Hi I'm 45 and just found out that a lump I had on my breast is cancerous, I had lump and lymph nodes removed last tues, so I'm now waiting to hear what treatment I'm going to need, My consultant has said most likely 8 sessions of chemo every 3 weeks, so 6 months in total and then radiotherapy mon-fri for a month, so i'm kinda in the unknown zone at the moment. Not looking forward to the hair loss, terribly vain i know, but my hair is very important to me like most women, I colour it blonde which will obviously have to stop. As far as I know my chemo will be given intrevenously, so my hair will most probably fall out. I am going to look into getting a real hair wig as I dont think i've got the guts to go au natural, I've also picked up a couple of bandanas to wear about the house. My partner says it doesnt matter if my hair falls out, as long as i'm here. Luckily I've found the lump very early by self examination whilst on holiday and my consultant is very positive about me getting better. I'm very wary about the next 9 months but feel quite determinded that chemo is a wonder drug and will make me better. My girls are 22 and 20 and are amazing, they have read stories in magazines about Kylie, sally from corrie etc and are determined I will just do what the doc says and get better, my partner who ive only been with for 2 years is the most wonderful guy ever, dunno what I'd do without him, he's been with me every step of the way. I was worried about losing my breast, but fortunately I had a lumpectomy which looks amazing. my consultant says put your life on hold for the next 6-9 months get better and you'll never look back, oh yeah sounds easy, but im trying really hard. I hope I'm still this positive whilst I go through my treatment (def not I hear you say) lol, but I'm a determined ***!

Hope to chat to others in the same situation xx

hi colly

just had my lump and nodes removed thursday (12th Aug) so will know my treatment shortly. I am expected to have radiotherapy and chemo but i thought radiotherapy came first, seems on here it is the other way around - perhaps I wasn't listening. I'm feeling a bit daunted at what comes next but more so for the effect it will have on the family - i worry too about not being the glamourous vital woman i was and will that change my realationship with my partner and so on. Although we are planning to get married. So much to talk about! it would appear you will be going through treatment at around the same time as me, so if you would like to stay in touch and discuss our good and bad days, please do !!! my email is simplysara1@hotmail.com

wishing the best of luck to you

sara

Hi ladies.

Leonie, congratulations honey.... I am so pleased for you.

Roses, thank you for being my sanity line today

The great thing about this group is that you never have to cope with anything alone

Thank you

Love Caz xxx

P.S. Leonie, I raise my glass of Merlot to you honey. Xxx

cheers sara,

glad you're having one with us. good luck for monday, be thinking of you. speak to you when you're next online. i'll try n sort msn next week when time. are you on facebook? im not but jon is. wishing you all the best hun n lots of love to you.

xxxxxxxx

Hi Sara,

Enjoy your tipple ,how long will you be in hospital?

I love having my grandchildren over (3years,9 months and 3 weeks) but they do wear you out .As you said i take my hat off to anyone going through this and looking after young ones.I keep getting tearful at things Harry says,especially when he says I am his best friend.( blubbering grandmother )

Good luck for Monday.Stay strong,

Rose xxx

Good luck for Monday Sara

We will be thinking of you and praying for you

Love always

Caz Xxx

thanks caz. means a lot. sorry to hear you didnt get results today, must be awful for you. we'll all be here for you thats for sure. try n have a good weekend hun. gonna look at your other page so i know more about it n how you feel.

chin up lovely girl, n cheers!!

love xxxxx

Hi Leonie,

Nice one!

Sorry I didn't manage to get back in time from Southport to be one line with you. Had to go and do a spot of babysitting. My grandson's mum had an appointment and was having trouble trying to find someone to look after the kids.

Patricia x

Hello Ladies & Tony

I hope you do not mind me joining in on your chats, I am really here for some advise as I have been reading through the threads and some of you seem to be where I am in my treatment, I had number 7 on Friday so 1 more to go befor the radiotherapy stars. I had a consultation with my Oncologist on Friday and he informs me it will be about 4 weeks after my chemo finishes which will be on 24th Sept that the radiotherapy starts, well this I am dreading as I have heard so many different stories, even after reading through the threads what would you all advise to help the skin not getting so sore. I have always creamed my skin so hoping this will help but what creams have all you ladies used.

It was good to be able to chat to my BN as well as I was looking forward to a holiday n the sun in December, my christmas present to myself but am informed not a good idea so soon after treatment advise was to wait 8 weeks plus after treatment, wasn't best pleased but hey I would rather go away and enjoy after this year.

Also can anyone give me advise on this I was also told that it would be a year after Radiotherapy befor I can have my reconstruction, I was so shocked as I thought it was a year after the enitial surgery, apparantly it is to give your skin time to heal, this has really upset me as I was hoping to feel like a real woman again, I do not mean to sound bad but after all we go through and then we get another blow, it just doesn't seem fair. I am so sorry it is all moaning from me but I just feel so fed up today and do not know why, I just feel so fustrated with everything.

Well ladies I better go now as have to have something to eat to take the steroids oh what joys, and once again sorry about the moan

Take Care and speak to you all soon

Littlesis

Hi Littlesis

Just to let you know, I'm a bloke!

Having watch my partner go through the stages of breast cancer from "News" right through to "Clear" this March, I can tell you, moan away! It's the best medicine. We would talk for hours about things and she would trawl the net for info. I am not medically qualified to answer some of your questions and remember everyone's body is different. Your oncologist will know your bod! Since I started raising funds for various charities related to breast cancer I have met a vary large number of people. Opinion is a great leveller but don't rush things. Everyone has different ideas and some people tended to believe the "shortest time for this and shortest time for that" others were the completely opposite! One thing, sadly,that some didn't do was talk to qualified peeps! Any doubt, pick up the phone. Email your oncologist, call CRUK have a chat with a nurse or call the people in green (Macmillan) Either way, from what I can gather, you are through to "the other side" and patience is the next and most frustrating step. You have done well, keep up with the moaning, have a rant, if it makes you feel good then it is good!

I wish you all the very best.

RD

Hi Littlesis,

Moan away sweetie,thats what we are here for.We all have days when it all gets on top of us.

Well done on nearing the end of your chemo.Everyone is different but i had no side effects at all. on radio..I used aftersun cream every day but you need to stay out of the sun as the skin will be delicate and burn easily.I hope you sail through it. I had reconstruction 8 months after radio finished as the skin wont heal if it is too soon after treatment I know you want it all to be finished as soon as poss but it really is better to wait and get things done properly once and for all.You have come so far,it will all be done soon,honest !!

Hope you feel better soon,keep posting

Rose xxx

Hi there,

its nice to know that you are not the only one who is going through this! i had my lumpectomy on 26th july, so they did the reconstruction when they removed the lump. i have made it quite clear to my breast care nurse that i will not be going to have the other breast done has it was to painful! i start my treatment of chemo on the 17thsept. so scared not knowing what side affects i may go through. hope someone can tell me not to worry!

regards dizzy

Hi there,

its nice to know that you are not the only one who is going through this! i had my lumpectomy on 26th july, so they did the reconstruction when they removed the lump. i have made it quite clear to my breast care nurse that i will not be going to have the other breast done has it was to painful! i start my treatment of chemo on the 17thsept. so scared not knowing what side affects i may go through. hope someone can tell me not to worry!

regards dizzy

Hi Dizzy

I have just had my 2nd chemo. Everyone is different and so far I have found that the first week I felt really tired, lethargic and yuk. The second week I felt more normal and week three better again. My advice would be to make sure you drink plenty of water the day before the chemo and try and keep it up the following days. I had really bad constipation after my first treatment and had to result to suppositories!!

Just listen to your body, rest when you are tired and don't feel guilty about others doing all the work. I find myself watching lots of TV - History Channel and I have taken up jigsaws If you can get out for a drive in the car just to get out of the house also help take your mind of things and it makes you realise what a wonderful country we live in and gives you a great to be alive feeling.

Keep us posted and all the best for the 17th

Anne

xx

Hi Ladies and Hi Tony,

Thank you all for your messages of support. I was home by 1pm!! absolutely shattered and slept a lot, which meant I couldn't keep the tooth in just incase I swallowed it. So I was back to being very glam, snoring a lot with a gaping hole in my mouth Anyway, I have to wait to 14th for the results.

I feel fine, but a bit tired and I wondered if anyone else found like me, that two days later I still feel brain muddled, llike i am spacing out a bit, oir suddenly tired for no reason?

Grandkids came over today but also my daughter from Kent - haven't seen her in nearly a year and the two babies - oh wow, it was so lovely!!!! They finally all opened their xmas pressies !!!!

It is so difficult waiting for results and mentally preparing yourself for treatment when we do not know what to expect, but everyone is different and that's what makes this forum so great, people are so honest that a good all round view is given. It is easy to say don't worry, but we all know that regardless we do. I have tried some things to help me cope. Some relaxing music played at barely audiable level at night, plenty of books, and a change in diet and cooking practices. I have started knittng again and practice breathing when I get stressed. I used my exercise bike for the first time since sunday (obviously with the op etc.,) and took it slow, but managed a half hour and felt so much better afterwards. It does help with stress and fatigue, but it takes some doing I can tell you a good walk might help.

I am sending you a hug and best wishes - come scream when you like - we all are here to listen xxxxxxxxxxxxx

sara xx

Hi Sara

glad things went to plan and you are beginning to recover.As you say listen to your body and indulge yourself.The spaced out feeling is something I remember,as if I was looking through a window .You have had a lot of body bashing lately so do take things easy and allow time to recover.You may find that you will crash in a few days when the adrenalin rush stops,plenty of healthy food and a tub of icecream is the order of the day.

It must have been brilliant to see your grandchildren,what a boost for you.We appreciate these things much more now.

Hope you continue to get ;) better .

Rose xxx

Hi girls

Sara, it looks like I will be a couple of weeks behind you as far as treatment goes

My results showed that I have lobular cancer in my right breast and ductal cancer in my left breast, and my surgery is scheduled for next wednesday.

Before my surgery I have to make the decision wether to have mastectomy or quadrantectomy (including losing the nipple) on my left breast.

Tonight I am going to have a couple of glasses of wine and try and let it sink in so I can make a decision by friday.

All opinions greatfully received

Love Caz xxx

dear caz

so sorry to hear your news. bloody awful having 2 types of the horrible beast. you are bound to need more time to think this one out. cant tell you how sorry i am. just need o remember, at the mo we need all the help we can get to get better n no matter what that is, surely its worth it?!

had lots of hassle sorting out passports n flights lately for this holiday but i promise as soon as the flights are booked, i will be online more n hopefully i can be there for all of you.

im really glad the op went well for you sara, enjoy your time before chemo now. the anaesthetic will wear off n like rose said, you'll probably feel quite low then but on the road away from it.

patrica, thanks for answering my post. it helped a lot to hear that but im sorry for you at the same time. onwards n upwards hun!

good night n speak soon

love leonie xxxxxxx

I have made the decision to have the double mastectomy.

It was a very hard decision to make.... but

Self presavation kicked in,,,,,, and to be honest, look at the choices!

Mastectomy and quadrantectomy including nipple removal........ 2 horrendous scars and a mis shapen deformed lump on my chest... with constant worry of grade 3 lobular cancer re occurring in the future

Or double mastectomy..... 2 even matching scars....... and peace of mind

Not much of a choice when I finally got my head straight

But I think the hardest thing is trying to take it all in and make sence of it all

Thank you all for your support and words of encouragement

Love Caz xxx

Well done Caz,I think you have made the right very difficult choice.:love:

Rose xxx

Hi caz you are in my prayers, I think you have made a very difficult decision but in my mind the correct one, it's amazing what they can do now a days. Good luck love colly x

Hi Caz

I think you have made the right choice also, and they can do amazing re-constructive work these days. One step at a time. Good luck for the operation I will be thinking of you.

Anne

xx

I have got used to the idea and told Barbara (my breast nurse)... and now she has made all the arrangements.

I have to go in on Tuesday for my final appointment, blood tests, constent forms etc

I feel strangly calm... sort of a wierd acceptance .... i told Dave that I am scared I will crach and burn on Wednesday.... he said I may crash, but he will never let me burn.

But I do know that I am scared at the speed this has all snowballed

Love Caz xx