Hello and a very warm welcome to Cancer Chat, MCP! 

I'm sorry you've not had a reply from another member yet, but I suspect many people are dashing round in preparation for tomorrow. 

I know that we have a few ladies on here with a similar diagnosis who may well be able to answer your questions. I'm tagging [@Jbains]‍and [@rileyroo]‍as I believe they've both had an invasive ductal carcinoma diagnosis and, hopefully, they will be along soon to offer their thoughts. 

Our friendly cancer information nurses will also be back online and on the phones from Thursday 28 December if you'd like to chat to them. You can reach them on 0808 800 4040. 

All the very best,

Helen
Cancer Chat moderator 

Hello MCP. I didn’t have chemo, wasn’t required, I had radiotherapy which I found hard enough. All credit to those that do both. 

I had a lumpectomy also called breast conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy done on 2 August, nodes were clear. Radio started 4 October, 15 sessions, 40 gy which I think is a fairly standard dose. 

I have to say that the surgery for me at least was the easy bit. In and out in a day, a bit uncomfortable but as I got my arm moving with the exercises I was given, it freed up really well. 

Altho invasive, mine was discovered very early and was tiny. The surgeon said that it wouldn’t have caused any problems if it had been left until the next routine mammogram but as it had been found it had to be dealt with. 

I’ve been discharged from Oncology now and have the next appointment with the breast unit in August next year unless something happens in the meantime. 

I’ve been warned that once everything settles down post rt, I might not be comfortable with the way I look but that there are things that can be done to sort it out if that’s what I want to do. 

Don’t know if this helps or not but on this site, you are not alone with this. Feel free to contact us if you want or need to.