Breast cancer diagnosis and upcoming surgery

Hi Djf

Welcome to the forum, I'm Daisy53 one of the Community Champions on this forum.  I'm sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  What you are feeling is perfectly natural particularly as you are doing it on your own.  I know that thoughts of surgery is scary but you will find the nursing staff very friendly and supportive.

I've had breast cancer twice and both times I came through surgery all right.

Wishing you the best of luck with your surgery next Monday.

Best wishes

Daisy53

sending hugs from afar, ask drs about some meds if the anxiety gets too much

but tryto remember to breathe, and for me i distracted w cat videos because they made me smile

breathe in and hold, 1,2,3 and breathe out and hold 1,2,3

also ask about support systems in your area and come here to talk to people who know

Daisy thank you for taking the time to reply.  I'm so sorry you had to go through this journey twice.  This is my second time too, 14 years ago I had DCIS , left breast mastectomy with implant and right breast reduction.  Thankfully then I didn't need any treatment after surgery.  14 years of annual checks which were all thankfully clear, then this news came like a bolt of lightning.

I'm trying so hard to keep positive and give myself pep talks - you can do this, it will be ok, this has to be done!

Thank you for taking the time to respond and offer your support it means a lot.  Part of me wants Monday over but can't help thinking that this is just the start of this journey.

Hi Daisy, 5 weeks on from surgery and the good news is that despite finding an additional lump they got everything. So now I'm waiting for the appointment with oncology to get my treatment plan.

On Tuesday this week I had my third aspiration after fluid started building.  Wow was the first one painful, second too but my third not too bad, I guess I'm getting used to the process. 

Fingers crossed it was my last.

Hi Djf  I am so glad that they managed to get everything out.  Hopefully no more aspirations.  When is your oncology appointment?  Wishing you lots of luck.

Lee xx

That's great news.  I'm delighted for you.  Hope you won't have to wait too long for your oncology appointment.

Hi Lee, sorry for the late response, had my oncologist appointment and last Friday my meeting with the radiologist, my planning CT and tatoos.  9 sessions now five to whole breast and four targetted, starts 30th June (three months on from surgery 30th March which feels like a really long time).   I feel very fortunate that I don't have to have chemotherapy but am anxious about the radiotherapy.

Hi Djf  glad that you don't need chemo.  I found radiotherapy okay, drove myself there and back.  The planning and tatoos were the longest.  Actual radiotherapy was quick and painless.  Did get burns (had 15 sessions)  so the unit gave me stuff for the burns.  Aloe vera gel in the fridge also works well.  Good luck for the 30th.

Lee x

I assume you had The Prosigna gene test that generates a Risk of Recurrence (ROR) score to predict the likelihood of the breast cancer spreading and will help your oncologist determine if you can safely skip chemotherapy.

Have you checked whether you would be suitable for the FAST FORWARD BOOST trial that is currently going on, to see whether your radiotherapy could be carried out over a reduced period of only 5 days The trial is for breast cancer patients normally requiring an extra dose of radiation to where the tumour was removed, traditional treatment can take up to 23 days (usual 15 days plus 8 days boost). The previous FAST FORWARD trial for patients not requiring the boost has already proved successful but has not been approved for use yet.