Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Angela,  thanks for the reassuring and lovely message 🙂 all of that information is really helpful. Yes, I do have a breast care nurse who is amazing! But she said to me after I was discharged from the surgery hospital and transferred to the Christie that the oncologist would go through everything with me. They haven’t, so I wrote an email to her PA to basically complain in a polite way. They have arranged a phone consultation this afternoon, so hopefully in will get everything answered and everything explained to me. All I’ve had so far is a call to say your having this , these are the side affects, see you on the 13th, which is not on.  virtual biscuits sound great ! X ... View more

Hi Jane sorry for the late reply. It is lovely to virtually meet you 🙂   The doctor said there was no way of knowing what score would come back. But throughout the surgery side of treatment they said I would likely avoid chemo. Then it came out double the size (33cm)and things changed. I am speaking to my oncologist properly today about why they have decided chemo, so shall update you once I know 🙂   I haven’t had any MRI or CT scans. I’m am asking about this today, but assume it’s because I have no node involvement? I’m not sure.  My advice would be to try and forgot about it until you get your results. And then when you do get them, make sure you oncologist tells  you about everything that has contributed to their treatment plan decisions and what the benefits are.  Let us know how you get on and we will of course be here for you to support you on your next steps 🙂 x   ... View more

Starting chemo on the 13th at the Christie in Manchester (x3 EC and X3 Docetaxol once every 3 weeks) with cold cap. No idea what to expect, as my oncologist (whom I have never spoken to!) got her colleague to do a telephone appointment that felt rushed and so unpersonal. However from what I understand the tumour has been removed, lympth nodes are all clear and the chemo is to prevent it coming back in the future and to zap any stray cells that have escaped undetected.  So ladies, please feel free to let me know any tips and tricks that you have picked up after your first rounds.  Hope everybody's treatments are going as well as can be 🙂 xx ... View more

Hi Jane, Your story sounds so similar to mine.  I was diagnosed with oestrogen positive BC on 4th Dec. I had a lumpectomy on the 22nd Dec and the tumour was 33mm instead of the 12mm they thought it was from the ultrasound and mammogram! I had to have a second surgery to get more margin (which meant removing my nipple) and during this surgery they found a second 4mm tumour. I was told this didn’t make a difference to my diagnosis or treatment and not to worry.  chemo wasn’t on the cards for me either until last week. However my oncologist said that the American oncotype test showed that I would benefit from chemo. I scored a 36, which is in the high catagory. Along with the fact my tumour was bigger than expected and my age came into it too (I’m 29) I’m starting chemo next Saturday and having 6 cycles, one every 3 weeks. 3 cycles of EC and 3 of Docetaxol. Then radiotherapy and Tomoxifen for 5 years. Chemo sounded scary to me at first but then when they explained that it was to blast away any tiny cells that may have escaped into my body undetected, it made sense to me and I’m pleased that I’m having it. It could prevent a secondary cancer developing in the future of the same cancer coming back. So I’m all for trying whatever I can to stop this.  I think you should get some clarity when your oncotype test comes back. Mine only took 10 days, so hopefully it will be quick for you too!  Let us know how you get on 🙂   xx  ... View more

Nope, no family history of any cancers ! Just my pure luck! I have had a genetic test, due back in 6 weeks but even the doctor told me to not expect much back from it.  Good luck with your pre op, there’s nothing to worry about. Just bloods, blood pressure and general health questions. I panicked before mine and then realised it was nothing to actually worry about !  xx ... View more

Hi J  I had my lump removed on the 22nd December with a few lympth nodes removed for biopsy but the results came back that I needed a bit more margin taken out. This meant removing my nipple, although they didn’t give me a choice of surgeries. They did say they could do a reconstruction in the future though.  I have always said to myself since the beginning of this journey that if anything needed removing, I would stay positive about it. I had my nipple removed on the 12th Jan and it went really well. It was a really quick surgery, So I came around quickly. I also noticed it was less painful afterwards compared to the first surgery. I took my dressing off last night with my boyfriend. I freaked out for a minute or too because I didn’t dare look! But after a lot of reassurance from him, I opened my eyes and was shocked to see that it wasn’t as bad as I imagined. It’s still my boob and looks the same, just doesn’t have a nipple on it. I am really happy with the outcome and hope you are too with whatever you decide to do.   Sorry if this doesn’t help you, but your story sounded so similar, I thought I would try and send some re assurance 🙂   xx ... View more

Thank you lovely 🙂   the op went well and I have recovered really quickly thank goodness. I have my follow up appointment for the results on the 22nd. I hope that yours went well too?  I also started my injections this week for the egg freezing process, just in case any future cancer treatment affects my fertility. I may not need to have chemo (awaiting the oncotype test results first) but greatful that I’ve got the chance to preserve my fertility just in case.  What a nightmare this all is for us during these times! But I’m unusually positive about it all and want to crack on with whatever I need to do to beat this!  thanks for reaching out 🙂 it means a lot. ... View more

Hi Pip and everyone else on this thread,  I am here to connect with others my age too. I’m struggling with understanding how this happened to me as such a young age - I’m 29. I was diagnosed with ER+ BC on the 4th Dec and had the lump removed on the 22nd and another surgery to take more margin (removal of my nipple) on the 12th jan. lympth nodes all clear though so I’m grateful for that. Just awaiting the results from my second surgery which I’m getting on the 22nd jan, then hopefully we can agree on a treatment plan  It’s comforting to know there are people on here who know how you feel.  If anybody wants to chat, I check this ite regularly 🙂   All the best 🙂   ... View more