Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi Nat,          It’s so difficult not to imagine the worse case scenario during this journey, I do it all the time! I find it helpful to try and employ logical brain 1. you’ve been seen by Consultant who was reassuring  2. you’ve had a scan  3. It’s over the operation site and not somewhere else on the breast. Your surgery was relatively recent and healing is still taking place  4. You’re being treated with antibiotics. Sometimes with wounds it takes longer to see an improvement than if you were taking them for an ear infection or tonsillitis where you see results on day one.  If you’re still feeling so worried perhaps phone your breast care nurse or make arrangements to see the consultant again.  Wishing you the best of luck for your next steps    Mel xx  ... View more

Hi Nannyval, how disappointing 😢 At diagnosis I was told to self isolate for two weeks. At the two week point I was admitted to hospital for Covid test and had to stay there for 24 hrs Pre op. Covid text results came back in about eight hours.   Cancer truly is a test of patience and just when you think you know what the plan is it throws you another curved ball!!  Hopefully you can sit in the garden and enjoy the lovely weather we’re having.  best wishes  Mel xx  ... View more

Hi Znandra,  great news that you don’t need more surgery so you can tick that off the road to recovery list. Although news about the chemo is disappointing it’s very doable and it won’t be long until you can tick that off too. It’s sometimes difficult to see when you’re in the middle of it but I have really taken comfort from the ladies who have been there and got to the end of their treatment journey. Hopefully that will be us soon. best wishes  Mel xx  ... View more

Znandra, hope he’s calling early to put your mind at rest as it’s good news. Everything crossed for you  Mel x  ... View more

Hi Nannyval,                 I’m almost three weeks post op with similar diagnosis. It will be such a relief to have your surgery and move onto the next stage. Everyone has been so kind and I have found this forum really valuable. My tumour has accrued air miles jetting to California for Oncotype test so oncology appt originally for tomorrow has been put back two weeks. I’m hoping to start radiotherapy in the next month and then tamoxifen.  Breast cancer really is the gift that keeps on giving!!  wishing you all the best for your surgery, it will be over before you know.  Mel xx  ... View more

Jan, Mo and Pye, thank you so much for your replies and advice... you really have been through the mill. This forum is great as you’re able to talk to people who have been there before. I suppose I was just a bit shell shocked at that appointment. You think you have it worked out in your head and then bang, the cancer bus hits again. I find I’m really good when I have information, no matter how bad it is. It’s the waiting that kills me. I knew I was impatient before but not to this extent 🤣 I hope the sun is shining wherever you are. Have a great Bank Holiday  Mel xx  ... View more

Hello,         I was diagnosed on 22-04-20 with ER+, I’m 48 with no family history.  I’m now nine days post op wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy. I feel really well and almost fraudulent at times if that makes sense. For me I’m just living in the moment and not getting ahead of myself. Surgery was one tick box completed and results are next. If I need more surgery then that’s next on the checklist. If margins and sentinel node are clear then radiotherapy is next to deal with. Each checkpoint is closer to the finish line. I guess everyone has different coping mechanisms and you need to do what works for you.  wishing you the very best of luck for your surgery Mel xx    ... View more

Hi Jan,  thanks for your reply. I’ve been online and ordered 🙂 This is such a great place for asking these questions. I’m probably overdoing my exercises as I want to be radiotherapy ready!  I hope you are keeping well  enjoy the sunny week ahead  Mel x  ... View more

Hi ladies, I was diagnosed in April and had wide local excision and node biopsies last week. Lockdown makes a bad situation worse! I found the online shopping bit for surgery difficult as delivery times are so messed up. Ordinarily I would have popped to M&S and got fitted properly for sports bras but I’m afraid it was more a guessing game 🤣 This forum is so amazing and supportive as unfortunately everyone has been there! It’s shocking to see how many people have joined with new diagnosis since I did two weeks ago! What I have taken from it is that you do get through it. Posts from people saying “two years ago this was me” have certainly encouraged me.  take care  Mel  Xxx  ... View more

Hi bonbonboosh, it was 29mm. Surgery was done in a private hospital as an NHS patient. Glad the first step is over. Feeling a bit bruised but nowhere near as sore as I expected. Early discharge team from my local hospital came to the house yesterday and removed the drain and redid dressing s.  I really hope you get a date soon. I would assume there are national guidelines but who knows in these times. At least if you had a date it’s something to work towards rather than uncertainty. Do you have a breast care nurse you can ring or maybe the consultants secretary?  best wishes  Mel x  ... View more

Hello, I had my surgery two days ago in London (outsourced to a private hospital) Couldn’t have had better care. Covid screening prior to op and dropped off and collected from the door. The bit I did miss was the physical presence of my husband before and after surgery 😢 as no family allowed to visit. Definitely makes it harder but I totally understand the reason.  best wishes  Mel    ... View more

Hello,  I was diagnosed on 22nd April, Er+ Her-vel I had wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy two days ago. Hoping it’s all gone and that lymph nodes are ok. No problems were identified at ultrasound so fingers crossed. Results in a couple of weeks and then see oncologist for a plan. Before surgery I was told it would be radiotherapy and tamoxifen.  I hope your surgery happens soon  best wishes x  ... View more

I was like that last week when I had a sore back! The reality was I had been working on the laptop all day on the sofa in an awkward position but my mind told me otherwise!  I really hope you get a date soon, have the hospital mentioned outsourcing to private hospitals?  best wishes Mel x    ... View more

Our patience is definitely being tested at this time! Mine is being outsourced to a private hospital too. Hoping for views of the Thames 🤣 The relief of having the surgery over is definitely a positive and now the drain being gone you can see that you are moving forward.  best wishes  Mel xx  ... View more

Hello  I’m in a similar situation. Admission tomorrow for WLE and node biopsy. Because of Covid the sentinel node can’t be tested during the op as normal so it means another two week wait for results... I have no patience!  wishing you well  xx  ... View more

Mine went straight into a drawer! The folder nobody wants. Mine is ductal invasive ER+, still waiting on Her results.  Xxx  ... View more

Hey ladies, It’s now ten days since my diagnosis. Surgery booked for next Thursday, hopefully wide local excision and SNB. Surgery being done at a Private hospital due to Covid. Stupid things such as getting sports bras etc is so much more difficult at this time. Thankfully M&S delivery times are still good! I still feel very numb about it all. It’s the waiting that is the worst for me. Once I know what I’m dealing with I find it easier. This forum is truly a godsend and I’m so thankful I found it. My husband and kids are fantastic but I don’t want to worry them with anymore.   Thinking of you all  xx  ... View more

Thank you for your reply. I have pre op assessment By telephone on Friday and surgery next Thursday now. I’ve been self isolating too. Covid makes things even stranger. Good luck with everything. Xx  ... View more