Hi Twinmum.

Really sorry to hear you have received this news today. Its OK to cry and you are not being vain at all. The idea of losing a part of you is totally terrifying and any breast surgery and cancer diagnosis no matter how early and treatable has a huge effect on a person mentally and physically.

What was it that changed the treatment plan for you? 

Be kind to yourself! You never have to apologise for how you are feeling.

Sending hugs x

Thank you for the reply. 

When I went to get my magseed ultrasound they ended up doing more biopsies as there was another area they weren't sure about which turned out to be cancerous too. I have 5 small areas over a section of my breast. I do have large breasts so hoping the reduction works out. Xx

Sorry I forgot to ask how your MRI went. 

Hey!

I'm not gonna lie it was pretty unpleasant. Could cope with the noise but got so uncomfortable lying in that position for An Hour!!!

Now for my appointment on Monday. Really dreading that they will have found something else but what will be will be.

Did you get any more news today!? 

Hope you are able to have a nice weekend xx

Oh gosh a whole hour would have been tough. I feel claustrophobic thinking about that.

Good luck for Monday.

I had a good chat with one of the nurses who has been at most of my appointments. I've now been transferred to be under her care of her rather than a nurse I've never met. She was very apologetic about me not being kept in the loop properly. She is going to call me after MDT on Monday late on or Tuesday. Doubt my results will be back by then though so probably be the following MDT meeting before my case can be properly discussed. 

Yeah I'm making the most of this weekend and meeting my friends for lunch today and I'll be sure to have a small glass or 2 of wine. 

Have a good weekend too. Xx

Thank you!

Really pleased you now have a nurse on your team that you feel good about. It makes things so much more reassuring.

Enjoy the wine!! I've been to the pub to watch the rugby with a few beverages which has helped feel a bit more normal for a while! The stress will no doubt re-surface but enjoyed just being me again for a few hours.

Sending hugs xx

I definitely feel better as I now have a nurse that I've actually met on a few occasions now. My original nurse was based in another hospital, crazy!

Had a lovely day out. Was great to feel "normal".

How all goes well at today's appointment. Xx

That's good to hear about your nurse and so glad you had a lovely day out!

My appointment today went fine. Nothing unexpected found on my MRI so plan remains to have wide lump excision with bilateral reduction. Will have to take a bit more from my left breast than first thought and I will lose my nipple but hey ho.

She spoke about what would happen if they don't get clear margins and mastectomy was mentioned as a possibility down the line but she said she was optimistic about saving the breast.

So 10th of March it is! Now time to get organised!

Hope you've had an OK day. Sending best wishes xx

Hi PositiveT

Hope all goes well with your planned surgery.  I can honestly say that I have no regrets of agreeing to the bilateral reduction op.  When I asked the nurse about recovery time she said 3-4 weeks but I'd say be prepared for it to take longer.  My incisions are healing nicely now almost 5 weeks after the main surgery but I still don't feel ready to be doing anything too strenuous just yet. 

The worst part is now the itching and the fact I still have to sleep on my back but that's not a big deal considering the tumour is gone.  Best wishes for your op. x

Glad your appointment went fine. I suppose we just have to do what we need to. 

I ended up going in for an appointment yesterday. Biopsies were early cancer but that's me now got my surgery date and good to go. Mine is the 16th do not far behind you. Still hoping for clear margins from first op so I can get the reduction but what will be will be. 

We can do this! Xx

So glad to hear you have your date! It's a relief to have the next milestone to get to. Keeping everything crossed for clear margins all round! 

We will be recovering together haha!!

And you're right....we can (and will) do this xx

Hi JYM, 

Thank you for your kind message. It's great to hear you are happy with your decision and got clear margins (even though it meant a second op).

Hope your healing continues well and you get back to your usual activities as soon as possible. Itching doesn't sound much fun tho!

Sending best wishes xx

Hi JYM, 

Thank you for your kind message. It's great to hear you are happy with your decision and got clear margins (even though it meant a second op).

Hope your healing continues well and you get back to your usual activities as soon as possible. Itching doesn't sound much fun tho!

Sending best wishes xx

Hi Positive T

Thank you, I think it’s a bit of a long road getting the reduction instead of a lumpectomy but since I wasn’t happy with my size anyway it was a no brainer. 

I had the 43mm tumour and a smaller lesion close to it which was going to get removed at same time but turned out to be benign. As the surgeon said having big boobs made it easier to get clear margins ( think if it hadn’t grown it would’ve been just one op) 

Best wishes for your op.x

Thank you. 

My surgeon went straight in with the reduction and I wasn't about to argue lol. I have big boobs (34F) and they need to take quite a large area (whole of upper left quadrant including my nipple) so would have been super wonky without the bilateral reduction.

I'm hoping with more tissue clear margins might be easier like you said so fingers crossed!!!

Are you having to have any further treatment once recovered from the surgery?

Xx

I was the same, as soon as I heard the words mammoplasty I was smiling under the face mask. She said I'll let you think about it but I think I know the answer. My partner was just looking bewildered as he hadn't realised what she meant.  The surgeon also explained that having less tissue would mean radiotherapy would work better and possibly cut down on recurrence risks. Makes sense to me. 

Further treatment was to be radiotherapy to breast and hormone therapy as hormone +ve, her2 -ve.  Due to grade 3 and very tiny cells in 1/4 sentinel nodes following surgery they have organised an Oncotype test to see if there would be any benefit to having chemo. Fingers crossed there would be no benefit as it's the one thing I didn't want to happen. I'll know more on 15th March.

I've learned so much from this site since I was diagnosed in November,  still can't quite believe it's happening mind you.  Positive thoughts though & we'll all get through it. x

I really hope you get the right result from your oncotype test and don't have to go through chemo. But either way....you've got this.

I haven't been told anything about hormone positive/negative yet. Perhaps after the biopsy on everything that is removed?!?

It's such a journey isn't it. Not one we want to be on but am sure we will get to the final destination!

Stay strong xx

You'll get some pathology info after the biopsy but all of the info after your surgery. As I said mine was 22mm to begin with then 43mm after removal.  That concerned me a bit but it's still a stage 2 cancer & considered to be caught early. Mine is lobular, less common than ductal & no obvious lump.

Thank you, I'm praying just radiotherapy & hormone therapy.  You're right we've got this and will get there. x

Hi,

I have Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma InSitu, is that what you have? I've had one lumpectomy, then had to have haematoma evacuation 6 days later which was very scary! Lumpectomy results yesterday and margins aren't clear so unfortunately I have to have a second excision on 4th April. I'm gutted they have to go in again. I'm thinking if they don't get it all this time I'll have a mastectomy. Recovery has been really challenging and I still can't wear a crop top, sports bra or soft cup bra for any longer than a couple of hours. Intense itching, needle stabbing and feeling that all fabric that touches the nipple is chafing. 
My sons seem to think I should be ecstatic as it's still non invasive and don't understand why this has got me down. Daughter is more understanding and husband is supportive understanding my frustration as this impacts in our life together.

Really lovely to see the interaction and mutual support on this thread and to know we experience similar things xx

Hi there

I have invasive lobular cancer, grade 3, stage 2 . Not sure if stage 2a or 2b as although there were a few cells in 1/4  sentinel nodes the report says negative lymph involvement.  I really didn't expect a second op either as surgeon had removed lots of tissue (660 grams in each breast ) the first time. The second op was much quicker though. 

I understand how you're feeling, I initially had stinging, throbbing pain. Now I'm at the intense itching, numb in some areas stage. I'm also leaking from the incisions as they heal and going from soft cotton bras to cotton crop tops at night. I only just tried to stop putting dressings onto the breast creases as of today to see if that helps with the itching. I can still only sleep on my back which isn't my normal sleeping position but I'm still glad I got the reduction as it will be great once it all settles. No-one really explains how long it will take to heal. The breast nurse said 3-4 weeks but I'm now 8 weeks since my first main surgery and I'm nowhere near back to normal.

I think we just need to be patient and know that the tumours are being dealt with.  I find waiting on results and upcoming appointments difficult. It's not nice that we all have to go through this but good to know there is support out there from others in the same boat. 

I wish you well for your 2nd op and hope you get clear margins this time. X

Ps great to hear everything went well with your surgery PositiveT,  all the best for your healing. X

Thank you so much! Xx