Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello ladies. I'm joining your winter warmer group. I go on Thursday and then start rads on Monday 9th Jan (the day I start back to work - not good timing). I have to get 15 sessions. my treatment has been long and outdrawn - was diagnosed 14th July - lumpectomy and 2 sentinel lymph nodes removed. All went well but they found cancer in one lymph node- but not from the tumour they removed- from a different type of cancer and different tumour. A lobular type that doesn't show up on mammograms or ultrasound. I had to wait to heal to then get a MRI. They found it. I got it removed along with a full lymph node clearance on 22nd November. I got my results on 4th Dec and was astonished and so relieved that there wasn't any cancer in the 20 lymph nodes they removed 😄 No need for chemo but start radiotherapy on 9 Jan. I have got my appointment to see my surgeon again in 7/12/2017 I would be grateful if there was any hints or tips you feel was useful to help me through the radiotherapy. Helena, good luck for tomorrow 👍🏼 Many thanks. Vicki x 💕 ... View more

How fabulous you have the date of your last radiotherapy marked on your calendar. Good idea about taking a week off. One thing I have learned through all of this is to be kind to yourself. I don't know about you but I always just get on with it. If I have a cold I taken medication and then just carry on. No more - health and looking after yourself must come first. Let me know how you get on. Vicki x ... View more

Hi Helena. It's great that you will get started with your radiotherapy soon - it means it will finish sooner too. I don't know what the oncologist will tell me on Thursday- I will let you know 👍🏼 Vicki x ... View more

Hi Helena,    never in in all my scenarios was there one where the lymph nodes were clear of cancer. I am still shocked (in the best possible way).    When end was your operation?  Just wondering how long after the op do you get radiotherapy. I go to the oncologist on Thursday to find out about mine. I hope yours go well?  Did you have chemo? Yes, can't wait for 2017 but we are all starting it in a very positive way.   keep in touch and let me know how your radiotherapy goes.    Take care. Vicki x ... View more

Hi Lisa, sorry to hear it was rough for you. I was on morphine for the first few days too.  Thank goodness too. I couldn't look at my drain - I had a little bag to carry it around it. I got my bottle changed as the suction had stopped but they didn't empty it each day. I'm glad your husband wasn't too squeamish - I couldn't have done it.    I must admit it my arm is much better now - I can't believe it is three weeks on Tuesday alread since the operation. I am no where back to 'normal' but getting there.   i have an appt with the oncologist on Thursday regarding my radiotherapy.    I hope you get good news on 20th Dec.  please keep in touch and let me know.   take care Vicki x ... View more

I don't mind telling you I was really scared today. I didn't realise how scared I was about getting chemotherapy. As the other surgeon told me last time 'the lobular cancer is a little traveler'. I got it in my head that I would need chemo. I got the strips holding my wounds together off today and Dr Roa (my surgeon) is very pleased. He said I am a good healer 😊. He is very pleased there isn't any swelling either. I was told he removed 20 lymph nodes (usually it's 10 - 15). I couldn't believe what he told me next 'there is NO cancer in any of my lymph nodes'. He said out if 22 nodes the only cancer was from the hidden cancer that was found last time. He is amazed too. No need for chemotherapy (I did get him to repeat it a few times) 😄 I have to start the Tamoxifen again today. I also have to get radiotherapy. I go to see about thatt next Thursday. I also have my appointment to see Dr Roa again on Thursday 7th Dec 2017 😄 Dr Roa says I have compression of my nerve - I have been sleeping in the same position. It will go away but might take about a month. I hope all goes well with you tomorrow- thinking about you. Let me know how it goes. Vicki x ... View more

I am shocked at the difference in care. I am in Edinburgh - where are you? I got out the same day for the sentinel node removal but was on morphine tablets for two days after full clearance I was told it would be three days but was kept in for 6. Can't believe they are sending you home the same day 😞 I have a strange thing I am going to ask about tomorrow when I see the consultant. From my hip to my knee (on the same side as the lymph node clearance) is very numb and tingly. It feels cold. I was told that your body is clever and will deal with the lack of lymph nodes by re-routing but find it amazing if it can do it to your leg. Might be some odd coincidence. Thanks Ladybowler. I will let you both know how tomorrow goes 🙂 ... View more

Hi Lisa, there is no doubt about it lymph node clearance is a bigger op. I was supposed to be in for 3 days but it turned into a 6 day stay as I was still producing fluid - each morning the doc said to me 'one more night'. I was glad I was able to stay in - I was offered to go home on the day before I got home but would have had to check the amount of fluid drained and phoned in. A bit of a hassle. I did tug the drain while in hospital and it did hurt but was glad I could get it checked right away. Each day I feel better than the last but my arm is much stiffer than last time and my underarm is numb but tingly sore (if that makes sense). Strangely I don't have any pain in the lumpectomy area. I find out what is in the lymph nodes on Monday (fingers crossed for no chemo). Good luck for Tuesday and remember when you get your lymph nodes removed anything in there will be removed too so can't be a problem again. You will heal and get back full strength again. Sending love. Vicki x ... View more

Hello Msidenmummy, before I was diagnosed with BC I thought there're was only one type. It has been a real eye opener to find out about all the different types. I admit I haven't heard of your cribriform cancer but hope whatever treatment is used gets rid of it for you. I am just out of hospital having had a full lymph node clearance and lumpectomy and go for my results on Monday to see if I need chemo. I already had a lumpectomy and sentinel nodes removed. All went well but they found cancer in one lymph nodes - not from the tumour they removed but from lobular (hidden - didn't show in mammograms or ultrasound). That's why needed other lumpectomy and lymph nodes cleared. Best of luck for 6th Dec x ... View more

Hi Jennie, I hope you well after your lumpectomy. I have a similar story to you. I found a little lump that was checked on mammogram and ultrasound that turned out to be harmless. They did find a 9mm cancer elsewhere in my left breast. I only had my routine mammogram 9 months before and nothing showed up. I had a lumpectomy and 2 lymph nodes removed in Aug. Everything went well except there was cancer in one of the lymph nodes- but NOT from the tumour they removed. It was from a lobular cancer that was completely hidden and didn't show up on mammograms or ultrasound. I had a MRI that found it and because they knew where to find it they got it on the ultrasound to biopsy. I get it removed along a lymph node clearance on 22 November. Apparently it is very rare to have two different cancers in or breast. I am so grateful for the harmless little lump that found the first cancer that then found the hidden cancer. Vicki ... View more

Thanks Liz. Much appreciated. ... View more