Breast Cancer Now Forum

Unfortunately I won't know about radio vs chemo until after surgery as the lumps are grade 3. Sorry you were in pain after the MRI, I did have some sternum pain after and the radiographer said that often you don't breathe properly and become more rigid than normal so it almost forces your bones on the hard plastic. I hope it is subsiding for you now. The weekly meetings thing is hard if you miss one isn't it. Feels like a lifetime in between. But tomorrow you should get lots of results and hopefully a good, clear plan forward. The hardest thing emotionally is the self isolating away from all my family. They asked me to do it from July 1st but then my surgery date was july 15th, they had to move it as I had to have the other biopsy & ultrasound and the NHS changed the guidelines. Obviously I chose to isolate from everyone and you may not have to but I wanted them to get on with their lives & work as it will get harder later for them when they will need to be with me more. So I am nearly 2 weeks in and it's hard not getting hugs or even being able to have dinner together. I'm looking forward to those.  Best of luck for tomorrow Louise, I know it will be hard. Will you have anyone with you? I'll be thinking of you. ❤️ ... View more

Hi Louise,  Lovely to hear from you, how did your MRI go? Good I hope. You're absolutely right waiting is a nightmare but I have found that it does give you time to gather your thoughts, do some reading & think of questions as the journey progresses.  Yes I got more results on Friday & a chat with my nurse yesterday. I do have a 2nd cancerous lump only 8mm this time (1st one is 16mm) so they will remove them together next weds. Just waiting to find out if the 2nd one is HER+, the 1st one wasn't. Do you have any idea what your treatment plan is yet or will that all be discussed tomorrow? I'll keep all my fingers and toes crossed for you. Let me know how you get on xxx ... View more

Brilliant thanks Stayzen, seems Asda has a lot of good easy clothing for this situation. Great advice, thank you. Hope you are doing well. Jo x ... View more

Eugh! Poor you but great advice thank you! Hope you're doing ok. ... View more

Thanks so much Anniej. Really appreciate the advice especially around the cleaning afterwards & supplements I will ask my nurse what i can take. Thank you! Jo x ... View more

Brilliant thanks Jaybro. All really great advice, it's the little things you don't think about 🙂 Thanks! Hope you are doing well. ... View more

Hi Mel, Crazy rules around covid eh?! 🤣 I'm so pleased you're getting through your radiotherapy without too much trauma to your skin, I heard it can get sore. How was your surgery? IS that healing well too? Jo xx ... View more

Hi Rachel, It sounds like I am in the same situation as you but about a week ahead. My lumpectomy is scheduled for 22nd July followed by radiotherapy. It is a worrying time isn't it, especially with the isolation too. Stayzen, thank you for your reply it is so good to read a positive story and I'm so glad your treatment has gone well. Hope the swelling is healing well and you are on the road to recovery 🖤 Jo x   ... View more

Hi Donnajean, I was diagnosed on June 19th so not much different from you. Grade 3 IDCS, ER+and PR+ but HER2- Looks like I currently have a similar treatment plan, lumpectomy (22nd July) followed by radio & hormone therapy but did have another lump show up on my MRI so had additional ultrasound & biopsy last friday & still waiting for results to see if it changes anything. It is worrying isn't it, all the waiting and not knowing but I have found lots of strength, insight and support from this forum so far. Keep in touch & best wishes for the next few weeks. Jo xx   ... View more

Glad to be on the journey with you Louise & sounds like we're quite similar in outlook! I am also organised, practical & a problem solver...not used to asking for help which makes this journey hard!! I'm here if you get dark moments, it is ok to be sad and even better if the person you talk to knows how you feel ❤️. I think I must still be a bit in denial, I'm sad but I'm a huge optimist so I don't think it's really hit me yet, the severity of it all that is. I think I'm still searching for the solution... My boys are 21 and 19 so they're coping ok but it was so hard to tell them. I'm sorry your daughter is taking it hard but I do think it is good to cry and talk about it. It's such a difficult time for everyone. Keep in touch 😊 Jo xxx ... View more

Hi Louise, Thank you! Today's appointments were easy. Quick weight, height & blood pressure check (they did most of the pre-op assessment over the phone last week). Lymphodema appointment is to measure your arms pre-op so they can monitor any swelling after the op and later on in our treatment. It's not obligatory but I wanted to do it. So my story is I was diagnosed June 19th with grade 3, ER+, PR+, HER- invasive ductal (16mm) BC after an ultrasound & biopsy. Have dense breast tissue so had to have an MRI (June 25th) which showed another lump (12mm) next to the initial one so i am glad I had that. Further ultrasound & biopsy was last Friday. Initially they said surgery (lumpectomy) on July 15th and I started self isolating in our basement from my hubby & 2 boys on 1st July so that they could still got to work. But now they've moved the surgery date to July 22nd due to new COVID rules & the new supergreen areas in hospitals - I got details of that today Still waiting for my results from the last tests but am a little concerned after reading other peoples stories of having a lumpectomy and then having to go back for more surgery if the margins are found to be cancerous. They've so far only recommended radiotherapy (3 weeks worth) but I also do fear chemo once I've had surgery. Waiting is the hardest part isn't it? 😑 Best of luck today, let me know how you get on. Jo♥️     ... View more

Hi Louise,  Sorry about your diagnosis. I was recently diagnosed too. I got my MRI results back next day and my consultant called me with my results. I know different hospitals do things differently though. The MRI went ok for me, only advice I would say is make sure you are comfy as you do have to stay in that position for a while. Mine took 25 mins. Good luck with your scan today, I'm off for my pre-op and lymphodema appointments. Jo x ... View more

Hi Mel, Thanks for your message, I hope things are going ok for you? How is the radiotherapy? Yes I was told exactly the plan that you had which i was fine with and then on July 1st it changed to a supergreen plan where either I, or all my family, must self isolate and I cant have any appointments during that time till I go for surgery. Then I have to go to the hospital alone where they say I will be met in the car park and gowned & masked to go in to the supergreen ward in the hospital. Then they will call my husband when I'm finished and delivered back to my car. At that point my husband can stay with me but we both have to isolate for 14 days before radiotherapy starts. It all seems very over the top but I guess they know what they are doing?! 😳 Phew! Sorry for the long reply...     ... View more

Thanks Shi, I guess I'm not used to asking for help but things may have to change 🙂 Thanks for your support and kind message xxx ... View more

Thanks Stayzen, Yes my hospital seem extra cautious, which I suppose I should be grateful for. And thanks for the advice re: lumpectomy & mastectomy, I will speak to my nurse. I am noticing you become more knowledgeable as the days go on as you use resources like this website to understand the diagnosis and treatment. And forums are invaluable for reassurance and support! Thanks so much! Jo xx ... View more

Thanks Shi, yes I do feel like there are multiple methods of dealing with this. Great advice re: front button pjs thank you! And yes maybe a call to my team & the nurses on here might be a good idea, I don't often ask for hep but think I might have to with this. Much appreciated 😍 ... View more

Thanks Claudia, I'm going to ask about chemo or radio first as this may be an option too. Thanks for the info. xxx  ... View more

I think you may be getting mixed up with marijuana & THC JBurgessXXX. CBD is legal in the UK, it mainly comes from hemp and is used mainly for its anti-inflammatory & pain relief properties. It doesn't get you high! ... View more