Hi Suemum

So sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but it sounds like you've caught it early, even if it's Stage 2.  I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2023 (Stage 2, Grade 3) and had a lumpectomy last year (after 6 months of chemo/immunotherapy treatment) followed by a short course of radiotherapy.  I had my first follow-up mammogram last month which has come back clear.  I was a bit like you when I found the lump.  I was seeing my GP regularly for other reasons and when she asked if there was anything else, I mentioned it really just as a "it's probably nothing".  She did an examination in the surgery and referred me to the hospital for further investigation.  It is very hard not to worry, and that period of not knowing I think is the hardest.  I too had a couple of sentinal nodes removed whilst undergoing the lumpectomy so they could do a biopsy but thankfully they came back clear.  The operation itself is very straightforward.  My surgeon did an amazing job and unless you look extremely closely, you wouldn't even know anything had been done.  They will take excellent care of you and from experience they are very considerate of the aesthetics post surgery. 

I know it must feel like an interminable amount of time between diagnosis and surgery date, but (easier said that done, I know), try not to worry.  It's ok to feel scared and it's ok to feel angry and upset too.  But just try to keep yourself occupied and try to keep positive (though at times I wanted to shoot anyone who told me to think positive all the time!).  I can empathise with how you're feeling.  Take some deep, calming breaths and if you can, try to find some online, short meditation audio clips.  That always helped me and settled my mind when it started to run away with itself. 

We are here if you need to rant and shout and get things off your chest. 

Keep us posted with how the surgery goes.  All the best.

Carol 

Hi, I don’t want to hijack Suemum3’s post but I’m in a similar position but stage 2 and need chemo first before the op and haven’t hit menopause yet so need that to be chemically induced too. Your experience sounds closest to me mine. I’m terrified of chemo, will I be able to work? We’re you able to? Any advice of what is realistically possible and what you can do while having chemo would be super helpful. 

To be honest, I suspect it’s all a bit exhausting both emotionally and physically. Our bodies need to repair and in all honesty, I’m just doing what it’s asking me to do. Figure it will fix itself. Do take care and speak soon. X

And you x

Hi Sue,

Unfortunately, I had this throughout my treatment and still have it now, as a permanent reminder, 15 years on. Fatigue is a very common side-effect from cancer and cancer treatment. All you can do is to listen to your body and take naps, as and when you need to.

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine I have had my results of lumpectomy and lymph nodes. Good news it's  stage1 grade 2 and not spread to lymph nodes. Unfortunately as my estrogen,prostrogen and Her2 were all high and it's  an aggressive  form of cancer I do have to have treatment. I'm waiting to see oncologist in a few weeks bu it will be chemo with Herceptin followed by radiotherapy and a tablet to take for 5yrs. I'm having a pick line fitted and i have asked for the cold cap to save 60/70% of my hair. So as I said before waiting to see oncologist and to get a start date for treatment  xx 

Hi Sue,

I'm sure that you feel some sense of relief to at least know what you are dealing with now. It's good to hear that it is still stage1 and has not spread to lymph nodes, although I'm sorry to hear that it's aggressive and that you will need chemo and radiotherapy. Did they say what type of breast cancer you have? From what I hear the PIC line is a good idea. Have you been told that the cold cap doesn't work for everyone? I hope that it does for you.

Please keep in touch.

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

When you mean the cold cap doesn't work for everyone is it because  they can't keep it on for as long as some  ? Aggressive ductal carcinoma. 

Regards

Sue xx

Hi everyone 

Seems like ages ago I talked about my cancer journey.  Yesterday  I received my nhs wig and decided I was going to shave my hair off, so thats what I did. I was going back and forth with having the cold cap and even had it  booked in for Monday 22nd September. Tomorrow I get my picc line fitted and start chemo Monday. I have 12 weeks of chemo once a week, Herceptin jab every 3 weeks for 9 sessions, bone infusion once a month for 6 months. Then when that has finished I will have radiotherapy but not sure yet how many weeks but it will be everyday.  I'm in a much better place now everything is happening. Thanks for all your kind words. Sue xx

Hi Suemum3,

I apologise for not answering your question about the cold cap - I didn't get any notification of your post and have only seen it now when I went to reply to your latest one. The cold cap can reduce the amount of hair loss, but how effective it is will depend on the type of chemo you have. The cap needs to be worn for 36-45 minutes before chemo starts and for some time after the session is finished. It will depend on what chemo drug you have as to how long it should stay on afterwards. This makes your treatment times longer than if you're not wearing one.

Some people find the cap too uncomfortable to wear and others have headaches when wearing it. One plus to wearing the cold cap is that you hair is said to grow back faster if you've used it.

How are you feeling now that you've shaved your head? It will probably take you a while to get used to the change. I hope that you're happy with your wig and hope that your chemo goes well. Have you decided against the cold cap now?

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine x

Hi Sue,  Good luck for Monday.  I didn't use the cold cap either it added too long on the chemo.  My hair grew back fine afterwards.  Good luck and you have got this.  Lee x

Hi Jolamine 

I'm actually feeling  ok about my hair. I feel so much lighter about everything. Just had my picc line fitted and that was ok too. First chemo on Monday. 

Sue x

Hi Jolamine 

I'm actually feeling  ok about my hair. I feel so much lighter about everything. Just had my picc line fitted and that was ok too. First chemo on Monday. 

Sue x