Want to say Hi.

[lorraine2014]

Thank you krislyn

My second op went ok on monday now on the mend yah go and see the specialist on the 5th aug then hopefully find my chemotherapy dates

Hope you are okay and have a nice weekend

Lorraine 

[Krislyn]

Hi GLB38
Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear that you are going through this too. You are right every step at a time as it's an emotional roller coaster. I could only think about the surgery first which I have now got through. I couldn't look at my scar straight away as I felt deformed but have gradually got used to it as it's healing well. I also bought a couple of front fastening mastectomy bras with the pockets in before I went into hospital. At least I look normal when I wear these. If you want the website let me know and you don't pay VAT. The next will be coping with the chemo regime and what that might bring, including hair loss. Not sure whether my hospital uses the cold cap but that could be a question I could ask. I suppose if it falls out it does I'm sure there is nothing I can do about it and I suppose it will grow back and I have a fairly short style anyway. I don't know how I'll manage with scarves or turbans as I don't particularly like hats so may have to go for a wig.

All the very best for your surgery and keep in touch
Krislyn

[GLB38]

Hi Krislyn, I am also 52 and I was diagnosed with grade 3 cancer that has spread into my lymph nodes. I too didn't feel a lump although it was 7cm.. I had to start off with chemo to shrink it before surgery. I have responded well to chemo and now going for mastectomy and lymph node clearance. It is a long lonely journey but needs to be taken step by step, my worst fear was losing my hair which had taken me years to grow and shape the way I wanted when my diagnosis was found. It was traumatic when my hair first started falling out and so I started tying it up to get used to not having the length....next step I had a good 3 inches cut off the length. By now it was falling out rapid so the hairdress cut it short collar length. Week or so later the hair had gone. I can only advise that it was a relief to me once it was gone. I bought a couple of nice wigs a few months before my loss that matched close to my style and colour and I got used to wearing them before my loss of hair which really helped. If you decide on scarves or turbans wear them so you can get used to them how you look before the loss. Chemo effects everyone differently...I was not well during this time and would not have coped looking after my hair. There is a cool cap you could wear during chemo which stops your hair falling out if you can tolerate it.

Good luck...keep in touch GLB38

[Krislyn]

Hi Lorraine
Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear of your 2nd surgery it's bad enough with one lot. Hope you are recovering? Good luck for your results, let me know when you have a date to start your treatments, we can work through them together.

Krislyn xx

[Krislyn]

Hi poems
Thanks for your reply, will check out the other threads once I know when my treatment starts and what drugs I will be on

Hope to speak to you again, xx

[lorraine2014]

Hi I really do know how you feel I had a mastectomy left breast and monday had to have all my lymph removed im just waiting for the rest of the results and to see when my chemotherapy and radiotherapy starts. Like you in disbelief.  Please stay in touch

Lorraine xx 

[poemsgalore]

Hi Krislyn,

Your diagnosis is like mine, I also had a left mastectomy with sentinal node biopsy. 3cm tumour, grade 3, 3 lymph nodes removed, one with cancer cells. It turned out too be stage 2b, 100% Oestrogen positive, 70% progesterone positive, Her2 negative.I had 6 cycles of FEC-T - well actually 3 FEC, 1 Tax then 2 more FEC as the TAX made me really ill.  But on the whole I wasn't too bad. I'm now taking Anastrazole for at least 5 years. 

One piece of advice is, when you get your chemo start date, join one of the monthly chemo threads:

https://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Chemotherapy-monthly-threads/bd-p/Chemotherapy_monthy_threa...

where you will meet others undergoing similar treatment so you can compare notes and support one another. 

Good luck

poemsgalore xx

[Krislyn]

Hi I'm a newbie. I'm 52 and was diagnosed on 19th June following routine screening earlier in the month. Was surely shell shocked and in disbelief as I hadn't found any lump. Was told I needed left mastectomy and lymph node clearance as cancer was large and had spread. Had my surgery on 1st July, got my results Monday last. The cancer was stage 3 and it has now all gone. However, I still need to have 6 cycles of chemo followed by radiotherapy then hormone therapy for 5 years. Still have days when I feel 'why me' but generally seem to be recovering from my surgery well. The physio is hard as I have restricted movement because of a seroma which I have had drained once but I am persevering. See the oncologist next week to see when my chemo starts but have to say quite anxious about it. Not sure how I will cope if/when I lose my hair. It's going to be a long journey and would value any support from others going through this awful disease.

[CathC]

---

@lorraine2014 wrote:

Hi six weeks ago I had a mastectomy plus reconstruction on the left breast and on monday I have to now have my lymph node all out and glands as my cancer has moved im stage 3 it all seems surreal at the moment  I think when chemotherapy start then it will  hit me I have cancer, did any one else feel this way? My mum had breat cancer but we have not got yhr family one I surpose im just unlucky.

Lorraine

---

Hi, Lorraine

I'm not sure it ever really hits that you have cancer. At least it hasn't for me. At first it was focusing on the op, then the results, then it was the chemo (on day 10 of my 1st chemo) and after than I shall focus on the radiation therapy. Maybe then, when it's all over it will hit me

I figure if I stop and think about it, it will scare me rigid, so I don't.

Facing another op so soon after your mastectomy must be daunting.

Sending you gentle hugs and positive thoughts

Cath

[lorraine2014]

Hi six weeks ago I had a mastectomy plus reconstruction on the left breast and on monday I have to now have my lymph node all out and glands as my cancer has moved im stage 3 it all seems surreal at the moment  I think when chemotherapy start then it will  hit me I have cancer, did any one else feel this way? My mum had breat cancer but we have not got yhr family one I surpose im just unlucky.

Lorraine

[lorraine2014]

Hi six weeks ago I had a mastectomy plus reconstruction on the left breast and on monday I have to now have my lymph node all out and glands as my cancer has moved im stage 3 it all seems surreal at the moment  I think when chemotherapy start then it will  hit me I have cancer, did any one else feel this way? My mum had breat cancer but we have not got yhr family one I surpose im just unlucky.

Lorraine

[CathC]

---

@suecg wrote:
I had my diagnosis last Thursday and still getting to grips with it. Still have to tell my son and not looking forward to doing that especially as I will have to it over the phone.
My surgery is planned for mid August. Does one have any tips for showering and hair washing?

---

Hi, suecg

It's so hard, telling our loved one, and I can understand why it would be so much harder telling your son over the phone. Give yourself time to get used to the idea before you make the phone call.

As for showering and washing. You don't say what kind of op you're having. I had a lumpectomy and snb so found lifting my right arm was hard for the first few days. I showered as soon as I could, the day after I got home from hospital - so day 2. The breast care nurses said it was okay to get the paper stripes wet and that they'd probably peel off on their own with the water, which sounded better to me than pulling them off myself. I'm lucky, in that I have short hair, so was able to shampoo mostly with my other arm.

Your mobility does come back a lot quicker that you think. All I really remember was just wanting to get clean and the bliss of that first shower. I did get dizzy, though, that first shower, so try and make sure you have somewhere to sit after and lots of time to dry and re-dress yourself.

Hope this helps and good luck in Aug.

Hugs

Cath

[suecg]

I had my diagnosis last Thursday and still getting to grips with it. Still have to tell my son and not looking forward to doing that especially as I will have to it over the phone.
My surgery is planned for mid August. Does one have any tips for showering and hair washing?

[CathC]

---

@MiniBee wrote:
Hi! I'm new here too. It's such a good idea to have a place where we can share experiences, encourage and support each other. I'm about to start my radiotherapy after having chemo, targeted therapies and surgery. I was diagnosed in November last year, and found out I had lung secondaries and lymph involvement at the same time. But, I've been very fortunate, and have responded really well to all the treatment. I'm now in remission and continuing my maintenance therapy. I'm in a good place at the moment, and I wish I'd found this forum when times were hard.

---

Hi, MiniBee

It's great to hear some positive news. Congrats on being in remission.Your posts gives some light in this very dark tunnel.

Hugs

Cath

[MiniBee]

Hi! I'm new here too. It's such a good idea to have a place where we can share experiences, encourage and support each other. I'm about to start my radiotherapy after having chemo, targeted therapies and surgery. I was diagnosed in November last year, and found out I had lung secondaries and lymph involvement at the same time. But, I've been very fortunate, and have responded really well to all the treatment. I'm now in remission and continuing my maintenance therapy. I'm in a good place at the moment, and I wish I'd found this forum when times were hard.

[CathC]

---

@Jaye wrote:

Hi CathC

Glad to hear you are recovering well.  Yes, i found the armpit was the worst bit and pains down your arm.  Have you been given exercises to do?  I found they helped to get the strength back in my arm.  I didn't manage to get back to driving until 2 weeks as mine was left side and I couldn't manage the stiff handbrake. 

---

Hi, Jaye

Yeah, I've been doing the exercises, but my biggest problem is that I have AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis) and use a stick to walk. I've tried to change hands, but it's awkward. I've been able to drive, but not able to go to any shopping centres, because i can't stretch my arm out far enough to get the ticket for the barrier. Husband says he's saving a fortune. LOL

---

@Jaye wrote:

My rads were ok, nothing to worry about!   I finished them about 9 days ago.  I was pretty lucky that I didn't burn too bad, no blisters like a few have had.   Sailed through really until the last 3 or 4 when the skin started to feel quite sore.  Tiredness didn't really kick in until I finished and I still have that but it is improving.  It was all very doable and not painful.   When you get to near the rads stage it's good to join a monthly thread on the forum with others having rads at the same time,

All the best

Jaye x

---

Thanks for the info, and will def join one of the threads when I start treatment. So glad you were able to handle the procedure. Hope you keep improving.

Thanks for answering all my questions, much appreciated.

Cath

[Jaye]

Hi CathC

Glad to hear you are recovering well.  Yes, i found the armpit was the worst bit and pains down your arm.  Have you been given exercises to do?  I found they helped to get the strength back in my arm.  I didn't manage to get back to driving until 2 weeks as mine was left side and I couldn't manage the stiff handbrake.

My rads were ok, nothing to worry about!   I finished them about 9 days ago.  I was pretty lucky that I didn't burn too bad, no blisters like a few have had.   Sailed through really until the last 3 or 4 when the skin started to feel quite sore.  Tiredness didn't really kick in until I finished and I still have that but it is improving.  It was all very doable and not painful.   When you get to near the rads stage it's good to join a monthly thread on the forum with others having rads at the same time,

All the best

Jaye x

[CathC]

---

@Jaye wrote:

Hi

Sorry to hear you don't have a date for your results yet - most people seem to go back for results after 2 weeks so hope you get your appointment soon as the waiting is awful.

I was told I'd probably have 5 weeks rads but when I saw the oncologist he said 3 weeks rads so it can vary along the way.

I didn't start my rads until 10 weeks after my operation - it's all a waiting game.

Hope you are recovering well from your op

Jaye x

---

 Waiting is the hardest, but I guess no news is good news.

I'm doing surprising well after my op. My armpit hurts the most, but even it is bearable. How are you finding the rads? I know everyone is different, but it would be nice to have an opinion from someone who's actually been there.

Cath

[Jaye]

Hi

Sorry to hear you don't have a date for your results yet - most people seem to go back for results after 2 weeks so hope you get your appointment soon as the waiting is awful.

I was told I'd probably have 5 weeks rads but when I saw the oncologist he said 3 weeks rads so it can vary along the way.

I didn't start my rads until 10 weeks after my operation - it's all a waiting game.

Hope you are recovering well from your op

Jaye x

[CathC]

---

@Jaye wrote:

Hi CathC

Hope you are recovering from your surgery,  I had the same op on 4 March and have now just finished my radiotherapy treatment.

The waiting for results is the worst bit and I had to wait 2 weeks after my op.  I was lucky and had clear margins and my nodes were clear too.

I wish you all the best and hope you get good results - when do you get your results?

Good luck

Jaye x

---

Hi, Jaye

I'm still waiting for an appointment to get my results. (Was kinda hoping I'd hear something today.) It's only been 8 days so maybe next week.

How did you find the radiotherapy treatment? I know I'm due to have it 5 days a week for 5 weeks, which sounds rather tiring. Any tips for me? And how are you feeling now it's all over?

Cath

[Jaye]

Hi CathC

Hope you are recovering from your surgery,  I had the same op on 4 March and have now just finished my radiotherapy treatment.

The waiting for results is the worst bit and I had to wait 2 weeks after my op.  I was lucky and had clear margins and my nodes were clear too.

I wish you all the best and hope you get good results - when do you get your results?

Good luck

Jaye x

[CathC]

---

@MissMaize wrote:
Hi Cath
Hello hello welcome along. It is a journey none of us wanted to or ever thought we would take.

As soon as I'd spent my first half an hour on here about a week ago I felt tonnes better knowing I wasn't going crazy for feeling how I did. Very reassuring knowing you are not alone & there are lots of lovely ladies on here who will pull you along & in turn you will do that for others

Rachel xx

---

Hi, Rachel

Alathough I do wish none of us was going through this journeyt is nice to know I'm not alone.

Thanks for making me feel so welcome.

Cath

[CathC]

Ooops, think I lost a post

Thanks for the welcome, Jaye. As for how far I am on my journey - not long.

Was diagnosed on 9th May - Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (hormone receptor negative) in my right breast. Grade 3. Was referred for a wire localisation, wide local excision and sentianl node biopsy on 5th June. So now I'm a week passed my surgery, just waiting on results. 

Cath

[CathC]

Thanks, LovelyM

[CathC]

Thanks for the welcome, Sam, and the helpline number. Good to know there's always someone to talk to if needed.

Cath

[MissMaize]

Hi Cath
Hello hello welcome along. It is a journey none of us wanted to or ever thought we would take.

As soon as I'd spent my first half an hour on here about a week ago I felt tonnes better knowing I wasn't going crazy for feeling how I did. Very reassuring knowing you are not alone & there are lots of lovely ladies on here who will pull you along & in turn you will do that for others

Rachel xx

[Jaye]

Hi CathC

Welcome to the club no one wants to join but this forum is really great support.  I'm so pleased I joined, it's helped me so much, the support is great! 

How far are you on your journey?

Jaye x

[LovelyM]

Welcome CathC.  You're right, none of us wanted to take this journey, but it's a darn sight better to take it in the company of other strong women!  Good luck x

[Sam_BCC]

Hi CathC

Welcome to the forums, I hope you will find them to be a great source of help and support.  Whilst you wait for the other user to reply to your post if there is anything you want to talk through do give the BCC helpline a call on 0808 800 6000.  Here you can sahre your concerns with someone who will offer you a listening ear as well as emotional support and practical information.  Lines are open Monday to friday 9 to 5pm and Saturday 10 to 2pm.

Best wishes Sam, Facilitator 

[CathC]

Just joined tonight.

I've researched a few forums over the last few weeks, ever since I was diagnosed, and I keep coming back to this one. I like the vibe here, the sense of camaraderie and support.

I have a lot of questions that I'm sure you can answer, and maybe I can help answer some for other newbies like me.

It's nice to have someone to share my journey with, even it it's a journey none of us ever wanted to take.