Just diagnosed and wanting to talk to people who understand

[Jill1998]

Thanks Mai - a really good thing to publicise .

[Mai7]

Ladies, right now the government has extra funding to allocate and we need to make sure breast cancer gets the priority it deserves. I've shared my story, please share yours:
https://breastcancernow.org/get-involved/campaign-with-us/take-action-now/55000reasons

[Xela]

Yep Sue, I’m still going for implant

[Sue H-S]

Hi again Xela,
I got warned too, but still had it done. And it did affect my implant, but it was still better for me psychologically as I still had a ‘boob’ even if it was looking a little worse for wear.

[Xela]

There is lots xxx

[Xela]

Thanks Jo xx

[Xela]

Hi Sue, hopefully my lumps are still very small but you never know. My surgeon has warned me that treatment could damage my implant. I had 2 breast reductions 10 years ago and now thinking why the hell i did it, as they’ve now found it in my scar tissue. Oh well another lift and new boobies.

[JWD]

Good luck xela. I too had mastectomy with implant reconstruction. The recovery is much quicker. You will be fine! You can do this🤗🤗 take care Jo xx

[Jill1998]

Lots of support here - keep posting we will help you through .

[Xela]

No not long at all
Xx

[Sue H-S]

Hi Xela,
It might all seem to take time, feel overwhelming and uncertain.
I was diagnosed in January 2016 with a similar outlook as yours at the moment. Like you I opted for an implant at the time they did the mastectomy. Great choice - I had two boobs when waking up from the anaesthetic. Histology showed my nodes to be clear, however, due to the size of tumour removec had to do chemotherapy and radiotherapy. My last active trearment day was October 2016. The implant suffered from my treatment, but it was replaced in early August this year. Nearly 2 years after finishing active treatment all is simply brilliant. Fit, healthy with a perfect pair of boobs.
Whatever happens, as you go through the relevant treatment - you can see from my story - even if you should have go through the more rigorous option - you will get back to where you were. I look at it as I gave two years to have the rest of my life. Good luck and fingers crossed that you won’t need much additional treatment.
Hugs
Sue H-S

[Jill1998]

Not too long then .Its a long hard process but def helps to talk to people who understand .

[Xela]

Luck!
Not
Look 🙄🤷‍♀️

[Xela]

Yes a week on Thursday September 13th. He cancelled someone else to get me in. Good
Look to everyone else. You’re so lovely and caring on here. Reading everyone’s journey is very helpful

[Jill1998]

Sorry you didn't get better news .Hopefully you have a date for surgery by now ? The waiting is very hard .

[Xela]

Well I’m not lucky enough to have just lumpectomy there are more of then little buggers in one breast so mascectomy. Gave me 3 options for reconstructive surgery, opted for implant, as shorter operation time and recovery. Also the plan will be started quicker. They don’t know until the operation histology report what treatment I will have. Hopefully just tamoxifen but still chance of rads or chemo. Lymph’s were clear on ultrasound but biopsy and lymph nodes to be taken during mascectomy reconstruction. Because I walked out of clinic I’ve got to wait until the end of
Clinic to see my surgeon again. He Did offer me next Monday but I just want a date so prepared wait those few hours!!!! So still in limbo about treatment after surgery and it will take 4 weeks after that to give me treatment plan.

[Jill1998]

Good luck Xela - the waiting for results is so horrible -sending you a hug .Jillx

[Xela]

Currently I’m waiting room, waiting for my MRI results and plan! Never felt so sick in my life

[JaneBelinda]

Avibaby, It’s me that’s kooky 😂😂

i finish rads this Tuesday. I have actually quite enjoyed the attention and, so far so good, no real side effects. Fingers crossed for you too xxx

[Avibaby]

Hi Maggie,

So happy that you were able to hold on during your most recent phase of the excruciating waiting game. Not easy to wait as long as you did. 

Congrats on the surgery date - you are in a new "waiting" phase - but it won't be as difficult, i.e. it's much easier to walk when you KNOW where the stepping stone is. 

Sounds like you know how to keep your mind in your "normal" life. 

[Jobey68]

Great news for those of you not needing to have chemo, rads really are fine or maybe im just another Kook! 😜 Also good that you have an op date now Maggie 👌 Getting on with things whatever they may be is damn site easier than all the endless waiting! 

Best of luck to you all ladies Xx 

[Avibaby]

You don't seem like a kook, but even if you are, I love hearing that "rads are not bad"!

I am about to start the rads next week.

Tx.

[Avibaby]

Hi Ice_cc,

Congratulations on your "no chemo" news! I also got the same good news! I have entered the radiation phase, still getting used to the routine of it all. 

So happy to see that you are feeling better.

Avibaby

[JWD]

Great news Maggie at least you know now.
Hope you have a great weekend.Jo xxx

[ice_cc]

Yay Maggie! Great news!! xx

[ladybowler]

Maggiemay

That is great at least you have something to aim for now and it will soon be here with you being the other side of it having a lovely cup of tea xx

[Maggiemay]

Hi Ladies,

I’ve finally been given a surgery date....19th Sept! I’m super happy....I’m not excited but I’m happy.

Hope you all have fabulous weekend
Maggie
Xxxx

[Jill1998]

Good luck Maggie -the waiting is so dreadful .Yes ,sometimes the extra scans etc push it back - even a couple of weeks feels like an age .

[Maggiemay]

This is fabulous news Caroline!! So so happy for you! Xxxx

I’m just sat waiting for my appointment with the consultant to see what my next steps are.....I just want to hear the words.....your surgery will be on *** it can’t be that hard....can it! I know they have to find out what that little thing is in my right breast but surly it can’t take this long!

I don’t feel this is happening, like life has gone back to normal (whatever normal is!) I go to all these appointments, there’s lots of talking and sometimes there’s a scan involved but that’s it! Does it normally take this long?

My head is all over the place - I’m trying so hard to keep the it together- it’s so bloody hard!

Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 i’ll get the news I’m wanting to hear today!

Lots of hugs
Maggie
Xxxxx

[JWD]

Great news Caroline!!😀👍 Jo xxx

[ann-m]

Well JaneB, then welcome to the kooky club!
Quite a few of us here, oddly, have quite enjoyed rads - I found it interesting & enjoyed getting to know the team. I remember one particularly relaxing session, where I had a video of waterfalls & ‘me & mrs jones’ playing on the audio, ☺️

Good to hear your news, Caroline. Of course, you would have got on with chemo if you had to, but it is also a relief when things aren’t to be as complex as feared. Take the time you need, I had the sick leave, so I took it & I’m glad I did.
ann x

[JaneBelinda]

Yay! Great news Caroline...no need to feel guilty at all!! I am on day 12 of 15 for rads and so far so good with little side effects...of course I do understand that the effects are cumulative but hey, wtf, if it is for the Good then bring it on! You be kind to yourself and don’t stress too much. Am I a bit kooky for saying I actually don’t mind my rads? 😂😂😂🏁

[Jill1998]

Wonderful news Caroline !!!

[ice_cc]

Evening ladies!

So a little update and a bit of good news within a world of s***... I finally saw an oncologist today (which was a massive relief in itself as I'd been told it would be mid-September at the earliest) and I found out that I don't need chemo! I'd prepared myself that chemo would be a certainty because of my age, as my surgeon suggested that would be the case, so it was a genuine surprise when the oncologist said the risks outweighed the benefits. But I know chemo is something that so many people do need to go through, and I feel a bit guilty about not having to go through it myself - lots of love to everyone, whatever your treatment plan xx

I'll be given some "bonus" radiotherapy sessions instead of chemo, in addition to the usual 3 weeks, and will take Zoladex plus Aromasin for potentially 10 years or more. I think I'm going to be kind to myself and just take a month of work during the rads... if I can't have some rest from work stress now then when can I?! 

Fertility treatment is also nearing the end... 8 days of injections done, 4 more to go, with egg harvesting due on Monday (thank god, my ovaries are aching a bit now). 

This whole cancer thing is a bit of a rollercoaster, eh?

Hope you're all doing well!

Caroline xx

[delly]

Hi Girls

Maggie - Yeh, thats a load of bo**ox for you to have to go through. You must be feeling very frustrated and concerned. Hope it gets sorted for you sooon.

Decided to do a bit of a "Heston" - trying to make sprout, choc and voddie ice cream for us all. Thought it'd make a change from cake. Mmmmm, errrr, yuk, yuk, yuk. Waaaa - somebody give me some Haagen Das "pralines and cream" pleeeease!! Stuff these so called healthy sprouts

Yeh thanks JDW, I'm fine in the BC sense. Is a long time ago now for me 2006 and unluckily 2007, mastectomies plus full node clearance, which was standard procedure then (just before SNB procedures came in). Lumpectomies would have left me with little + Masts meant no rads. Luckily didn't need chemo, really sympathise with anyone having to go thruogh it though. Am part way through very delayed bilat implant recon (up to fully inflated expanders), but fell off the horse to get finished due to struggling with severe depression from all sorts of other on top BC.

I think the "drains or no drains" may be very much down to the size of the lump removed.

Avibaby and Paulus - good to hear you're doing well.

Good to see you again Lilacmoon and MadAnge. Glad you're still living up to your name, Ange!!! 

I have to say, you're all doing amazingly well, plus "sounding" very positive, even if you aren't feeling it. Expect wobbles and meltdowns though. It's only natural to have, cos it's a PIG!!! Don't fight them. Sometimes you need to allow yourself to just breakdown, sob, vent, rant. The Forum's a great place to let it all go. There's always someone who's been through the same and understands. Lots of sympathy, plus hopefully some giggles too. 

Loadsa love to everyone xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Maggiemay]

Thank you Ladies, you’re all so fabulously lovely. I really hope I get good news this week regarding surgery. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼

Hope you all have a lovely weekend

Maggie
Xxxxx

[JaneBelinda]

Oh Maggie what a crappy day you’ve had! I really hope you can get it sorted ASAP. I’ve no doubt that your team will be doing their utmost for you and that very soon you can look back on this blip in your journey xxx

[ladybowler]

Maggie

Oh my dear what a time you are having, just wanted to send you hugs and hopefully you will get a treatment plan next week.

Helena xxx

[ice_cc]

Awww Maggie, that doesn't sound like the best day ever! Sending you a message shortly...

C x

[Jill1998]

Hello Maggie - what an ordeal - I can't believe you have had to have so many procedures and still not any further forward .I hope you get some progress soon - the waiting to start treatment is very hard .

[JWD]

Hello Maggie what an absolute ordeal for you. You must be so frustrated by it all.🤦🏻‍♀️The wire guided biopsy sounds about the best way of getting to it. It's a pity they can't just take it out when they do your other one but I suppose they need to know what's what. It's hard not to panic and worry and it's this bit that's the worst because you just want a date and treatment plan.Try and stay positive and I hope you get the biopsy soon and then you can move forward with next part of this up and down journey🙄 Take care Jo 🤗xxx

[Maggiemay]

Hi Everyone,

Well what a day I’ve had today...good news got my MRI..yayyy. Bad news....due to having very dence breasts, when they injected the clip it bounced back and ended up being no where near my little abnormality 😩😩😩. So 2 MRI injections, 3 mammogram, 2 ultrasound scan and 4 hours later.....I’m still no further forward. The doc did say they would be having a meeting to discuss next steps, one option would be to inject a wire into my breast to get a biopsy 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ I just want them to take it out, I can’t wait any longer. I was diagnosed 5 weeks ago and I’m still in the exact same place. I have no idea what’s happening. I was told I would get a call from BC nurses at the start of the week.

I’m trying so hard to stay positive but it’s one thing after another. It started off promising with surgery date, pre op appointments everything to a stand still. I’m hoping they will just take it out during my surgery....problem solved...but I know it’s not as simple as that!

I really can’t fault the NHS, everyone I have come across since starting my journey have been amazing and they truly deserve more recognition to what they get.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend

Lots of hugs
Maggie
Xxxxx

[JWD]

That's good...Yes it will be wine 'o' clock in our house very soon. 😊 dog walking duties first. Enjoy your weekend. Jo xxx

[ice_cc]

Thanks both.

My op was just 2 days after yours Jill, but haven't actually met my oncologist yet. I guess if I see her to discuss treatment on 14th September it's possible that rads/chemo could start 2 weeks later (which would be 8 weeks)... I've left a message with my breast care nurse for now.

Wine tonight! 😂

C x

[JWD]

My op was 30th July and I've got radiotherapy planning scan nxt week. I'm away the 22nd of Sept which I asked my oncologist if i would still be able to go and he said it would be fine. So I'm guessing my rads will start early October. Which will be 8 wks after op. My oncologist said they usually have 8-10wk window after op in which they like treatment to start. My hubby had oesophageal cancer last year and had chemo before and after op.his oncologist said roughly they like an 8 wk window after op.
Caroline is there a breast nurse you can speak to just to put your mind at rest?Jo xxx

[Paulus]

I can only say that I've just checked back over my dates - had WLE/axillary clearance 10th May  -  had R/T planning done on 22nd June ( so 6 weeks ) and started R/T on 11th July ( so 8 -9 weeks )?  I was okay about that because my main concern was that I be properly healed before they started zapping?

I can't help on the chemo situation, no experience there I'm sorry x  all the best

[ice_cc]

Just found out it will be at least 3 weeks to see an oncologist on the NHS, which would be 5 weeks since my surgery and presumably treatment wouldn't start for a few weeks after this... Very tempted to go private now as I know outcomes aren't as good when people have delays to starting chemo/rads. Is it just me or does this seem like a really long time to be left in limbo about needing chemo? My head is a mess 😞

Caroline x

[JWD]

Thanks Caroline. Glad your managing to keep busy.Hope you get your appointment with oncology soon so you know whats what.Take care🤗Jo xxx

[ice_cc]

Hi ladies,

Back at work, keeping busy, and distracted from the C-word by daily fertility self-injections (I don't think I've quite reached satsuma ovary status yet!)  

Still no word on chemo but I'm trying to chase up a first appointment with oncology to find out my treatment plan. Decided to prepare myself for them recommending chemo due to my age, so if it's not needed then it's a pleasant surprise!

Hope you're both well Doolally and Jo? Good luck with the scans!

Caroline x

[JWD]

Hi Doolally yes im so pleased about no chemo. I should start radiotherapy early October just got to have a planning scan and also a dexa scan because of the hormone treatment I'm on. So at the moment I'm heading in the right direction😊Hope your doing ok.. also I hope Caroline and Maggiemay are soldiering on and coping well💖💖 Jo.xxxx