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

Humf, chop a couple of his bits out under these kind of circumstances and he’d be high maintenance!

8am is the wire incision time and 9.30 for nodes. I gotta be there 7.30am. 

I tried explaining the tests and surgery etc to my other half. I asked him to think about his bits being repeatedly put between two plastic blocks, clamped in and squeezed, then needles and a bigger needle, then cutting bits out or off altogether....just to start you off....he got a whole new respect for screening and treatment after that. 0

Well am looking forward to a roast dinner before the main event tomorrow! Have to be at chop shop at 7 30 in the morning tomorrow. Sounds like I'm going in for a car body work over haul it could be called *** my boob! I know they are going to dye it sky blue. Perhaps the surgeon can draw a little bird over the blue! Xx

That was meant to be p*mp my boob add in the last letter!

Mornin cournish pastie ....

Bad thought ....Oh oh just another thought ... I was more scared of the blue dye ... in my head I would look like the blue Smurfs  on the film ... pictured everyone looking at me like I was an alien. . Told the son if I turned blue he'd have to go home , and wanted a cupboard to hide in till it went ...

Good outcome , don't think it come through enough to notice ...  Hay you said to your hubby how we'd wished we had ...that was my giggle for the day ... so so proud of you ... my lil op is in 18th ... got a phone PRE OP on 10th ... think they don't want me laughing like last time ... not good for other patents ...

Must run in the family ...my mum's first heart attack,  we were moving her from intensive care to ward ... well on trolley going up in the lift she had the porters rolling with laughter .. till one said ... please Mrs t , you'll get us the sack .... she was a star ... I know lots can't look at life that way, but it's how I was brought up .. always to end with a laugh....

Chrisie  x

Mornin brave lass ... 

You go kick cancers *** ... you just show it ... I think that cancer is running scared with us lot on its tail ...bet he's never come across the likes of all these wonderfull  BREAST BUDDIES BEFORE ... NOT saying we don't have down days ... it's about bouncing back .... Will be there in spirit tomoz ..... you got this ...well all be there with you, you just won't see us ... big hug Chrissie

Good morning Chrisie....your mum sounds an amazing woman. I too was brought up with a cup half full outlook and my dad was the joker in the family. Always pushed the boundaries with humour and was up for anything.

I've made some terrible jokes since being diagnosed and left people not knowing how to respond lol....such as telling one friend whilst she was sympathizing with my situation "well what doesn't kill you makes you stronger......lets hope it don't kill me". I need to be careful about those kinds of jokes as not everyone can deal with it lol. 

Golden rule for me.....if you can't change it, deal with it, find a laugh where you can, move onwards and upwards.

I sound strong but I have a moment here and there....usually when wondering if I will get to see my little 8 year old grow. Then I realise she has an amazing bond with her dad and he would do the job of two if needed....ooh don't that sound sombre.....

Anyways enough of the negatives.....i have yo stick around as who else is gonna make my other halves life a misery lol 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

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 ! 

Thinking of you today  .... take care ... you rock ....