Hi I have my appointment on Wednesday and I’m terrified.   Good luck

I got my appointment through yesterday for the 18th April. So just under 2 weeks since I was referred. Thanks and good luck to you too

Good morning Gemma 7887,well nearly 12mid day lol.

Yes you will feel 100% better once you know  what your dealing with. Thursday will be here before you know it try to take your mind off of it  by doing something you like. Maybe a nice walk in nature,or reading  drawing  listen to calming music watch a film. It may help. But above all talk openly at your appointment, talking is good,don't bottle things up let your cancer care team kniw excactly how your feeling  I'm sure with all thier experiences of helping reassure others like you,I'm sure this will help .

Giid luck for Thursday Gemma you've got this. Let me know how you get on .xxx

Thank you. I certainly will let you know how it goes xxx

I had my appointment with the consultant breast surgeon on Thursday and am relieved that I only have to have the lump removed from my breast (without a mastectomy) and most of the lymph nodes under the arm cleared. Afterwards, I am to be treated with a tablet but I am not sure what this is. However, further treatment via chemo or radiology has not been ruled out. It depends on the biopsy results from the surgery.

The good news is that I shall be able to return home on the same day! The operation will take place on 8th May. 

I had to complete a lengthy pre-op questionnaire online and this took me about 2 hours to fill up because I have difficulty using the keyboard. Shaky hands and not much sensation in the fingertip due to fibro and my age! I then got an urgent phone call from the hospital to attend a clinic for an ECG. This is for Monday morning. I can only conjecture that there has been some confusion and crossed wires over my GP's original diagnosis of angina. I had a series of blood tests and an ECG only 7 weeks ago. Unfortunately pain over the left breast is usually associated with a heart problem and not cancer. All these tests were perfectly all right so it is difficult to understand the urgent summons.

I could have had the operation on 1st May but I have had to wait for my daughter's arrival from Hong Kong and therefore it was decided to wait an extra week. My husband is unwell and it would be difficult for him to collect me from the hospital. Their policy is not to allow you to go home by yourself in a taxi even though he can help me once I return.

I don't know how quickly cancer can spread to the lymph nodes but I presume it depends on the grade.Mine is grade 2 and I am oestrogen and progesterone positive but Her2 negative. I shall have to ask my cancer nurse to explain when I have a chance to see her. At the moment I am happy for them to get on with the job of making me better!

I was told to wear a bra without any wiring so have bought some soft body bras from M and S. They have a good selection.

Your diagnosis seems similar to mine. If you wish, let me know how you get on.

Best of luck,

Anne

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. But glad you have a plan. I have grade 1. I have a lump in breasr on 1 lymph node effected. I have surgery planned on the 15th of May and I to will be having them removed and awaiting on what the results say. I Will also be on tablets for 10 years apparently. Hope everything goes well. X

Thank you .Gemma 

I have at least three affected lymph nodes but I expect many more will have to be removed. The surgeon says she has once had to remove 70!   I hope I will not add to her record. Perhaps the tablets you mention are to suppress the hormones which promote the growth of cancer cells. I expect my tablets will be similar. It will be interesting to find out.

I will be thinking of you on the 15th.

Anne

Yes it is to suppress the hormones. I will be thinking of you too. Good luck x

Hello

I had my operation on Thursday and I am delighted with the result of the lumpectomy. The surgeon has made the left breast look completely normal, lifting it slightly so it looks almost a complete match to the right side one! She used dermabond glue to stitch it and I have been careful not to get it wet.

I had to have a complete clearance of all the axillary lymph nodes because there was too much cancer involved and she expects that I shall have to have chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy plus tablets but this will be decided on 24th May when I will be told the biopsy results and next action plan.

I was given codeine tablets along with paracetamol but decided to discontinue the painkillers after one day because they were making me feel sick and bloated and caused constipation! I doubt whether this would be approved by the hospital team but I am used to fibromyalgia pain and this was no worse.

I started the arm exercises the day after the operation and I think they are getting easier to do. The wound under the arm is slightly swollen but this is to be expected.

I am sure everything will go well for you next Thursday. Don't worry. You will be in good hands at the hospital and any discomfort is completely manageable.

I shall be thinking of you on the 15th, so best wishes.

Anne

Hi glad the operation went well. I have mine next Wednesday. Then I have to wait 2 weeks for the results of that. Waiting 2 weeks after the biopsy was hard so this will be hard too I think. I also have to wait another 5 weeks for genetics to see if I carry a gene as that will change my treatment plan completely if its positive. I haven't been shown any exercises yet but have a telephone appointment about them on Monday. X

How are you, Gemma?

I have been thinking about you and hope everything went well with the operation

. I have had my biopsy results and was a bit disappointed when I was informed that the breast tumour was 2.5 cm. and much larger than shown on the scans. Also, four lymph nodes were cancerous, not the expected three. The healthy breast tissue around the lump was slightly less than the 1mm guideline and I could have a further operation to remove more tissue. However the consultant surgeon said she did not want to put me through another procedure due to my age. Chemotherapy was not recommended because I am almost 81 but radiotherapy was the way to go.I shall expect an appointment with the oncologist in the next few weeks - possibly up to a month! Constant waiting seems to be a necessary part of our treatment pattern.As you say, this is hard but at least we are on our way. She does not expect that I shall receive radiotherapy for a further four weeks because the swelling around the armpit could take 8 weeks to settle. Still, in the meantime I shall try to get the garden into shape - between the rain showers - and then look forward to fifteen rounds of radiotherapy over a three week period at another hospital 35 miles away! The equipment there is more specialised so I shall be forced to travel. Just imagine the taxi fares!!

How are the arm exercises? I have been doing these as directed but can't say they are comfortable yet. Hopefully they will feel better with time.

Best wishes,

Anne

.

Hi Anne just read your reply to Gemma,and wanted to say I'm sorry your tumour was bigger than thought and that four lympth nodes were cancerous. I too has lympyh nodes removed ,so I know how painfull this can  be,ecspecialy the swelling . I developed a seroma and had to have fluids drained twice, tool a long time to heal,but it dud eventually, but left me with mold lymphedema . I noticed yoi said you would have to travel a long way to another hospital your radiotherapy sessions, and were worried about the cost of taxis. You should be entitled to hospital transport as a csncer patient you are entitled to free hospital transport,speak to your cancer team and they should be able to give you a number to call to book in your transport too and back from the hospital. I had to travel to another hospital for my radiotherapy sessions for three weeks ,and I had free  hospital transport, the only drawback is you have to be ready a lot earlier ( hrs before ) as thry do pick up other people sometimes. I had ambulances puck me up and drop me off and sometimes it was a taxi sometimes it was a volunteer driver, but all were reliable and great. I wasn't aware thst as a cancer patient thst I waa entitled to free hospital transport untill one of my csncer nurse's told me. It was such a releief to know  as it would of cost so much . Hope this helps you,and you can get transport to your radiotherapy sessions. Also it might help if you Google free hospital transport for csncer patients in uoir area,it might give uou a telephone number to ring.  You will obvously need all your dates and appointment times beforehand so you can book the transport. Good luck with evetything Anne. 

Hi Anne just read your reply to Gemma,and wanted to say I'm sorry your tumour was bigger than thought and that four lympth nodes were cancerous. I too has lympyh nodes removed ,so I know how painfull this can  be,ecspecialy the swelling . I developed a seroma and had to have fluids drained twice, tool a long time to heal,but it dud eventually, but left me with mold lymphedema . I noticed yoi said you would have to travel a long way to another hospital your radiotherapy sessions, and were worried about the cost of taxis. You should be entitled to hospital transport as a csncer patient you are entitled to free hospital transport,speak to your cancer team and they should be able to give you a number to call to book in your transport too and back from the hospital. I had to travel to another hospital for my radiotherapy sessions for three weeks ,and I had free  hospital transport, the only drawback is you have to be ready a lot earlier ( hrs before ) as thry do pick up other people sometimes. I had ambulances puck me up and drop me off and sometimes it was a taxi sometimes it was a volunteer driver, but all were reliable and great. I wasn't aware thst as a cancer patient thst I waa entitled to free hospital transport untill one of my csncer nurse's told me. It was such a releief to know  as it would of cost so much . Hope this helps you,and you can get transport to your radiotherapy sessions. Also it might help if you Google free hospital transport for csncer patients in uoir area,it might give uou a telephone number to ring.  You will obvously need all your dates and appointment times beforehand so you can book the transport. Good luck with evetything Anne. 

Meant mild lymphedema not mold. Gosh how funny ,I'm always making typo errors, I really should check, before I send my replies lol. I can see there are lots more typo errors in my reply,but km guessing you can understand it all. Corrected the mold one, as it made me laugh.

Thank you very much for the information about hospital transport. I shall certainly look into it when I see the oncologist and have definite dates.

When my husband had his operation for stomach cancer this was carried out at a hospital fifty miles away and I had to book in to a nearby hotel for ten days. There never was a mention of help when he had to visit the outpatients department on several occasions but his consultant finally transferred all his medical notes to our local hospital and eventually he attended follow-ups from there.

I am sorry to hear about your seroma problem. Mine is causing quite a lot of pain because I think some nerves were severed close to the back of the upper arm and it hurts to touch. So far there is no sign of lymphoedema but I have been given an appointment with some nurses who specialise in this. It won't be until  July, which seems a bit odd! I am keeping an eye on the swelling because the consultant said it might have to be drained if it increases in size.

I forgot to mention in my post to Gemma that I shall have to take hormone tablets for seven years in addition to the radiotherapy. I was given a terrifying booklet about Abemaciclib (Verzenios) and after reading it I decided that it was not for me. My son-in-law advised me not to touch it because it had given him and his father nasty side effects. They have had skin cancer and his father died from this disease. Although all treatments are tailored to particular cancers it is certainly difficult to come to the right personal decision when there are alternatives and additional drugs to fight this awful disease.

Again, thank you for writing this helpful post.

Best wishes

Anne

Hi again Anne,thsts awful that

 your husband had to travel all that way for treatment,but I guess it does happen sometimes. I'm on Letrazole for 10yrs have 7yrs more  of taking it. Its not great,some bad side effects but I'll continue to take it if it's helping to stop the breast cancer reoccurring  ,I know that isn't guaranteed that it won't return, but if it helps. As the research shows it does , I'm taking it untill I have to. Good luck with evertything Anne.

I think as a couple we have got used to the cancer scenario and we both realise that we could have a relapse. However as time passes and we concentrate on everyday challenges and try to enjoy our limited life style, we realise that we are fortunate to be here, thanks to the NHS. I am clear in my own mind that radiotherapy and hormone tablets are the best treatment for me and I am trying to block out thoughts of the possible alternatives!! I suppose everyone in a similar situation feels a bit of uncertainty about the best way forward but we just have to have some faith in the experts.

I will let you know what the effect of the tablets will have on me when I see the oncologist. I just have to wait for that letter!

Best wishes,

Anne

I agree the specialists/oncologist deal with cancer patients evert day,and will always do thier best for eCh patient.  I'm.so gratefully the NHS and its staff.  My son was diognosed with testicular cancer just before I found my breast tumour. He was only 34yrs old a few mothes off of being 35. He had  lots of chemotherapy  hooked up to chemoevery second weekend from the Friday right throughout the Monday eve.  Ges doing so well now  ,and that I'm so grateful  for too. Hav a great week ahead .And yes do let me know how you get on .

So sorry to hear about your son's cancer but pleased he is doing so well now. The news must have come as a dreadful shock and all this on top of your discovery. It seems many families are being touched by this awful disease but let,s hope that in future there can be a quicker diagnosis before the illness gets really out of hand. Unfortunately there is not enough routine testing especially as one gets older. Mammograms should not have a cut off point in the early seventies because at least one in ten people in the older age group will get breast cancer.Although I was concerned about the increasing pain of my fibromyalgia, this was brushed aside and no suggestion was made that it should be investigated. My own cancer was only discovered in a round about way and I am certain it was present for a long time. Still, it is no use thinking about the past history and I just have to get on with life!

Do keep in touch and stay hopeful and healthy!

Best wishes,

Anne

Thanks Anne.xx

Hello

Just had an awful week after developing an extensive rash on the breast and area of the axillary lymph nodes removal.I was so worried as it was constantly creeping so dashed up to A&E. Saw a doctor there who did a swab and gave me a week's supply of antibiotic. This did not seem to be having any effect so two days later I let my GP have a look and he told me that I might have to go back to hospital and be put on a drip. I was prescribed even more penicillin and then saw his colleague two days later. By this time the rash had extended to the legs so she told me to go straight to the hospital. This was my birthday treat!.I spent 10 hours in A&E waiting for blood to be taken,then sitting for a further two hours waiting for the results before I could be seen by the surgical team. Everyone was mystified by this awful rash and could not give me a definite answer. The bloods were clear and showed no infection was present so had to finish taking so many antibiotics. I was given a prescription for some hydrocortisone cream and then referred on to another department, hopefully for a better result. So, I have yet another appointment and I presume a dermatologist will be involved. I have to go up again to the hospital tomorrow morning.Am hoping the rash which is almost everywhere on my body will disappear soon because I shall have to start radiotherapy treatment soon.I would not be a bit surprised if I had had an allergic reaction to all the antiseptics used during surgery and this stress has had a chain reaction. I just wonder if the advice to have my spring booster covid jab thirteen days after surgery was ill-advised and has prompted this worrying result.I shall be interested to know how this is going to pan out. It is a bit of a nightmare because I am due to see the oncologist on Wednesday. Nothing is straightforward is it.

I wonder if anyone else has experienced this after surgery because I cannot find anything similar on the website.

Please keep in touch. I shall mention the transport issue to the oncologist when I see him on Wednesday.The possible alternative is to book up at a hotel to save me all the travelling!

Best wishes

Anne   .

Hi Anne  so sorry to read that you developed this spreading rash,I myself didn't experience anything like that  ,but I did develop  mild lymphedema  and had to have fluids drained twice. This must of been very tiring for you trying to get to the bottom of what's caused it. Hope things improve very soon  for you and yes do mention about getting hospital transport  as a csncer patient  you should be entitled to it . Good luck with evetything Anne xx

Hi

I saw the oncologist yesterday and he said I should just have my initial ct scan to mark the area for radiotherapy at the distant hospital but all other sessions will be at our local one. This is a relief but the sting in the tail is that fifteen sesssions will be increased to twenty! There has been no resolution to the rash but I was told finally to let it peter out, even if it took six weeks! So, trying antihistamine tablets alongside Letrozole and calcium tablets plus topical hydrocortisone cream and praying it will clear up soon as I am very uncomfortable.

How are you now? Has the lymphoedema been contained? I have an appointment with the lympho nurses next month but I won't be able to attend it during a month's worth of radiotherapy. Will have to change the date.

Best wishes

Anne