Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Loulou Yes I think your right they wait til your results from your lymph nodes if nothing shows up on the ultra sound. Nothing showed on my ultra sound so they waited til my op but thankfully the nodes came back clear so I didnt need an MRI. If it had come back as showing spread I believe I would of then had an MRI.xx ... View more

My daughter was devastated she is the oldest (12) but I explained everything to her the best I could and she was fine, I could see the worry in her face and it broke my heart. I explained to my boys differently as they are younger and again although they were worried about me having an operation they coped well. Im much better now, had a few down days but feel like im getting back to normal nowor as normal as can be....I have my check up in 2 weeks to make sure im healing ok and I think yo check everythings ok after my raradiotherapy. I still sometimes sit and think I cant believe ive been through all this....you just dont think it happens to you! I was told all along that I would need chemo because im young (43) but didnt need it in the end as there was no spread in my lymph nodes and I was Her2 negative....I was very relieved 🙂 You will feel bombarded with everything there is loads to take in but you will find a strength that you didnt know you had and you will get through it....take 1 step at a time, and accept offers of help from your friends and family. You will be fine (((hugs))) xx ... View more

Hi Bek, So sorry you have found yourself here. I was diagnosed in october with Invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2, I had a mastectomy 2 weeks later with 3 lymph nodes taken. 10 days later I recieved my results that there was no spread so had 3 weeks of radiotherapy and im taking tamoxifen for 5 years. I have 4 children ages 2, 5, 9 and 12 and it broke my heart having to tell them but they all coped really well. Im sure some more ladies will be along soon to give you some support and advice possibly with the same 'type' of cancer as yourself. The worst part of this horrible journey is the waiting.....waiting for results, waiting for your op, waiting for more results, waiting for your treatment plan but it does get easier I promise. Once you start getting your results in and know where you are you will feel much better and more in control. Hope all goes well ((((hugs)))) ... View more

Hi I had my mastectomy in october, I was down at 9am so was able to come out tge same day....I had 3 lymph nodes removed also. I didnt have any pain whatsoever but found the drain 'uncomfortable' however I must of caught the drain while sleeping and had to have it taken out the following day. The worst part for me was trying to sleep and the anesthectic....I felt very groggy for about 3 days. My arm was stiff and I couldn't move it much but each day got easier and the exercise's helped to ease the stiffness. Its really not as bad as you think it will be and although its a little more awkward than normal getting dressed, I managed and didnt find it a problem. Hope all goes well. ((((Hugs)))) ... View more

Ah thats great....I take it you had your second op and they sorted the problem that was causing you so much pain? It must of been awful for you having your new baby and not being able to cuddle him 😞 my 2 year old was 6 months premature and was in special care for 2 weeks, it was horrible not being able to hold him and feed him.....the first cuddle was the best ever 🙂 So glad to hear your feeling better, you will get stronger every day. Take care ((((gentle hugs)))) ... View more

Hi debs I was told all along that I would probably need chemo because I was young?? But I was totally shocked when I went for my results to be told I didnt need it after all...the cancer hadnt spread to my lymph nodes and I was HER negative im not a 100% sure but think that makes a difference....im sure someone will correct me if im wrong. I went to all my appointments alone, I have a fantastic husband but preferred to go alone so didnt alwsys remember everything I was told. ... View more

Hi Debs I have 4 children 2 years, 5 years, 9 years and 12 years. I had my mastectomy and 3 lymph nodes removed in october and its honestly not as bad as you think it will be. I was in first thing in the morning and came out the same day, I had a drain in but it came out the next day and I was given pain killers but I didnt need them 🙂 I was really worried beforehand how we would manage but we were fine and although we had help on standby we didnt need it...the thing I found worse was the grogginess from the anesthetic. Hope you get your date soon and all goes well ((((hugs)))) ... View more

Hi loulou As everyone said already its the waiting thats the worst...waiting for tests, waiting for results, waiting for your op and then waiting for your treatment plan....once you have all these details you will be fine. I found out in october that I had grade 2 idc I was told all along that I would probably need mastectomy, chemo, radiotherapy and tamoxifen possibly herceptin depending on the results. I had my mastectomy 3 weeks after diagnosis and 3 lymph nodes removed for biopsy, I waited a week and a half for the results that were better than expected....it hadnt spread to my lymph nodes, ididnt need chemotherapy or herceptin so I started tamoxifen tablets straight away and 3 weeks later had 15 sessions of radiotherapy! I have 4 young children 3 boys 2, 5 and 9 years and a daughter 12 years....I told my daughter the truth as I didnt want her finding out any details from others and thinking that id lied to her....she was devasted but once I explained everything properly she calmed down and coped amazingly! My 2 older boys I told them I had a nasty lump that was making me poorly so I had to have a booby taken away to make me better....I assured them I would get better and they were fine. your feelings are perfectly normal and as time goes on you will feel yourself getting stronger, you will still have wobbly days but there will be more good days 🙂 Hope all goes ok with your op ((((hugs)))) ... View more

Oh my goodness....what lovely words, made me cry!  Thinking about you today, hope all goes ok, please let us know.... when you can. (((((Hugs)))) ... View more

Awww bless.....im sure they will be fine, like Tracy says below they are resilient. I was so worried about my daughter but she was so brave and helped me a lot....they were all less worried after id had my surgery. My 5 year old keeps asking when my booby will grow back! xx ... View more

Awwww, how old are your children? Mine are 12, 9 , 5 and 2 years and it broke my heart when I told them! My eldest was the worst as she understood more and as soon as I said cancer she thought I was going to die, the boys werent so bad but I didnt go into as much detail with them as I knew they wouldnt really understand as much.....they all coped really well though and even my daughter, once I calmed her down and explained things to her she was much better. I told their schools also.....just incase they did get upset at school or anything. Cogratulations on the birth of your little boy, made me smile when I read it earlier. My youngest was 6 weeks early and weighed 4lb 7oz.....he was so cute xx ... View more

Thank you craftyT for you reply, I went to my doctor today about it and she said it is a side effect and has given me some tablets so hopefully they will help....I didnt really want to take more medication but I got desperate. I also get back pain occasionally but did so before tamoxifen, ive had 4 children so always put it down to that 🙂 my doctor told me that some side effects that we get from tamoxifen only last for a few months and then ease as we get used to them so hopefully this is the case. Take care xx ... View more

So sorry you have found yourself here but you will get lots of support from ladies in the same situation. I also had to travel for the node injection..I was petrified! But I was in the room about 2 minutes and its a tiny injection that just touches the surface. The beginning of your journey with cancer is the worst, waiting for your op, waiting for results....but it will get easier for you and you will soon feel back in control. I had a mastectomy about 8 weeks ago..luckily my nodes were clear so I only needed radiotherapy which ive finished and im now taking tamoxifen tablets for 5 years. The operation wasnt as bad as you imagine it to be I was in and out the same day! I preferred to go to my appointments alone but I never remembered anything I was told so had to ring my breast care nurse afterwards.....its personal preference whatever is best for you. I also felt in the early days that I was the one supporting all my loved ones, I felt I had to be strong for them! You will go through lots of emotions in the next few weeks but you will get through it and its great to be able to come on here and get support or advice. Hope you can enjoy christmas with your family and let us know how your lumpectomy goes. ((((Hugs)))) xx ... View more

Hi Sue, Im sure lots of ladies will be along soon to give you some support. I still dont understand all the meanings etc but do know that mine was also not hormone dependent or herceptin pos! I was told all along that I would need chemo and I was petrified but after my mastectomy I found out all my results and that it hadnt spread into my lymph nodes and only needed radiotherapy and tamoxifen!! So....my advice would be to take each day as it comes.....try not to worry about what might happen as it may not happen and this time for you is definitely the worst it will get easier I promise! Time goes really quickly and your surgery date will soon be here, once your over that hurdle (which is suprisingly easier than you think) then you will have your off days waiting for your results, you will then get your treatment plan and feel much better and in control. Its a horrible emotional rollercoaster but you will get through it. ((((Hugs)))) ... View more

Ive just checked mine as I picked up my first repeat prescription today and I only have 28!! 😞 xx ... View more

Hi, So pleased for you not to have it in both breasts... bet you were very relieved! You still probably wont feel much better tho as you still dont know whats happening 😞 I had a mastectomy but had no choice.....given the choice I would of probably still had a mastectomy for peace of mind but im sure your consultant will explain what is best for you and the reasons why and make you feel better about whichever operation you have. I never slept properly until I found out my full results.....the day I got my results I slept like a baby!! Its normal to feel the way your feeling and you will keep having ups and downs for a while....whenever a question popped into my head I wrote it down so I could get answers when I next spoke to my nurse or consultant....I could never remember any of the answers but at least id asked haha. Apparently my case was very complicated...but it didnt take long for my operation and treatment plan to be arranged so even though they say yours is rare im sure they will get you sorted soon. Do you know what your next step is or have anymore appointments made? xx ... View more

I told my 5 and 8 year old I had a nasty lump but told my 11 year old I had cancer.....she was devastated but once I explained everything to her she was fine! I didnt want to tell her it was just a lump as she understood more and I didnt want someone else to tell her it was cancer....as soon as I mentioned the word cancer to her she thought I was going to die so im really glad I did tell her and was able to explain properly. As I said earlier I had a mastectomy and my 5 year old keeps asking when my booby will grow back!! Bless him! xx ... View more

Hi, Im sorry you have found yourself here on the emotional rollercoaster of cancer! This is the worst time for you, the waiting and not knowing and it will get better I promise! First of all I would try to ring your breast care nurse again so you can find out for sure whats happening otherwise you will make yourself ill worrying and in your mind things will be a lot worse than what they might be. Also you didnt say if you have had a biopsy on your lump....im presuming you have and if so there will be swelling in the area that could make you feel more aware of it. Im 44 with 3 boys and 1 girl, im a little further on as ive had my mastectomy and recieved all my results and now on my treatment plan.....once you start getting results etc you feel so much better and more in control! Im sure there will be more lovely ladies along soon to give you some more advice and support and there is also the helpline 🙂 my breast care nurse was a godsend I rang her constantly in the early days and found she always reassured me, hope you manage to get some answers. Take care and ((((hugs)))) xx ... View more

Know exactly how you feel but I it will get better I promise....tge first few weeks are the worst, the shock of finding out then a list of appointments, waiting for results....its horrible but it does get easier. I have invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2 had to have a mastectomy 4 weeks ago, I was only in a day and didnt have any pain. All my results came back and luckily my lymph nodes were clear so I onky need radiotherapy that started today and tamoxifen for 5 years. Im also 44 and have 4 children age 2, 4, 9 and 11 Hope all goes well on monday, will be thinking about you. ((((Hugs)))) ... View more