I want to ensure I ask the right questions. This looks like a great forum and I wondered if anyone could help me get some questions together? I think the consultant said that they wouldn’t be able to do the mastectomy and reconstruction in one operation, not sure why so would defo ask this.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I can’t think straight at the moment.
Xx
Hello and welcome,
I am glad you found us and we will do our best to help & support you on this journey. I think the reason you cannot have the reconstruction at the same time is due to it being in your lymph nodes. That said I did not need a mastectomy just the lump taken but mine was aggressive so I did have chemo, then rads and Herceptin for over a year. Mine was not hormone positive either.
Sometimess they give chemo first to shrink the tumour or to hold the cancer in check if they think it might be on the move - you will probably get a scan so they know exactly what is going on. I had surgery first and chemo about 6 weeks later.
The thought of chemo is far worse than actually having it. It is not at all painful but the side effects can be rough. I used a cold cap and kept loads of hair and I fasted before to keep my side effects lower. That worked really well.
Please ask if you want to know anything.
Thanks so much for the replies. It is worth its weight I hold to talk to people who have been on the journey before me.
Blueash can I ask a question about the coldcap please? Does it cover you ears also as I don’t think my ears would stand being frozen or is there something that protects your ears? I wondered if I could build up to using the cold cap by maybe placing ice on my head…just some way to get familiar with the feeling. I would feel so much better if I could keep some hair.
Thanks
Thanks very much for the response Moijan. That’s great information for me. Hope all goes well for you.
Hi Blueash,
That is really inspirational and has cheered me up knowing your tips. I too want to look as good as I can just to keep my spirits up and also for my family too.
I have quite bushy eyebrows but might look into if I could get them tattooed before chemo.
I have to see the surgeon on Wednesday for my plan, I’m worried that the cold cap will not be available at my local hospital or that I can’t do the cold cap with the chemo treatment I am on…fingers crossed on both counts cos this woukd make the journey better for me ??
Hi All,
Up during the night again? Just not sleeping much and will be shattered in the morning. Wake up and remember have breast cancer and hits me like a steam train and feel quite upset still.
Went to meet surgeon for plan on Wednesday but ended up just meeting with doctor who said they want an emergency CT scan done before they get the plan together. Now my head is all over the place and I’m thinking it’s everywhere. Is this quite routine to get a CT scan?
I am a foster mum and so sad having to make plans for my wee boy to move on. He has had enough stress in his young life he doesn’t need to see me going through chemo?
On a positive note I am having my eyebrows tattooed on Saturday (hope not a state!) and meeting with a hairdresser to talk about a wig tomorrow. Also, I have ordered a frozen head cap from eBay as want to try and practice for cold cap so is not too much of a shock.
Enjoying checking the forum for updates as feel reassured not just me going through this journey❤️
Love to all
Hi
I had a ct scan and a bone scan to check that all was clear. For me, this was done after surgery and before chemo. It was because I had a fairly large lump and grade 3. Thankfully it was all fine.
They need to check everything before they put your treatment plan in place.
Pointless for me to say try not to worry, however I just wanted to say that it is not unusual to have a ct scan.
Best wishes
Sue xx
Hello MamaTony,
Sorry you find yourself here. Just wanted to echo what Sue said that it’s not unusual to have a CT. I had one amongst other tests before starting treatment. I got the impression it was run of the mill really. It makes sense to check things before starting.
Sorry to hear how BC affects your fostering. Bleeping bleep bleeping cancer!! I hope it is something you can return to, if you wish, afterwards.
? Best wishes to you ? x
Hi Jobey68 how are you ,just got a date for my surgery 30th August is there anything i need to know and get myself prepared for?
Hi mai7 thanks for your reply but I don’t understand what you meant by “Try and focus on that as much as possible” .Am a bit confuse now did I make a wrong decision on reconstruction?. Please I receive a letter that say immeadiate delay reconstruction what does it mean please enlighten me please thanks dear.****
Thanks so much for the replies.
I am so happy I have found this forum and for the great advice I am getting. It is helping me keep my sanity and picking up my spirits that I am not alone.
I am struggling now even out clothes shopping with my daughter which I loved previously. Feeling quite teary as why do i need new clothes as going to be hibernating for 6 months or so? Sorry to moan just having a particularly bad day.
Love to all
Thanks mai7❤️ Fresh day tomorrow
Hello dear Mai7 oh ok I got you now , I was offered immeadiate reconstruction thanks for your explanations .xx