Good news at last

That's brilliant. I'm glad things are moving in the right direction.  It's all such an emotional roller coaster it's great to hear good news and progress.  Go girl. X

Hi -Ana-

It's lovely to read the title of your post and I am so pleased to hear that the surgery phase is over and than none of your sentinel lymph nodes showed any 'nasties'.  As you say, clear margins and this - it really the best news isn't it?

I had radiotherapy on my left side (just over 4 years ago now) and I couldn't do the breathe technique due to a disability in my other arm.  Being left side, they may get you to do this, but if not, don't worry the radio teams are brilliant and I had absolutely no ill effects from not being able to do this technique.  Do join in the radiotherapy thread as you'll get a good idea of what to expect.  (My biggest piece of advice is to drink plenty throughout the course of your radio. they advise it, but drink more than you think! as it I'm totally convinced this helps to prevent fatigue that some people can get from the treatment).

Best Wishes, Lesley

Thanks for the tips! I’m concerned about breath holding as I have chronic asthma but good to know they can get round that. As my chest is unusually shaped, with my ribs further forward than most, that might even work out to my advantage. 

That's great news Anabrock. I'm delighted for you.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Amazing news. Onwards now to journey end xxx

Hi Anabrock

How was your call today?

You're so determined and focused, been so difficult for you but now you have done the horrible surgery bit - very well done!!

Wishing you lots of healing and take things easy and rest plenty. Don't you feel you can sleep a lot better these post op, despite sore in places? 

Still a step at a time, don't forget the arm exercises, so important!

C x

Thanks. Had a long telephone appointment with the oncologist. She wants me to have only half breast radiotherapy - given my higher risks of complications due to lung problems. She's also put me on the fast track radiotherapy which is only 5 sessions. She says studies indicate that reduces my low risk of recurrence by a further 50%. It's starting in about 4 weeks.

Tests confirmed I'm not through menopause yet, so I'm going on Tamoxifen. There is a risk it could make my fibroids worse  but she still thinks it's worth it. Worse case scenario I'd need a hysterectomy at some point. She reckoned my hormone levels were dropping naturally anyway so the Tamoxifen is only speeding up menopause by a couple of years at most. 

I have to have a CT scan and a DEXA before we start, and I'm OK with the arm thing thankfully. Still have pain but we think that's a complication of my fibromyalgia and should pass. She suggested gabapentin but I already went down that road for many years and still carry the excess weight. I'll just wait and hope this dies down. 

Bloody hell -Ana-what a journey you have had .

Well done for coming through so strong and dignified . 
I have just finished last week a 3 week radio therapy course on both breasts .

Its ok as a treatment goes and no fatigue as of yet .Itching of my front chest is driving me batty but as you are having partial you will probably be alright. I think it’s where they had to do both sides on me .

You deserve to sail through this anyway .

Lots of love

Penelope xx

-Ana-

You sure are one amazing lady. How you got thru and going to go thru is a true test of your strength and resilience.

Your doc is so good to actually give you those stats, where my doc doesn't even tell me I had clear margins that I had to ask my onco again how successful my op was. 

I do wonder how they advise which endocrine treatment to suit each type of BC. Does anyone know? So many type of meds out there each presenting different SE. Did she say anything abt strengthening your bones?

Look at how far you've come ...you should be real proud of yourself

Cx

Back at you C! The hormone treatment depends on how sensitive your cancer is to oestrogen and what your hormone status is. For example, an oestrogen sensitive cancer in a post-menopausal woman is likely to be extremely sensitive (it grew despite a relatively low oestrogen environment), whereas in a pre-menopausal woman it might be sufficient just to reduce oestrogen levels - that tumour having grown in a relatively high oestrogen environment (I’m generalising here of course). In post-menopause your ovaries no longer produce much oestrogen and some is produced by your fat but before menopause your ovaries are the main source of oestrogen. Some drugs just reduce the effectiveness of your ovaries (Tamoxifen), whereas others block oestrogen from everywhere (Letrizole).

Anyway, that’s my rough understanding from the appointment yesterday.

The DEXA scan is looking at bone density. If I have weak bones (osteopenia) I might have to have medication. The CT scan is just to look at my body shape, position or heart and lungs etc to plan the radiotherapy.