Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Loobyb, i was dx August 2007 , i had Lumpectomy in July 2007 for what they thought was a swollen Lymph Node which turned out to be cancer . I had the choice of MX or another WLE with node clearance and a weekend to make my mind up. I chose WLE and got clear margins, grade 3,HER2+, ER/PR neg and 7/21 nodes affected and went on to have 3 TAX/3 FEC, 5 wks Rads and 18 Herceptin. I'm hoping to be discharged after my Mammogram next week fingers (and everything else crossed). I often wondered if i did the right thing not having a MX and was even told ( by a "know it all friend" ) i was silly not to have one and that there was more of a chance of it coming back but ive been lucky up to now so WLE has worked for me but all our cancers are different and i feel i was lucky to be given the choice due to cancer size and position. Good luck with your treatment. Angie xx ... View more

Hi, ive just had my 5th bout of cellulitis in 27 months and i feel the same it really drags you down,i'm wondering if my immune system is still down after all the treatment (chemo,rads,herceptin). I had massage with the sleeve at the local hospice after my bout in Feb but still got it in Nov and am on antibiotics but although the swelling/redness has gone down it still feels like it is going to flair up again (didn't go to hospital this time)so no iv this time,i am also carefull so i think i am another one of the unlucky ones. Take Care Angie.. ... View more

Hi Bunny i was dx Aug 07 grade 3, her2+, 7/21 nodes i had 3 x fec 3 x tax 25 rads and 18 herceptin ( i started my herceptin with the first tax) i had reduction/uplift on "good boob" last june and everything is ok so far. At the time of dx i was terrified of what the outcome would be as i just kept getting bad news after every appointment but i'm still here nearly 4yrs later NED SO i'm hopefull that all the cr**py treatment was worth it. And i must say that this site was a godsend to me i knew nothing about breast cancer and i learned so much just by reading the posts. Good Luck Bunny and all you ladies on treatment. Mizzy xxx ... View more

Hi Sophie, i remember being given the weekend to make my decision WLE/MX after having a lumpectomy to remove an enlarged lymph gland which turned out to be cancer and looking on the internet and seeing a mastectomy pic and being totally terrified by it and decided it was not for me so had WLE/Node Clearance Sept 07 followed by chemo, rads and herceptin. In June 10 i had a reduction/uplift on my "good side and i am really happy with the results.I sometimes wonder if with the knowledge of BC that i have now (alot of which i have learned from this site)would i have made a different decision "who knows" but for me i just went with my gut instinct and 3 yrs later all is well. What ever you decide i wish you the very best of luck. Love Mizzy xx ... View more

Hi Sarnie, i had dx the same as you(aug 07) but also had herceptin,i had a reduction and uplift in june this year on my left (good) boob and was very nervous about it but nearly 4 months later it has healed very well and i am very pleased with the result ive still got quite a dent from the 2 wle (cancer side) but im lucky it is on the outer side so not at all visible in a bra. Only my partner and daughter knew i was having it done and both were very supportive,although there is alot of scarring it has settled down very well and i have been assured it will fade after time so i am really glad i went through with it,i like you took time to think about it and i wanted to do it for me as like you i was very uneven,my advice would be to put yourself first when making your decision "and you are not too old" go for it if thats what you want to do im glad i did. Good Luck Mizzy 53yrs xxx ... View more

hi Samster, my lump was firstly dx as an enlarged lymph node july 07 by biopsy andd ultrasound i had lumpectomy in aug 07 and was told it was a tumor with no clear margin and needed more surgery i was given the weekend (and a lot of leaflets) to think about it, my surgeon agreed to do a WLE with node clearance he used the same scar from the lumpectomy (although it was alot bigger) it turned out to be grade 3 ductal her2+ with 7/21 nodes and i did wonder if i did the right thing not having the mastectomy but 3 years later i have just had a reduction and uplift on my "good boob" (june 10) and things are looking ok. I agree about feeling rushed and also i didn't know a thing about breast cancer at the start but i have learned alot in 3 yrs ( most of it from this site ).Good luck with your choice and any following treatment. Mizzy xx ... View more

hi, I was also dx 3yrs ago (aug 07) i had 2 wle, chemo, rads and herceptin, the difference got more noticable as time went on and started to get me down so i discussed it with my breast surgeon and had a reduction and uplift on my 'good' side in june this year and it has turned out to be a pretty good match size wise, i must admit that i was very nervous about having it done and was shocked how high and swollen it looked at first but 3 months later it looks really good.I went down from D cup to C cup so i don't know about enlargement but im sure your onc/surgeon will be happy to advise you, Good Luck...Mizzy xx ... View more

Lilly, this must be one of the most heartbreaking posts i have read on this site its so sad that you and your family have lost your sister at such a young age and so shockingly quick and for a little boy to lose his mummy like this is utterly unbearable and so so sad. love and strength to you and all your family Mizzy xxx ... View more

I was snapped before my reduction and uplift on right breast in june this year after having lumpectomy and wle to left breast sept 07, i was happy to do this as i was shown pics of reduction /uplift which helped me to make up my mind as i really wasn't sure about the operation but was getting quite depressed about the difference in size which was getting more obvious as time went by so it really helped me and hopefully my pics might be of help to other women. Mizzy XXX ... View more

hi, snap i had cellulitis last summer and was in hospital 5 days then had it again in Feb, i know antibiotics have all sorts of side effects, could you get in touch with your breast care nurse or lymphoedema clinic ( if you heve one ) how do you feel? might it be better to go to the hospital accident & emergency dept to get checked out (cellulitis can be nasty as you will know). Hope you get yourself sorted and hopefully at home rather than in hospital (more needles!!). Take Care Mizzy xx ... View more

hi, ive bought myself a couple of long sleeved waterfall edge to edge cardigans which are very lightweight and stretchy on the arms (viscose ) so my summer wear this year will consist of sleeveless top and cardi.. Mizzy ... View more

hi midge i had 2 x wle, node clearance 7/21 involved with vascular invasion grade 3 tumor her2 positive, i also had bone/chest scan before treatment, i had 3 x fec 3 x tax 25 rads and 18 herceptin in that order finishing xmas eve 08 and so far so good, i was really scared about the lymph nodes at first but hopefully with all the treatment any strays have been zapped... 'mnc' i so agree with you about taxotere although a lady i used to sit with found it quite easy. good luck to all Mizzy xx ... View more

Hi, me too, i had 2 x WLE, 3 x FEC, 3 x TAX, 25 RADS and 18 x HERCEPTIN finishing Dec 08 and there is quite a difference in size. I have (had!!) quite big boobs and because of this (and natural sagging)the difference now after time ( it did'nt look too bad at first) is to me very noticable, i get around this by wearing old fashioned bras like the cross your heart type and adjust the straps on my bigger boob to give it extra lift. This has been getting me down more and more lately and i have decided on my next visit to the breast surgeon to ask what options i may have. Does anyone know if there is a time limit for any type of reconstruction after diagonosis. I sometimes wonder if i made the wrong decision having WLE and not Mast/Recon, i know it sounds miserable but i dread the summers now because i cant wear lovely fitted short/sleeveless tops without feeling embarassed (i have lymphoedema as well which adds to the problem ).. MIZZY xx ... View more

hi jaimie i found a small lump in may 07 a biopsy came back clear, nothing showed up on a mammagram and the radiologist that did the ultrasound said it looked like a lymph gland it was only when i saw one of the senior surgeons in july 07 and he said that he would prefer to remove it ( my partner who was waiting for me heard the surgeon and the radiologist talking about me and the radiologist said to him she was sure it was only a lymph gland!!) thank god the surgeon wanted to be sure and removed it anyway because when we went back for the results in aug 07 i had a grade 3 tumour her2+ with no clear margins ( we were so shocked as was the surgeon ) i went back sept for another wle (which i chose over mastectomy) and node clearance (7/21 positive ) and have had 6 x chemo 25 rads and 18 x herceptin. i was 50yrs when diaganosed but i am shocked that so many young women are getting bc and that even now some docs are still not taking breast lumps seriously, but you did the right thing by "trying" to getting it checked out, ask to see a different surgeon or ask to be refered to another hospital, i hope you get the treatment you deserve and that everything turns out to be ok GOOD LUCK.. MIZZY XXX ... View more

Hi All I found it alot easier for my partner ( or anyone else that was available ) to drop me off and then pick me up as i was never more than about 20 mins start to finish, all Weston Park staff in radiotherapy and chemo unit are lovely as is my onc Dr Bridgewater who i now see at Barnsley breast clinic.. Mizzy xxx ... View more