Hi Sandra,

Welcome to Cancer Chat. I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis.You are doing well by trying to cope one day at a time.The first letter you received today wasn't so bad.. It is going to remove the cancer in your breast and give you the chance to live a normal life once all this treatment is over, so the sooner you start the sooner you'll be finished with it all. The second was a definite bonus.

What surgery are you going to have - a lumpectomy or a mastectomy?

I have had 2 bouts of primary breast cancer. The first was diagnosed 7 years ago and the second the following year. Have you got a treatment plan in place post-surgery?

Please stay in touch. Remember, there is always someone here whenever you feel like talking.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine.

Thanks for the reply. 

I have 2 small lumps in my R breast (no one can feel them nor is there any outward change to be seen nor pain. Caught on routine screening).

They are grade 1 and grade  2 both invasive cancers. On MRI my lymph nodes look clear.

I am having a lumpectomy on the 21st as a day case. They are hoping to make 1 incision to get to both but will re assess on day. They are also taking 2 sentinel nodes for biopsy just in case. 

After the op all things being equal I am to have radiotherapy mon to fri for 3 wks.

Wow how matter of fact does it all sound in the written word when it is so not.

7yrs post diagnosis - I tip my hat to you Jolamine. When we are first diagnosed it's like our lives ended in that moment. This is so not true "living with Cancer" never a truer word.

take care Jolamine 

Sandra x

Hi Jolamine  

I am 60 and my daughters are 38 and 34. 

I took early retirement Nov last year. I am so glad I did- means I can concentrate on what I now need to when I need to and not worry about work.

I too will commence Letrozole as my cancer is oestrogen receptive. Hoping no side effects. I am someone who has always been fit and healthy who has only ever taken the odd paracetamol so this whole thing has side swiped me. 

Is everything ok with you Jolamine - I noticed the time of you post - or are you just a bit of a night bird :-) 

Take care and thanks for sharing- knowing there are others who have stared into the abyss and stepped back is reassuring. 

Sandra x

HI Sandra,

I was 61 and still working when I was diagnosed. Since then I have had to take a back seat at work, because I have had so many clinics to attend. Like you, I have always been fit and healthy, but so much has hit me since I was diagnosed that it feels as if I am a different person.

You ask about the crazy hours that I send my posts. I am a night owl (have always been) and I remember how I felt when first diagnosed. I couldn’t sleep and I really appreciated replies from some great people on this forum at all times. I found that the worst time for me was overnight when my imagination ran riot. I was particularly scared at the time, because I nursed my Mum with secondary breast cancer for 12 years. She was only told that she had metastases in liver, lungs, bones and brain in her final year. We lost her that year, but it was horrendous to watch her pain and suffering to the end. Having had so much help when I needed it, I hope that I am giving a little back by doing the same for others.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and a few scares - the latest last week. I had a radioactive bone scan last Wednesday and got the results on Friday. Fortunately, it was good news for a change. These scares have become almost routine, but there is always the worry until I get the results.

I hope that your op goes well and that you have no side-effects from Letrozole.

Kind regards,

Jolaine xx

Hi Jolamine 

Bless what a gem you are. So glad you had good news sounds like you are over due some. 

Glad it's you're a night owl and all is well - I like many others appreciate your time and support-thank you. 

You mention you feel you are a different person - I get that but at the same time, you have got to where you are today because of your innate strengths and the core of who your are. One of these strengths is your ability to adapt and change when needed -you are who you need to be. I hope like you I have the strength in me to change as and when I need to.

Take care Jolamine onwards and upwards 

Sandra x

Today I attended the hosp to have the marker iodine seeds put in - was very similar to having a biopsy but easier. So next step is my op next Thursday. 

The good- while there met another lady having her seed put in ready for her op on same day - both of us said see you next Thurs. A friendly face to look for on day of op.  

Not posted on here for a while so just t say

its early so delighted  to say no bad yeahhh.

The good:- recovered from op with no problems (was no where near as big a deal I had made it in my head). This wk just finished 3 wks of RT. Was fine throughout not particularly tired and skin not been a problem ( only 2 appts ran on time the norm seemed to be running 45-60 mins behind bless them). Started letrozole and although getting some hot flushes I can deal with them. 

I have met some lovely people on my journey I am honoured and grateful.

My heartfelt thoughts to those starting and continuing their journey. X

Hi there ... just wanted to say well done brave lady ... not posted before as I could see you were being well looked after by jolomine... she's amazing .... but just wanted to send you a big hug ... I thought the same as you ... I've had a few ops along the way ... but mastectomy was the least stressful... but the run up to it is scary ... so now you've done the hardest part , let's hope it's on the up now .... 

So sending you a big brave hug ... chrisie xx 

Ah thanks Chrisie

Just done final add up its actually 13 wks and 2 days from date of diagnosis of breast cancer to last day of  RT - meet surgeon in April for review then onto an annual review.

what a ride it’s been. How quick does the treatment machine kick in. Carrying out its work while u feel like you  are being dragged along clueless ( despite their valiant attempts to explain everything). I went from someone who wouldn’t consider sunbathing top less to whooping them out at the drop of a hat:-) laying there chatting to male radiotherapists while they draw on me boob:-) who knew:-0

Then discharged.... cut adrift and suddenly your days are your own again. Me.... I love it but totally get why some struggle. 

Thank you for saying brave but felt more like lack of choice. The new lifestyle we didn’t choose is without a doubt made easier by the support of those on here. From the been there done thats to the I am going through this too. The nervous chatting in the hosp waiting rooms and the sharing of stories. Yup humbled and grateful to everyone who has touched my life through this. X

Not posted on this thread for a while but here is today’s good nd bad...

The bad:- yesterday  bumped into a friend not seen in a while in the school yard while I dropped off my granddaughter. She told me her husband has prostrate cancer which has spread and she has been diagnosed with leukaemia. Sad catch up:-(

The good:- My daughter who is doing a career change has completed her 1 st yr exams ( to be an electrician) and got a distinction... well proud:-)

Life continues don’t it. 

Take care peeps x

Hey Sandra. Im just starting my journey and enjoyed reading this thread. I've been diagnosed with stage 1 invasive breast cancer in left breast with an additional area that although currently benign is showing abnormal cell change and growth. So out they ate both coming. I'm scheduled for my OP on 13th April. Sentinel nodes to be removed for testing also. Then if margins and nodes clear I will also be for 3 weeks radiotherapy. As my cells are also ER+ I will need hormone therapy but that's a doozy. I'm staying positive and reassuring everyone around me (It's ok I'm not dying yet). I dont think people know how to react to me when i say things like that. My other half thinks I'm either coping amazingly well or in denial. Anyways i thought id say hi as your journey is so close to the one im about to take....plus I like the idea that for every negative there is a positive...karma and balance. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket

Hi there Sandra. . It's a shame about catch up, but maybe helped each other, knowing how many of us that are now on this journey...  

But high 5 to your daughter ... electrician a ... that should come in handy ... 

I'm just waiting to have little op on scar (again) as got 2 to my lumps behind it ... had a small hole that never healed ... told them to 're do months ago ... oh well here goes ... 

Just sitting with my granddaughter. . Ain't grandkids the best for taking mind off things ... any ways Sandra ... keep going hun ... take care ... Chrissie x

Hi there Sandra. . It's a shame about catch up, but maybe helped each other, knowing how many of us that are now on this journey...  

But high 5 to your daughter ... electrician a ... that should come in handy ... 

I'm just waiting to have little op on scar (again) as got 2 to my lumps behind it ... had a small hole that never healed ... told them to 're do months ago ... oh well here goes ... 

Just sitting with my granddaughter. . Ain't grandkids the best for taking mind off things ... any ways Sandra ... keep going hun ... take care ... Chrissie x

Ah thanks for dropping by Chrisie 

tbh my friend was.... resolved. She is a strong lady nd said straight away she couldn’t b doing with everyone who means well. She was just getting on with it cos she has to. Its that kinda attitude that will get you through:-) I know this but was still sad as I walked away.

Daughter doing brill:-) her husband is a joiner, Tiler, Plasterer... yes all very handy;-). It’s her two lil ones I look after while they work. They r 5&2 now... love em to bits nd keep me busy:-)

Glad hosp looking after u... they are doing the right thing playing it safe and removing the lumps. Am I right in thinking u are in next week for your op... u know the drill better than me so will b thinking of u nd that small pressure u feel on your shoulder is just my squeeze of support. Take care me dear x

What an interesting and supportive thread. I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS last November following my mammogram. Thankfully not invasive, totally treatable and, the main thing, not life threatening.

Like you Cornish, I spent the first few weeks reassuring everyone that I was going to be ok and not going anywhere. I'm a person that likes to know everything and researched my diagnosis thoroughly so knew the prognosis was good. However don't let your reassurances be at your expense and you should let your feelings be known to others. It was only last week when I watched the Full Monty ladies night that I realised I had experienced many of the feelings expressed by those taking part and I had kept a lot to myself.

I had my op (wide local incision) at the beginning of January followed by three weeks of radiotherapy. I have had wonderful support from my lovely family and friends which has been invaluable to me. I am in total awe of our wonderful NHS and the treatment I've received has been second to none.

I have a follow up at the end of April and hopefully it will only be check ups from now on.

I consider myself very lucky and wish all on here a happy and healthy future

Hi Irene, I too love this thread. 

Like you i'm all over the research lol....fully informed is fully armed!!!! I'm quite a practical person...especially in a crisis. I do wonder whether it might hit a bit harder emotionally later. I will have to wait and see.

Yes the full Monty programme last week was a heart breaker...some amazing people who had tremendous strength.

Glad all is going well following your treatments and good luck for your follow up appointment. 

Hi Irene ... that's why I'm a tad warrie of looking like we just take things lightly ... believe me I've had my days where I've had a melt down ... and I do try to do a balance ... I know my age helps me, as I know if I were 20 or more years ago, with a family at home , it would be a different story ... 

This chat room is amazing ... we support each other when down as we all have been through ... anger , disbelief,  why me's  , what ifs ... can't think of any of us that escape those feelings ... but I'm sure I couldn't have come this far without my sense of humour ... I just hope I have the right balance ...

So please forgive me, if it looks like I take things lightly ... but I think I can gage when just a shoulder is needed ... you sound like quite a positive person too ... and understand all the highs and lows this cancer throws at us ... we have all needed holding up on here and so many will rally round to get us through those lows ... so glad you seem to be kicking cancers bum ... win or loose our journey , let's knock it down the road to gether ... Chrissie

Not in a millions years would I think you take it lightly Chrissie.

You sound  a very balanced and positive person and that can only be a good thing. I certainly had my wobbles along the way as I'm sure we all have. Reading this thread we all have so much to live for and we won't let this thing get in the way.

Let's all kick *** together lovely ladies xx

Hi Irene:-) aren’t the a great bunch on here nd now we have u here too...welcome:-)

I had my op in Sept Last yr ( wide local excision) yup nd 3 wks RT. I too see my surgeon this month nd hopefully will go onto annual recall. 13 wks nd 2 days from diagnosis to discharge... you are right our NHS is outstanding.

Eee when they came to see me just before going down for my op the offered for me to have a local anaesthetic and be awake nd watch or I could have earphones with music....or would I prefer to b asleep. Yes the last one... I’ll have the last one. When I got to theatre I said just t b clear I want the last option... t b asleep. Wish I’d asked if anyone picks to b awake lol x

How u feeling in yourself now? X

Hay irene ...

Welcome aboard the breast rollercoaster ... look forward to your input ... everyone welcome ... sure you can be a great help ... Chrissie

Thanks all for your welcome and happy birthday Rileyroo. You sure are as lively lot on here and your comments have given me a chuckle.

In answer to your question Sandra, I'm feeling good at the moment. I've had little reaction to the RT just some skin reaction after the treatment finished but it's settled now.

Just trying to decide where to go with bras now as I'm looking lopsided. Does anyone know if we can wear underwired bras? I thought it was just a matter of if we feel comfortable with it but not sure if it has something to do with lymph drainage. Any ideas anyone?

Another thought Irene ... when I was in hospital for 3 days after mastectomy... where wed all got to be mates on my 6 bedded ward ... all for different things ....on the last day i got given my new falsely ... and like you l liked underwire bras and as newly op didn't wear any .. but shoved new falsey up my tee shirt .. got outta bed and said to patient in next bed who had her hubby visiting at the time ... I asked " what do you reckon on my new falsey then, just not sure what name to give it" ... quick as a flash, her husband said , how bout "one hung low"  looked down and there it was down by my waiste ...  laughed all day ... 

Chrisie x 

Off to hospital ok in about 20mins just took a selfie of my poor boobs so I can remember pre op lol !