Breast Cancer Care Forum

Yes unfortunately it was , they thought the tumour was  about 14mm but turned out to be 60mm . They couldn't get clear margins the first time round so I had to have another lumpectomy two weeks after the first then because they couldn't get clear margins again I had to have a mastectomy! I decided on reconstruction at the same time ! I then had 15 treatments of radiotherapy over a month which finished at the end of July 2019 !  My cancer was Grade 2 invasive lobular cancer which they have thankfully sorted for me ! The oncologist said we can't say cured but clear for now !  It was tough but I had brilliant care and the support from my family and friends was amazing and helped me through it !  Please message me at any time , private message on here if it's easier for you xx will be thinking of you and hope that you don't have to endure too many operations x ... View more

Hi there  So sorry to hear about your diagnosis ! Yes that is exactly what happened to me ! The day before surgery I had a radiation injection which puts blue dye in to show up the lymph nodes ! I had three taken which included the sentinel node as well as the lumpectomy ! I was lucky that my lymph nodes were not affected but the tumour was bigger than they thought so had to have further surgery !  I hope this helps x  sending you lots of love and a virtual hug and hope all is sorted quickly for you xxx ... View more

Hi again Nicky , Yes I had mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction straight away ! It would have been diep flap but due to my blood vessels being too small they had to take muscle and fat whereas the diep spares the muscle ! For that reason I do have a slight droop on one side of my abdomen but hey that's a small price to pay !  big hugs to you also xxxx ... View more

Hi Nicky , Oh my , that is hard - that's what I had as you know except it took doing the two lumpectomies first as didn't know until they went in that couldn't get the clear margins ! Fingers are crossed for you xx   Unfortunately I have an infection but antibiotics are beginning to sort it I think ! Try and enjoy Christmas xxx and big hugs from Devon x ... View more

You are very welcome to private message me if you would like xxx  My name is PHILIPPA x ... View more

It's horrible isn't it , i was diagnosed in January , three operations ,the last one being a mastectomy with reconstruction ! The fourth operation I had on Friday was some repairs to do with my hysterectomy that I had over a year ago ! That bit of it went well but the gynaecologist removed some lesions and that has resulted in an infection where I had the stitches !  Regarding  the breast cancer, that has been sorted with the operations and radiotherapy-The oncologist said they can't say cured  but can say clear for now !  I hope that you are sorted as quickly as possible ! This forum has been a godsend to me x  sending a big hug and keep in touch xx ... View more

Hi again,  sorry for not contacting you on Wednesday , how did it all go ? i have been thinking about you x lots going on hear ! Since the gynae op a week ago I now have an infection and on antibiotics! I expect it's due to being a bit run down ! oh well onwards and upwards , just got to get on with things ! sending  virtual hug and hope you have a lovely Christmas despite all that's going on x ... View more

Thanks xxx you will be brave too , it's amazing where the strength comes from although believe me I haven't been brave all the time xx ... View more

Ahhh hi that's so kind to ask xx it all went well and came home same day X feeling tired but not sore , just stings really !  See someone in three weeks which unfortunately is at the time I was diagnosed in January so don't really want to be in the hospital then but hey ! I will be strong xxx how are you doing ?  ... View more

Hi pinkyfleur ( wish I knew your real name )  my goodness, you are going through it ! It's horrible all the waiting but they sound like they are on top of it which is good news ! Yes it doesn't stop the worrying , I still worry now ! Please message me your name and location , would be good to visualise where you are ! i am glad they have said it's treatable, that's what they said to me !  Your emotions are very understandable and I felt lonely too , still have moments now and active treatment has finished !  I saw the consultant today re my reconstruction and he was really pleased , he said that he can reconstruct my nipple soon which is good news ! The pain I am getting around the sides of my new breast he said is due to the radiotherapy as they had to zap quite close to the chest wall ! He said it would probably not go away but it's manageable at the moment ! I will talk to my oncologist if it gets any worse !  sending you big hugs and glad I have been some help xxx You will get through this but it will take time but I am here for you to message me anytime xx ... View more

How are you and how did the appointment go?  Been  thinking of you !  Sending a big hug from Devon xx ... View more

Of course you can private message me anytime x I apologise if you dont get a quick response as don't always get to my iPad until the evenings !  I was told by my oncologist that we can't say all clear as they can never tell whether it will come back which is the frightening thing ! I had something called an oncotype test where part of my tumour was sent of to America to test to see whether I would need chemotherapy and what likelihood of recurrence there was ! I was lucky in that I didn't need chemo and came back as saying only 7% of recurrence !! Let's hope that is accurate!! i had an amazing support team xx Big  hugs  and fingers crossed for Wednesday . I will be thinking of you xxx   ... View more

Hi , I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. All your feelings are very normal, I went through the same in January. I think the first few weeks are the most worrying when your consultant is determining your treatment. My journey began in December last year just before Christmas ! I had found a lump near my nipple . Went to the doc and was fast tracked to the hospital - saw a consultant about four days later ! Nothing showed on the mammogram and the ultrasound but she did a biopsy! She was 99% sure she would be writing to me to say all was ok but I had a call from the hospital on New Year's Eve asking me to come in on the 2nd January ! I was diagnosed with a grade 2 invasive lobular cancer . The cancer likes to feed off oestrogen so I was put on Letrozole to stop any oestrogen ! I had one lumpectomy to begin with and three lymph nodes removed . unfortunately she couldn't get clear margins so two weeks later had another op !! Turned out luckily my lymph nodes were clear but unfortunately she couldn't get clear margins again so ended up with a mastectomy but opted for reconstruction at the same time ! That is coming up to seven months ago now but still recovering although back to doing lots again ! I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy which left me very tired !  I hope that your breast care nurse explained that every bodies journey is different! It all depends on your specific cancer as to how your journey will be ! It is a very frightening journey and you will have highs and lows ! I am still getting down now and I have finished active treatment ! I cried this afternoon I'm not sure why but possibly due to tiredness and the fact the pills I am on make me achy .  Take  all the help you can from your nurse. Mine is fantastic and doesn't mind if you want to ring and have a chat . She has had many conversations with me in tears !  Also if you have a cancer charity attached to your hospital use them as much as possible! The force charity attached to Exeter hospital have been amazing !  you have done the right thing coming on here , it has helped me through some very difficult times .  I am more than happy for you to private message me on here if you would like to chat . sending a big hug and hope that your journey isn't a long and difficult one . we are all on here to help xxx  love PHILIPPA xxx ... View more

Dear Saskia, Many thanks for sorting this for me , it looks like it has worked , as I can see a reply button now .  Will let you know if I have any trouble  Many thanks  Philippa ... View more

Hi  Was just searching the forum as gaining weight and came across your post !  I was diagnosed on the 2nd January this year and have been on letrozole ever since ! I have had three operations and radiotherapy ! I am feeling so down about the weight gain! I do try and eat healthily , we all have bad days but generally my diet hasn't changed but the weight has !  How are you doing now ? Have you had any advice ? I am hoping to get some from my consultant when I see her next !  Hope all going ok with your recovery, big hugs  love Philippa x ... View more

Hi Juliewulie Thinking of you too , keep chatting on here , we will get through this xxxx  sending a big hug x love Philippa  ... View more

Hi , So sorry not to have replied sooner ! I don't seem to get notifications to say someone has replied to me !  I didn't have chemo just three lots of  surgery and then the radiotherapy! Radiotherapy finished on the 23rd July so now just trying to get on with things ! Very hard some days and still get emotional ! Counselling going to happen at some stage !  Hope all ok with you and recovery going well xx  ... View more

Hi KJ, sorry for late reply ! It's 4.30 in the morning and for some reason have woken up thinking about everything!!! Had a couple of really good days too so not sure why this is happening !!  The cancer charity Force phoned yesterday when I was out but sounds like I may not get counselling until October unless I can do the 60 mile round trip to Exeter each week ! Think I may have to as want to get back to normal ! I hope it helps ! I am not crying constantly but have it on my mind the majority of the time ! Think it's because my boob that has been reconstructed is a constant reminder as still swelling ! I am sure I will get there ! Please don't feel embarrassed , your feelings are very normal , you have been through a lot ! Everyones treatment is different but still equally tough ! I feel I am making lots of new friends on here x Its a shame that I will probably not ever meet any of you but at least this is here for chatting and advice x chat again soon  love Philippa x   ... View more