Breast cancer

Hello Mary-louise, I've just joined the group today as I was diagnosed with breast cancer just over a week ago. I'm 42 and have two young children so it's been a huge shock to the system. It's made me feel very fragile. I am currently in isolation until after my mastectomy on Tuesday. How are you after your surgery and chemo? Did you find out about the lymph nodes after your mastectomy or before? Sorry if that's a stupid question, I just don't really know what treatment I'm going to have yet after my operation and the lack of information is crippling. The Consultant said that they're going to remove two lymph nodes to check them for cells. I have to wait three weeks for the results after the operation to find out what treatment I need. Did you have to do the same. It's nice to have somebody on here going through something similar. Hope you're ok. Sending hugs.

Hi@ cakeface I dont know if this helps but I had my Mastectomy on the 19th of March, when I had mine they were pretty sure that it hadn't gone into my lymphnodes, they put radiation dye in to show which lymphnodes to take so they can test I had to wait though with my hospital for the tests to come back, I did read that some hospitals do the test while you on the table and if they have spread will take the lymphnodes then, but if your surgeon said you will have to wait I assume yours is like mine and when the tests come back you would have to go back in to have them taken out, hopefully you will have the good news that I had that it hadn't spread to them so no more surgery for me, I am currently going through chemo...good luck to you I know as all of us do the waiting is the worse.

Thank you so much for your help Deb. Praying that it hasn't spread. How are you after your op and chemo? Sending you lots of love xx 

Hi I'm glad I was able to help, my surgery went well and healed up nicely though because of covid you are kind of left on your own with the drain and such and was a little bit scary, but they was always on the end of the phone if you was worried about anything....I ve got two more sessions of chemo to go, the side effects I'm having isn't to bad at the moment fingers crossed, hopefully it will stay like that.  If you want to ask any questions or just want to rant there is always someone to talk to especially on the awake thread and also there is a chemo and radiotherapy thread which has loads of information on there and the ones that is going through chemo chats on there quite often.  Sending hugs hope all goes well for you

Thank you so much. I just don't know much at all about what's in store for me yet or the impact it will have. I was due to start back at work, albeit from home, on the 29th, returning  from MAT leave but I'm now having surgery on the 30th. I don't know if I'm being completely naive but I'm hoping to only take 4 weeks off. It's just not knowing what treatment I'll need and the impact it will have on my day to day life. I then take a step back and feel grateful that they caught it early-ish. The psychological impact of a mastectomy is quite scary too. I'm eligible for a recon but they've told me it will probably be in about 12 months. Unsure why. Oh, so many unanswered questions! Thank you for your support. Xx xx

Hi all

Like Deb I had a mastectomy on 12th March when they found 2 lymph nodes effected out of the six taken. Currently having chemo then possibly radiotherapy. I think there isn't any one of us who finds the waiting for results traumatizing. When you have those results then you can get a treatment plan and move forward. The June Chemo thread is invaluable with lots of information and advice, have a look.There are quite a number of ladies currently going through chemo and others that have gone through it.

Please post any questions as I know you will get lots of replies.

Just on a last note my mastcetomy surgery went very well and I had recovered by 6 -8 weeks.

Good luck

Linda xx

Thank you so much for your reply, Linda. I'm so glad to hear that your mastectomy went well. Are you having chemo because of the lymph nodes being affected? Are you considering a recon? And so sorry for all of the questions! How has the chemo been? Has there been many side effects? I know everybody reacts differently and there are many treatments out there. I had osteosarcoma 20+ years ago and the chemo then was brutal! I know that treatment has come on since then though. Sending you lots of love xx

Hi

 Yes chemo was advised because of lymph nodes but I also had a small tumour which was not found prior to surgery. I was very fortunate to have an immediate implant placed, this was pre lockdown. I am having 8 chemo sessions 4 x EC then 4 X Pacitaxel. I have had 2 sessions of chemo so far and had little side effects just sick on the first day of my  first chemo session then constipation after both sessions for a few days, nothing that a laxative didnt take care of.  

Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like. We are all here to support one another.

Take care

Linda xx

Hi, I have just been diagnosed at 32 with breast cancer so I know how you must feel, I also have 3 children too. I found out yesterday, 16th July. I found one lump myself which they biopsied but now need to have mri and mammogram to see if there is anymore, then surgery and radiotherapy. So it’s another waiting game until I’ve had all the tests so see what else happens. I’m in total shock right now!!!