Hi Bev,

I was diagnosed with IDC in March last year. I've undergone chemotherapy,  surgery and I'm now just over half way through radiotherapy. 

Message me if you want to talk or ask any questions. 

As you have already said, be kind to yourself. 

Fingers crossed for you. 

Hi Samkatz,

Thanks for responding and supporting. 

Had the IDC gone to your lymph, hence the chemotherapy?

My care team don't think it is in my lymph, but I'm having an MRI on Tuesday to clarify. 

How was your surgery? I will need a 'melon slice' removed and then radiotherapy...that's the plan so far, anyway... how did you tolerate chemo? 

Most importantly, how are you now, and how has your aftercare been?

It's surreal, isn't it?

Bev

Hello Bev

I got the same diagnosis as you on Jan. 30th. To say I was shell shocked is an understatement. Especially as there was no lump, and it was picked up by my first routine mammogram. Just like you, I am scheduled for a quick lumpectomy (Feb 18th) followed by 3 weeks of radiotherapy. Then Tamoxifen for a few years. The surgeon doesn't think it has spread anywhere as yet. He described mine as like some grains of rice, scattered over an 8mm area.  

It's the most awful shock isn't it. But it sounds like if you have to get BC then we have the very best, easiest type to treat and cure. When is your surgery?

Bluebella x

Hi Bluebella,

Thanks for the reply. It's so nice to know we're not alone on this, isn't it? Scary how we've been asymptomatic, too. Life just gets so busy, I guess we ignore ourselves. If I hadn't agreed to take part in a study, it wouldn't have been picked up early.

I've got an MRI scan on Tuesday to ensure there is no lymph involvement. Then I'm seeing the surgeon on Friday to fix a date for the lumpectomy - although it's more of a 'slice' to be removed laterally. And I'll lose a nipple. The Breast Care Nurse asked me if I was bothered about that- I told her it's a small price to pay...

Good to hear you've got an operation date fixed. Do you think it's a big relief once things get going?

What part of the country are you in? 

Bev xx

Hello Bev

I find it really helps to speak to people who have been at the coal face, so to speak, rather than very impersonal web pages. I know what you mean about being asymptomatic. I'm 49 and the only reason I was offered a routine mammogram was because they've just lowered the age to 48. If it was still at 50+ then I could have gone another year before anything was detected! Frightening.

It is a shame you'll lose a nipple, but those 3D nipple tattoos are very convincing, if you fancy one? I don't think I'll lose a nipple, but my surgeon did mention he might need to give my boob a slight lift during surgery and the same to the other boob, so they match. Something to do with when the lumpectomy is in the bottom of the breast it can cause drooping after. My boobs are already droopy, so this is like a free boob lift.

I definitely believe that once treatment is underway the relief will be huge, especially as it all seems to happen quite quickly so I expect you get a sense of purpose and moving toward a goal. I very much want this over, done and dusted, sorted. I hate things hanging over me and the waiting.

I'm in the Midlands, whereabouts are you?

Bluebella x

Hi Bluebella,

This site has been great, so helpful to speak to people who are on the same journey. 

I'm not too bothered about losing a nipple, tbh...I've spent a lot of time looking at scar covering tattoos and there are some really lovely ones out there, really pretty. I don't have any tattoos currently, but I feel like I want something to mark the recovery....I live in South Manchester, and had been toying with the idea of the Manchester Bee, but a much more delicate design. I'm oroginally from the East Midlands, but have lived here since 1988 when I came to Uni. 

Yes, my surgeon said the same - there will be a boob size mismatch unless he reduces the other one too. Friend joked that I'm getting a free boob reduction on the NHS. I actually feel quite happy about that. No more will shirts and blouses gape at the front!

Totally agree about getting it over and done with. Are you working/ off work? I welcome the time off just to think about what happens next...it's like sitting in therubble of a house that's been blown apart, trying to decide what step next. No matter what happens, it's a lifestyle shift for me. No more 52 hour weeks, study, trying to keep everyone happy. 

What about you? x

How funny, I have been considering a tattoo too, once all this is over, to mark the start of something new. I work part time and my boss is being very accommodating. Not sure how I will cope with keeping up work over the next couple of months. On one hand I want to keep the normality going, but if the worry and anxiety get too bad, I don't see how I can? I'm very lucky that stopping is an option for me because DH works full time on decent money.

I know what you mean about feeling like you're surrounded by rubble, me too. And I hate it. I am a real creature of habit, change averse, don't like new things (I'm more fun than that sounds, honest). But, I loved my life and this has just exploded in the middle of it all and somehow made me feel diminished and dirty. Does that make sense?

I'm from the East Midlands too. Originally Nottingham, but then moved to Derby as a teenager. Now live on the Notts/Leics border.

At the moment I have chosen only to tell my best friend and my boss. I don't want my teenage children to worry unnecessarily, especially as this could be done and dusted in 2-3 months. That's my best case scenario. Obviously if I end up needing chemo then they will have to be told. But ideally I would like to be able to tell friends/family very much after the fact.

Have you told anyone yet?

B x

Hi,

Yes, I've told everyone as I didn't want to keep it to myself. The only people I've held off telling are my parents as they are elderly and I don't want them to worry, because they're back home in Lincolnshire and telling then over the phone would cause unnecessary fretting. I'm going over next week to tell them face to face, so they can see I'm actually OK and not swooning on a sickbed.

I told my teenage kids when I got the diagnosis on Wednesday, because they'd guess something was going on if I wasn't at work. I've been matter of fact about it, telling them it's treatable, and they're fine so far. Strange how different people cope, eh?

And diminished and dirty? No. You're a WARRIOR!!

x

Hah, I might have a warrior tattoo when all this is over!

I've only chosen not to tell our teenage children because (if everything goes to press) my treatment will be low key enough to hide. I only work a few hours over 3 days, and they leave for school early and stay late doing various clubs. So, ideally they won't notice anything amiss. I know they'd be upset but okay if told, but if I can get away with them not knowing I would love that. Again, this will aid me in my preferred coping strategy of denial and pretending none of this ever happened. I know denial is the worst strategy (you'll know all about that, being a MH nurse) but it works for me.

It will be good for your parents to see you living normally, driving over to see them etc. Plus, you can emphasise that it's perfectly treatable nowadays.

B x

Hi Bev,

I was diagnosed with IDC in October 2019. 
Masectomy Dec 6th and axillary node clearance underarm. Cancer found in 2 lymph nodes.

8 weeks later and numerous scans, tests and hospital appointments, I'm waiting for chemo to start, 6 sessions, followed by 3 weeks of radiotherapy, then Tamoxifen as I am oestrogen pos. 

Its taken its mental toll on dealing with masectomy and then possible hair loss and side effects from chemo, but hey ho at least I'll be cancer free and that's the outcome we all want ,

Best wishes

Silver