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Recently diagnosed with breast cancer

Kaz62
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I recently had a call back from my recent mammogram, which unfortunately following biopsy has been diagnosed as breast cancer caused through hormone estrogen!  Now awaiting treatment planning meeting following an MRI scan which I had at the weekend.

is there anyone out there who has also been diagnosed recently, just for a shout out and possibly work together through this x

  • Offline in reply to Jayne417

    Can I ask stupid question. What sort of clothes did you wear for the first few weeks? Could you lift your arm to put T-shirts on or is there something easier to wear. Can you still function with daily tasks-bathroom eyc

  • Offline in reply to Mummymartin

    Hiya,

    haven’t had my surgery yet, I’m scheduled for early Dec.  I will let you know as soon as there.

    take care and stay in touch please 

    Kaz x

  • Offline in reply to Kaz62

    I’ve got my next hospital appointment tomorrow with surgeon to discuss options. 

  • Offline in reply to Mummymartin

    Hi,

    Good luck for tomorrow x

    stay positive and keep in touch please

    kaz x

  • Offline in reply to Kaz62

    Hi Kaz, Jayne, Judyknitabob, Mumkat & Mummymartin, 

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 
    I am sorry to hear that you have all been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is good news that this is one of the less aggressive cancers and that it has been caught early. 

    Many cancers tend to feed on oestrogen, which is why we are prescribed hormone tablets to combat this action. Most hormone therapies disrupt the action of natural hormones within the body and thus prevent the cancer from growing, while others can stop the action of natural hormones altogether. They are often used in combination with other drugs to reduce the size of tumours before surgery, or radiotherapy treatment and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

    I see that some of you are having a lumpectomy, whilst others are having a mastectomy. I have had both and found that the best clothing to have for both was stuff that opened at the front. It is easier to put these on and take them off, without having to lift them over your head. You will also need a soft bra that you can wear after your surgery. Most of us are advised to wear a bra at night, as well as during the day. Some find it easier to have one that opens at the front, but, despite, having a double mastectomy second time around, I managed with a back closing one on both occasions.

    I had Pure Mucinous Cancer, stage 1. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a second cancer in the same breast, within less than a year and a pre-cancerous lump in the other one less than 6 months after my lumpectomy. This was why I had a double mastectomy second time around. I took Tamoxifen for the first year, but when this hadn't managed to keep the cancer at bay, I changed to Letrozole for 6½ years after that.  In my case, neither of these came without side-effects, although some people seem to sail through without any. However, if I had to do it again, I would, as all of this happened 14 years ago and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. I hope that this gives those of you who are starting out on your cancer journey some hope.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you all get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine,

    thank you for your insight and experience, sounds like you have been through the mill with all this.  So happy that you are doing well and living life to the full.  A real trooper through it all.  

    I had my second biopsy today and this one has left a me a bit sore!  I need another MRI and hopefully that will be early next week so it doesn’t delay my treatment planning appt for 27th Nov.

    thank you once again for your response and I’m sure we will all stay in touch.

    good to know that there is always someone out there!

    Kaz x

  • Offline in reply to Kaz62

    Hi Kaz,

    I am glad to hear that you had your second biopsy today - you will feel sore at the site for a while. I'm sorry to hear that you need another MRI too, but hope that a date for this comes through soon. It is always frustrating and a worry, when you need these additional tests. I had to have them too. However, it is good to hear that your care team are being thorough. I'm sure that you are keen to start treatment in December.

    Please keep in touch and remember, that we are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx 

  • Offline in reply to Kaz62

    Hospital appointment yesterday surgery booked 3rd December. I was given 3 options for surgery which was good as I had convinced myself it was either mastectomy or they had underestimated and it was a stage 3 or 4! Wide excision I think they said day surgery so hopefully mobile for Christmas 

  • Offline in reply to Mummymartin

    Hi Mummymartin,

    I am so glad to hear that you can have a wide local excision and don't need a mastectomy. This must be a great relief for you. I hope that you feel a little better now that you have a date for surgery and it's good to know that it's not too far away.

    Don't forget that we are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Mummymartin

    Hi. I am sorry to hear you too are going through this. I had a lumpectomy with full node clearance 10 days ago. I had a drain for a week but I think that was due to the node removal. It was day surgery. Although I had to be at hospital for 0730 I didn’t go for surgery until 2 pm, was in recovery at 5pm and discharged at 8pm. I was surprised how well I seem to be doing. A front opening shirt is definitely easier the first couple of days. I am now wearing long sleeve vests and jumpers though. Although I dress slowly I haven’t had any problems. I didn’t have any front fastening bras and that hasn’t been an issue for me.

    Am currently awaiting results appointment with treatment plan. I wish you all the very best and please let me know if you have any more questions 

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