Lumpectomy planned for 16th March

[Guest user]

Just a quick update, I have had a call from my BC nurse who has spoken to the surgeon. They have all the clearence that they need so no more surgery Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!. Think the onc was reading the notes from the first op. Thats feels so good to know. Hope you all have a good weekend I am out tomorrow night with friends.
Take care Marion x

[Guest user]

Hi

Debs, thats good news about the margins. Have great weekend away I hope the sun shines, Its chucking it down with rain here at the mo.

I am looking to start chemo next Thursday but there was no case confrence this week so I did not get to see the surgeon, It was all a bit of a mix up the oncoligist talked about needing more surgery bit he was very vague and i got really upset that fact that no one could answer my questions . So I ended up ring the clinic yesterday to complain. The result of this is that i should get to see the professor next week. Another week of waiting. I have to say thet this is the fisrt time that I have felt let down but the team treating me as i have found them to be first class.
Chemo is 6 doses 3 Fec and 3 Tax over am 18 week period. Thats is if my inmmune system is ok so I am keeing my fingers crosed that I will be one of the lucky ones that doesnt suffer too much. I have read a bit on the chemo threads but some of them make me feel worse so I have stopped reading them.
I know that they took 14 node and only 2 were infected this time round so i was really pleased about that and my bone scan was clear.

Anne, I hope you get some good news today.

[Hattie]

Good news about the now clear margins Debs, I'm so pleased for you. Yes we can talk tonight and compare notes:-). Start planning for that long weekend away so you can enjoy a good break before treatment starts. Well done!!!!
Anne xx

[Guest user]

Anne i got clear margins this time thank God! Seeing oncologist 9th June about chemo, as they have said i can go on a prebooked holiday bank holiday week!
Good luck for you tomorrow love Debs xxxxx

[Guest user]

PS Anne, we can talk after you find out Friday, hope it goes well! xx

[Guest user]

Thanks Anne, will let you know!
Marion, what happened at yr appt do you know when chemo will start and what you will have?
I have appt today and hoping to find out more, at my last appt when I was told I needed 2nd WLE they just said the ongologist recommends chemo, 6 doses over 18 wks. So now thats over I hope they will give me a start date, when is yrs we may be able to compare notes!
love Debs xxx

[Hattie]

Hi Debs, Marion,
As yet I don't know if I will need chemo and will learn this on Friday but I feel as you are both feeling - whatever treatment I do need I just want to get on with it.
Good Luck tomorrow Debs.
Love
Anne xx

[Guest user]

Debs
I know what you mean I want to get it started now the sooner you start the sooner you finish. When do you start yours?

Marion x

[Guest user]

Marion, i know what you mean about chemo being scary, i keep trying to put it to the back of my mind, but then on the other hand i just want to get it all going!!

Lve debs xxx

[Guest user]

hi all

Looks like this week is the week of more results for us all.

I go tommorow for mine and will learn a bit more about the chemo route. i have stoped reading about that as some of it is a bit scarry.

I went into town yesterday and tried wigs on in preperation for loosing my hair, the ones that are like the style i have now (which is short I have hd short hair for a long time now) loked dreadfull. but i found 1 i really like so that made me feel a lot beter. I have boght some scarves as well. I need to be prepared.

take care Marion x

[Hattie]

Hi Debs,
I understand the shorter hairstyle and think this is a good idea for you - to help you deal with the side effects of chemo, if you have these. I believe not everyone necessarily loses their hair but may experience thinning. You get your details Thursday and I get my next steps to take details on Friday - we'll have plenty of notes to compare after those days won't we.
The BCC nurse gave me lots of helpful information when she rang me yesterday.
Talk soon
Anne xx

[Guest user]

Hi Anne, glad to hear all is well. Mine is also invasive ductal with lobular bits and a grade 2. Hoping I will find out more this Thurs when i go for results of latest op! Hopefully will also find out about chemo/treatments. had my hair cut alot shorter today, a mental preparation!!!
Will ring you soon!
Love Debs xxx

[Hattie]

Hi Annabel,
Many thanks for this information. After posting to the forum I began my research at the website and did an 'ask the nurse' email when I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I have already had a response by telephone and a most helpful discussion with the nurse took place. I feel that my queries were answered extremely well and the nurse was most pleasant and supportive.
Hattie

[Anna_BCC]

Hi Hattie

The link below takes you to our publications page, 'understanding your pathology report'. I hope you find this useful. Also, our trained bc nurses on our free helpline 0808 800 6000 are available to answer any questions you have. This is open 9-5 Monday to Friday and 9-2 Saturday.

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.360

Best wishes
Annabel

[Hattie]

Hi everyone,
The postman brought a copy of the letter (sent to my GP) this morning and it looks like I will be on a bit of a research session again. For the first time I have been told that I had/have invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features - a new phrase for me to get information on re the implications for the future. It is Grade 2,B5b - never heard of that kind of grading so wish me luck on the research or feel free to offer information if you have had such detailed reports and understand them more fully than I do at present.
On the post operative scene I have very little discomfort now apart from when I do the wall walking exercise - that seems to increase the cording for a while at least and I am pretty much back to normal in most activities other than driving - can't do that until 8th June by my calculations.
I go on Friday to see the Oncologist to discuss specific treatments and will broach the Vitamin D deficiency and breast cancer 'link' that I have been reading about recently. Has anyone else come across this in their research?
Take care all,
Love Anne xx

[Hattie]

Hi Debs, Lizzie and Marion
Many thanks for your happy responses to my news. I will be doing some thinking and talking over with my sister to help me prepare for next weeks meeting with the Oncologist but today am feeling such a weight has been lifted from me that although I still have treatments to face I am feeling good about it all - the first time since January that there has been some positive news for me. All being well my brother is visiting for a couple of nights stay on Saturday so we will be going out for a celebration lunch on Sunday.
Love anne xx

[Guest user]

I was diagnosed with bc xmas eve 08. Had lumpectomy mid Jan. Had 2 nodes removed and they were clear. My first time on this site and am amazed at how imformed most people are. I suppose we all deal with things differently. Now that my treatment (radiotherapy) is completed I am only starting to look at the 'whys and wherefores'.
I have five sisters, no bc history, no weight problems, menstruated at 16 yrs, had my children in my mid 20's, on the pill for a cple of months, never had hrt, don't smoke, enjoy regular exercise, like a cple of drinks now and again. I just wonder where the link is. I think all your readers are very brave to ask all the right questions to take control of their situations. I had wonderful support from my family, although my daugher and granddaughte emigrated, just before my op, which was traumatic for her and myself. Here I am though to tell the tale. Up to now I have sailed through it all. One boob smaller than the other but thankful that is all.

I am taking Arimidex, Alendronic Acid once a wk, Calcium Carbonate and Colecalciferol twice daily. I suffer from long term depression and take Citalopram for this. Since starting this medication I am much more hyper especially since starting the Alendronic Acid and my doc has said to increas the citalopram to help calm me down. Has anyone else had side effects to this combination of medication similar to this. Tempted to stop taking citalopram and try and get a grip on my life.

I feel like I'm a fraud as so many have had it so much worse than myself. Take care all of you and thankyou for any help.

[Guest user]

Hi Anne

Well good news at last sO pleased for you. Yo should enjoy the next week and try not to think about it too much, Thats my plan to have a week of being "normal"

Take care Marion x

[LizzyM]

Dear Anne
So pleased to hear your results, Anne,
Love
Lizzie

[Guest user]

Dear Anne,
So pleased you had some positive news!I'm sure you will come to your decision re chemo and be happy with it!
Hope you sleep tonight, take care
love debs xxxxx

[Hattie]

Hi everyone,
Many thanks for your good wishes re my results today - I'm relieved to say that the news was good. 13 nodes were removed at the last op and all were clear - that meant the total number of nodes removed was 14 and only one, the sentinel node, had cancer cells present therefore I was borderline in regard to Chemotherapy as a treatment.

I had prepared myself to be told that the nodes were affected so felt a huge wave of relief when given the news that they were clear. Mr Verma told me that the cells were not Hercept positive but were hormone positive therefore I do not need Herceptin (which is only given with chemotherapy) but will be given Arimidex (can't take Tamoxifen because of having a pulmonary embolism some years ago). Mr Verma did a rough calculation and said I was 'borderline' with regard to needing Chemotherapy but explained that Dr Kumah, the Oncologist, will do a personal profile for my treatment re dosage of RT and Arimidex and would give guidance on to how much chemotherapy may boost my chances of 10 year survival - if it was only 1 or 2 % I could opt not to have chemotherapy but if it was a higher percentage then Dr Kumah may recommend Chemotherapy. My situation is that no-one will say I have to have chemotherapy as an essential part of treatment.

So, I now have to do some reading and thinking, and talking over with my sister to help me come to a percenatge figure that I will take as a limit to help me decide on to have or not have Chemo.

Today my only feelings are of relief that there is no spread to the lymph nodes, feeling good at being given some positive news at last and eternally grateful for all the help, healing, light and love that has been sent my way and been asked for in thoughts and prayers by so many people.

After the appointment Margaret and I went to White Rose Centre at Leeds for lunch and a bit of retail therapy and got back here about 4.30. I feel really tired but in a good way for a change - I guess I may sleep a little better tonight.

I see Dr Kumah on 15th for the next step in the treatment of my BC.

Love Anne xx

[Guest user]

Hi Anne

I have been thinking about you today i hope that you got the results that you want (well I hope that for us all we need some good news).

Debs I cannot belive that you were home the same day.

I have been really feeling good since the last surgery but yesterday i woke with a really bad headace that turned into a migraine.i had a busy weelend it was my grandsons birthday. I think i need to rest more, I am sure it's your body telling you to slow down so from now on thats what im going to do.

Take care Marion xx

[Guest user]

I know you are right Lizzy! Thanks and will do as you say!!! xxx

[LizzyM]

Hi all
Fingers firmly crossed, Anne, will be thinking about you today.

Debs, posted elsewhere regarding post op crash - so won't repeat here, just TAKE IT EASY!!, NO, EVEN EASIER THAN THAT!!! OK, that's you told!

Take care, all
Lizzie XX

[Guest user]

Hi Anne, hope you did manage to get some sleep last night! Am feeling better today had a grotty day Sunday, think I thought I was better than I was!!
Hope all goes well at your appt today at least you will then know what you have to face! My appt is 14th so hopefully all will be clear this time!
Let me know what the decision is, here for you!
love Debs xxxx

[Hattie]

Hi everyone, I hope you have all had a reasonably good bank holiday weekend even though the weather may not have been brilliant. Debs and Marion, I hope you are feeling a little more comfrotable from you recent surgeries. I'm doing ok I think but attend clinic tomorrow for the results of the axillary clearance and will at last finally know which treatments I am to face; the only one I know for sure is the RT but it could also be chemotherapy or hormaome or Herceptin or all!! I haven't slept too well the last couple of nights and don't expect tonight to be any different - I haven't been consciously worrying about tomorrow but it's amazing what the sub-conscious can do isn't it? I think some of my sleepless ness may be due to my taking it easy during the day and not getting bodily tired, so intend to start doing a bit more perhaps after tomorrow's events. Take care, Love Anne xx

[Guest user]

im home a bit sore slighly woozy! hoping its clear margins this time,
thanx for all yr wishes and hop u r all ok! lol debs xxx

[LizzyM]

Morning, Marion and Anne,
Glad the op is out of the way, Marion, and you are feeling better, Anne.
Have a good weekend, hope the weather is kind wherever you are.

Freddie and Debs, big day today, thinking about you both - everything crossed for clear margins this time,

Lizzie XX

[Hattie]

Hi Marion, good to see you back again and to hear op went well. Yes I was surprised my pain was less than I anticipated but there was more numbness than I thought there woulod be. I 'suffered' only discomfort and now just take painkillers prior to a heavy exercise session - especially the wall walking one. One day at a time is the best way to go if you can and try not to anticipate too much when it comes to your results. I must say that I am preparing myself to hear 'the worst' so that anything less is a relief and bonus rather than have things the other way round. Keep up with the exercises and your thoughts in check a bit and you'll do fine.
Debs is in theatre today and I look forward to her contacting us again when she is home again.
Love Anne xx

[Guest user]

Hello All

I am now back at home came home yesterday tea time. Had the drain removed yesterday morning. I have the funny numb feeling and i dont have as much pain from the op. strange i did expect it to be worse, was in theatre 3 hours which seems to be the norm for haveing the lymp clearance. I dont feel too bad though, I came out of the op better this time no sickness. I meet a couple of really nice ladies in hospital who had just had BC op. It was nice to talk to someone else going through it face to face. I get my results on 13th. Not going to hink about it until then.

debs, I cannot remenber where are you on the treatment path.

Love to all Marion take care x

[Guest user]

Yes have already decided that along with the hoover!!! xxx

[LizzyM]

Good to see you back, Anne, take things steady and fingers crossed for the next round of results.
Debs - OK to reach the washing line - think you should find the iron and ironing board very very difficult....in fact - impossible!

Take care,
Lizzy XX

[Guest user]

Hi Anne,my movement is improving slowly, discovered I can now reach the washing line!!! My numbness is now going but still get soreness in armpit and a bit of an ache. Must see if I have that booklet I have just done the exercises the hosp physio gave me. Hope you are feeling better! I'm just building myself up for Friday!
love Debs xxx

[Hattie]

Hi Debs,
How odd you don't have the climbing wall exercise - I got mine in the Breast Cancer Care Booklet my BCN gave me. I managed to take my hands to the top of the side of my wardrobe yesterday for the first time so am improving if only slowly. Still have the numbness but getting 'pricky hurts' at the top of my arm sometimes - first bits of recovery of feeling I wonder?
Love Anne xx

[Guest user]

Good luck for tomorrow Marion, it will be fine I'm sure!
Anne, the numbness is really strange isn't it! My sensations are coming back slowly and movement is improving, haven't got that exercise in my booklet!!!!
love Debs xxx

[Hattie]

Hi Marion,
I wish you the very best of luck for tomorrow's surgery. I look forward to hearing from you when you are feeling recovered enough to type again. Although the numbness is odd I must say that i had less post op pain than I anticipated.
Debs, I've been walking the wall exercising today - that tells on one doesn't it?
Love
Anne xx

[Guest user]

Hi Anne

Glad to hear that your back home. I am in on Tuesday for the same op so will be thinking of you. Hope you feel better every day. Have plenty of rest Marion xx

[Guest user]

Hi Anne good to see you back on here! Hope you start to feel better soon, the numbness is strange isn't it! I still have a little of it now! Take care and speak to you soon, love Debs xxx

[Hattie]

Hi everyone,
Just a quickie to let you know I'm home again - 2.30 yesterday afternoon. It is good to be in my place again although I can't fully appreciate it yet as I am still feeling a bit rough round the edges. I was told by the specialist that he removed lymph nodes to Level 2 and they were fleshy - he didn't say whether that indicated good or bad - and to be truthful on the morning he told me this I didn't really want to know as I felt so awful from the anaesthetic - I was in theatre for nearly three hours as he opened up the breast scar, took a little more good tissue to make a larger margin below the skin and he took away the remains of the infected tissue. I certainly have a smaller left breast now that is quite noticable. No new scars thank goodness as he used the previous sentinel node site for the lymph node clearance. The drain was removed before I left hospital yesterday and the site has wept a little fluid overnight but nothing much. I am doing my exercises Debs:-) and have a good range of movement already. There is not a lot of soreness at the op sites for all around there is quite numb still. I'll update in a few days time. Love and Good Luck to you all. Anne xx

[Guest user]

Just to let you know that i heard from a firend of Annes, op went well and she may be home on Thursday love debs x

[Hattie]

Hi Debs and Maid Marion,
Thanks for your good wishes for tomorrow. I guess that to have cells in the sentinel node could mean chemo and if any are found in the higher nodes that will be a certainty. I'll ponder on my hair change over the next few days but did say jokingly to a young friend the other day maybe I would go blond and curly like Shirley Temple - at 23 years old she didn't know who I was talking about:-).
I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about the surgery but mainly about what is causing the infection and what Mr Verma has to do to sort that as much as the lymph node side of things. I'll get back here as and when I can when I get home again. Take care.
Love Anne xx

[Guest user]

Anne, sending love and all the best for tomorrow!
Maidmarion, your wig comments made me smile! i asked my husband wot he fancied and I got a black bob, at the moment I'm light brown with blond highlights and shoulder length so I think he wants a newer model!! love Debs xxx

[Guest user]

Hi Hattie
Just wwanted to wish you good luck ofr Monday hope it all goes well. I have another week to wait for my surgery. I already know what comes next for me. I went to see the oncologist yesterday. I have to have Chemo 6 doses altogether 1 every 3 weeks if all goes well. I have to say I came out of the hospital feeling really good. He filled me with confidence. This should start 3 weeks after surgery which is on the 28th . Hopefully I wont have too many side effects, but will loose my hair so I'm going wig shopping soon. Might have a complete change of style and colour, a new woman may emerge!!

[Hattie]

Hi everyone,
Many thanks for your supportive messages. I'm glad to say my infection seems to be responding to this second lot of antibiotcs for I am feeling better than I have for the past ten days - just in time to get the further surgery and feel I've taken a few steps backwards for a few days at least.
Yes, I agree that once the surgery side of things is finished all of us can move forward finally knowing how far the cancer had 'travelled' and face whatever treatments are appropriate knowing that we have moved into the treatment and road to recovery stage at last.
I'm not looking forward to Monday - but who does look forward to any kind of surgery? but I know that after this I am on the way to knowing exactly what is what and getting treatment started at last.
Take care everyone,
Love Anne xx

[kittenkat]

hi girls - you know my brain is def mush for I've been following your posts and could have sworn I popped in to say hello but have just read back now and can see that I haven't - I did mean to honest!! I'm sorry you're having to have more surgery - good luck for today Estelle - and Anne and maidmarion too for the near future - will be sending those positive vibes your way....I had node clearance and had 1/21 involved so it put me on the chemo route - having no. 3 today so will be half way through. Once you get all the surgery out of the way I think your head accepts things easier as you see the lump gone and the rest is to help get better even if it is chemo etc.....keep well and take care, mary x

[Guest user]

Anne, will be thinking of you Monday, hope the antibiotics clear it up a bit!
Lizzy enjoy your trip and retail therapy! It must be so horrible to get yourself ready to hear and then nothing, Anne knows that one!
love debs xxx

[LizzyM]

Dear Anne

Sorry to hear about your infection - I think you are just being greedy now!! - I think you are trying to have ALL the procedures so that you can reassure the rest of us that they are "doable"!

Seriously though - will be thinking about you on Monday, at least they have brought the node clearance forwards and will drain your infection at the same time. It really is about time you had a run of better luck, Anne, I have my fingers crossed for you.

I went for my results today - but they have been delayed due to Easter - maybe my fault for joking about the "Holy Grail" of clear margins?!

Won't be posting over the weekend - going up to Edinburgh for a change of scene and some family quality time - so ((((hugs)))))to all, especially Anne

Take care
Lizzy

[Hattie]

People who know me would agree with my statement that I never do things by halves, and yesterday's events will prove that. My infection hasn't cleared and I'm on another double lot of antibiotics, prescribed by the consultant yesterday when he arranged to see me as part of his ward rounds after the BCN had talked with him.
The upshot of this is that he thinks there is a collection of fluid/infection in the breast tissue that would be too painful to take off in an outpatients appointment so my operation for axillary clearance has been brought forward to 20th April and at the same time he will reopen the breast scar and drain whatever there is that has built up to cause the infection.
I need to get my head round everything happening a week earlier but I'm glad there is not so much waiting and worrying time left. The sooner the lymph nodes are tested the sooner I will know what lies ahead by way of treatments. I hope all of you are progessing as well as you can at the different stages of treatment you are at and I look forward to updates as and when they come. Take care all, love Anne xx

[Hattie]

Thanks everyone for your cupportive comments re my latest setback - as you say Lizzie 'clear' results seem to be like a holy grail, I hope some of you reach that grail in the next round of results. I wish you all a happy easter weekend and hope the sun shines to cheer you (us) if only just a little. Love Anne xx

[Guest user]

Hi all, I too have to have more surgery for 'clear margins' Lizzie I love your comment about the holy grail! It seems you are right! happy Easter everyone, love Debs xxx