Grade 3 HR+

Hi Lynne, I was diagnosed Sept last year.  Had right mastectomy and now having chemo.  EC wasn't too bad but docetaxel has been harder for me as have had more side effects.  Have my last chemo next Thursday.  Just remember, whatever side effects you get, you will get through it xx

Thank you really struggling with side effects this time xx

I have been too.  I dread my next session next week because I know what is to come.  My side effects last 10 days then I feel ok.  You will get through it x

I have 2 more to go and dreading it.. seems like a new side effect appearing everyday. Good luck for Thursday well done. Are you having radiotherapy after ? Xx

I have been cold capping to try and save my hair and it was working until docetaxel and then all the other side effects too. I couldn't even walk up the stairs as pain in my legs were so had but after 10 days I was ok.

Yes having 15 sessions of radiotherapy and then Tamoxifen xx

Hi .mel28,

Gosh what a tough journey you’ve had and I’m glad you’re onto your last chemo session and hope it goes well.  Oone step at a time though as you’ve still a stretch ahead of you. 

just reading through posts to see if I can glean any info from anyone that may be able to help…

I‘m due to have 3rd lumpectomy this week as margins didn’t come back clear. Original plan was lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy for grade 3 invasive ER+ PR- HER2- .  I was given a choice this time of a mastectomy or another lumpectomy for DCIS.  

either way, I may be considered for chemotherapy before radiotherapy.  I made decision on the spot for more breast tissue taken out as consultant sounded very hopeful.  However, now I’m not sure whether to go for mastectomy with reconstruction instead (it might be too late to change but I’ve got to make sure I’m doing the right thing). 

the surgeon was non committal about either surgery.  I will eventually have to have mastectomy if this lumpectomy doesn’t yield a clear margin.  Hubby had said to have mastectomy and have it all out and done with but I was worried this would make chemo a dead cert (which I prefer not to have)

anyway, a friend said that she was told she couldn’t have a reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy because the radiotherapy affects the implant by hardening it and distorting the shape of your breast(implant)

Were you given any of this info? We’re you given a choice? If so, why did you opt for mastectomy over lumpectomy.

sorry to drag parts of this journey already past back up again but if you have any thoughts to share, I’d love to hear them.

thank you!

I was originally going to have lumpectomy but surgeon wanted MRI scan first to get exact size of tumour but the MRI scan showed further abnormalities and abnormal lymph nodes so mastectomy was recommended.  This was the correct decision as there would not have beem clear margins if I had  lumpectomy as on pathology testing after surgery the cancer was a.massive 12cm and 7 positive lymph nodes.  On mammogram it was only 1.8cm and scan 3.4cm and no lymph nodes showed up abnormal.  I delayed reconstruction as it is done in another hospital and I didn't know how long the wait was and just wanted rid of cancer and statt chemo xx

Thanks so much for your reply.  Mine was small 13mm but ended up taking another 10mm in second surgery and as it’s in the ducts, who knows how much more will be removed this time…. At least my lymph nodes came back clear.  Just wondering if I should have just opted for mastectomy as I will end up going that route if I don’t get clear margins again.  Also aware that at grade 3, it must be spreading with the delay between surgeries and biopsy results…who knows.  Wish they had just told me what they were going to do rather than giving me a choice…

my surgeon said they would do reconstruction in the same surgery so am assuming all hospitals different in what they offer.  I’ll have to mull over it overnight and then give them a call tomorrow if I decide to change but even then it’s prob too late…

My mind just been in overdrive since the start of this journey and I’m trying not to waste any more time worrying …

thanks again and all the best for Thursday’s final chemo session!