Hi Whitebread,

I am not caught in the Covid 19 pandemic. My first cancer was diagnosed 10 years ago and my second was the following year. All I can say is that I really feel for anyone who is having to look at different surgical and treatment options at present. I thought that I would reply to your post to give you the reassurance that your consultant should have given you.

None of us want a cancer diagnosis but, by the sound of yours, it is a lot better news than it could have been. The fact that it is only grade 2, is non-aggressive and that there is no lymph node involvment is all good. It appears that you have already started on Letrozole, so no time has been wasted in treating this. A three month delay in surgery shouldn't make your outcome any worse than if you had your surgery first. I know that your lump is small. With larger tumours, chemo is often the first line of attack. This is used to reduce the size of the lump before surgery.

You will be getting breast pain since you had your biopsy. This is normal, especially as it sounds as if you had a lot of prodding to get the marker in the right place. It is important to get your marker in the correct position, especially when your tumour is small, so it sounds as if your care team is being thorough. The pain will settle down with time.

I know what a shock getting a diagnosis like this is. All I can say is that most of us find our emotions all over the place at this stage, possibly they are even worse with all of the hype about the handling of cancer patients during this unprecedented spell. Most of us also expect that we are facing the worst case scenario, but fortunately this seldom comes to pass.

I am sure that others who are at the same stage as you will come along shortly to chat to you. In the meantime, please keep in touch and, let us know how you are getting on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi

thank you for your comments i appreciate what you've said  it's good to hear from someone who has been there and gone through the journey.

from not knowing anything about cancer I now know a bit more.  To be honest its all very overwhelming and so much to take in.  

I hope u are ok it sounds like u have come through the other end I'm so glad.

i have a great family support network and great friends but I feel sometimes they just don't understand how I feel.  So this is a good place to share feelings and how we feel.

Hi whitebread1

I too am on this journey, I was diagnosed with her2+ on 1st April after having a breast cyst drained. I then had 2 mammogram and ultrasound, then send for biopsy, after being told it was not likely to be anything to worry about, so I know how that feels. I had my first chemo session on the 22nd. The biopsy site was painful for a few weeks after and has just settled down. Sometimes it felt like it was burning. But it does settle down, I would however say if you are worried, call the breast care nurse, she will be able to help settle your mind.  I will be having my operation after chemo.

It is great you have already started treatment too during this pandemic, we are on the path to better health.

Please Take Care xx

Hi Kitty1

Great to hear from you I hope you are ok.  They are moving pretty fast with your treatment?  

I'm still waiting for my HER2 result ... I've been told my cancer is estrogen and progesterone positive which is a good thing by the specialist and he started me on Letrozole tabs immediately on the 25 March.   Not heard anything further on HER2. I've received clinic letter to say they will review me in 12 weeks as cancer is of non aggressive variety  and will then decide on surgery.  I've not chased them for the HER2 results to be honest as think they would have contacted me if I was as surely the treatment plan will be different.  I could of course be completely wrong....

anyway how are u feeling after u first chemo I hope u are ok?

Hi Again, yeah my treatment is fast moving, which I suppose is good, not really had much time inbetween to fret. 1st Chemo was hard especially since I had to go alone, I was really sick that evening and have had nausea feeling since, I also got a side effect of hot burning cheeks, felt they were on fire. I am separated from my partner, so its me and 2 kids (20 &18). They are great, but I feel I can't really tell them how I am feeling and I feel guilty putting them through this, my sister would normally be my strong block, but she herself is just home after time in intensive care, so she has enough to think about. I do have a strong friend and family support group outwith, which does help. 

Do you have a good support group? I hope you are doing ok xx 

Hi there

im so pleased for u that u treatment is progressing quickly it makes all the difference just knowing u are being treated.

in sorry to hear that u having to go it alone and about your sister I hope she's getting better.  I do understand that u don't want to worry your young children it's understandable.  You will be ok and someone up there is definitely looking out for u. 

i have read that they can give u meds for feeling sick perhaps for u next treatment speak to your oncologist?  And u mention red cheeks have u sought some advice as to what that could be?

I have a wonderful husband and three lovely grown up children and great friends/family so have lots of support.  But I still have moments of anxiety and fear which I hide from them as don't want them to be worried.

please keep in touch and let us know how u are doing we are all in this together....

Hi Whitebread,

I agree that it is totally overwhelming. Much of this id due to the fact that there are so many unknowns and, you have so much information given to you in such a short space of time, that you don't have time to take it all in. It does become easier as you start to actively fight this, which you are now doing with Letrozole.

I'll not lie, it's been a tough journey, but I feel that I am back on track again now. I also have a fantastic family and some great friends who have supported me all the way. However, as you said, they don't always appreciate what we are going through. There is also the fact that you don't want to worry loved ones any more than necessary. This is why I found this site a Godsend when I found it. We have all been through, or are going through cancer, or we are caring for someone who is going through it. As a result you can ask questions, find information or just rant. We've all been where you are and, know only too well what it's like. Nothing surprises us any more!

Did they test for HER 2 when they carried out your biopsy? Testing for this is usually done using tissue removed at the time of biopsy or surgery. There is also normally a little longer wait for your HER2 results.

I am glad to see that Kitty has come along. It is always reassuring to have someone going through treatment at the same time as yourself.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Kind regards,
Jolamine xx

Hi Kitty,

I am sorry to hear that you have embarked upon a cancer journey too. I am glad to see that chemo hasn't been delayed for you as a result of Covid 19. I see that you were so sick after your first session and, that you still feel nauseous. There are a number of different anti-nausea preparations and, some are more effective than others. If you continue to feel bad, phone your breast care nurse and ask for her advice. If you can last until your next session, then mention it next time that you go back.

I hope that your next chemo session doesn't take so much out of you.

Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine, I have been taking the anti-sickness tablets that have been prescribed, hopefully it will all settle down now. I will mention all my symptoms at my next session and have been advised that I should contact the NHS Cancer Treatment Helpline direct for any queries as I am now receiving treatment, I dont see a breast care nurse again until after chemo, which I find strange. Sometimes just want to ask a quick questions, that doesn't always warrant the helpline. 

Xx

Hi Kitty,

Your breast care nurse is there to answer any questions you may have, irrespective of how trivial you might feel your question to be. She is also there to give you advice. Were you not given a telephone number to contact her on when you were first diagnosed? This may have changed with the pandemic at the moment, but I doubt it.

You find that you build up a relationship with your nurse and, she is your go to person for everything, no matter how big or how small. Mine is usually busy when I phone. I usually leave a message and she gets back to me as soon as she can.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx