Breast Cancer Now Forum

I was peri menopausal. So for the first 7 months I had to have monthly injections of zolodex (as well as the daily anastrazole) to completely stop my ovaries and then I had my ovaries removed so don't have to have the zolodex now. xx ... View more

Hi Melia. I was 54 and tumour was 2.2cm. X ... View more

Sorry Melia my autocorrect turned you into Melisa! ... View more

Hi Melisa. I had a left mastectomy a year ago. The histology showed I had a tiny amount (1.1mm, so bigger than yours) of cancer on my sentinel node. My onc then suggested that I had more nodes removed, but as my surgeon was on holiday I had to wait a couple of weeks to have the surgery. In the meantime my onc suggested I have the onco dx test (he wasn't put off by my node). I had more surgery and 9 nodes were taken which were all clear. Then my onco dx result came back - it was 8 which is low. So my onc decided that I didn't need chemo or even rads. I am now on anastrazole for the next 10 years. Debbie x ... View more

Hi Tracey. I had mastectomy a year ago this month. I really hated the new me too - but you will get used to yourself! Sometimes it dawns on me that I really am never going to grow another one and this is me now! And sometimes I feel sad about it - especially when I see all the pretty underwear when walking through a department store. But I've surprised myself with how strong I've become and I'm getting less bothered. Could you have reconstruction? I'm going to see a plastic surgeon to discuss reconstruction at the insistence of my surgeon but I think I'll probably decide not to bother and just get on with my life. Debbie x   ... View more

Yes, the waiting is awful. My surgeon was on holiday when the path results from my mastectomy came through and so my onc said be good to have onco test as wouldn't be able to have next op until surgeon came back anyway. Glad I had it as it meant i dodged chemo! Xx ... View more

Hi Sandra. I also had few cancer cells on sentinel node which they hadn't expected to find. About 1.1mm I think (if it had been 0.1mm smaller it would have counted as negative - don't know how that works!). So I did have another op two weeks after mastectomy to take out more nodes - 9 were taken and all were clear. I also had onco dx test and as I had low score I didn't need chemo. In fact my onc also decided against rads, so I'm just on anastrazole for next 5/10 years. Did also have ovaries out a month ago as extra precaution. All good fun! Debbie x ... View more

Like Heather I just wore crop top and loose shirt (pyjamas!) for first week or so, then ordered some post op bras from M&S which are fine. Debbie x ... View more

They get a pretty good idea via ultra sound etc if it's in nodes, but they will take out the sentinel node ( the lymph node nearest to the tumour) during the surgery and examine it under microscope. Then they know for sure and, if any cells are spotted, will probabably take more nodes out to see if it's spread. I had some cells on sentinel node but the next nine that were taken out were all clear. Debbie x ... View more

Ps. I take mine with my breakfast. Oh, and I did have hot flushes but they seem to have calmed down now. ... View more

Hi Rooty. I have now been on daily anastrazole for a year. Like you I read all the negative comments about all the terrible side effects and absolutely dreaded taking it. A year on and yes, I am bit stiffer in my joints, especially first thing, but I soon loosen up and really it's not that bad. No other side effects. I have also heard that the brand makes a difference - I use one called Accord. Hope that helps. Debbie x ... View more

Hi tgregory. I had left mastectomy in April last year. Like you, I couldn't look at myself. My breast care nurse took my dressing off and we looked together. Even after that I didn't like to look at myself in the mirror or in the shower etc. I would feel better when I'd put my bra with softie in on. Have you discussed reconstruction? I am still considering it but, nearly a year on, I've become used to being a uniboob and it doesn't bother me as much and I don't think I can face yet more surgery. I was very uncomfortable in changing rooms but now, although I don't flaunt it, I'm not that bothered about people seeing me. Two boobs is best but you do get used to it. Better to lose a boob than your life - that's what I keep telling myself! You'll surprise yourself at how strong you will become. Sending hugs Debbie x ... View more

Hi! Re MRI - I'm sooper-dooper claustrophobic and thought there was no way on earth that I would manage it, but there was no escaping it! Take some music with you - I took Taylor Swift(!) - and they'll give you headphones (which they speak to you through as well). I shut my eyes as I went in and didn't open them until I came out. I tried to keep thinking happy thoughts (not easy especially under circumstances!). I got through it. It's true that MRIs throw up false positives (I had stuff lighting up all over the place which all turned out to be ok - but needed 2 more MRIs as a result.) Still, it did its job, and while I can think of nicer ways to spend half an hour, I did it, and now think I'm an MRI Queen!  And if I can do it, anyone can! Best wishes. Debbie x ... View more

Morning Lilneenz! Waiting for results is horrible! Nothing much else to say! Friday will come (I know it feels years away) then you'll know what's what, and you'll manage it. Sending hugs. Debbie xx ... View more

Hi Munchkin. I was diagnosed April last year with 2.2cm lump in left breast which was IDC.  Was going to have lumpectomy but after scan they found something suspicious behind nipple so I had left mastectomy. I was ER+, PR+ and Herceptin negative. They hadn't been expecting to find anything else, but when my path results came back there was a tiny bit of cancer on my sentinel node (if it had been any tinier it would have been classed negative - don't know how that works!) so then it looked like I would be having chemo instead of just rads. My surgeon was on holiday and my onc wanted me to go back to have other nodes taken out  but while waiting for my surgeon to return he said he'd like me to have onco test. My score came back at a low 8. When my surgeon got back I had more surgery and 9 more nodes were taken which were all clear. So my onc decided that I would not need chemo, and he also decided against rads. So now I'm on anastrazole for the next 5 years at least. I was also having monthly injections of zoladex to suppress my ovaries as I'm peri menopausal, but I had my ovaries out 3 weeks ago so I don't need injections now. So, the onco test spared me chemo so it's good that you're having it. Hope that helps (bit complicated!). Sending hugs. xx ... View more

Hi Alex. I was diagnosed with invasive ducal bc 2.2 lump in April last year in my left breast. My oncologist was keen to do MRI and ct before surgery. These lit up like Christmas trees and I had further MRI on liver (negative) and suspicious other areas in both breasts. My right breast had 3 lumps (all benign). Had a further MRI guided needle biopsy of left breast as something shown up behind nipple. The biopsy was inconclusive so my surgeon said I should have a mastectomy as he would have to remove both areas and make such a mess of my boob that reconstruction at a later date would be impossible. So I had a mastectomy. The final pathology results showed that the area behind my nipple was benign. All these tests were massively stressful, and MRIs are well known for giving false positives. But in the end it's better to make sure. Probably not very helpful but at least you know that others have found themselves in the same boat. Sending hugs. Debbie ... View more

Hi sabhope   i had mastectomy in April. My sentinel node had macro deposit of 2mm. If it had been a tiny bit smaller it would have been considered negative (I don't really understand why, but that's what I was told!). I then went back for node clearance. Nine nodes were taken out and all were clear. I didn't need chemo or radiotherapy. Now I'm on hormone treatment (anastrazole) for 5 years and then maybe 5 more. I'm sure you'll be fine - bit of a damn nuisance though! Lots of love Debbie ... View more

Hi Kim.  I'm 54. So you had lumpectomy? I had ICD 22mm with another area behind nipple (which turned out to be nothing much) but on strength of which I had left mx. Scans before op were flashing up things all over the place - womb, ovaries, liver, other breast - all ok but dreadful round of more tests! My onco score was 8 so no chemo or radio. I'm on monthly injections of letrazol in tum (or could have ovaries out then wouldn't have to have) and daily anastrazole. I have heard that triple negative are more likely to be brca positive, also that they like you to have a grandmother with it - so think they prob won't want to test me. It's all a right nuisance isn't it?! xx  ... View more

Hi Kim, I am going to be assessed for genetic testing in September. My mum and sister both had it. How much family history do you have, and how long did the process all take? Great that yours was negative. Are you ER+? Did you have single mx or lumpectomy? Debbie xx ... View more