Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Skells, What regime and cycles are you having? I had my first FEC cycle on 1st (Thurs), 5/6 to go. I didn't feel any immediate effects, but now feeling some nausea, so taking the anti-sickness pills given. Feeling fatigued too but think that's less chemo and more waking up with my 5week old daughter through the night. I've been referred for a PICC line, just waiting for an appointment. How was the fitting? All the best for today! Dede x ... View more

Hi Melia I'm having the same regime too 6xFEC (although not cold-capping) starting the first session tomorrow. I have joined the May starters and have found their posts useful in terms of what to expect x ... View more

I just had the results of this test at had a high oncotype score so Chemo is a certainty for me now. I was surprised by this given the high oestrogen receptors (7/8). From what I was told, this would have been the recommendation given my age (33) and grade 3 tumour. I was very skeptical about the need for chemo, however knowing the risk of recurrence is high, given the score, I am mentally armed to undergo this part of treatment. I was lucky to have clear lymph nodes otherwise the test wouldn't have been available to me. ... View more

That I am, Charys! We had a beautiful baby girl on May 1st, it was such a quick delivery. I am now recovering post-delivery with renewed invigoration to tackle the treatments ahead. My next appointment with the oncologist is on 15th, so will hopefully get the results of the Oncotype and start date of next treatment! Hope everyone is feeling well, positive thoughts to you all x ... View more

Hello, still here waiting for little one to arrive, now 38 weeks along so hopefully shouldn't be too much more of a wait.  I had some unexpected news after preparing for over a year of treatments to come. Following the surgery, the sample was retested for HER2 and test came back negative, so no longer need the year of herceptin treatment. Chemo is still a possibility, but having an Oncotype test to determine if this will be necessary. I had a first appointment with oncologist yesterday, but now a waiting game until baby comes to prepare for next step.    Sending positive thoughts to everyone.    Wande x ... View more

Hi,   No, I had a Lumpectomy, with radiation to follow later. I was told this was equivalent to having a Masectomy without radiation in terms of survival rates. I just wanted the tumour out as soon as possibe and i'm grateful it was deemed a success.    All the best x ... View more

Hi Melia,   Im 33 and was told that Chemo is usually recommeded in younger women, as cancers tend to be more aggressive. Like you said, I think it depends mostly on the grade. I was initially told mine was Grade 2 and would probably just have needed Radiotherapy after my surgery. However after the surgery they found it was mostly Grade 3, so now Chemo is very likely, even though my lymph nodes and margins were clear. I have an oncologist appointment in a couple of weeks so will find out more then. My tumour was ER+ and HER2+ so thats another reason why Chemo is likley needed in my case, I don't think they give Herceptin treatment without having Chemo first.    All the best to you. ... View more

Morning,   So I had my post-surgery results appointment yesterday and feeling mixed about it all.    The good news is that the margins were clear and sentinal nodes were clear too, so they are 94% sure the cancer didn't spread. After the initial biopsy, I was told it was a Grade2 2cm lump, however following the surgery, this was confirmed as a Grade 3 2.5cm. I really wasn't expecting a change from Grade 2 to 3. This now means I will need Chemo followed by Radiation. I had prepared my mind for the possibility of Chemo, but thought it might be unlikely. However the consultant said due to my young age and grade, Chemo would be most likely recommended. The other news I received was that the initial biopsy had tested positive for HER2 (the surgery sample is now being tested again just to be sure), so I would also need Herceptin following Chemo then followed by tamoxifen as it was also ER+. So while i'm pleased that the surgery was a success and I am now cancer free, I'm trying to wrap my head around the length of the treatments to follow, while also caring for a newborn baby and mourning my ability to breastfeed, due to Chemo treatment. I have an appointment with the oncologist in a couple of weeks to discuss the next stage of treatment.   I'm fortunate to have a supportive family, who will help me as much as they can, so trying to remain positive and concentrate on delivering a healthy baby girl in the next month. I'll work through the rest as it comes.   All the best to us all,   Wande x  ... View more

Hi, Surgery went well last Thursday and baby is doing well, I was able to go home the same day so that was great. I've got my appointment next Tuesday for the surgical results and praying for the best. In the meantime, I am trying to get as much rest as possible and trying to restrict paracetamol usage. The area of the lumpectomy feels lumpy and sore (keep getting worried that the cancerous lump is still there), but I've read this can be scar tissue? My armpit is also quite numb, where 2 nodes were taken for the SNB. I'm praying this is all 'normal' sensations. Thanks for all the well wishes and support. ... View more

Surgery booked in for Thursday 23rd (i'll be 34 weeks). I'm having a wide local excision (lumpectomy) and sentinal node biopsy. I have to have a radio isotope injection first (can't have blue dye when pregnant, i've been told), so just praying all goes to plan and harnessing postive thoughts for the surgery and the results.    Thanks ladies for all the support x ... View more

Thank you! i'll have a look x ... View more

Thanks everyone for the supportive messages . I had an appointment with the antenatal consultant yesterday and it was reassuring to see that baby is doing so well and growing happily. She was happy to recommend I have the surgery whilst still pregnant so I can recover prior to delivery. I feel so much better knowing that all the different specialities are involved in making the best decision for me and baby. I have my next appointment with the breast consultant tomorrow so will hopefully get a definate outcome and hopefully surgery date too.    Will keep you updated.   Positive thoughts and blessings x ... View more

Thank you. ... View more