Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello Cazb Not at all-I hope it's been useful.A year later it's probably easier to see things more  clearly.Having to make major  decisions at such a stressful time all adds to the emotional worry along with the fact you're still recovering physically.By this time last year, I was having to go alone to appointments, as I imagine you must be, and that makes it much harder . One thing I should add is some of my friends felt the surgeon hadn't done a very good job not getting everything the first time!(Even so many months later, you always remember the odd comments...)On the contrary, I could see later that he was being very careful and cautious.  It did strike me afterwards that it was a bit of a lucky dip ,and particularly if you have  a smaller tumour, and it's not so easy to find.   I'm feeling pretty well now, thank you-still slightly fatigued  at times from everything and probably the medication -but generally back to being able to do what I could  before and more importantly , I don't wake up every morning and think about it-something I would have found hard to imagine a year ago. I hope you're able to reach that stage, too, even if it still seems a way off.I can't pretend I am looking forward to the mammogram  but I also feel very reassured that I'm in the system and being checked regularly so if anything were wrong,  it would hopefully be found pretty quickly.I see my oncologist every 6 months so effectively, I see one or other every  6 months and  I know they work as  a team  & I can still phone my breast care nurse if I have any niggles or worries.My oncologist gave me a good rule of thumb which was that if I had new symptoms my GP couldn't resolve in a month, ring his secretary-which reassures me  I would be taken seriously.     I hope your appointment today  went well and you were able to get answers to your questions   Take care  🤗 ... View more

Hello Cazb I'm so sorry to hear you are in this position , having already had 2 operations-and not being able to see your team for appointments makes life so much harder.   I had a broadly similar experience so hope the following is of help. My original tumour , picked up at screening, was 1.5 cm ,so very small and grade 2 and oestrogen receptive. I had a lumpectomy last January  and then had to go back for a re-excision in February as my margins weren't clear. So far , so good and I told myself it wasn't unusual so nothing to worry about-I believe the statistics were it happens to  1 in 5 women.The biopsy showed a very small new cancer and DCIS on the margin. After operation number 2, I got my results-still DCIS on the margins and my surgeon offered me a 3rd re-excision(at this point, we were just about to start lockdown which added to the stress levels!) .I asked if a mastectomy would be better at this point   but my surgeon felt he could still remove everything and I was offered re-excision number 3.(I think I was lucky as some hospitals wouldn't give you that option-I should add that I was treated at a centre of excellence with a very good local reputation so have trusted all my team's decisions all along).   Fast forward another 3 weeks and results appointment number 3 and guess what?!-still one margin not clear by a matter of a fractions of millimetres-so back for re-excision number 4 .My surgeon did offer me  the choice of a mastectomy at this point  or operation number 4 and I chose the latter as I really didn't fancy coping after such a major operation during lockdown as I live on my own -and the result was clear margins all round-eventually!    So looking back , what would I say?  Two pieces of information which really stuck with me-as you never hear and remember everything , do you?.Firstly, when I discussed with my breast care nurse at one point, she did say my surgeon had a reputation for being extremely careful, and whereas some surgeons might leave the one  remaining micro-margin and rely on radiotherapy to destroy the DCIS, he was always cautious -so I suppose a question to ask is the size of the  margin. Secondly, the words of the registrar during my last pre-operation chat -when I expressed my lack of faith in this working, as I thought they would keep finding DCIS cells ;he pointed out that if that were the case, why would they offer radiotherapy which has an excellent reputation for destroying them . I think it's obviously  worth asking what other treatment they plan. If it's any help, I had 1 positive lymph node out of 3 from my sentinel lymph node biopsy, for which I received radiotherapy to a wider area including my  underarm and collarbone ,for 15 sessions.I am now on Letrozole, an Aromatase Inhibitor, for 10 years, as my cancer was oestrogen receptive, and bisphosphonate infusions every 6 months for 3 years to hopefully reduce the likelihood of cancer returning in the bones.My oncologist explained  to me the reasoning behind all this and the likely survival rates by running my situation through the Predict programme.I am seeing my surgeon next month for my first annual review and mammogram and these will continue for 5 years.   In retrospect, it was pure torture and I really feel for you with all the waiting-it's awful, and I so sympathise.However, I am very glad so much effort was put into avoiding a mastectomy and I suppose I trusted my surgeon and then my oncologist.If they were really concerned, I feel they would not have given me a choice but pushed for mastectomy . But it hardly feels like a choice as we can none of us predict what will happen!   I hope you have a chance to discuss it more fully at your appointment.Wishing you the  best of luck !      ... View more

Hello Fi.Fi,   Really glad to hear you've finished the radiotherapy and it went well.Well done!Don't forget to keep using the creams for a week or two while you're still  "cooking" .Give yourself a pat on the back and a gold star! 🌟 I would speak to your team or BCN if you're worried about  the Zometa side effects. I know when I was first told I would be having it, I panicked slightly as I have never had any problems with my teeth before (I have one filling) and didn't like the idea of them  crumbling apart now  as it all sounded so alarming!However, both my oncologist and dentist have been very reassuring. My oncologist said he  had hardly ever seen anyone have problems with it and I think he said(don't quote me) the likelihood is something  like 0.3% of patients , which put it in perspective.My dentist , who I trust, seemed to know all about it and doesn't seem worried.I think if you were planning implants or needed lots of extractions, it would be a different kettle of fish.You can still have fillings and normal scales and polish and the main thing is to maintain good dental health and take care of your gums.I have such a terrifying hygienist , I was  doing my best before anyway!  I also feel it's actually quite beneficial for another reason as most women lose bone density after the menopause, so this gives us a little boost now and is an added benefit of the treatment.I have an older friend who has just been diagnosed with osteoporosis so it has made me very aware of  the importance of  maintaining good bones now. (I'm 53) I don't know if you are going to be taking any ongoing medication, but if you are on Letrozole or another Aromatase Inhibitor, these can cause bone thinning so the bisphosphonate is A Good Thing! But do discuss your concerns with your team.    As for how you cope now......To be honest, I would say this is the hardest part and there will be ups and downs along the way, which is perfectly normal. I finished my treatment at the end of July and would say that the couple of months after felt like a slight anti-climax as you are dropped off the conveyor belt at the end of treatment. I think you will find a lot of women feel much the same, if you look at the posts under "Moving Forward after breast cancer;recovering from treatment"".You've had all the treatment, you have  had your life filled with appointments for the past few months, you have had medical staff checking up on you throughout and suddenly, it stops and you're on your own (and Covid doesn't help!).It all felt a bit of an anti climax. I hope your BCN gives you an opportunity to do a "Moving On "Course.They are currently held online here and I found the presentations very helpful and reassuring -including what to look out for if you have any niggles and worries , sensible diet and exercise suggestions  and a chance to share feelings and experiences with others at the same stage.You will also hopefully have reviews with your team for the next little while, and again, I have found that reassuring as I know I have phone numbers to contact if I have concerns, and a structure for review appointments, which are a security blanket, although even now, I know they are being spaced further apart .   I  also found getting outside every day for a walk also helped me-if I could arrange to meet a friend, so much the better, but I always felt better when I got back, and was quite proud of myself for walking up my local hill before work every day.(Unfortunately, the ice and snow since Christmas has made that one slightly difficult but I am not going to beat myself up-better not to break any bones at the moment!)  And don't be  too hard on yourself.Take things gently and don't underestimate what has been done to you and what you have been through.Your body is tired and needs a rest-so don't rush.And plan a few treats-within what we're allowed! I try to plan  to cook something new  one night each week  and no longer feel guilty for setting aside an afternoon at weekends to read a book .(In a strange way, apart from the isolation, lockdown has actually been almost beneficial as many people are living life at a gentler pace and I don't feel I am missing out or having to turn down invites that I would be too tired to manage) Look after yourself and good luck!Big hugs 🤗 ... View more

Good luck with your radiotherapy, Cancan65 and big hugs! 🤗 I hope everything goes well for you. Just to update you,I had my second Zometa infusion last Friday  and actually felt much better this time-no fluey achey symptoms, just slightly sore joints on Saturday and I'm a little tired still.So hopefully the next time isn't as bad. Lovely staff and even a few other patients  to talk to. If they hadn't needed my chair for the next patient, I would have stayed for coffee... We all agreed it's come to something when a trip to hospital counts as a social outing!   ... View more

I've just read Rose's post which I think she sent at the same time and echo everything she advised.I hadn't wanted to say anything at this stage  🙄 but as she's mentioned it  happened to her too, do be prepared for a little deviation,repetition and hesitation. I had to go back for more surgery as my margins weren't clear (it happens in 1 in 5 cases) but this all shows the care to make sure absolutely every trace of cancer is removed.    And don't read Dr Google!I made it my golden rule to stick to this site, Macmillan and Cancer Research-and there are so many really helpful kind people here.I was given very sensible information at every stage from my hospital and I could speak to my BCN about any worries and she always had the answer. However, if you want to read a very informative book , and the one I wish I had read before I started treatment, I recommend "The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer" by Trisha Greenhalgh and Liz O'Riordan,  two  doctors who have had breast cancer.I saw someone mention it on this forum and it is very sensible and reassuring with explanations of  every step of breast cancer treatment.   Good luck to both of you  and big hugs for Thursday, Rose!      ... View more

Hello DebsP   I'm sorry to hear you are facing surgery but good news that it's been found early.A lot will depend on your age and general health  but I was surprised how well I felt throughout treatment.   I had a lumpectomy exactly a year ago last week  after being recalled from my first screening appointment.I was 52 and considered myself to be in  in fairly good general health i.e I had never had any sort of operations or treatment before for anything and was on no medication for any other underlying conditions. I wouldn't say I was ever an exercise freak but I have always walked a lot so would say I was moderately fit.My operation was done by day surgery(I think that's the norm in most hospitals) so I was home the same evening.I was slightly tired for a day or two but otherwise in no pain after the anaesthetic wore off and didn't need to take any further pain killers.  I was signed off for 3 weeks(this was just pre Covid so working at home wasn't the norm) and even thought of  going back to work early but listened to everyone and agreed to be gentle on myself. A lot will also depend on where your wound is.If you have to have a sentinel node biopsy to check your lymph nodes, you will have a scar under your arm and will be told to be careful not to lift anything heavy for  a few weeks. That probably caused me to take more care than the lumpectomy itself.My lumpectomy wound was in the "12 o'clock" position so I was lucky it didn't really cause me any problems but I had to be careful to remember not to do anything too energetic or stretch up to lift anything.My BCN told me most women try to do too much because they forget they have stitches and feel well-so no vacuuming!However, I had frantically cooked and filled the freezer beforehand in preparation and actually found cooking very therapeutic and no problem.   You should be given arm/shoulder  exercises to do later and I was very careful to do them  daily and build up the frequency as it helps prevent lymphoedema  and also helps give you full arm movement if you need radiotherapy later .I also made a great effort to go  out for walks every day and built up the length  of them and I certainly felt ok to go out after the first day or two.   In retrospect, I would say don't underestimate the emotional side of everything and even if you feel physically well , I had good days and bad days-that's quite normal, I think! I also think Covid has a big impact on  everything.I was very lucky  that when I started treatment, I could meet friends for coffee when I was recovering and have hugs but that later stopped overnight, and it became a much more isolated experience, so I do think it's harder for all women  having treatment now-so do give yourself treats and be gentle  on yourself. I hope all goes well and good luck! 🤗    ... View more

Hello redeemed36345 I'm sorry to hear you're having painful lips. I've now been taking Letrozole for just  over 6 months and feel I have been quite lucky  to avoid major side effects so far .However, the one  thing I noticed fairly quickly after I started taking it was I had very dry lips. I use a lot of lip salve-I always did in winter- but now make sure I apply it several times a day.I use  Vaseline  Lip Therapy and Burts Bees overnight lip treatment at night, and they seem to  help .   The other side effect I had (which I honestly haven't noticed) was my dentist commented that I had quite a dry mouth.Just in case the two go hand in hand, it might be worth mentioning to your dentist next time you have  a check up that you are now taking Letrozole. Mine gave me special toothpaste on prescription with extra fluoride. I hope  it improves and good luck with your treatment 😊     ... View more

Hello FiFi I know 15 sessions of radiotherapy sounds daunting but believe me, it will pass more quickly than you realise and you will soon get into a routine-and you get weekends off!I echo  what Jaybro has said ;it's fear of the unknown that is the worst aspect.If you have already had surgery, radiotherapy should be much easier-for a start, you aren't having an anaesthetic and you won't have  a wound to worry about. Like you ,I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy , followed by the bisphosphonate infusion  in July and I generally found it very easy .After your planning meeting, most of the sessions take a matter of 10 minutes or so  (slightly longer about once a week when they did something called "imaging", I think it was called )and I was sometimes out before my appointment time.More time is spent on positioning than the treatment itself. Most hospitals give you a choice of times and I had mine first thing in the morning which was great, as I was home by 10 and had the rest of the day left.Do be prepared for the fact machines occasionally break down -it happened to me once-and there is nothing you can do but wait-take  something to read and a drink. I was lucky kind friends drove me  there every day so I didn't have to worry about getting there but I met other patients who had driven from quite lengthy distances and  found it fine. You will be given a bag of creams-my hospital gave me Zerobase , to be used twice  a day, and Betnovate at night. Do exactly as they tell you!I smothered the stuff on in vast quantities and really had no problems-just slight "sunburn" after I finished as you keep "cooking " for a fortnight.It was all very messy, though, and  it was probably easier in summer than winter.I used some old t shirts and   put them on and left the stuff to seep in before changing later.It's a good idea to wear clothes you can take on and off easily as  you want to get in and out as quickly as possible.It's slightly odd lying there with nothing on your top half(and a little chilly if they have air conditioning!) but the staff were lovely and covered me with a paper napkin-which I thought was sweet as by this stage, I think you are past caring! If you wear a watch or a bracelet, take a  bag to put them in as you lie with your arms up  in a sort of plastic mould and they would dig in and be uncomfortable.Don't wear your good new underwear!Every day, you get marked with felt pen and it comes off over your bra so save that for later(& don't worry about the tattoos-I was horrified at the thought but they are more like microdots and I have to look really hard to find them now-they are like pale freckles.) It was hard to explain to people what it actually felt like having the radiotherapy.The nearest analogy I could come up with was it was like being in one of those James Bond films from the  1970s(I think we are all old enough to remember them!) where everyone ended up in space.There was a beeping sound when the radiographers left the room and then  arms  from the large machines came whirring and clunking towards you and over you.Every so often they stopped and whirred and then  moved on.You don't feel a thing.It wasn't painful at all-just rather surreal-and I would leave wondering if anything had actually happened. I was lucky I didn't feel fatigue until a little later but everyone is different; just pace yourself.The staff see you every day so they check how you are doing and if you have any concerns , there is always someone to talk  to. I finished radiotherapy on the Monday and then had the the bisphosphonate infusion on the Friday evening.My hospital do them before or after hours in the chemotherapy ward and it did feel like the twilight zone. Jaybro described the process.I think I was out in 40 minutes.I went home and felt fine, woke up next morning wondering  if I had shrunk(it felt a little like Alice in Wonderland-"drink me"!)  and still felt fine  so went and mowed the grass .That was probably a mistake!I  suddenly felt quite achey and shivery so just went to bed for the afternoon with a hot water bottle and dozed - but it was really was no worse than having 'flu-and I felt fine by evening, just slightly tired next day.(and I feel it's a small price to pay as I felt so lucky not to be having chemotherapy.Also,if you're on an AI , it has the dual purpose of protecting your bones so it's a no brainer really) .Again, don't worry about the jawbone risk-my oncologist says it is very unlikely ; he has only seen it in patients with  already very poor dental health or advanced bone cancer  and I was very reassured my dentist seemed to know all about it.She saw me immediately when dentists had just opened as she considered it an emergency;the main thing is they will not  want to extract any teeth whilst you are having the treatment.   I hope we have managed to answer some of your questions but do ask if there is anything else  bothering you.Remember , too ,that treatments change and I know from listening to friends who had treatment in the past that  things have vastly improved , even in the past ten years, and  whereas previously you would have had every possible treatment thrown at you " just in case" now everything it much more finely tuned and  has  been adjusted to your particular circumstances , so your team are trying to ensure  you are given exactly what you need with the minimum of side effects  if they can.       Best of luck in the weeks ahead!  🤗   ... View more

Some things really need to be bought in person, don't they?! We had snow overnight!-so just a quick walk round the block this morning.I wasn't going to risk icy pavements-I feel I've had my ration from the NHS this year! 😊   Take care! ... View more

Thanks,Evvie,and I hope your week is improving.It's interesting you say 4 years on you still remember anniversaries as I had a feeling that might happen in the future and it's good to be warned.I suspect, too, that only you remember certain dates so nobody can understand why you're feeling down . It's very strange, isn't it, but so many of us do seem to have been diagnosed just before Christmas? Co-incidentally, I went for my recall appointment exactly a year ago today.(I was picked up at my first screening appointment without an inkling anything was wrong) .I went along thinking I would  be out within half an hour as the mammogram hadn't been clear-maybe I had moved- and came out with breast cancer...I spent the whole morning being squashed  in the x ray machine, having an ultrasound and playing musical chairs with all the other ladies  in the waiting room (those were the days-fellow patients).I gradually realised I was the only one left and all became clear when I was ushered into the consulting room with the nurse sitting beside the doctor and a box of tissues! Strange how it all comes back.     Take care, and big hugs! ... View more

Dear Pandabear I had 4 chunks taken out of my right breast-a lumpectomy and 3 re-excisions so I really need a proper bra measuring service, which is quite hard to come by at the moment! (I kept having to go back as my margins weren't clear.I can laugh abut it now but it was rather fraught at the time, and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my surgeon for giving me another chance rather than doing a mastectomy, which I suspect would have been easier, especially during Covid ) .Fortunately, I wasn't particularly well endowed to start with but I'm definitely a few cup sizes smaller on that side now, although I don't think anyone else would really know!   I agree, everyone is so kind and helpful here.Just as you said earlier, I don't think I would ever have considered using such a forum before-I don't do Facebook, or anything like that- , and although I had read some of the medical advice  on this site when I was having treatment, it was only when I signed up for the Moving On Course that I dipped my toe into the water but I'm very glad I did.It also makes me realise, at the risk of sounding like Pollyanna, that there are so many brave  ladies who have had a far worse time than me  and who are incredibly brave, which helps put my own experience into perspective.I'm also very lucky to have a really good friend who had breast cancer about 15 years' ago, and has been a huge source of help to me and never said the wrong thing-and has been able to laugh with  me at some of the more surreal moments, as other  friends sometimes don't feel quite sure if they are allowed to laugh with you about something as serious  as cancer.  I have said to several friends that , despite my slightly complex surgery, this stage has actually been the hardest part.So many words used this year are  actually  very appropriate;"the new normal" applies very much to those of us  who have had treatment.I had absolutely excellent care from truly kind staff at a centre of excellence, and cannot speak highly enough of them all, but to them , all your treatment is very normal and routine.They see it day in ,day out(which is good, as it means they are experts at what they are doing) but it  can feel slightly as if you are on a conveyor belt until you are dropped off at the other end.And that's when you have to put the pieces back together again.And the lack of social contact this year has definitely made that harder. I'm normally quite happy with my own company as I live on my own, but I realise how much I miss social interaction-and hugs!My elderly  father is the only person who has been able to hug me since March, bless him-and that really isn't normal for anyone.    Don't feel any pressure to rush.Everyone is different.Again, well meaning friends say to me "Is that you finished all your treatment, then ?" I have a new answer , as I'm on Letrozole for 10 years and also having bisphosphonate infusions for 3 years. I just say"I'm a work in progress", as the way I see it,  I'm still not there yet.But you will get there-at a pace that suits you. And today's treat was getting the sheets dry outside (in December!) so I have  lovely clean sheets tonight!    Take care and big hugs 🤗     ... View more

Hello Pandabear I hope everyone's wise advice  here has helped you realise you are  not alone and feeling what many of us have felt when we finished treatment. I finished my radiotherapy at the end of July after endless surgery  and  it felt very strange when I walked out of the hospital after my last  teatment, knowing I wasn't due back until a review with my oncology consultant in October. I looked at  my diary and realised for the first time in 7 months, I had no forthcoming medical appointments.Nobody was going to check how I was, I didn't have to plan the day around hospital visits;it was almost an anti climax .I think the thing is you just get on with it while you are having treatment because you don't really have a choice or much time to think about it.In a way, most of the major decisions have been made for you as surgery/radiotherapy and most treatment  has been set out for you, apart from  maybe the odd tweak which you might have to agree to, and you just turn up to have the next thing done to you.It's only once it 's all finished you look back and have  time  to think. And  that's when it hits you as to what you've been through. Reactions from friends and family and colleagues probably don't help either.However lovely they are, and however helpful they have been, some people almost want to airbrush what has happened to you away and not discuss it  as , as far as they are concerned, you have finished treatment and it's over and you're better.Whereas  it's only now you have time to consider the steamroller which hit you.Going back to work is much the same;I kept working after time off for surgery and because I generally looked ok (particularly on Zoom with a touch of lipstick!) I think many of my colleagues forgot I was still having treatment.But I knew I wasn't as sharp as I had been and my brain was all over the place.And then there's the fatigue.... I'm no psychologist but I think there are a lot of similarities between having cancer and a bereavement.I have felt many similar emotions to when my mother died a few years ago.Disbelief at first that I had been diagnosed, then anger as you question how unfair it seems, so much to do to keep you busy (treatment  takes most of your energy, just as organising  a funeral/ dealing with the practicalities helps you keep busy ) and finally  you come out the other end with something like acceptance but you know your world is never going to be the same again. I hope your team gives you the opportunity to join a "Moving On "course here.My BCN sent me the info and if life had been normal, I would probably have felt I didn't have time or it wasn't for me but even though it's held online.  and not the same as interacting normally, I found it really helpful  to share experiences and feelings with others in  the same situation.And let's be honest, nobody truly understands unless they have been through it themselves.The presentations were really helpful , including one on adjusting and adapting after treatment.In a strange way, too, all your confidence and certainties have been taken away because your body has let you down. And don't underestimate the effect of Covid on the "Class of 2020"! I'm sure studies will be done on it in years to come.It's been an incredibly isolated and very lonely  experience. I don't know about you, but I hardly met any other  patients for most of the time.I almost "enjoyed" radiotherapy because I saw the same people every day! And not being able to have  a hug from a friend-at the time when you needed it most . So don't be hard on yourself.Take it one day at a time.And if you can, plan a few treats to look forward to each week.Nothing major-we can't anyway!Just meeting a friend for a walk and a coffee once or twice a week .Or curling up with a good book  and not worrying about all the other things you could be doing.Or finally get those photos from your past holidays sorted into an album to look at some happy memories.Or taking time to cook something special for supper.Or once you no longer have to use all the creams and non scented soap, a lovely hot bath .Also, if you can, try to get outside every day, even though it's winter now, just for some fresh air and to get moving (gently!).I always feel better when I come back from my walk,even if I had to push myself to get out.    I hope you start to  feel  you are making some  progress and take care 🤗       ... View more

Thinking of you tomorrow,Granny P Crossing all fingers&toes!☺ ... View more

  I know I found it really hard that I couldn't think ahead to the next stage as I knew the cycle was waiting 3 weeks after the operation for results-which in total meant another 5 weeks' delay -an eternity at the time.Also, really "helpful" friends suggested the surgeon didn't know what he was doing whereas he knew exactly what he was doing.At one point, I nearly suggested to someone they might like a scalpel to try themselves! However you will get there and as I said, the second time isn't actually such a major operation so hopefully you will feel well.(& you won't have another scar as they just unglue you!) Good luck to you both 😊     ... View more

Hello grannyp, I feel for you! I had  a lumpectomy in January  and had to go back a second time in February  for a re-excision, as I didn't have clear margins.The waiting is the worst bit:waiting for the operation ,waiting for results , waiting.....I was lucky that my second operation was 2 weeks after I saw my surgeon for results but I knew I would then have to wait another 3 weeks after that for results so it all felt like a long time-and in fact my results were delayed for a week so it took a bit longer.(Now I am through everything, I really do wish in retrospect I had been prepared for delays/repetition;I was incredibly naive in thinking everything would run smoothly! ) However, I seem to remember being told the chances of going back for a second operation are quite high-1 in 5 women,I think, so there is actually quite a high likelihood of it happening-you just always hope it will be someone else!The good news is if you have already had the lumpectomy,  you know what to expect and the re-excision operation is not such a major operation -if you don't need to have lymph nodes removed again, hopefully you will recover more quickly and not be quite so restricted as to what you can do as you won't have a wound under your arm.(I did end up vacuuming the stairs the day after my op-maybe I shouldn't have 🤔 )    Your surgeon is being  extra cautious and that is very reassuring .I think my margins were something similar and  the results showed DCIS -it seemed microscopic and when I discussed it with my BCN, she said that my surgeon was always  very careful-so in the long run, it's for your benefit.I remember thinking that all sorts of things could be happening in the meantime but again, my BCN pointed out that the main cancer had been removed and this was really just extra security.Do speak to her, as I am sure she will be able to reassure you .      Good luck! 🤗     ... View more

Hello Donnydiva59 I had a lumpectomy in January. I used Nicola Jane on a friend's recommendation. They were very helpful on the phone. I bought a couple as I really wasn't sure which size&to be honest,found their sizing a bit hit or miss-but there was absolutely no problem about sending them back&getting refunds.  The front fastening one sounded a really good idea(I wish  I had  known about  such things when my mother  dislocated her shoulder)&I thought it would be good for when I was having radiotherapy but honestly,trying to put it on made me feel like a Victorian in a corset. All slightly odd!  I've always worn Sloggi bras as I've never liked underwired ones,which bring me out in a rash,&I prefer natural fibres.They are 95%cotton so really soft with a little bit of Lycra  and I found them really comfortable after surgery as they don't have hard seams-but I am only a 36 B(now 34A maybe in the lumpectomy side?!)  so not sure what size cup they do. I think John Lewis sell them or the Evil Amazon. (If you're having radiotherapy later,don't wear the new ones!Every day,you get covered in so much red marker pen,your bra comes home covered in red splodges which doesn't seem to wash out!Save the new ones for when you're finished as a treat to look forward to! )   Good luck& I hope all goes well for you☺   ... View more

Thanks goodness you trusted your instincts as you might have waited a year or two for your first screening.I hadn't realised  the screening programme runs on a  three yearly  cycle according to your GP practice.This time last year ,not long before I turned 52,  I remarked  to  one of my  oldest friends, who is 6 weeks younger than me , that I  thought we should have been offered screening by now (unlike the bowel screening test which arrives along with your 50th birthday cards!)We both received appointments the following week.Again-the rest is history....But if I had been screened at 50,  it wouldn't have shown up and I would probably still be waiting for the next round.I  feel very lucky-and tell myself we wouldn't have been here if we lived in Victorian times!  I'm  seriously impressed by the walk yesterday.I confess I didn't make it  out for mine.I was worried I would be blown away!I help my father at weekends and reckon by the time I have cleaned his house and vacuumed the stairs and washed the floors, I've done a full work out! However, I have silk thermals on order so I can embrace the cold and get outdoors this winter, as I suspect it's the only way we will meet anyone.... I hope you have a good week and feel you are making progress-and don't worry if you don't-it's quite normal. 🤗 ... View more

I think you had a much worse deal than me.It must have been very worrying having to wait so long for the operation knowing you still had everything else to come afterwards. One of the breast care nurses told me  that was happening with some patients who had been diagnosed around lockdown and it made me realise how lucky I was to already be in the system in March. I was diagnosed after my first screening in  December, aged 52, having felt nothing at all,  and told  it would all be very all very straightforward as it was so  small .Famous last words!I had a lumpectomy in mid January, went back mid February for my results and was told my margins weren't clear.I wasn't too concerned as they tell you it happens in 1 in 5 cases so I had a re-excision mid February and went back for results meeting number 2 just  4 days before lockdown  and was told they still weren't clear.My friend who came with me practically  had to pick me off the floor as I was laughing hysterically and they had taken away most of the chairs  downstairs by then! So a week later I had operation number 3(that was when I phoned the nurses as my friends kept helpfully asking if it was going ahead...my common sense told me they  couldn't abandon me at this point) , went back mid April for results and they still weren't clear. I began to feel rather sorry for my poor surgeon at this point.(And in fairness, understood he was being extremely thorough as it seemed to be a matter of millimetres on one margin,) When I asked him how often this happened, I could see him doing the sums-in his 15 years, he had had  5 such patients .I suspect I'm now a case study... He did offer me a mastectomy at that point but felt it was worth one more go and I felt he wasn't  the type to do it just to humour me so took a gamble-partly because  I really didn't fancy having to cope  during lockdown with such a major operation when nobody could help me and it bought me time. So back again in May for operation number 4 (I knew all the nurses and half the staff  by then), the registrar promised to  take a "good chunk" and 11 grammes later, we got there!  I can laugh abut it now but it had it's moments ....  Believe me, radiotherapy etc was a complete doddle after all that!    Hope you managed to get out in today's sunshine and had a treat.I met a friend for a walk and an outdoor  hot chocolate and scone  as a reward.   Take care! 🤗     ... View more

I had the old style 3 weeks/15 sessions(with weekends off ) I honestly thought I was doing ok  so was quite annoyed  when I began to feel tired abut a fortnight after I had finished.I think they say you are still cooking for about a fortnight after your last session.It was quite unpredictable and it wasn't as if I was able to go out for wild nights out or anything exciting to cause it !  I am feeling generally much better, 3 months' later, However, I also had a bisphosphonate infusion and started medication (Letrozole) all in the same week as my last session.I had a review with my (lovely,patient,informative) oncologist a fortnight ago and he says it's quite difficult to filter the cause when you have a triple cocktail like that all at the same time.If it goes on, it's the medication and if it goes, it's been the radiotherapy.It seems to be a complete lottery!I'm doing as I was told and going out for walks every day.   I used the creams for a fortnight  and  was lucky I didn't have any ill effects.The poor thing just looked somewhat wrinkled and shrunken, and combined with the turquoise dye lingering from the lymph node removal and the purple scar from the lumpectomy, quite colourful!    Take it gently and don't overdo it!   ... View more

I had the old style 3 week/15 sessions(with weekends off!) I thought I was doing really well so was quite annoyed when about a fortnight after I finished, I started to feel tiredness .I think they say you still keep cooking for a week or two after  you have finished.It was at times quite unpredictable-and it wasn't as if I was really able to go out and do anything exciting that would make me feel tired 😊 It is getting  better now but I did start medication(Letrozole) and also had a bisphosphonate infusion(Zoladronic Acid) at much the same time.I had a review with my( lovely ,patient, informative)  oncologist  the other week and he  says the trouble is when you have a triple cocktail like that, it's hard to filter out which of the three is the cause at this stage-if it goes soon,it's hopefully just been the radiotherapy. I've been walking every day and doing as I was told! I kept on using the creams for a fortnight after and honestly didn't have any problems.The poor thing just looked a bit battered and  wrinkled-along with the turquoise dye still lingering from the lymph node removal-even now, 10 months' later!- and the purple from the operation scar-all quite colourful!    Hope it gets easier soon but take it gently and take care.      ... View more