Don’t worry too much about the surgery, my own experience was that it was pretty straightforward. Done as day surgery and home with a cuppa by 7-30. 

Hi Rileyroo 

Is this the stage you were diagnosed with? It all feels a bit unreal.

I had stage two altho was originally told it was dcis. Two small areas, one invasive and one was dcis. Had a sentinel node biopsy as well, two very small scars. My consultant (the second one I saw, first was horrible) was very good! He didn’t close the incision with stitches, he taped them somehow. Scars are going to be barely there before much longer. 

That sounds good. If any of this can be. Did you have to have any radiotherapy?

Had three weeks in October. Glad when it was over. 

What was it like. I have no reference point as thankfully no one in my close family has had cancer other than my mum. Unfortunately her cancer was already end stage when diagnosed and she passed within weeks with no palliative treatment. Thanks. I am coming up with more questions than I thought I had.. and rambling lol 

Questions are good, keep asking. Radiotherapy was the bit that bothered me if I’m  honest.  The actual treatment was fine. If you are going down that route, start moisturising your skin as soon as you are healed from surgery. Bio oil was good for me but use what is best for you. Some radiotherapy depts give out creams, where I went didn’t. 

Most people on here find the staff in the radiotherapy depts really helpful, I didn’t. One team were brilliant, couldn’t fault them, less said about some of the others the better. 

Questions are good, keep asking. Radiotherapy was the bit that bothered me if I’m  honest.  The actual treatment was fine. If you are going down that route, start moisturising your skin as soon as you are healed from surgery. Bio oil was good for me but use what is best for you. Some radiotherapy depts give out creams, where I went didn’t. 

Most people on here find the staff in the radiotherapy depts really helpful, I didn’t. One team were brilliant, couldn’t fault them, less said about some of the others the better. 

That's an excellent tip thank you. I hadn't even though about pre skin care. So much info to take in today. Am going to buy myself a little book to note questions and answers in. Did you do anything else to prepare youself for treatment I.e. change your diet etc

I tried to eat healthily before and during treatment. I also made quite a few meals in advance and froze them in case fatigue set it which it did, big style. I managed to work through most of the treatment but was shattered by the end. Saw my gp and she signed me off for three weeks.

Try and stay hydrated as well. You probably do that anyway but it does help.    

Thank you so much for these tips. 

I've just joined this site and reading through I find these tips very helpful.  I've had my surgery recently and will be having radiotherapy in a couple of weeks. i do feel really tired already and wondered if the radiotherapy made it much worse.  Thanks for all the info.

I found radiotherapy very tiring but not every one does. Equally, I had no skin problems and some people get a lot. It seems to affect people in different ways.