Hoping the next round goes smoothly for you xxx 

I’m day after you Pippin. Next round on 16 th. Will be last EC for me then onto Docetaxel but just for 3. 
xx 

I’m happy to share.  My dad is from a large family. He is 1 of 10. His mum sadly died in her 50’s from breast cancer and what we now know to be secondary breast cancer.  She was 1 of 16 and through tracing our family tree we know many of her sisters also had breast cancer as well as there down lines.  
3 months before losing his mum my Dad lost his eldest sister who was just 37.  She too had secondary breast cancer. He was just 19 at the time. Long before me.  
life then plodded along until I was 18 when my aunt ( Dads sister ) lost her battle to ovarian cancer aged 61 

we started to question things and as I was living in london at time I was referred to Royal Marsden 

they agreed annual screening - mammograms and told me to consider ovary removal once I had completed having children. I was only 18/19 then and genetics was not talked about 

6 years after losing my aunt we lost my dad's brother to prostate and pancreatic cancer all wishing 3 weeks. An elder cousin of mine was also diagnosed with breast cancer aged 35 and had a double mastectomy followed by chemo and radiotherapy 

life plodded along for a bit I had 3 sons.  and continued with mammograms 

we asked about genetic testing but was told we needed a living relative with cancer to start this. My cousin at one point some 20 plus years ago was tested for BRCA1 but is was inconclusive 

in December 2011 I had severe abdominal pain and was found to have fibroids   The consultant was brilliant and said with my history and the fact my family was complete I should have a hysterectomy and ovaries removed   There was research that by doing so pre 45 it added another layer of protection against breast cancer   I did not hesitate   I was under the breast clinic for yearly checks and they advised tamoxifen to block estrogen as another guard against breast cancer.    a potential risk of tamoxifen is increased risk of ovarian cancer   With ovaries removed I could take this 

Things in my family have spiraled over the last 4 years 

we lost another of dads sisters in 2019 to cancer followed very quickly by another sister April 2020 - both had cancers in the endocrine system  - both he short bottles from diagnosis 

my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer 2021 and I’m pleased to say following radiotherapy is doing well 

another sister was diagnosed august 2023 with leukemia  And my cousin has also been diagnosed with prostate cancer 2023 and just completed radiotherapy 

My cousin who had the mastectomy was re diagnosed with cancer in her lymph nodes some 8 years ago despite chemo / radiotherapy and 10 years of letrazole. However she is now on tablet chemo and doing amazingly 8 years on

so now with my diagnosis I have gone back to genetics   Surely despite such a big family this cannot be coincidence 

at last I’ve been listened to and have had testing for 7 genes   I am awaiting results  

I should also say I lost my maternal grandmother to breast cancer and my mum is in remission for breast cancer although her journey was very different to mine - lumpectomy and radiotherapy  

anyhows   I’m feeling super positive despite what seems like an ordeal 

im grateful to chemo - my oncoX type test was high  not at all surprised 

I want to do whatever I can to help others and my next generations whilst living life to the full 

xxx 

Oh gosh i'm so, so sorry to hear about all of your losses. It sounds like you've had a lot to deal with and a lot of heartache along the way. I'm so sorry to read this. It totally explains why you had your ovaries removed and i'm glad you had a good consultant who listened to you. i'm sorry you now find yourself here....but I"m also glad that there are members of your family who are doing really well post treatment that is very encouraging and hopefully gives you some comfort too. We will get through this.

I worry about my kids as I've obviously been diagnosed with breast cancer and my husband had prostate cancer a couple of years ago...but i am forever graetful that medicine has come a long way and hopefully it continues to advance with all these amazing trials etc that hopefully by the time it comes around to my kids they'll just have to pop a pill or have a vaccine to cure it!!...or at least there will be more treatment and more effective treatment available. We are lucky now too...as 20/30 years ago our diagnosis would probably be a lot more scary. It's so good to know we still have options and treatments available even if they are harsh at times.

My test came back high too so definitely need this chemo...so at least i know i'm doing everything i can...and if it comes back, it comes back but at least i know i've thown everything i can at it now.

When you do get your genetic test results back? Will be interesting to see...

Thank you so much for sharing your story and i'm really sorry your family have been through some tough times. All the more reason to live life to the full like you say, you just never know when it's going to be taken from you...but for today the sun is shining and we have chemo....and hope!

Sending you lots of love and thank you again for taking the time to share this with us...xx

I have just read your family history regarding cancer and am so sorry. Your family has certainly had a lot to deal with over the years. I can certainly understand why you opted for the hysterectomy and removal of ovaries. It seems so unfair that you are now having to go through this breast cancer journey. You are right that we have to be grateful for the chemo  You are an amazing person, so positive and wanting to do what you can to help others. Xx

Hi everyone, I need of a bit of advice, not sure if I need to go to a & e. Had my port fitted on Wednesday, which has been itchy for last couple of days. Thought it was just due to the healing process. However, last night I noticed what looked like two blisters right next to each other. But they're hard to the touch and really itchy. Also looks like they could have been leaking a clear fluid.  This area is not near the actual wound, but right near the corner of the dressing, which I've now peeled away from this area. Any thoughts?

Hi Pippin, 

Sorry you’re worried and sorry to hear it’s itchy…could you call you BCN? Or do you have a post op number you can call?

I think if you’re worried you should go in, they’ll know straight away. Better to get it seen to sooner rather than later and will then also stop you worrying..I’m sure it’s nothing and just the port settling, that can take a few days but I think when you’re dealing with Chemo and lower immune it’s always best to get it checked. At least speak to someone over the phone first if you can.

Are they blisters or part of the scab from the incision? Make sure you keep it clean…

really hope it’s ok and nothing to worry about..sure it’s just part of the healing process. Do you have a temperature? That’s a good sign of any infection..

let us know how you get on. Sending positive vibes your way xx

Hi Greeny80, thanks for your quick response. I'm wondering if it's some sort of allergic reaction. It's not near the wound site, just near to the corner of the plaster. Will try giving someone a ring, but wasn't sure anyone would be there on a Sunday. I have peeled the plaster away from the itchy area for now. I don't have any temperature, so I'm not concerned that the wound is infected at all. I may well end up popping to a & e, which is annoying as I was hoping for a rest day after a busy weekend!!

After reading your post the first thing I thought was it sounds like an allergic reaction to something touching your skin that's the most likely thing in my opinion x