Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Bellas Mum   Best not to compare yourself to anyone else's treatment as we are all different. I too was told to start Letrozole before rads. Like you clear nodes and margins. Started Letrozole in Feb and rads started the end of March so was already 6 weeks into Letrozole before I started  rads. After reading some of the posts regarding Letrozole I was really scared but the only SE I have are hot flushes and this is manageable. I count myself lucky as I know some ladies have a number of SE. The only SE I had with rads was the tiredness and I put this down to the daily back and forth. I'm 7 weeks post rads and my skin is absolutely fine and I put this down to lots of moisturiser.  I'm pretty much back to a new normal and started back at work this week after 5 months away. It is a difficult time but try to be positive, you will get through this.    Sending hugs xx ... View more

Hi Canadiain   Sorry to hear about your mum. I hope she is recovering from her surgery. The test is available on the NHS as well as through private health care. Perhaps this is what the doctor is referring to. I had my test through the NHS and the results were that I did not require chemotherapy but my nodes were clear. The link will provide further information.    https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/oncotype-dx   Best wishes to your mum x ... View more

London, near to Wembley Stadium. Bought up in Wolverhampton in the West Midlands Active treatment finished in April. On Letrozole since February, so far no SE to speak of. Would be lovely to chat, meet someone from West or Northwest London x ... View more

Hi jtb I had a mx without reconstruct in Dec 2017. Not having reconstruct was an easy decision for me due to the length of surgery, my age - I'm a young 52! and I'm not so bothered about body image though I do look after myself.  However, the consultant has left the door open should i change my mind at a later stage. I know of a lady who had reconstruct 10 yrs post surgery! For now I'm happy as I am.   I know we are all different, my scar healed relatively quickly  but I did have problems with a large seroma and blood clots in the surgery area ( i didn't have drains inserted after surgery) and attended the bc clinic several times for the fluid to be drained but it  filled up again. In the end, I had a separate appointment for  a 'vacumn' which sucked out all the fluid and I'm fine now. I dont know whether women who had the drains inserted after surgery have had these issues. The surgery area is not completely flat as i have some scar tissue and i also put this down to being big busted pre surgery. Bear in mind every mx and scar will look different.   I've adjusted to wearing the softie and have taken out some of the 'stuffing' to look more even. I will soon be fitted for the prosthesis. Most days I go out without the softie and have mastered the art of disguise with my clothing, no one would ever know I have one boob  I've found several good quality post surgery bra's on Asda's website and M&S have a good selection. I had a bra fitting recently at M&S and the lady was lovely, understanding and had years of experience with fitting ladies who have had a mx.  When I booked the appointment I mentioned that i had a mx as I wanted someone with this experience. I've also bought a few padded bras where I can take out the pads and insert the softie. That said, I feel liberated not having  to wear a bra all the time and support vest tops are good too especially during radiotherapy. As the other ladies have said, it's important to keep on doing your breast and arm exercises, even if you dont feel like it. Im 4 months post surgery and down to twice a day because I know I have to do them    If you feel up to it, you can ask your bcn to put you in touch with someone who has had a mx without reconstruct to talk and ask questions. The decision you make has to be the right one for you.   Wishing you the best xx             ... View more

Hi thanks for the information. My oncotype score was 22. A typo with the size of my tumour, should have said 60mm!. Best wishes for today xx ... View more

Hi Mich33 I had surgery in Dec 2017 for invasive ductal carcinoma, 6mm, ER+ 8/8, grade 2, stage 2, clear nodes but I didn't need chemo as my oncotype score wasn't high enough but I've had 15 sessions of radiotherapy. What type of bc do you have as if similar to mine, I'm wondering why you are having chemo if your nodes are clear? Is it to shrink the tumour before surgery? I appreciate we all have different treatment plans and I'm interested to know your bc type.   Hope all goes well on Monday xx  ... View more

Hi Tropic_al Just echoing what Appletree and Ladybowler have said. My experience is that i had a mastectomy in Dec 2017 and this was due to the size of the tumour. No nodes were affected.  I recall before i made my decision the bcn suggesting a lumpectomy and the surgeon in not so many words a mastectomy but in his post consultation letter he recommended a mastectomy. I then made an appointment for a second opinion with my GP and she also suggested a mastectomy  which by then had helped me to make my decision. I knew at the point of diagnosis that I wanted a mastectomy.  At the pre op appoint the surgeon advised that although I was having a mastectomy, there is a slim chance of the cancer coming back in the same breast area. The outcomes for mastectomy and lumpectomy are the same. In my situation I wouldn't have had much of a boob if I opted for a lumpectomy therefore my decision to have the mastectomy (without recon).   What I'm trying to say is to talk things over with your GP if you are able to as this is another opinion which may help you to make your decision. I hope this helps xx     ... View more

Hi Jay68 Thank you for the advice. The rads nurse mentioned this to me. I'm keeping an eye on my skin and trying to remember to do the daily exercises. With the busy pace of life and the tiredness that kicks in, making time for exercise can be difficult but then I remind myself it's all worthwhile   Best wishes xx ... View more

Hi Whytefawn Thank you for creating this thread. I had a full right side MX in Dec 2017. I knew from the point of diagnosis that I didn't want reconstruction and the thought of the 7-8 hrs surgery did not appeal to me.  I'm 52 and knew that not having 2 boobs would not make any difference to my quality of life and I'm comfortable with my body. I've been married for over 20 yrs and hubby accepts me as I am. I finished rads last week and so far I haven't had any problems with my skin but it has darkened and I was told to expect this.   Several family members expected me to have reconstruct especially my mum who still doesn't understand why  I decided against it! For now I'm quite happy as I am. I'm seeing my BCN next wk to sort out the prosthetic and  I'm enjoying the freedom of not having to wear a bra all the time. The way I dress disguises the fact that I have one boob. I also wear vest tops with the secret support  and the softie when I feel like it but most of the time I go without the softie.    I know we are all different, different stages in life, emotionally different and each individual will make a decision according to their situation. I totally respect  that. xxx   ... View more

Hi I'm two months into Letrozole. My first month was the Accord brand and the only SE were mild flushes but as I was having these before Letrozole, I didn't feel any different. My second month with Cipla hasn't been too bad apart from an increase in hot flushes! I haven't had any stomach issues or insomnia. Have recently requested a repeat prescription for the Accord brand as they seem to work better for me. That said, I would also take Cipla and manage the flushes. I'm not sure how many different  brands there are but I would say to stick to the brand that works for you.   xx ... View more

Hi Michelle21 After reading your post I wanted to reassure you there is light at the end of the tunnel. I was diagnosed at stage 2 but a work colleague was diagnosed with stage 4 six years ago. She had surgery, chemo, rads and is now fit and healthy enjoying life in another part of the world!  She kept me sane with my own diagnosis, reassuring me when I was at my lowest.   You will get through this. Big hugs xxx ... View more

Hi Jane 888   I'm sorry for everything  you have been through. I'm posting as i've had some experiences as you, seroma for ages (then haematoma)  and had to have FNA to drain the fluid and blood clots in my mastectomy site. Thankfully I am fine now. My mastectomy was in Dec 2017 and I decided not to have reconstruction as I really didn't want the long surgery which my surgeon said would be 7-8hrs.  My scar has healed nicely. I recently started rads (4 sessions in) and the delay was due to the seroma etc, which needed time to heal.   Honestly, and this is my experience, a mastectomy without reconstruction is not as bad as I imagined and the 'A' symmetry does take some getting used too but I wear clothing with pattern prints and no-one would guess that i have one boob! I feel comfortable looking at myself in the mirror and am grateful that I have come out the other end. My hubby has got used to seeing the 'new me' and accepts me as I am. Once rads have finished I will get fitted for the prosthetic which will sort out the 'A' symmetry. In the meantime I'm wearing a softie. Some of my family members expected me to have recon and were surprised when I told them I didn't want it,  but everyone has come to terms with my decision.   Whatever decision you make will be the right one for you and your situation.   Sending hugs xxx ... View more

Hello everyone   I'll be joining some of you through the rads journey. My first of 15 sessions starts 27th March. It seems ages since my surgery on 12th Dec. That said, I had a bit of a set back with seroma and haematoma but this has cleared now. I've been taking letrozole for 5 weeks with no SE to speak of.   Actually I'm looking forward to the treatment, maybe I'm a bit weird! But what this means for me is that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer I do feel that inbetween the wait I could have gone back to work but also realise I needed this time to concentrate on my healing. I'm also enjoying being at home doing things that I haven't had the time to do especially lots of  baking  It's one hell of a journey!   Love and hugs xx       ... View more

Hi Susank Sorry to hear the MED has affected you in this way. I've been taking Letrozole for 4 wks now and apart from a few spots which I haven't had since my teenage years (I'm 52) I haven't experienced any SE. I do have back pain but have had this for years and so far it isn't any worst. I appreciate I still have a long way to go and am grateful to everyone who has posted about Letrozole and it's SE which will help me to cope with any SE.   Sending best wishes to all  xx ... View more

Hi all I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this on top of everything else. As Blue Monday has said, surely the sick note says it all. I've sent my manager regular sick notes and a phone call here and there and he has told me to take as long as I need.  HR have not requested any further information.    Breast Cancer Haven run a free  Employment Law Seminar and one of the areas covered is 'Rights to privacy and confidentially - what should HR, Occupational Health and yr manager be told about your diagnosis'.    Breastcancerhaven.org.uk.   Its worth going along if you are close to a Haven centre.   Best wishes xxx ... View more

Hi Ladies I hope you are doing ok xx Janemc Hope you had a fabulous birthday  Am glad your onco appointment was positive and the back pain is being checked out. I will have rads at another hos and waiting for appointment. I think rads will start in March (hopefully). Onco also referred me for bone density test and prescribed vit D (I'm quite low so taking these now) & calcium tabs to take after bone test. Took my first Letrozole today! Let's hope any side effects are manageable.  As you said, onwards & upwards    Big hugs and thanks to everyone. I would have been lost without this forum. Xxx     ... View more