To have the op or try alternative

Hi Annie

Thanks for your thoughtful reply detailing your experiences. It was really good to hear how a reconstruction was once once you came out at the other side. It has really helped me weigh up the options. I'm still keen to go for the double mx anyway.  What a brave woman you are to tell it in such detail. I am blown away by your candour, and hope it was not too difficult for you to write it.

So, my plan is to speak to the surgeon and tell him my wishes. If he says no, then I will ask for another opinion and move things forward hopefully in that direction. And, as I said, I will ask for time to think and absorb. It's amazing that they rush women through to make a quick decision at this traumatic time, but, ironically, take more than two weeks to even get the letter out for a CT scan....as you might guess I am still waiting for that letter.

thanks again to all who have responded. 

Lulu x

Hi Lulu, I'm still a bit flabbergasted that they are so against a double mx for 'cosmetic' reasons but gladly put us through these complicated recon procedures for the same reason!

Presumably you dont want to hang about too long for cancer treatment? Is asking for the single mx now and considering your options in your own time possible?  There will be pros and cons - you need to seek information. I took a few months to decide, but I had already had my initial cancer treatments so there wasnt any great urgency. 

Lots of women have better results than mine with the DIEP and an easier recovery. I wouldnt want to influence anyone else's decision. Good luck xx

Hiya Ladies

Had my ultrasound yesterday.  Young lass said 'can't see much change' but wouldn't commit to saying whether it has grown or reduced!!!  Later on will order the US scans and add to my records as well as having a good old look. 

.... still fighting this nasty little critter....

Hi Ladies

Went for my Thermogram today.  Should have been in July but 'dipsy' me got the dates wrong. 

When doing the 'oblique' scan (this is where you sit partially side/partially front on to the camera) I couldn't see the 'red' of the tumour in my right breast - in other words no vascularity (blood supply) to the tumour making me think that the tumour had possibly gone!!!!  The lady technician quickly cottoned on when I commented on this so had to ramp up the 'red' colour in order to get the tumour to show which came up as a red dot.  My previous therms. all showed a lot of lymph congestion and particularly on the back.

When having thermograms the technician has to take various factors into account like room temp, body temp, etc. The same settings are not used each time the thermogram is done.

This thermogram is vastly different from the previous 2 thermograms I have had done and the technician doesn't understand why this has happened as I haven't done anything different in diet, supplements or exercise.  Most of the lymph congestion has gone.  However I did tell her that I had increased my intake of Vitamin D3 up to 10,000iu a day.  She didn't think that this could be the cause but has marked this down so that it can help the experts in giving their opinion on these scans and reporting back.  Can't wait to hear what they say!!!!!

Was this a good day?  H*ll YES.

When I get the report back I'll give you an update.  I have to admit that, as yet, I haven't gone back to the hospital to get a copy of my US nor the report on this done on 2 July but will do so when time permits.

Love to everyone on this journey

.... still fighting this nasty little critter....

Hi All

Thought I'd better update you from my front.

Due another thermogram scheduled for 8 December but I want to bring this forward a week.  Haven't yet talked with thermogram people about 'same results' from last time yet although I believe the tumour to be smaller.

Also have a 6 month consult coming up for the 10 December with surgeon/oncologist.  I want to have an ultrasound just to check the tumour's not doing 'naughty things'.

Added to my supplement list Boswellia Resin extract which is the active item in frankincense as well as using frankincense essential oil to rub onto skin from the outside - two-pronged approach.  No adverse reactions on either so carrying on.  This is ancient pharmacy and was worth a lot of money back then, which is why it was, along with myrrh, one of the gifts from the magi - people used it, and the myrrh, in healing.

Still ticking along nicely.  No aches or pains or things to worry me.  Working far, far too hard but then I do have to earn the money.

Will get back to you when I have been to thermogram and surgeon/oncologist.

... still fighting this nasty little critter....

Hi Ladies

Well I had my thermogram.  Sad to say the lymph congestion has come back but they say this can be down to stress and have I had stress!  Boiler went on the blink... Cost to fix £250.  Still the gas engineer did say I had a good boiler.  He definitely knew his 'onions'.  British Gas wanted me to invest in a new boiler at a cost of £4000 when I took up a their 'care' package about 3 years ago.  Needless to say I didn't take them up on their offer!!!! and stopped wasting my money in March of this year on the care package.  Anyway cancer is still there as a small red blob.

Also had my appointment with oncologist.  Got a new guy this time and do I like him YES YES YES.  He's Polish and we hit it right off.  I would say he is in his 60s.  Have to book ultrasounds and am contemplating mammogrammes on both left and right - he was that charming.  He did a thorough examination of both boobs asking me to sit up while he checked, as well as lay down, and told me straight that he felt the cyst in the left and could feel the tumour in the right - although I still cant - and that there is still no lymph node involvement. 

To say I am pleased as punch is an understatement!!!!

Will get back to you when I have results of US and - if I do - the mamms.

... still fighting this nasty little critter....

Really glad to hear your good news Chloecat :)

HI All

Well a few things have happened over the succeeding weeks.  Had Ultrasound on 31 December 2015 on both boobs.  Saw consultant (not the Polish guy - unfortunately he was only a locum - DAMN) on 14 January 2016.  Now they are saying that it has reduced - wait for it - to 7x5mm from 10mm!  I know that the Polish guy mentioned 10mm at his consultation but I have no idea where this measurement came from.  I do know that the tumour on 8 Aug 2013 was 5x5x7mm with the microcalcifications from a report on 1 May 2014 at 10x6mm.  Initially they were asserting that this size was the tumour - and it seems they still are.  So from a positive stance - YAAAYYYY - you could say my tumour is still reducing!!!

You will recall that I had started the Boswellia Resin Extract (Frankincense) once a day with Frankincense Oil rubbed on at night.  Wonder if it is this that has made a difference - but how to quantify!

I also reviewed the US scans of 1 May 2014 and noticed the tumour with a black blob next to it which wasn't shadowing as can be seen under tumours on US.  Asked the consultant about this and it turns out that when my tumour reduced it sort of split into two - the dark blob is the dead tumour.  Now I didn't know this.  Have tried to google dead tumours in situ but can't find any.  Most tumours that then die are the ones that have been cut out!  This dark blob is weird - it looks like a dried up flat mud pile with fissures/cracks in it.  Having just looked again there is a regularity in the 'fissures'.  I wonder if it is the coils from the titanium clip!!!!!  Interesting!  Not doing any harm so is being left be!

Next appointment is in July and as it will have been 2 years since the last mamm on the right boob I think I would like to see 'the state of play' with it.  Acceptable risk and all that.

So I am a 'happy bunny'.  My love to all of you dealing with this insidious little b*****.  Will come back when I know more.

.... still fighting this nasty little critter....

Shame about the Polish guy but overall sounds very positive!