SURGERY APRIL 2018

Thinking of you today Fairydust, and sending hugs x

Thinking of you fairy dust.

Jem how are you feeling today? The comments from our wonderful neighbours (chemo) have helped me to a better day today. Maybe a crappy bit of a journey but as they all said it is doable and this is what I keep telling myself although it still terrifies me and feel physically sick when I think about it. Had a lovely meal out with daughters, partners and grandchildren last night and didnt talk about me once which was great. Into the next week we go! When is your next appointment? Mine is not till the 9th so still a way to go yet and as in a positive zone today i am telling myself I might not even need chemo as my onco score is going to be low. Sending hugs and special hugs to the chemo thread ladies thank you x

Hope all is going well for you Fairy Dust, thinking of you for today and tomorrow.

 

Off for my appointment with the oncologist tomorrow to see if I will be having radiotherapy and also to sort out the Tamoxifen.

 

Really hopking that no rads needed so I can start planning my reconstruction but me thinks the surgeon will be correct and rads it will be and so a 12 month wait for the DIEP ? 

 

Hope everyone has had a positive weekend xx

Hi Gill I’m ok today, thanks for your post. Pleased you went out for the meal with your family. I am hoping so much your Onctotype score is very low.
The ladies who posted from chemo threads have really really helped me, Thank you once more lovely ladies.
My next appointment is tomorrow with my plastic surgeon. A 2 hour drive, still uncomfortable with all the horrid post holes. A little anxious about tomorrow, I assume he will take off the dressings- they are some sort of plastic surgery taping that I need to blow dry after showers! I think I’m worried about seeing the scars, oh and the pain of them coming off. But I need to keep hold of everyone’s comments when they have seen the reconstruction - positive is an understatement.
I’ll let you how I get on.
Have a good Monday xx

Daisiemoo thinking of you tomorrow.
FairyDust hope all went well, gentle hugs to you

Hoping all with surgeries and appointments over the last and next few days have gone or go well.  I try to write everyone’s names but my memory is just not working at the minute so would muddle everyone up!

 

Silly question, but as I’ve got longer to think about my results meeting, my mind is wandering! Can anyone tell me what Im likely to find - obv I know no one can say my results ?! I just wondered if people find out what treatment is needed, or do you just get pathology results and then get referred on elsewhere for treatment plans - I’ve read people saying they’ve had oncologist appoint,ents etc.  I don’t even know who I’m booked in to see, whether it’s BCN or the surgeon too! 

 

wish my mind would stop thinking these things and go with the flow!! 

Hello Dcb, I had a meeting with my surgeon first for my results and he updated me what the grade was, no lymph involvement and therefore no chemo required. He did say he thought I would need rads and so booked me an appointment to see the oncologist (today) and that I would need Tamoxifen for 5 years.

 

So off to see the oncologist later this morning then I will have confirmation on the rads.

 

I assume this is sort of standard but someone else will probably be along to say what has happened with them, I am lucky to have Bupa from work so not much waiting for my appointments.

 

Again make a list of questions if you have any, so you can ask what your concerns are.

 

Hope this helps xx

 

 

Hello Dcb, just a quick note you can easily swap between using your Bupa and the NHS, if that is better for you. It cost me £100excess but to me worth it.

 

Well  the waiting continues, IF my Herceptin results come back positive then I will be back for discussion with the oncologist for possible chemo first, all due to having the two multi focal tumours… so hopefully will have this result on Friday and they will be negative.

 

Otherwise 15 sessions of Rads and Tamoxifen to start in 2 weeks or so, subject to the results.

 

Have booked a Scottish holiday in June ( hotels booked but not paid) but have now decided to cancel as it was planned to be a driving walking visiting quite full on holiday and so this will now be planned for next year.

 

Have to start planning a more chilled out & relaxing hols instead- I love the planning so this will take my mind off things.

 

Good day is everyone ?

Thanks Sunflower, really appreciate the helpful info. I know what you mean about thinking too far ahead. trying to get the balance right and being prepared but not scaring myself with reading too much info! all the staff at the hospital have been fantastic so far.

 

Daisiemoo, thank you I’ll keep that in mind ??.  fingers crossed for you on Friday. Happy holiday planning, it’s hard to know what to do for the best when everything is up in the air  isn’t it! 

 

 

Hi Gill hope your day has been good. Quick update on appt with surgeon - he’s very happy with reconstruction. Having dressings taken off was fine, didn’t look at scaring, now all taped up for couple of more weeks. Thought I was doing so well so Hubbie and I went out for lunch - I was overwhelmed just looking at the menu - what is happening to me ? Phone call re oncology appt came today, due to bank holiday not until 14th- all wobbly again as sec mentioned if this is way forward all would start v quickly - argh.
Daisiemoo - my results also multi focal - not quite sure what this means long term but short term chemo and rads. Agree private and NHS seem to work together and you can pick and choose.
DCB my results went similar way to Daisiemoo, surgeon showed me path report and we went through line by line. There us a section on breast cancer car web site about path reports and some questions - good to have a look at. When is your appt?
Have good evening all

Hi Jem. Glad your appointment went well and removal of your dressings weren’t to bad. The waiting carousel again. Did you manage to eat your lunch? I have had a good day again today and have to say physically I felt much better so things must be healing at last but still pretty sore to the touch and have a small seroma I think. Going to see gp tomorrow see what he says. That will be a task I itself as rang twice over the last couple of weeks and all I get is get In touch with your surgeon they will know more than we do. Not good hey. So tomorrow when I call will be their last chance as fell quite despondent with them. Have a uncomfortable lump under my scar tissue which is fine when I get up in a morning but as the day goes on it’s uncomfotable so best get it checked. My bcn nurse said it sounds like a small seroma when I spoke with her this morning. So 2 good days so cherishing them. Your on the next step with today out of the way. Stay strong and positive and take care and speak tomorrow when we will not have a good day.

Jem. Just re read my last post and the last sentence lol. Should say we will both have a good day. Argghhh. Do t you just love predictive text. Message to myself. Read message before posting. Sorry.

? looking forward to a good day for us both, read your first message and assumed typo- made me smile?

Can anyone enlighten me on bras. Being on the small side I only ever wear underlined bras. I don’t own any non underworld bras apart from the three post surgery bras I bought. I can’t wear the post surgery ones as they are so uncomfortable and feel too constricting and rub near my armpit which is still swollen from follow up node clearance. I do have a few of the underwired ones that when I try them on now are really comfortable as they are lower cut at the sides and don’t rub on anything. I can shove a knitted knocker in the empty cup. Is there any harm in wearing these?

Sally

Hi Sally understand your problem - one small woman to another, always wore under wired. I was advised not to wear under wire at the mo but post surgery as very soft and supportive. I’ve had reconstruction so advice might be different - can you call you BCN? I needed to go back for a different one as had the same problem as you. I used Nicola Jane- fortunate enough to live close to a shop but they do online too- if your not near a shop I’m sure if you call they would give you good advice- I am now much happier in what we are calling my ‘East German shotputter bras’! Not what I would choose but current needs are such. Don’t mean to offend anyone but I needed to have a sense of humour in all this.
Gill - how are you doing today? What time is your appt on Thursday?
Anyone heard from FairyDust?

Hi all. Same as you dcb not been able to post all day until now.
Sally I know what you mean with post surgery bras rubbing under the arm. I am sure m&s think our boobs are under our arms. I bought 4 and not able to wear any of them. In the end I took the wires out of some of my older bras and much better and lower cut and no where near my scar under the arm. And I have big boobies and thankfully now back in my wired bras and boobs are back under my chin and not on my waist lol. I bought some bra extenders so not tight round the back and works good.
Jem my appointment is next Wednesday. Been to gp tonight to get this lump checked and it’s a small seroma and ok just a bit uncomfortable at the end of the day.
Hope you have all had a good day. Here’s to another good day tomorrow for everyone. Spell and typo check done!! ?. Not heard from fairy dust. Take care all.

Hi everyone. Just read through all your good wishes and it’s made me cry. You’re all going through your own ordeals and yet I feel your love and support. Well I’m sending my love and support to all of you. Thank you so much.

 

I’m OK. Feel a bit like I’ve been hit by a bus, but what dfid I expect! Talk is all around bodily functions at the moment. Been a but sick today as it’s been going in, but not coming out!!

 

Been out of bed but not for my first walk yet. They’re going to see how the sickness goes. Central line and the two breast drains taken out last night, so less wiring needed.

 

That’s been hard getting my brain to think all this, but I was so overwhelmed by your good wishes I had to send you my love back. xxxxxx

Hi Fairy Dust well done you, you were brave and strong- knew you would be. Drains out- must feel better.
All focus on recovery now- I’m up to ‘light dusting’ now- the excitement!! The advice of rest rest rest is so important, I know when I’ve done too much.
Do you know when you are coming home? If people offer to make meals, pop round to make a drink for you, go for short walk with you- accept. We have a timetable here so I’m not on my own for a whole day- I’m worried Mr Google would be too tempting!
Take care, let us know how you are doing.
Everyone - hope your day is going well, I have my 7 year old off I’ll at the mo, not nice for her but enjoying watching movies and playing? xx

Well done fairy dust. Hope you dickens disappears quickly and you are home and start your recovery process.

Jem enjoy your day with little one. Have a duvet day! Hope your having a good day. I’m not quite feeling it today but not to bad. Made an appointment to have hair done tomorrow as a tonic to myself. Just hoping no chemo mentioned next week or will be a lot of pennies down the drain but never mind if it’s good for me then so be it.

Thanks for the suggestions on bras Annie. I have a bra similar to that for sleeping but not suitable for the day as to big on the boogie front and need support. Once I start rads I will have to go back to me others but can cope with that as only temporary I hope.

Have a good day all and speak again sure.