Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi all!   I started radiotherapy yesterday, having had a partial mastectomy and breast reduction in August. I started Letrozol at the start of July in order to be able to delay the surgery until after my son’s wedding so I have now been taking this for almost 4 months.  I have recently started to get pains  in my feet and hand joints in particular which is annoying as so far it’s not been too bad apart from some tiredness and lots of hot flushes.    I have only had two sessions of rads but my boob is sore! Not the skin but stabbing pains all over.... I wasn’t expecting to notice anything apart from the skin getting sore maybe later on? so a bit of a downer really.  anyone else had the same??   anyway, 2 down 13 to go and then hopefully will he able to move on with the rest of my life 😄 take care ladies! Xx   ... View more

Hi all!   I started radiotherapy yesterday, having had a partial mastectomy and breast reduction in August. I started Letrozol at the start of July in order to be able to delay the surgery until after my son’s wedding so I have now been taking this for almost 4 months.  I have recently started to get pains in my feet and hand joints in particular which is annoying as do far it’s not been too bad apart from some tiredness and lots of hot flushes.  I have only had two sessions of rads but my boob is sore! Not the skin but stabbing pains all over.... I wasn’t expecting to notice anything so a bit of a downer really.  anyone else had the same?? ... View more

  Hi Rachel   I had my surgery on 30th August.  Like you invasive ductile carcinoma. I had WLE and therapeutic mammaplasty ( breast reduction) and sentinal node biopsy. I delayed surgery because my son was getting married two weeks after my diagnosis on 9th July which was possible as tumour highly hormone sensitive so started hormone therapy straight away.   I had not really thought beyond the surgery, apart from " I'll have rads and then continue with the pills for 5 years" Fine, that I can do.   then last night I all of a sudden got the jitters: I have my appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday to get my results!!   what if they are not what I expect? I didn't speak to the surgeon before leaving the hospital but assumed all went as planned.....but what if not?   so yes, I know how you feel 💕   Then I thought about what a lot of ladies on this lovely forum say: one step at a time we can do this!   good luck Rachel and I wish you well on your recovery journey!   ... View more

Hi Astra   I had my surgery yesterday so just about in August. 😊   Diagnosed with invasive ductual carcenoma in July two weeks before my son's wedding 🙁 Tumour was highly hormone receptive so was given the choice to start hormone therapy (letrozole) and delay surgery.   so yesterday I finally had the little critter removed aswell as therapeutic mammoplasty ( breast reduction)!   it all went well and today I feel great! Little pain and my boob looks so much better than I expected!   Question: have I been lucky or is this a post op "high" with potential of big crash coming?   Wishing all you ladies a speedy recovery 💕 💕 💕     ... View more

Hi Joemic   i started on letrozole 7 weeks ago. i am sure the side effects are different for everyone, but started having hot flushes almost immediately.. could be my imagination but they seemed more intense than those I had during menopause and more "sweaty".  That saying they are a bit of a nuisance, but manageable and have already reduced in number.    Some other side effects: achy joints and initially stomach upset but both easing already.   for me the worst side effect has been the fatigue! My "battery" seems to run out at about 3 in the afternoon and that was hard to manage whilst working.    I started letrozole before surgery to allow me to attend my son's wedding which was 2 weeks after my diagnosis and the good news is: it really works! my tumour shrunk so rapidly that I had to have metal clips inserted to ensure they would still be able to find it during surgery!    My surgery (partial mastectomy) was yesterday so now off work and will be interesting to see how the fatigue pans out and how much of it is caused by the rollercoaster that is breast cancer, and how much of it is the letrozole!   Good luck on your journey to recovery! ... View more

Thank you Seabreeze for your swift and comprehensive reply!   the surgeon I think was suggesting breast reduction as part of lumpectomy so radiotherapy would not need to penetrate so much Breast tissue in the side with bc. However to be honest I was so unprepared for this discussion that it’s all a bit vague and I could be wrong. I have googled him since and his expertise is oncoplastic Breast surgery so that’s reassuring.  You have given me plenty to think about and discuss when I see him and it does make sense to wait with the reduction on the unaffected side until later, although that is then 2 operations instead on one? always good to know about other options, so again: thank you.  And brilliant to hear you are doing so well!! 💕 ... View more

Hi just picked up this thread as trying to find out a bit more about this.  I was diagnosed two weeks ago and had an appointment with the breast surgeon last Tuesday. My son is getting married next week so I have started hormone therapy and I have a second appointment on 30th.  He has given me a choice: lumpectomy only or breast reduction with lumpectomy as I have bra size 38F.  He said this would help with the radiotherapy afterwards as less Breast tissue means less potential damage. i did not expect this option ( I did ask whether it would be both breasts! 😂 yes, I won’t be left lopsided!) what to do?? Does anyone else have experience with this? i ... View more

Oh dear!   Started on leprozol yesterday! Not feeling optimistic having read everyone's comments but hoping for some good news 😄   Is is there anyone out there who has managed to take this without horrible side effects?   ... View more

Some good news today! Tumor is grade 1 ( slow growing) and no sign of anything suspicious in lymph nodes!! Appointment on Tuesday to discuss treatment plan but feeling very relieved and positive!! My son is getting married on 21st and I was dreading having to putting on a “brave” face, but in the words of the nurse who gave me the result: best news we could have hoped for: go and celebrate!!   i know there is still the lumpectomy and radio therapy to come and possible hormone treatment afterwards but for now I feel grateful...... 💕 💕 ... View more

I know how you feel!  My recall appointment was last Thursday. Suspicious lump and biopsy done. Will get results on Thursday to see type of cancer and then appointment with consultant on Tuesday to discuss what next.  Worrying times.  Thinking of all us ladies and sending hugs and positive thoughts xx ... View more

Thank you Kip. I suppose we all think it won’t happen to us.... until it does!  ... View more

Thank You!  It helps just putting it down into words 💕 ... View more