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 Sandra,

I’ve not forgotten you. I had a few months when I found it very difficult to participate in anything on this site. I lost my sight in one eye and was losing it in the second in just 8 weeks. I’ve since had an operation to both eyes – and what a difference!  Where would we be without the wonderful doctors in this country? I feel very blessed to have regained my sight.

I am glad to hear that surgery and treatment are both behind you now and hope that your appointment with your surgeon in April goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Sandra,

I’ve not forgotten you. I had a few months when I found it very difficult to participate in anything on this site. I lost my sight in one eye and was losing it in the second in just 8 weeks. I’ve since had an operation to both eyes – and what a difference!  Where would we be without the wonderful doctors in this country? I feel very blessed to have regained my sight.

I am glad to hear that surgery and treatment are both behind you now and hope that your appointment with your surgeon in April goes well.

Congratulations to your daughter - one very proud mum deservedly!

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi cornishpastie

I get where u r coming from- my thinking was - all the angst in the world ain’t gonna change a thing so...best get on then.

Bless your other half.. I sometimes think it is harder on our families in as much as although we are going through it - they helplessly have to take a step back and pretty much watch the one they love go through it from the side lines. 

The 13 th will b here before u know it so try nd look on the time till then as free time from everything hospital nd do whatever u fancy .. I know easier said than done.

On the day of my op there were 4 of us in the day case room all having the same op. We pulled up our chairs ( didn’t get a bed) nd chatted nd yes... even laughed together. I was home by 7:30 pm cup of tea 2 paracetamol then early nigt - I had made the op much bigger in my head than it actually was. Next day - uncomfortable nd tender ( u know didn’t want it knocked:-) but no pain ( so didn’t have any paracetamol) nd full movement in my arm. Nurse popped in at 11:00am checked my dressing nd left. By 12:30pm I was at shops with daughter for a bit of a browse then t pub for lunch:-)

This was my experience nd everyone is different but... can honestly say was much less of a deal than I had built it up to be in my mind.

If u have any questions or need to voice... anything ( good or bad) we are all here for u.

Yeah u go for that lottery ticket girl:-) a big win would be a cracking “good” wouldn’t it :-) 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

Oh jolamine how lovely to hear from you.

Thank you for your well wishes much appreciated... only 4 mths since end of treatment- feels a lifetime ago. Don’t think I have any tests in April think it’s a how are things and how I’m doing with the meds. 

Our NHS is phenomenal isn’t it. So glad to hear about your sight you must be so relieved bless. You are such an inspiration Jolamine - straight back on here supporting us all....thank you so much x

Hi I've have also been diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer stage 1and have my op on the 17th of April does anyone know when I will start my radiotherapy

They won’t start treatment until you have healed. From personal experience, I started two months after surgery. 

I took time off afterwards. Took about a minth before I started feeling vaguely human again. Got thro most of the treatment altho I reduced my hours with agreement from my employer, this was due to fatigue. I went back after a month and gradually built my hours back up to full time. 

Hi hun

deep breaths...u will get there.

in answer to yr Radiotherapy query... can only tell u my timeline. 

2017

Op on 21st Sept  

2nd Oct meeting with surgeon for biopsy results of excision  ( clear margins nd lymph nodes - great news cos meant I could be referred to the oncologist to discuss my radiotherapy). Referral to oncology made.

19th Oct met oncologist nd marked up for radiotherapy 

30th Oct 1st radiotherapy session (Mon- Fri for 3 wks)

I had taken early retirement 9 mths prior to my diagnosis so can’t answer your 2nd query of time off work... anyone reading this who can answer Nicki72 can u please post:-)

The 17th April will come around quicker than u think. In the meanwhile take everything one day at a time. Try to stop yourself thinking ahead and the could, would and should be scenarios. Try and use the free from hospital time to not do things u need to but what u fancy doing:-)

Sending virtual hugs me dear. Take care x

I'm only 12 hrs contract I've been looking into other benefits that will help me while I'm off work I haven't a clue were to start 

I'm only 12 hrs contract I've been looking into other benefits that will help me while I'm off work I haven't a clue were to start 

Macmillan are quite good with this kind of stuff. See if you can contact them. 

I'm going to ring my nurse and ask about what I can do about benefits thank you xx

Ah I’m so glad u nd cornishpastie have connected:-) You are both practically running parallel to each other in this club no one expected to join. X

I think it's easy talking to someone who has been or is going through the same has me and I can talk to strangers more than I can family they no know me personally but when I found this site and see what other ppl are going through or have been through you can relate thank you xx