Hi nimsay I had licap which is partial reconstruction using back flap.. I was grade 2 er8/8 pr8/8, her2 neg. 2 lymph nodes had traces of cancer ad oncotype test my score was 1 so didnt need chemo but got radiotherapy and on hormone therapy .. All is going well so try stay positive and be strong you will get through this x
I've just left a post on this for someone else. What happens in Radiotherapy to left breast is that they get you to do special breathing which is very easy. This lifts the heart and lung completely out of the way. The radiotherapy team would never let the powerful ray hit your heart or other important organs. I've done it. I believe the machine itself would cut out if something went wrong anyway. It's all checked and monitored all the time, even if you do too deep a breath by mistake. I got through 15 sessions and I'm a bit of a scaredy cat. It was a doddle actually doing it.
I had to left and I didn't have to do breathongbas they said they weren't hitting near the heart (my surgery upper left quadrant). My friend did breathing technique in same unit as her cancer on right side of breast.
Was wondering about reoccurrence after a mastectomy what have they said to you? Obviously there’s no breast to check so will you get any type of checks and what are the statistics of it reoccurring? Sorry my heads everywhere. I know it differs for each woman xx
The stats most commonly stated are 94-96% have no recurrence. I was told that was equally true for lumpectomy plus radiotherapy, or mastectomy, in my case (and probably many cases). Those are averages of course - individual odds may vary. Secondary breast cancer can be anywhere in the body so it’s basically about being alert to any suspicious symptoms which could indicate cancer in anyone. Localised recurrence such as in the chest wall are often obvious ie a lump, but ultimately there aren’t any specific tests. Always remind your doctor you’ve had cancer in the past as they should fast track you if you get a suspicious symptom. And you can always go direct to your breast clinic if you have worries in future, without waiting for a GP referral.
Thank you. I’ve just been thinking thinking and thinking. Is this normal? Or am I going crazy? I’m just so scared and living with this uncertainty is scary to say the least. My lovely husband says take each day as it comes, step by step. I’m mourning my old self feel like I can’t make plans etc
No I’m just the same. I just have a healthcare background so I find comfort in stats - makes it seem more concrete and manageable. But last month I thought I had skin cancer which turned out to be a blackhead… so I’m not always so chill. But it’s usually a night my crazy fears take hold and worrying about health problems I’ve had for decades but which suddenly seem sinister now. I’m going to be one of those “worried well” the media are always complaining about.
-Ana-glad I'm not only one who panicked about a black head, Mine was in my ear lobe piercing. Thought it was hair dye. It was rock hard and I couldn't get my earring in. I couldn't see it properly so asked my daughter to look and she said it looks very black. I soaked my earlobe in hot salted water (held egg cup to my ear) and after about 10 minutes it just pulled out! First in 40 years.
I was signed off 2020 then recalled recently from first annual screening. They were just being cautious but told me if I notice anything bypass GP and ring breast care unit to be see urgently. He said former patients do not need to refer via GP
We are all in the same boat. Its just hard to keep cool. And it's so all consuming!
You're new in your journey and you try and learn as much, everything is huge and the more you think the more worries compound. Fear is just heightened and you can't relax. Scary at every scan or appointments...we get it all and it's sort of our normal...it makes you human (no you're not going crazy!)
I do hope days to come you will be able to make peace and get sleep. Like other ladies I am also trying to adjust to make sure sleep and eating right is priority. Like you I also wonder whether I could be the confident old self I was pre diagnosis!!
I am recovering post mastectomy. On and off pains still. Its a long haul but depends on your diagnosis.
If you need any questions answered feel free to ask.
