Cancer Research UK main site

Breast cancer

Pken
Offline

hi im new to the site and would like to speak to anyone who has been through , going through or knows someone who is going through the same as me. I was diagnosed in February and was told a simple lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy and I would be fine. After getting my results from the lumpectomy there was no clear margins so I had to have another opp called shaving . The results of this opp still showed no clear margins and I'm now to have a mastectomy , chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This to me has been the worst news ever. My cancer is called multi foci invasive cancer. I'm due to go back to hospital this week to arrange dates etc as I couldn't take it all in the last time I was there. How long is recovery for this sort of cancer? How long does it take to have breast reconstructed ( I can't have mine till after chemo and radiotherapy) is it months  or years even?  I don't ask my questions when I'm at the hospital as I turn into a wreck and can't stop crying. 

  • Offline

    I had invasive Lobular breast cancer about two years ago. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiotherapy.  I was scared when they said I needed chemo, I imaged myself in bed being sick and not able to move.  This was not the case, I had six sessions of FEC, every three weeks, and for the first few days I felt unwell, but able to cope, and after that I felt quite well,  and the rest of the sessions went just the same.  The chemo was very doable, they have lots of anti-sickness to give you.  The time went very quickly, and when the treatment began I felt a lot better emotionally The radiotherapy  hardly affected me, only a slight redness to the breast.

    I began the treatment in the January and was back at work in the July.  Some people do work through treatment.  I was told everyone reacts differently, but people I know with BC have been the same as me,

    Hope some of this helps you?   Remember that how you feel is normal, and a terrible shock, but I am sure you will come through the other end, like me.

    This is only a brief summary of my journey, but if you have any other questions or just want to talk, please post on this site.

    I am now fit and healthy, and enjoy life.

    Take care  xxx

  • Offline in reply to puddles

     

    Thank you so much for your response, so glad that your treatment went well and hopefully mine will too. I am terrified of the thought of chemotherapy with the side affects of hair loss and sickness. Did you lose your hair? Not sure if everyone does. 

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Pken

    Yes I did lose my hair, and it was a shock at first, but I wore a wig most of the time.  My neighbour did not realise I had lost my hair!!  It soon grows back, usually starts growing back about a week or two after last chemo.  I actually liked my wig - no bad hair days!!!

    Oh I do feel for you, as I remember how I felt at this stage, and it is pretty scary, but most people when chemo starts feels as though they are on their way, and feel better.  There is so much medicine they can offer you for the sickness, it really does help.  My husband drives all over Devon and Cornwall, and a few days after treatment, I would travel with him.  We would stop off and have a pub lunch - what I am saying is that life goes on.  I was tired at times, but always went for a daily walk.

    I think that most people do lose their hair, you can have a cold cap to reduce the hairloss, but this depends on the hospital.

    Remember, breast cancer is very curable for most of us.  

    Please keep in touch.

  • Offline in reply to puddles

    Thank you, you have helped me a lot .

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.