Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello,  I was diagnosed in April 2020 grade 3 ER+ Had surgery in May.  Oncotype was 19 and I decided no chemo. I had 20 radiotherapy treatments. I started Zoladex injections which I have every 28 days and letrozole. I’ll have Zometa infusions every six months (I’m 48)  The enforced menopause bit has been fine.  No periods after I had the first Zoladex. My skin which had been spot prone around period time is amazing 🤣 I have to say letrozole is hard work but the alternative is worse! I have joint stiffness which is the worst side effect for me. I had an oncology appt a few weeks ago and hope the letrozole will be for five years 🤞 Mel XX   ... View more

Hi Joannemaire, sorry you find the need to be here but it is a great place for support from others who are going through a similar thing.  The “limbo” position you are currently in was the worst part for me. Once all the results are back and a treatment plan is in place you can move forward. I‘m 48 and was diagnosed in April 2020 (grade 3 Er+) and have had surgery and radiotherapy. The active treatment is complete and now it’s the medication to keep it away. Covid doesn’t help matters either!   Your breast and oncology teams will have a plan for you and everything is very doable. I have found great support in this forum and I’m sure you will also.  Take it a day at a time and get support which feels right for you.   best wishes   Mel xx  ... View more

Hi Jo, DCIS was never mentioned until the pathology report after surgery. Radiotherapy is now finished and I have my first Zoladex injection tomorrow then letrozole added in a month later.  hope you get all the answers you need   Mel xx  ... View more

Hi Jo, that was definitely a mixed bag of results but the very positive bit is the clear lymph nodes.   My tumour was much bigger than expected (With DCIS in the middle) so I had what they called “shaved” areas. Thankfully they did this at the first surgery. As the margins wouldn’t have been clear without the shave they did five boost sessions of radiotherapy to the tumour bed.  Covid rules just add extra stress to an already stressful situation.  Second opinions and your own research is useful to ensure you are making an informed decision. Did you have Oncotype testing? I found it really useful for making a decision around chemotherapy.  best wishes Mel    ... View more

Hi Susan, I had lumpectomy in early May and the blue dye is still very much there 🤣 The surgeon told me it would last for months.  The numbness around my armpit remains but I’m slowly getting more sensation I suppose as the nerves that were cut repair themselves.  I finished 20 sessions of radiotherapy this week so my boob is currently red, white and blue!  best wishes for your recovery  Mel  ... View more

Hi Jo, I’ve now completed 16/20 radiotherapy 🎉 Today was the first boost session. It’s been very straightforward. Wishing you all the very best for your surgery, another step closer to the finish line.  Hope you’re home and recovering soon.  Mel xxx  ... View more

Hi Jo, my surgery went well. I came home with one drain which was removed the next day by the rapid discharge team. I only took paracetamol on the first day. I think part of it is that they cut the nerves during surgery so you can’t really feel anything for a while (the feeling returns slowly) The wounds have healed really well and radiotherapy is going well, eight done and skin still behaving 🤣 It is all very doable and you will soon be where I am soon.   best of luck and hope you’re not too bored!  Mel xxx  ... View more

🎉 🎉 🍾 🍾 Best spoiler ever and fabulous news, in 2020 each day felt like a month 😂   I’m a quarter of the way through radiotherapy now, 5 down and 15 to go. Mine will be three months from diagnosis to active treatment over too.  Definitely avoid Google 🤣 wishing you the very best  Mel xx        ... View more

Hi Jo, there seems to be ever changing rules with Covid which although totally understandable isolate us from the people we need the most. I was admitted 24 hrs before surgery for Covid testing. The NHS was using a private hospital for breast surgery and there were no visitors allowed. Dropped and collected from the car park. It was the longest 24 hrs ever, alone in a private room. The amusing bit was that on the morning of surgery I had to go to Guys Hospital to nuclear medicine and to have the guide wire inserted. Hospital staff walked me through London Bridge station from the private to NHS hospital... 🤣 🤣 There was no mention of self isolating before radiotherapy although I have to say I’m not going out much. So far so good and my skin is behaving. Today was treatment 5 of 20 so I’m a quarter of the way there.  best wishes  Mel xx  ... View more

Hi Jo, I had surgery in May and had to self isolate for two weeks before surgery. Although I stayed at home I didn’t isolate from my husband or children and my husband still went to work every day (in a hospital!) You will have a Covid test before surgery so I can’t see the point in isolating from the people you live with. You need to think of your emotional health too.  I’m having radiotherapy at the minute and there is no self isolating or Covid test. It’s done at a cancer centre and I have my temperature checked at the door and am given a mask to wear while inside the building. It feels very safe.  best wishes Mel xx   ... View more

Hi Destiny, just wanted to add my bit to the other ladies great comments. The worst and most shocking bit is over. The first few weeks waiting on biopsy results, scan results if needed etc, everything is out of your control. I’m a nurse so my imagination was even more active 🤣 Once the results are all in and you have a treatment plan you regain some of that control as you’re part of the planning process. I was diagnosed in April, had surgery in May and am currently having radiotherapy. It’s all very doable. Those first  few weeks were the worst. Use this forum lots, it’s great and everyone is very kind.  wishing you the very best  Mel xx  ... View more

Hi Nannyval, Brilliant news, you will sleep well tonight. I had my first radiotherapy session today and it was absolutely fine. Everyone has been so kind and the cancer centre feels safe, not like a hospital.  By the end of the summer we will be on the home straight 🎉 best wishes  Mel xx  ... View more

Hi Stayzen,  wow you’re almost finished 🎉 Today was great, not sure what I was expecting but you’re right it was just like having an X-ray. I’m having 20 sessions, 15 normal and 5 boost. Will be done by the end of July. I see the oncologist at the end of radiotherapy for medication planning. They are talking about monthly Zoladex injections ( to make me menopausal) then letrozole and six monthly Zometa infusion.   good luck with your final treatments  Mel xx  ... View more

Hi ladies,  I was upgraded to a grade 3 too, lymph nodes were clear. I had oncotype testing with showed intermediate risk of recurrence (score was 19) so I’ve decided against chemo. I had radiotherapy planning today and will have 15 sessions plus 5 boost then see oncologist again for medication planning.  I fluctuate between margins (by a whisker) and lymph nodes were clear so it’s fine to I’m sure there are rogue cells out there.  best wishes  Mel xx  ... View more

Hi Nannyval,                    Great that the surgery part is done and hope you aren’t too sore.  My radiotherapy starts on your results day! Those hugs from your family will be even more precious when you’ve waited so long.  best wishes Mel  ... View more

Hi Stayzen,  We’re at a very similar stage. I have radiotherapy planning tomorrow and start on July 1st, 15+ 5 boost sessions. See oncologist two weeks after it finishes to sort out medication.  wishing you the best of luck... happy moisturising!  Mel  ... View more

Hi Claudia, sorry you find yourself here. I second what the other ladies have said. I found from diagnosis to surgery then results and more investigations I felt totally out of control. I met with the oncologist on Wednesday and honestly it was like a weight had been lifted of my shoulders. I have decisions to make (re chemo) but I feel like I have regained some control. I’ve slept so much better the past couple of nights.  Once there is a treatment plan in place lots of the unknowns have been answered.  I hope all goes well for you on Wednesday  Mel xx ... View more

Hi Claire, I’m 48 so similar position about impending menopause! It’s such a joy to be female 🤣 I’m now five weeks after surgery. This week the numbness has really improved. The downside is I feel so much more! I hope Monday goes well and you get all the answers you need.  best wishes Mel xx  ... View more

Hi Shnug, the surgeon said had he known the size and grade before surgery it would have been done then so I think it was just for completion. The radiotherapy is because I had lumpectomy rather than mastectomy. I’ll be on tamoxifen for ten years after radiotherapy.   best wishes  Mel xx  ... View more

Hi Claire, I seem to be in a similar position to you. I was diagnosed with grade 2, 19mm ER+. After surgery it was discovered to be 42mm and grade 3, lymph nodes were clear. I had bone scan, MRI and CT last week which were clear. I saw oncologist yesterday for results of Oncotype score. Did you have it?  They have recommended 4 doses of chemo over nine weeks, followed by 15 radiotherapy and tamoxifen for ten years.  My Oncotype score was 19 so I’m really unsure of the benefits of chemo. They are going to review me next week with my decision. I’m confused about what to do but relieved that I have regained some control.  best wishes  Mel  ... View more