Hi everyone, just thought I'd give you an update, as I had my post op assessment today. It was the best possible news I could have had. They took 20 lymph nodes out, none of which had cancer showing. There was no sign of either tumour and no cancer cells in any of the breast tissue. They still want me to have radiotherapy as a precautionary measure and to reduce the risk of cancer coming back. Hope you are all OK. Xx

Hi Pippin24   That's amazing news!  Well done you!  Radiotherapy will be a breeze after everything you've been through.  Do you know how many sessions you will need? 

All good here thanks.  Had a poorly pup for a couple of days but she seems to be much better today.  My last immunotherapy session is scheduled for 21 November - all being well (e.g. bloods are ok and they can find a vein for treatment!) I will be ringing that bell!  

I'm meeting up with the "Moving Forward" ladies on Monday evening for dinner and a catch-up.  I'm looking forward to that.  Am also out to dinner tonight lol. Thank goodness for my PT to help me work it all off!  He's gradually increasing what I do and I am definitely feeling better for it.  Yesterday he introduced light weights and I found out I couldn't quite straighten my left arm directly in front of me!  That was a new one lol.  So I'm working on that in between sessions too. 

Hope everyone is doing well.  

Carol xx

Yeah it has to be less than 50ml yesterday it was 22ml today in the morning it was 20ml and in the evening need to see what that will be. You have to date, time and measure it and record it on the paper hospital gave. Don't like it at all can't sleep with it it always in the way of anything you are doing. Going to the bathroom is a mission. 

Hi pippin24 mine  has so far been below 50ml but it's only been 1 day yet. 

Mine has been below 50ml and it's been only 1 day so don't know how long they will keep it in for.

Mine has been below 50ml but it's only been 1 day so don't know how long it will be in for 

Sorry every time I would post it it wouldn't show so got multiple now on here sorry about this ladies.

No worries. As far as I know it has to be between 25-30 ml, but someone else may be able to clarify this for you. As mine was removed before coming home  I didn't take too much notice. Hopefully, you won't have it in for too long. Xx

Thank you pippin24

Your welcome xx

Hi - D Day - arrived at hospital waiting for check in.  Terrified this morning- not about the treatment formalities but what the treatment will do to my body.  For someone reaching the ripe old age of 71 and do not take any medication (except for the odd paracetamol and very rare antibiotic) never had any operations - just given birth to two fine boys) skipped relatively easy through the menopause this is one hell of a day.  Never smoked but do enjoyed nice glass of wine, the odd G &T and of course our sunny holidays   Didn't have the best night's sleep so tired as well today but steroids should keep me going. Anyway no more moaning just need to get on with this and come out the other side.  Update to follow.xx

Hi Robin 

I had a double mastectomy.  For me I had two drains each side and a pump each side do six tubes in total.  Like you my husband had to drain and measure fluid but just once a day.  When my fluid went below 20 for two days they removed drain.  Took 10 days for all 4 drains to come out  xxx 

It seems every trust / surgeon has their own direction so be guided by yours. 

wishing you well with your recovery 

xx 

Hi Robin 

I had a double mastectomy.  For me I had two drains each side and a pump each side do six tubes in total.  Like you my husband had to drain and measure fluid but just once a day.  When my fluid went below 20 for two days they removed drain.  Took 10 days for all 4 drains to come out  xxx 

It seems every trust / surgeon has their own direction so be guided by yours. 

wishing you well with your recovery 

xx 

Hi NGS   I had my first session today - 6 planned all being well if no serious reactions.  You have had quite a journey.  I will have my mastectomy after treatment but cannot have reconstruction because it's inflammartory bc so all skin is removed so I will be flat.  Was wondering whether to ask Consultant when we meet if they could make the other boob smaller just to equalise it a bit!!!

Hi NGS, just wondered how things went with your oncology appointment. I hope they were able to give you some reassurance regarding your pain and that you don't feel so anxious now. Have a good weekend. Xx

Hi Pippin 

all good here.  I had second bone infusion on Tuesday and have avoided a and e like before 

saw oncologist Wednesday who has reassured me cancer not spread to bones.  The second cancer although high grade was not invasive and had not spread so the mastectomy got it all out.  Such a relief to know.  He was concerned though by my level of pain and peripheral neuropathy.  Has stopped my medication - letrazole as certain it is that and to give my body a rest.  I’m going to move to a different medication in 4 weeks but honestly if pain is the price and it isn’t the cancer spread I’ll suffer it 

How is your recovery going ?  Hope you are improving with every day 

xx 

How are you feeling.  One down - keep focusing on that end goal.  I’m sorry to her you can’t have reconstruction.  Being cancer free if the main thing.  But just a thought. I have BRCA1 so had to have all tissue right up to skin removed.  My surgeon did tell me if he couldn’t save my skin or if there was cancer in the nipple there was a way he could make a breast from skin at my back flap and pull it round.  That said my cousin went flat and she absolutely rocks life.   
I hope side effects are minimal.  We are all here to help 

I second Pippin - Polybalm was brilliant.  I ordered mine from Amazon.  I also highly recommend look good feel better. You get lots of goodies and it was a godsend - look them up they have lots of courses on hair / eye brows and make up 

xxx stay positive - you’ve got this 

Hi NGS, so pleased that you got the reassurance that cancer has not spread to the bones, that's fantastic news. Annoying that the letrazole has been causing you issues, I started that this week, so will have to see how it goes. I'm getting nerve pain in my arm pit and down my arm, since having surgery. It is quite tiring  when the pain is there all the time. I'm going to contact macmillan nurse tomorrow, to see if there is any cream I can use to ease it. Where does peripheral neuropathy affect you?  Do you use any cream or take any meds for it? I have a ct scan tomorrow, to check on the lung nodules. I also have to go back for wound check on Wednesday. So annoying as it's only a small section of tummy wound that just won't heal. It's not very nice as it's a gsping hole which has to have dressing inside now. Lucky hubby is willing to do it at home in-between hospital visits

Had a lovely evening out tonight with the kids. We went out for a meal and onto a show. Fairytale of New York, which was Irish  and Christmas songs, plus Irish dancin̈g. So glad I actually got to go. Hope you've had a good weekend. Xx

Hi Pippin,

I'm glad to hear that you were out tonight and I hope that you all enjoyed the show. I hope that all goes well with the CT scan tomorrow and that your wound is healing a bit better, by the time you go to get it re-dressed on Wednesday.

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine, it really was so lovely to be out with the family and the show was great. Just a regular scan to check lung nodules, that showed in first ct scan. Hopefully, they will still be the same. Not so worried now, since finding out all lymph nodes were clear. Will let you know how wound check goes on Wednesday, unfortunately I think it will be a slow process. Hope you enjoyed your weekend. Xx

Hi Pippin,

Here's hoping that the CT doesn't show anything new. Finding out that all lymph nodes were clear must have been a great relief and I know how much that reduces your anxiety. You must be getting pretty fed up with your gaping wound, but I suppose that you just have to remain patient.

We had a good weekend thank you. We went to see an illusionist at the local arts centre on Friday night and it was a very entertaining evening. 

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, I'm not so anxious about getting the ct scan results this time, due to the fact all my lymph nodes were clear. I think this means that the cancer is less likely to have spread. The tummy wound is not very nice, just fortunate that hubby isn't squeamish, so can do the dressing in-between hospital visits. Think it's going to be a very long process unfortunately and I can't get out for my daily walks. Sounds like you had a really good weekend, always nice to go to an entertaining event. Any update on your tilt test appointment?

Hi Pippin,

I now have a date of 18th December for the tilt test - it can't come soon enough!

Jolamine xx