It took them a while, but finally I have confirmation that it is no HER2 sensitive and it is ductal not lobular. I have a surgery date of 11th September. The department are very friendly and efficient, but I get the feeling I am on a bit of a production line. When they broke the news, I had a long chat with the consultant who said what they would probably do (lumpectomy followed by radio and/or chemo depending what they found) but as two of the results were missing we couldn't really discuss more. When I got the last result today, I asked about meeting my consultant again before the surgery. I got a call back from another oncology nurse asking why I wanted another meeting. I went through a whole host of questions that I had and she did her best to answer them. I'm also interested in post surgery options - what are they? I mentioned a few that I'd heard about (on these forums actually), e.g. breast reduction on the other breast - I am an E-F cup so this would seem sensible.

I'm just left feeling a little bit like I can't discuss all the post-operative options before surgery, and I suspect that after surgery I won't be in as good a mental state to think about things.  Also, I don't have a lot of confidence that I will be presented with all the options with sufficient time to reflect and make good decisions. 

Just a quick reply, @sandra123. I have been accepted for voluntatry severance at work, so will be retiring next year. Regardless of the outcome, and hopefully all will be cleared with treatment, breast cancer certainly does make you re-evaluate what you are doing with your time. Thanks for the advice.

So I'm now 5 weeks post surgery. I'm still waiting! This time on the results of an Oncotype DX test to determine if the cancer will respond well to chemotherapy. It has spread to one lymph node out of 3, and was 18mm in size and stage 2. I think chemo is generally advised if lymph nodes are involved, however my oncologist suggested the Oncotype DX test would give a clear indication of the relative benefit of adding chemo into radiotherapy. If the score is low, then there isn't any advantage to doing chemo, in fact there may well be a lower outcome if you look at the oncotype website. I will hear on Thursday.

Breast cancer seems to be mostly a waiting game.

Hi, brill news on the early retirement :-) bet h are well pleased. 

How u doing .... think u had yr op in sept so very likely having or due your radiotherapy. 

Its always surprised me how the waits seemed for ever yet at the same time seemed to b upon me so fast. 

Take care x

Hi Gadgetgal. I also had some discussion with my specialist about oncotype DX so I'm interested to hear about your experiences. Regarding your earlier question about reduction surgery on the other side to balance things out.... My surgeon explained that the initial priority is dealing with the cancer. After that, they return to look at the aesthetics. First of all, getting you looking symmetrical and feeling good in your clothes, which could involve things like a reduction (or in my case probably a breast lift on the other side). Second is making you feel good naked, so nipple recon etc.

I'm sure all of these options will be on the cards for you, but probably just haven't been discussed yet. A general thing I've found is doctors are so focussed on the medical side, they sometimes overlook the mental and emotional stuff that we as patients are going through.

Thanks @Sandra123,

Four weeks last friday post surgery and doing very well. I've had a couple of weeks of super sensitive skin but that seems to be easing (thank goodness) and I'm using E45 cream, Bio oil and have a tub of aloe vera gel ready for the inevitable radiotherapy.  Really hoping the Oncotype DX test will not indicate chemo, but trying not spend any energy focusing on it. I can do all that worrying and use mental energy if the results suggest chemo.

Feels a bit like I'm in the eye of a storm at the moment. Just got a nice piece of work that will occupy my mind until I get the results. Whatever the treatment is, I intend to milk it. I'm not dragging myself into work under any circumstances as I want all my energy for fighting this onery BC.

Hi MrsFingers,

I just replied to your post in your treatment thread. It does sound like we are at a similar stage. What was your specialist's thoughts about oncotype DX? Was that what indicated chemo?

Regarding reconstructive options, my surgeon and breast nurse said about the same. I'll wait a year until all treatment is over and then we can look at things like that then. At the moment, I'm inclined to do nothing. The difference in size doesn't really bother me (but I have something else on my mind so maybe my opinion will change). The scar needs a little work - there is a kind of ridge on one side of skin that is not scar tissue, but that should be easy to sort out.

My surgeon said that radiotherapy makes the affected breast a change consistency and become less variable in size, i.e. if you put on or lose weight that breast won't vary. I'm about a stone heavier than I'd like to be, and I was wondering if, once all this is over, if I tried to lose weight, if I could get both breasts to be similar enough in size :) I've read that fat produces oestrogen (which feeds my type of cancer) so losing weight would be a win win. I'd feel better about my weight, I could look more symmetrical without the need for surgery and I'd be reducing the amount of oestrogen.

Rereading this last paragraph - it looks like the ramblings of a mad woman :) Still, it's a plan.

Ah...if u didn’t have to wait for the onco testing you would have prob been underway on the radiotherapy front. Last couple of lasses on another thread who had the onco test came back as not needing chemo ...will keep everything crossed yours is the same. 

So doing the right thing using the moisturisers now.... good prep for the radiotherapy.

Love the attitude to the recuperation vs work, you def have the right idea. Work will b in your rear view mirror soon enough so looking after number one quite rightly should b order of the day ;-)

Was really interesting what u were saying about the treated breast and weight loss..... no one ever mentioned this to me at the hospital! Along the lines of your current thinking - I too decided not to have any reconstruction. I’m more than happy to leave as is but.... if weight loss can help minimise the difference- well I’m gonna give that a go. Tbh it’s a win win as I need to loose weight anyway but that potential is a great incentive :-) x

Hi Mrs Fingers, Gadgetgal and Sandra,

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 8 years and, have had a lumpectomy, followed by a double matectomy the following year. I didn't have reconstruction at the time because it was difficult to find a donor site, as, due to previous surgery, there wasn't really enough skin left to cover both breasts.

I left it at the time of surgery having discussed this with my surgeon, who advised me that he could try a skin graft at a later date if I was concerned about it. I feel that I am coping so well with a number of different prostheses that I don't want to put myself through all the assosiated falderal.

I can still manage to go to the gym and to go swimming. I use a modesty panel, if I am wearing lower cut necklines or evening dresses. i have had a few 'interesting' experiences, but I have survived the embarrassment and quickly discovered how to prevent them from recurring.

I only had hormone therapy, and boy did I pile on the weight. I am glad to say that I have now managed to lose 6 stone in weight, through watching my diet and increasing exercise. This has taken me nearly 2 years, but I do feel a lot better for the weight loss.

I wish you you all the very best in your cancer journeys and hope that you don't have to worry about weight gain or loss.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx